Old Man Song was a traditional person, but that didn't mean he couldn't accept new trends.
An old-fashioned parent would find it hard to accept his child dying Song Ying's hair color — she even dyed her slender eyebrows the same color.
"You met? When? "Old Man Song was very curious about the meeting between Song Ying and Luoqiu.
Song Ying sat down. There were only four stools at the square table, but there were five sets of bowls and chopsticks.
Song Ying's stool was arranged to the right of Luoqiu, while Song Haoran's was to the left of Luoqiu — of course, the square table was spacious enough that it wasn't crowded at all.
After Song Ying sat down, she said calmly, "I heard that a distinguished guest came to my humble home, so I took some tea leaves from Grandfather to greet him."
Luoqiu smiled and said, "Miss Song also told me the story of Junshan Silver Needle."
"Oh? Is that so? " Old Man Song chuckled and looked at Luoqiu, "Don't judge this child by her appearance, she's quite good at brewing tea."
"It's a pity that some people don't know how to appreciate it." Song Ying smiled faintly.
Luoqiu wasn't angry — he really didn't know how to appreciate it. Secondly, although this Miss Song was a bit confrontational, it was much better than a certain Shinryū who opened a pet hospital who wanted to use force on their first meeting.
"Yes, it's a bit of a waste." Luoqiu nodded, "I don't know how to taste it, but I feel that the taste is okay. Also, when Miss Song made the tea, it was very pleasing to the eye. "
"Thank you." Song Ying thanked him graciously and smiled, "Then I'll take it as a compliment."
Song Haoran could easily sense the hostility in Song Ying's eyes. He awkwardly looked back and forth between Luoqiu and Song Ying, then helplessly looked at Old Man Song.
The palm of the hand was flesh, and the back of the hand was flesh. Although Luoqiu was a direct descendant of the Song family, he doted on his late sister's child from the bottom of his heart — originally, Song Haoran wasn't much older than Song Ying.
Although they were uncle and niece in terms of seniority, the way they interacted with each other was more like a sibling relationship.
Old Man Song chuckled and looked at Luoqiu, "Luoqiu, do you think Little Ying is pretty?"
Luo Qiu thought for a while and said casually, "Miss Ying should be a beauty that meets the public's aesthetic standards."
Old Man Song narrowed his eyes and said, "I'm asking you."
Luoqiu looked at Song Ying. In the black and white world, the ball of spiritual light that hid the radiance of life was constantly changing. Luoqiu said softly, "It's very special. It emits a kind of captivating brilliance."
Song Haoran's mouth gaped open, as if this was the first time he was meeting Luoqiu. Song Ying frowned. She felt that under Luoqiu's gaze, she subconsciously wanted to find a place to hide.
But … she suddenly felt uneasy. Old Man Song's questions were too sensitive. Almost anyone could see that Old Man Song was plotting something in his heart.
"So you like her?" Old Man Song's eyes lit up, and he immediately followed up with another question.
Song Ying suddenly became nervous … but she didn't show it. At the same time, she focused on her hearing.
"I like beautiful things," Luoqiu said softly, "but it's not the love between men and women."
You won't have a girlfriend … Song Haoran subconsciously rubbed the space between his eyebrows.
Old Man Song nodded and said, "Everyone has the heart to love beauty. Appreciating beauty is a good thing … It's getting late. Old Five, serve the dishes. "
"Yes, Master."
Fifth Uncle clapped his hands a few times. Then, a group of maids lined up on the left and right. Each of them held a different dish in their hands and served it.
Fifth Uncle introduced each dish. "Ham and bamboo shoot soup. It's made with the best Jinhua ham and dried bamboo shoots. The soup base is made with old hen, cabbage, dried scallops, and old ginseng. The fire is sweet and mellow, while the dried bamboo shoots are fresh. The 'Tang Tou Song Art' also says, 'Ginseng alone earns a good name, its blood can be rejuvenated; the concentrated juice of ginseng should be known as a great strength' … "
"This is' eggplant '. It's dried eggplant that has been cut into slices and pickled with vinegar. Then, it's paired with various kinds of chicken fir, shiitake mushrooms, and other seven kinds of fungi, spiced dried tofu, winter bamboo shoots, and dried fruits. Mixed with sesame oil and seasoning,' eggplant 'is salty and fresh. It has a rich wine aroma, a slight sweetness, and a brilliant color. In addition, this dish comes from 'Story of the Stone.' When Granny Liu visited the Grand View Garden, it was the most detailed dish. "
"This is …"
It took more than ten minutes for the nine dishes to be introduced one by one … This was probably the necessary preparation before enjoying the delicious food. The Song family seemed to have already gotten used to this tradition. At this moment, Luoqiu couldn't help but think of Ren Ziling.
If she was here, she probably wouldn't care so much and would directly stuff a mouthful of the dish into her mouth.
When the last dish was served, Father Song suddenly stood up. He personally took a jar from a servant and placed it in the center of the square table. He looked at Luoqiu and said, "Buddha jumps over the wall. There are exactly ten dishes, and it means perfection."
Luoqiu nodded.
At this moment, Song Haoran said, "Luoqiu, do you know that the people of our Song family must eat the Buddha jumps over the wall made by the elders themselves?"
Luoqiu asked curiously, "Is it an ancestral rule?"
Father Song nodded and said, "Let me tell you a story. In the Ming Dynasty, there was a family with four bare walls. Only the mother and son depended on each other for survival. His mother worked as a helper in a restaurant, pouring tea for the customers. Because of their poverty, the child never enjoyed anything and was often bullied. On the day of the child's tenth birthday, the mother came back very late. However, when she came back, she brought back a jar of Buddha jumps over the wall made with all kinds of expensive ingredients. How do you think this child's mother managed to get her hands on these precious ingredients? "
Luoqiu thought for a moment and said, "Restaurant? Was it leftovers?"
Father Song nodded. "That's right, it was leftovers. That day, a rich family held an extremely luxurious birthday celebration for the old man. However, there were many leftovers on each table. Thus, the mother took a little from each table, put it in a jar, and brought it home. "
Father Song kept looking at Luoqiu's expression. "The mother didn't hide the origin of this jar of Buddha jumps over the wall. She told the child, 'When these dishes were made, the chef tasted them, so the first person to eat them was actually the one who ate the leftovers. You're no different from other people's children. You're also a rich person.'
"Later on, the child obtained scholarly honors and his family gradually developed. Later on, he set a family rule. That is, no matter how poor or rich the next generation is, the elders must personally make Buddha jumps over the wall for their descendants. Do you know why? "
Luoqiu said, "Is it to reminisce about the past?"
Father Song shook his head and said seriously, "It's to let the younger generation know that we will give them the best. No matter how this thing came about, it's what we gave it to them. We did our best to give it to them. I've eaten it, your grandfather has eaten it, Haoran has eaten it, and Song Ying has eaten it. Everyone in the Song family has eaten it. Only you and your father haven't eaten it. "
With that said, Song Tianyou stood up and silently picked up the fifth set of bowls and chopsticks. Then, he scooped a spoonful into his bowl and placed it next to Luoqiu. Then, he scooped a spoonful into Luoqiu's bowl.
"Today, I'll personally make it for you. You eat it with him."
Luoqiu nodded. He picked up the bowl and tasted it before closing his eyes. The feelings poured into it easily melted in his taste buds. Perhaps it was because of Father Song's story, or perhaps it was because there was an extra bowl next to him.
As the mellow and rich soup slid down, the memories brought by the taste also flashed through his mind. The mother and son from a distant time and space seemed to appear in front of him.
Under the dim yellow candlelight, the mother personally scooped out a bowl of Buddha jumps over the wall in front of the wooden table.
She continued to sew the child's clothes, and he ate with relish.
Riches and honor were far away, but the warmth brought by the candlelight was right beside him.
Luoqiu suddenly understood how his grandfather felt when he lured Song Tianyou's enemies away. He also understood Father Song's persistence in finding his family for decades.
This was a kind of inheritance.
For hundreds of years, generation after generation had condensed the spirit of Buddha jumps over the wall.
The previous generation left an imprint on the next generation through the taste.
To give you the best.
"A very heartwarming taste." Luoqiu put down the bowl and smiled. At the same time, a drop of tear fell from his eyes.
A cold home is not cold.
… …
… …
"The clothes and the bedding are all new. I don't know if you're used to it. Let's live here first."
After the meal, Father Song left early. He had worked hard for two days to prepare tonight's meal. For someone his age, it was quite unbearable, so he went to bed early.
Perhaps, he still needed a quiet and private space to calm himself down.
Song Haoran brought Luoqiu to a unique room. Then, he stretched and said, "I'm also tired. Let's call it a day. Rest well. Someone will take you around this place early in the morning."
Luoqiu nodded and passed the time in the room by himself.
He sat in front of the desk and flipped open a book that Father Song asked Fifth Uncle to send over. Although it was called a book, it was actually only a few pages. The recipe of Buddha jumps over the wall that he ate tonight was said to have been passed down from the ancestors. Every member of the Song family had to learn how to make this dish.
This was the only copy that had been passed down from generation to generation. The writing was already a little blurry.
Luoqiu thought for a while, then took out a pen and paper and slowly copied it down.
Not long after, there was a sudden knock on the door. After Luoqiu put away the newly copied recipe, he opened the door and saw Song Ying.
"Miss Song, is there anything else you want to talk to me about?"
She wasn't wearing the qipao that outlined her curves. Her hair was casually draped behind her back, and there was the fragrance of a shower.
She was wearing a denim skirt and a short-sleeved shirt, looking cool. At this moment, she was leaning against the door of Luoqiu's room. When she saw Luoqiu open the door and come out, she sized him up and said indifferently, "You're quite good at acting."
"Where are you?"
Song Ying sneered. "My grandfather is a very sentimental person, especially towards his relatives. However, don't think that you can do whatever you want in the Song family and get any benefits just because you casually say a few nice words, cry a few tears, and pretend to be obedient in front of my grandfather. "
"Don't worry, I'm not interested in the Song family's wealth." Luo Qiu smiled. "I just want to know more about my grandfather. That's why I came here."
"Is that so?" Song Ying said indifferently. "I wonder if you can still say such pretty words after truly understanding our Song family's wealth and power?"
"It's already so late. Looking at Miss Song's attire, are you planning to go out? Then I won't disturb you, "Luoqiu said coldly.
Ignoring Song Ying's expression, Luoqiu closed the door with both hands.
But the moment the door was about to close, a white palm was placed across the gap. Luoqiu asked, "Is there anything else?"
Song Ying said indifferently, "Grandfather asked me to be your tour guide tomorrow and have a good tour. But there's nothing to see during the day. Let's go now. "
"Now?"
Song Ying blinked and said, "What, are you afraid that I'll eat you up? You can see more things at night … but if you don't want to, that's not a problem. I'll still find you a tour guide at the travel agency tomorrow. Don't count on me because I still have a lot of work to do. "
"Okay, then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Song." Luoqiu nodded.
"Call me Song Ying." Song Ying said indifferently. "No matter what, you have the Song family's blood flowing in your body. My grandfather won't like it if you call me that. "
"Then where are we going?" Luoqiu smiled.
"Follow me."
…
…
Song Haoran had just finished showering when the butler, Uncle Wu, knocked on the door and entered. Song Haoran put on a towel and sat down. At the same time, he poured himself a glass of tequila. "Uncle Wu, what's the matter?"
"Eldest Young Master, Miss Ying just left with Young Master Qiu."
"Xiao Ying?" Song Haoran was startled. Then, he frowned. "Does father know?"
Uncle Wu shook his head and said, "Master has been tired for two days. He fell asleep after returning to his room. I didn't wake him up. However, I've already called a group of people to follow them. There shouldn't be any problems. "
Song Haoran shook the glass in his hand and sighed. "I'm not afraid of any danger. I'm just afraid that Xiao Ying will be at a disadvantage."
"Miss Ying?" Uncle Wu couldn't help but be surprised. "How is that possible?"
Song Haoran smiled and said, "Don't be fooled by my newly found nephew's temper. He's easy to get along with. However, this kind of person is the real stubborn one. We all know what father said today. It's normal for Xiao Ying to have some reaction … "
Uncle Wu said, "Master, there's something I want to ask you … What do you think about this Master Qiu?"
"So you and Xiao Ying have different thoughts. You're not worried about the same thing?" Song Haoran said indifferently.
Uncle Wu frowned and said, "The eldest son is the grandson of the first wife. This is what Master said himself … Moreover, Master seems to be planning to strengthen the marriage …"
Song Haoran shook his head. He looked at the swirls of the tequila in his glass and said indifferently, "I, Song Haoran, don't tell me that without this Song family property, there's no way to build another Song family?"
"I don't mean to deny Master's ability."
Song Haoran smiled. Then, he looked at the night sky outside the window. "Life is still a little challenging … Besides, he might not think much of the Song family."
"Not think much of?" Uncle Wu was stunned. "The Song family is …"
"It's probably a kind of intuition." Song Haoran suddenly said, "What he sees might be … different from what we see."
Song Haoran suddenly took a sip of the tequila in his glass. While playing with the 'Sun God Badge' on his body, he said to himself, "That gaze, it's really like that black-horned python …"
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PS1: There was a delay. I just saw it. Thank you to my book friend 'Yu Yan' for the tip.
PS2: Bowing to the forces of capitalism …
PS3: There will be more chapters, there will definitely be more chapters … Chongyang is quite busy these days, so it's not today. Tomorrow (maybe possible), the day after tomorrow (no way), the day after tomorrow (should be possible) …
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