Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

Within two minutes, Lin Chen emerged carrying a large, old-fashioned copper hot pot in both hands. The pot gleamed, with tiny sparks flying out from the center, and the heat of the charcoal fire wafted towards them.

With a thud, the copper pot was placed on the plate of water in the center of the table, and the soup in the pot began to boil and bubble wildly.

Lin Chen had already laid out all the dishes on the table, filling the large round table, with meat taking up more than half of it.

The beef and mutton rolls have distinct layers of fat and lean meat, with the fatty edges glistening and oily. Just by looking at them, you can tell they'll be tender and fragrant when cooked, and not greasy at all.

The bottom row of vegetables is the soul of hot pot: pickled cabbage from their own large vat, frozen tofu from Wang Xiaomeng's family, soft and chewy wide rice noodles, and some vegetables to eat with the hot pot.

There was also a row of condiments on the table, including homemade chili oil, mashed garlic paste, chopped cilantro, chive blossoms, sesame paste, and fermented bean curd.

Lin Chen grabbed a few chairs and said with a smile:

"Uncle, Aunt, don't be shy, let's start eating. On this cold day, nothing beats a hot pot meal. Let's eat and chat."

He took out several glasses, pushed the drinks in front of Xie Xiaomei and Xie Dajiao, and turned to look at Xie Baochang:

"Uncle, this is our first formal meeting, how about we get some baijiu?"

Xie Baochang was still thinking about the Santana parked outside. The roads were slippery and unsafe in the snow, so he had originally decided not to touch a drop of alcohol.

But when he looked up at Lin Chen's practicality, he admired the young man from the bottom of his heart. He glanced at his wife, Su Guifen, his eyes clearly seeking her opinion.

Su Guifen waved her hand and said with a straightforward smile:

"Go ahead and drink! This child is so sensible. He's already happy today, so why is hesitating? Let him stay here tonight and go back tomorrow when the snow stops. Xiao Lin, pour me a glass too, and have a drink with you guys."

"Okay."

Lin Chen grinned, turned around and took two bottles of baijiu from the cabinet, the aroma of the liquor mingling directly with the smell of the hot pot.

He deftly filled Xie Baochang's and Su Guifen's glasses, then pulled up a chair and sat down, relaxed and natural, without the awkwardness or unease one would expect when meeting parents; he appeared very poised and confident.

Lin Chen lowered his head to prepare the dipping sauce, scooping two large spoonfuls of thick sesame paste diluted with warm water. The texture was smooth and soft. He drizzled half a spoonful of fermented bean curd sauce to enhance the saltiness and freshness, added chive blossoms and minced garlic to cut through the richness, sprinkled a handful of chopped cilantro, and finally poured a spoonful of chili oil on top.

Take a small spoon and stir vigorously in one direction until all the seasonings are blended into a bowl of thick, reddish-yellow sauce. The aroma of numbing spiciness mixed with the fragrance of chili oil fills your nostrils, making your mouth water just by smelling it.

He first pushed the first bowl of mixed dipping sauce to Su Guifen, then handed it to Xie Baochang, his movements natural and unforced.

By now, the broth in the copper pot had been boiling thoroughly, with billowing white steam rising and bubbling loudly. Lin Chen picked up a slice of mutton with his chopsticks and gently dipped it into the boiling broth.

The tender pink meat curls up and changes color instantly upon contact with boiling water, turning milky white in three seconds. The fat and lean meat blend together, with oil floating on top. After draining the broth, it's thickly coated in the seasoning. The lamb is covered in a rich, thick sauce. Just writing about it makes me hungry.

"Uncle and Auntie, please don't be shy, eat it while it's hot!"

Xie Baochang couldn't wait to put it in his mouth. After chewing it a couple of times, the tender meat melted in his mouth. There was no muttony smell. The rich sesame sauce and the aroma of chili oil layered on top of each other. In an instant, all the coldness in his body disappeared. He felt warm from his stomach to his limbs. Every pore on his body opened up, and he felt incredibly comfortable.

His eyes lit up instantly, and he smacked his lips and nodded repeatedly:

"Delicious! The meat is great, and the dipping sauce is just right!"

Su Guifen was also hungry, so she didn't hesitate to add vegetables and meat. She picked up a piece of frozen tofu that had soaked up the soup and took a bite. It burst with juice in her mouth, soft, tender and flavorful, and became more and more delicious with each chew.

She praised him repeatedly:

"I have to say, having hot pot on a snowy day is really satisfying."

Xie Dajiao took a bite of pickled cabbage and stopped fussing. Even her appetite improved a lot. Xie Xiaomei picked up her chopsticks and started simmering the beef slices. She secretly glanced at her parents' satisfied expressions towards Lin Chen and couldn't help but smile.

The only sounds in the room were the bubbling of the copper pot, the crackling of the charcoal fire, and the sounds of chewing.

The room was filled with white mist, keeping out the wind, snow and cold outside the door. The family sat around the hot copper pot, eating rice in a warm and satisfying atmosphere.

After downing a glass of baijiu, the effects of the alcohol slowly crept in, and Xie Baochang's face flushed a natural pink. He naturally started talking.

He had just opened his mouth to inquire about Lin Chen's family situation when, before he could even speak, Lin Chen took the initiative to pick up his wine glass, sat up straight, and spoke to the two of them with a sincere expression, without beating around the bush or being polite.

"Uncle and Aunt, today the whole family is sitting here for a meal. I'm not going to beat around the bush. I want to say a few words from the bottom of my heart to you both."

He looked directly at the two of them with an open and honest gaze, and spoke in a very simple and straightforward manner:

"My parents passed away a few years ago, leaving me all alone. I have no relatives to rely on and no trivial matters to burden me."

"I used to work hard in Shenzhen and saved up several million yuan. I can't compare to those top-tier rich people, but it's more than enough to buy a house here and support my family. Xiaomei doesn't need to work and we have enough to live on, let alone trouble you two to help us."

"This time I'm going back to Xiangyashan to observe mourning for my family. I vow that I will not leave Xiangyashan for the next five years, and I will not go far away to do business. I will settle down in the village and live a peaceful life. I will complete my mourning and give myself a break. It's too tiring to be out there. Nowhere is as good as my hometown."

He turned his head and glanced tenderly at Xie Xiaomei beside him, then smiled slightly:

"My relationship with Xiaomei wasn't just a passing fancy; I genuinely like her and want to spend my life with her, growing old together."

"You can rest assured to entrust your daughter to me. I want to make a promise to you all today: I will spoil her and indulge her for the rest of my life. Xiaomei's little bit of spoiled and willful behavior is nothing. I will tolerate it all and never let her suffer any grievances or live a single day in poverty."

"And then there's my aunt. It's not easy being pregnant. She's like family to me. I take care of her during her pregnancy, feeding her, and managing her daily life. From the moment the child is born, grows up, goes to school, and gets married, I'll take care of everything. You live far away in the county town, so don't worry about it. Just leave everything to me."

Lin Chen didn't launch into a long speech; his words were simple, sincere, and straightforward. He didn't make empty promises, boast, hide his wealth, or conceal his past. He simply listened to Hui'er's honest chatter, and the atmosphere in the room instantly quieted down.

Xie Baochang stared at Lin Chen for a long time, holding his wine glass, and secretly weighed him in his mind. He originally thought that Lin Chen just had a little money, but he never expected that he had a solid family background, a correct set of values, and was so open and honest.

Such young people are so rare.

Su Guifen was overjoyed. She secretly kicked Xie Baochang under the table, her eyes brimming with undisguised satisfaction.

See that? Our daughter is so lucky!

The elderly couple couldn't help but have their own doubts. Their daughter was indeed quite outstanding, with excellent looks, figure, education, and abilities. But compared to Lin Chen's vision, image, and wealth, to be honest, it seemed like their daughter was marrying above her station.

Xie Xiaomei sat on the side, picking at the wide rice noodles in her hand, watching her parents' little actions clearly, secretly suppressing her laughter and grumbling to herself.

Is it really necessary to be so fond of him? It's as if I'm doing Lin Chen a disservice by marrying him.

Despite her inner complaints, she couldn't suppress the smile on her face; her heart was filled with sweetness, and she was deeply moved by Lin Chen's words.

Xie Baochang regained his composure, a genuine smile appearing on his face. He raised his glass and clinked it heavily with Lin Chen's, the crisp sound of the glasses meeting ringing out. He then said:

"Good child, your kindness is more precious than a fortune."

"Xiaomei and I have been spoiled since we were little and we are prone to throwing tantrums. In the future, please be more tolerant and understanding. We, as the elders, don't have any extravagant desires. We just hope that you two can live a down-to-earth life."

"Uncle, you can rest assured."

Lin Chen tilted his head back and downed the wine in his glass, his eyes firm and solemn as he said:

"I've decided for the rest of my life that Xiaomei is my wife."

Su Guifen was increasingly satisfied with what she saw. The alcohol made her speak even more frankly and openly, and she leaned forward, smiling as she pressed on with her question:

"Since the two children are so compatible and get along so well, when are you going to get married?"

"While Xiaohong is still healthy and agile, it's the perfect time to arrange your wedding at the same time. It would be a double celebration, wouldn't it be perfect?"

Xie Xiaomei nudged her mother shyly; she was genuinely afraid she wouldn't be able to get married.

Lin Chen poured the wine while replying, his words perfectly measured:

"Auntie, I know what I'm doing. We need to postpone the wedding a little. We're still young, a year or two won't make a difference."

"Although we haven't registered our marriage yet, in my heart, you two are my parents. Xiaomei is definitely going to be my wife. I'm just thinking that I'll wait until there's a good project, have my own career, and then marry her in a grand and glorious way."

Upon hearing this, Xie Xiaomei's parents' goodwill towards Lin Chen immediately increased. They wholeheartedly approved of this son-in-law; he was just so wonderful.

Su Guifen smiled broadly, constantly piling meat onto Lin Chen's plate:

"Okay, okay! I'll do whatever you say! Eat more meat. Look how thin you are, you must not eat properly. Xiaomei, look at you, make sure to prepare something good for Xiaolin."

Xie Xiaomei pouted beside her, wondering who the biological child really was.

Xie Dajiao sat to the side watching, nodding with a smile, knowing that she had passed the test of her brother and sister-in-law.