I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

When Yao Xing arrived at 126 Songshan Road, he realized that he had been overly sensitive.

Vice Governor Zhou didn't invite him to dinner alone, but rather a whole roomful of people.

Zhou Wenhui had already finished get off work and arrived with Gu Tong'an.

"Yao Xing, you're here! Come on in, we've been waiting for you."

Qiaoqiao happily welcomed Yao Xing into the house. Zhou Zhonghai said cheerfully, "Director Yao, I heard you've been very busy. Even if you're busy, you still need to eat. Alright, everyone's here, let's sit down and eat."

Yao Xing awkwardly handed the fruit and canned goods to Qiaoqiao: "Yang Qiao, this is just a little fruit, nothing special."

Qiaoqiao accepted it and said carefully, "Thank you, I really like eating oranges."

Yao Xing knew that this kind of family wouldn't care about a few pounds of oranges, but he was still very happy that Yang Qiao said that.

Of the people at the table, only Yao Xing and Gu Tong'an were relatively unfamiliar. Zhou Wenhui personally introduced them: "Yao Xing and Gu Tong'an are Qiaoqiao's two classmates and good friends. Yao Xing took over the disinfection plant and is now the plant manager. Gu Tong'an is in the same class as Qiaoqiao and is still in school. He helped out in my editorial department during the winter break. They are both very outstanding young people."

Next, Zhou Wenhui introduced the others to Yao Xing and Gu Tong'an: "This is Liu Songming, the Minister of the Armed Forces Department, my good older brother. This is Yang Zheng, Qiaoqiao's older brother, from the Department of Metallurgy at Jiaotong University. This is Zhao Jintao, from the Agricultural University, also a freshman."

This is my younger brother; he just returned from the Soviet Union. This is my sister-in-law, Anne; she also just got back.

As Yao Xing listened, he felt incredibly inferior. Yang Qiao's relatives and friends were all remarkable people.

The fact that I was able to invite him to dinner today shows my standing in the Zhou family's eyes.

Despite the high regard Vice Governor Zhou held for him, he was still scheming about how to conceal the profits of the disinfection plant.

Yao Xing, you haven't even gotten on the right path yet, and you already have ulterior motives. What's the difference between you and Zhao Weiguo?

A despicable person, a complete and utterly despicable person.

Qiaoqiao and Fenglin carried a large plate of pre-portioned roasted mutton to the table. Zhou Zhonghai called out, "Qiaoqiao, remember to save some for Mom."

"I've kept it, don't worry, Dad."

Luo Meiyun had surgery and hasn't returned yet.

"Hehe, my love, even if we were to eat roast lamb or dragon meat, work has to come first."

Zhou Zhonghai chuckled as he personally distributed mutton to the children.

"Yao Xing, you've lost a lot of weight. You need to eat more."

Of all the people at the table, Yao Xing was given the food first, and she quickly stood up, saying, "Thank you, thank you so much."

For some reason, he felt like crying.

After the mutton was distributed, everyone raised their glasses and drank the Moutai that Liu Songming had brought.

Qiaoqiao, Hu Xiaomei, and Fenglin did not sit at the table; they ate by the grill set up in the yard.

Qiaoqiao picked up a half-fat, half-lean lamb chop, dipped it in chili sauce, and took a bite.

"Wow, Fenglin, Sister Hu, eat up! It's so delicious, there's not a hint of muttony smell."

The three of them ate until their mouths were covered in oil, enjoying the large bites of meat. They were so satisfied.

"This is my first time eating roasted lamb, no, this is my first time eating lamb," Qiaoqiao said contentedly.

"Who isn't eating this for the first time? It's hard enough to find pork, let alone lamb!"

Sister Hu ate it with gusto; it was crisp, tender, and juicy. How could there be such delicious mutton in the world?

"Before I came to the city, I had never even eaten an apple," Feng Lin said with a smile.

"I've never eaten one either. Apples are so precious. Sister Hu, Fenglin and I are just two bitter gourds in the village. But Fenglin is better off than me. Her family may be poor, but her class background is good, so she doesn't have to be criticized and struggled against."

"I envied you. Your family is so united. Your grandparents, parents, and brother all protect you so well. At that time, I thought, I wish my family was that good too. My mother said she felt sorry for me, but actually, she saved the good food for my younger brother. She didn't buy me even a single piece of candy during my long stay in the hospital."

Speaking of the past, Feng Lin sighed.

"Fenglin, don't look back. Brother Jintao loves you, and you're so capable. If you want candy in the future, just buy it yourself," Qiaoqiao quickly comforted her.

"Yes, buy it yourself. I'll buy ten pounds of candy, Qiaoqiao, I'll share half with you."

"Hahaha, Feng Lin, why are you acting like a nouveau riche?"

"I'm just a nouveau riche, I need to take good care of myself."

"Was it Brother Jintao who treated you like a little princess and spoiled you rotten?"

"Aren't you the same? Zhou Wenhui is so good to you."

"Yes, we'll raise them all over again, make sure they're well-fed and clothed, and that no one will bully them."

"Yes, come on, cheers!"

The three people took a sip of water from their three cups.

Hu Xiaomei smiled, her eyes stinging. If her child were still alive, he would be about the same age as Qiaoqiao.

Eleven years have passed, and Hu Xiaomei still can't let go of the pain. She feels sorry for that child; there isn't even a grave. As his mother, she wants to visit him, but she doesn't know where to go.

Master Li came out with a large tray: "Looks like I grilled it well; they finished the whole plate in no time."

"Master Li, it's not just good, it's even better than the chef at Jufeng Restaurant! I've already eaten two big pieces," Qiaoqiao praised.

"I'd be happy to receive your praise even if I didn't eat it."

"You've worked so hard, how can you not eat? I'll prepare it, you go inside and have a drink."

"I'm not going in. They're talking about national affairs, which I can't understand at all. I'll eat with you."

Another large plate of mutton was cut and sent in, and not long after, Yu Fu came out as well.

"Why aren't you eating?"

"I ate too fast, and I was full after eating just two big pieces," Yu Fu said with an embarrassed smile.

"We still have some at home; we'll bake some more during the Lunar New Year."

"Sister-in-law, you continue eating. I'll go check if the water has boiled and prepare a pot of tea for Commander Zhou."

Zhou Zhonghai always drinks tea after meals. Today there are many guests at home, and he will be going to the study to talk in a while, so he needs to prepare a large pot of tea.

"Go ahead, I want to eat another piece."

Qiaoqiao ate four big pieces; they were so delicious.

In the living room, Zhou Zhonghai disregarded all decorum and grabbed a lamb chop, taking big bites.

"Songming, back when we were in the army, we ate big chunks of meat like this during holidays. It's been more than two years since then."

"Old commander, if you want to eat, I'll bring it to you anytime."

Liu Songming's face was flushed from drinking, while Zhou Zhonghai and Zhou Wenhui were completely unaffected.

"No, just this once. You're not allowed to deliver again. I've already broken the rules," Zhou Zhonghai quickly stopped him.

"Is it against the rules for a son to give his father a sheep?"

"Don't try to fool me into thinking I made a mistake. Is it a sheep? These two bottles of wine are enough for me to drink a whole pot."

Zhou Zhonghai chuckled, "It's against the rules, but I really enjoyed the meal."

Yao Xing ate his meat quietly, listening to their conversation, and his respect for this family grew even stronger.

Gu Tong'an didn't dare to interrupt, and raised his glass to Yao Xing, saying, "Come on, let me toast you."

"Let's stop with the back-and-forth toasting."

"Of course I'll toast you. Thank you for taking me in for six months. You're going back to your hometown tomorrow, right?"

"Hmm, are you going back home for the New Year?"

"I'd like to spend the Lunar New Year at your rented apartment."

"Well, why don't you go home and say hello, and come back to my hometown with me for the New Year?"

"No, lonely times can actually be enjoyable."

The two clinked glasses and took a sip. Yao Xing couldn't influence Gu Tong'an's decision, so he had no choice but to go along with him.