From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Knowing that Grandpa Feng’s eldest son would be returning to Quancheng the day after tomorrow, Feng Zhengming asked Grandpa Feng whether he should go to the train station to pick him up?
Grandpa Feng waved his hand and said, "You don't have to go. You are quite busy right now. Don't you have to prepare for the provincial banquet before the Spring Festival? Just do your own thing and don't worry about those things."

Feng Zhengming looked at Grandpa Feng's expression and it seemed that Grandpa didn't care about his uncle's family coming back.

Knowing that his uncle was coming back, his grandfather had previously told Feng Zhengming privately about his uncle's situation.

Grandpa Feng’s eldest son is named Feng Guofeng.

According to my grandfather, my uncle was a very calm and precocious child since childhood.

When I was a child, I took good care of my family and was very good to my parents and my younger sisters and brothers.

After graduating from high school, my uncle took the initiative to apply to go to the Great Northern Wilderness.

I stayed on the military farm there for many years.

And he has made contributions there.

Later, my uncle returned to Quancheng. He had no job at the time, so he helped his parents set up a stall to sell braised pork.

In the second year after the resumption of the college entrance examination, my uncle was admitted to a university in Beijing.

Since going to BJ to attend college, my uncle's life trajectory has changed dramatically.

My grandfather said that my uncle met my aunt when he was studying at university in Beijing.

My aunt’s family is from Beijing and has connections overseas.

My uncle and aunt got married shortly after graduating from college.

Then the two of them learned foreign languages ​​together and fought for the opportunity to study abroad.

In the 1980s, during the craze of going abroad, my uncle and aunt went abroad together.

But grandpa didn’t expect that uncle and aunt would not come back for ten years after they left.

So Feng Zhengming felt that his grandfather might be somewhat resentful of his uncle's family for not coming back for ten years.

Even when my grandmother passed away, my uncle and his family did not return home.

Maybe this incident made grandfather very disappointed with his eldest son.

However, although my uncle Feng Guofeng and his family have not returned to China in the past ten years, they still write to me from time to time.

I probably also knew that not returning home would make my father unhappy.

So all the letters were sent to my sister.

Feng Zhengming had also seen photos of his uncle's family of three.

The uncle in the photo is a very typical Qilu man, with a square face that makes him look very honest and down-to-earth.

My aunt also exudes the temperament of a scholarly lady.

There is also the child from my uncle's family, who looks like a very lively boy.

Because my uncle stayed in the Great Northern Wilderness for many years, and later went to college and went abroad, the child in his family is actually the youngest.

Seeing his grandfather's attitude towards his uncle's family returning to China, Feng Zhengming couldn't help but think in his heart.

Grandpa Feng’s family is reuniting, should I not show up in person for the time being?
Although he was adopted as Grandpa Feng's godson.

But no matter what, I am still an outsider.

When my uncle comes back this time, he might have some disputes with my grandfather.

If grandpa really got angry with uncle in front of an outsider like me, wouldn't it make uncle even more embarrassed?

At that time, it might be even more embarrassing and the relationship between father and son would become worse.

Thinking of this, Feng Zhengming specifically mentioned this matter to his second aunt and third uncle.

He meant that since his uncle's family was coming back, he would not show up to avoid any embarrassing situation.

To Feng Zhengming's surprise, his second aunt and third uncle both said that he must show up.

Second Aunt Feng Suying said seriously: "Don't worry, your uncle came back this time just to apologize to Grandpa, and he also wants to see you."

Third uncle Feng Jiandong was even more direct: "You think too much. Your uncle is much easier to get along with than your third uncle. If you don't believe me, you can ask your grandfather's old neighbors. When they mentioned your uncle, didn't they all give him a thumbs up and praise him?"

However, the second aunt and third uncle did not let Feng Zhengming go to pick up the uncle.

They also felt that Feng Zhengming was too busy preparing the menu for the provincial banquet before the Spring Festival and they couldn't waste his time.

In fact, Feng Zhengming really wanted to say that he had already prepared and submitted his menu.

The province has also approved his menu.

Feng Zhengming does not need to be personally responsible for the remaining purchasing work.

The province has arranged for someone to do the purchasing, which is definitely better than Feng Zhengming going there personally.

But since grandpa doesn't let me pick up my uncle.

Feng Zhengming obeyed his grandfather.

He still went to Huiquanlou in the morning to lead people in preparing ingredients.

Feng Suying and her younger brother went to the train station to pick up her older brother.

While the brother and sister were waiting outside the train station.

Feng Jiandong couldn't help asking, "Sister, do you think Dad will scold my eldest brother when he comes back this time?"

Feng Suying thought for a moment and said, "I'm afraid Dad might do something."

After hearing what his sister said, Feng Jiandong thought about it and agreed: "Dad might really do it."

Feng Suying said: "So we have to pay attention to Dad's condition and not let him get too excited. When we get to my eldest brother, tell him not to confront Dad."

Feng Jiandong agreed: "Yes, tell Big Brother not to talk back to Dad."

Feng Suying murmured in confusion again: "Why did my brother come back so suddenly? He only said in the letter that he was going back to China, but he didn't say what he was going to do back?"

Feng Jiandong thought for a moment and guessed, "Maybe my eldest brother and his wife are tired of living abroad. Now that the domestic economy is developing better and better, they are rushing back to China to start a career in China?"

Feng Suying didn't quite believe what her brother said.

She still felt that there must be some reason why her eldest brother and his wife and their family came back together this time.

After waiting outside the train station for a while, Feng Suying and Feng Jiandong finally saw a family of three walking out of the train station.

Feng Guofeng still looked honest, but in a suit and woolen coat, he looked more impressive.

No longer the old farmer who came back from the Great Northern Wilderness.

Although he has a buzz cut now, he looks more domineering.

Next to Feng Guofeng was a tall woman who was also wearing a woolen coat and had a scholarly look on her face.

There was also a chubby boy wearing a thick down jacket following them.

The boy was obviously curious about everything, so his eyes were always looking around curiously.

When Feng Jiandong saw his eldest brother and his family, he quickly raised his hands and shouted loudly.

"Brother, brother, sister-in-law, over here, over here."

When Feng Guofeng saw his younger brother and sister, a smile immediately appeared on his face.

Seeing the smile on their eldest brother's face, Feng Suying immediately realized that this man who had been abroad for ten years was still the eldest brother they once were.

Feng Guofeng threw the luggage to his wife and ran quickly to his sister and brother.

"Suying, Xiaodong."

Then in front of the train station, the three siblings hugged each other.

Feng Guofeng's wife led her son over and introduced him to him in a low voice.

The three siblings hugged each other for a while.

Then slowly release it.

Feng Guofeng called his wife and son over.

"Son, this is your second aunt, this is your third uncle, hurry up and call them."

Feng Guofeng's son Feng Yucheng greeted Feng Suying and Feng Jiandong with a smile.

When speaking, there is a foreign accent.

Feng Suying and Feng Jiandong also responded to their nephew with a smile and greeted their sister-in-law Li Yunqing.

Afterwards, Feng Jiandong invited everyone to walk out of the train station and get in his car. Feng Jiandong drove away from the train station, and on the way home, the siblings couldn't help but give their eldest brother some instructions.

"Brother, when you go home, don't confront Dad. If Dad scolds you or hits you, just bear with it. Dad is old, and if you confront him, Dad will get too angry, which is not good for your health."

Feng Guofeng nodded and agreed: "Don't worry, I came back this time just to apologize to my parents."

After a pause, Feng Guofeng continued, "It's my fault that I didn't come back all these years. Even when my mother passed away, I couldn't come back."

When Li Yunqing heard what her husband said, she opened her mouth to help him explain, but her husband stopped her by holding her hand.

Feng Guofeng said sincerely: "It's all my fault. I will accept it even if my father hits or scolds me."

Seeing their eldest brother's attitude, the siblings were not very surprised.

This is also the character of their eldest brother in their memory.

I never give too many explanations and would rather bear all the mistakes myself.

When the three siblings made mistakes together when they were young, the eldest brother always took the punishment alone.

Then Feng Guofeng mentioned Feng Zhengming to his sister and brother.

Feng Suying introduced Feng Zhengming's situation in detail to her elder brother.

After listening to my aunt's introduction of Feng Yucheng in the car, I couldn't help but ask a few questions in a foreign language.

Li Yunqing helped his son translate: "He asked if Feng Zhengming's brother was really the champion of the National Cooking Competition?"

Feng Suying and Feng Jiandong looked at each other and answered in unison: "Yes, he is now the top scholar in the country."

Feng Guofeng and Li Yunqing were a little surprised when they received a positive answer.

Although they had heard about it before they came back.

But now that they got a definite answer, the couple were really surprised.

A young man who is only in his twenties can actually become the top winner in a national cooking competition.

This made Feng Guofeng and Li Yunqing curious about Feng Zhengming.

Feng Yucheng was also very excited: "Brother is so amazing, number one in the country. Is he the best cook in the country?"

Feng Jiandong smiled and replied, "Now he is indeed considered the best cook in the country."

Feng Yucheng immediately said, "I want to eat the food he cooks."

Feng Suying said, "Wait until evening. Let's go to his restaurant for dinner."

At this time at Feng's house, Zhang Zhigang and Lin Yun brought their children to the house to wait with Grandpa Feng.

The family members looked at Grandpa Feng's expression and were afraid to say a word, fearing that he would suddenly get angry.

But Grandpa Feng didn't seem to be angry.

The old man even chatted with his grandson and granddaughter.

Zhang Zhigang and Lin Yun felt relieved when they saw that the old man was happily chatting with his grandson and granddaughter.

Zhang Hongwei kept asking his grandfather about the menu for Feng Zhengming's Spring Festival provincial dinner.

Grandpa Feng smiled and said, "I don't know either. You can ask your brother yourself when you go to dinner tonight."

Zhang Hongwei couldn't help but say, "It would be great if I could go and see it in person."

Feng Shengnan asked curiously, "Why did you go there to watch? You can't cook."

Zhang Hongwei immediately said: "I can go there and learn. I will definitely learn it by watching my brother cook."

Feng Shengnan immediately scoffed at this: "Nonsense, it took me a long time to learn it, how can you learn it just by looking at it?"

Seeing that his cousin didn't believe him, Zhang Hongwei said, "That's because I'm a genius."

After hearing this, Feng Shengnan despised her cousin even more.

Just at this moment, the sound of a car was heard outside the door.

Zhang Zhigang and Lin Yun were both surprised and said, "You're back."

Not long after, accompanied by a sound outside the door, a tall figure walked in first.

Zhang Zhigang and Lin Yun led the children forward.

Feng Guofeng walked in and looked at his father who was sitting in the living room at home.

The next moment, Feng Guofeng walked up to his father and suddenly knelt in front of him.

"Dad, I'm back. I'm back late. I'm sorry to you and mom."

After saying these words, Feng Guofeng kowtowed three times to his old father.

This scene was seen by the whole family, and Feng Suying and Feng Jiandong, brother and sister, were both moved.

Others may not understand, but Feng Suying knows it very well.

My parents never blamed my eldest brother for not coming back for many years while he was abroad.

Parents don't want their children around them.

Parents hope that their children can have their own careers and achieve success in their careers.

So over the years, whether it is the eldest brother who is abroad, or Feng Suying and Feng Jiandong who have their own careers.

The old father never forced them to go home and be with him.

Acknowledge Feng Zhengming's grandson.

When Feng Zhengming was busy with his career, his grandfather never minded him coming home late every night, nor did he blame him for not being around.

Grandpa Feng stood up and helped his eldest son up.

Looking at his eldest son who stood up and was taller than him.

Grandpa Feng smiled to everyone's surprise.

"Okay, just come back when you have time. Go ahead and go inside to see your mom."

These words were like a heavy punch, instantly defeating Feng Guofeng.

The tears that had been blocked in his eyes finally burst out.

Feng Guofeng turned around and walked into his parents' room tremblingly.

Soon, sobbing sounds were heard in the room.

Everyone in the family fell silent.

Everyone knew that the sobbing sound was Feng Guofeng's guilt towards his mother.

Grandpa Feng looked at his grandson who was beside his mother, then he smiled and waved to the boy.

Encouraged by his mother, Feng Yucheng slowly came to his grandfather.

He took the initiative to call out: "Grandpa."

Grandpa Feng smiled and said, "Hey, hello. Are you tired after coming back from abroad?"

The boy shook his head, "Not tired."

Although Feng Yucheng still felt a little unfamiliar with his grandfather, he always tried his best to communicate with him in Chinese.

It was obvious that the boy also wanted to get closer to his grandfather.

Feng Guofeng cried for a while in the house, and then called his wife and son into the house.

The three of them knelt down in front of their mother's portrait and kowtowed to it.

Feng Suying and her younger brother looked at each other and felt very warm to see their eldest brother and his family coming back.

The father, like before, didn't care that his children were not with him.

He just hopes that his children can do well in their careers.

Feng Guofeng came out of his parents' room and washed his face. Then the whole family sat down and talked about the experiences of Feng Guofeng's family of three abroad over the years, as well as their plans for returning this time.

After chatting for a while, the Feng family realized that Feng Guofeng and his wife were invited to return to China this time.

After they return to China, they will go to Shanghai to take charge of some international business work there.

Grandpa Feng was naturally very happy to learn that his son and daughter-in-law had returned to serve the motherland.

What made Grandpa Feng even happier was that Feng Guofeng and his wife had discussed and decided to leave their son in Quancheng to go to school. (End of this chapter)