Chapter 2159: The Xu Family Comes for a Visit....
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“I didn’t meet her today. She’s a little busy,” Xu Ba said blissfully.
Old Madam Xu looked at Xu Ba in disdain and questioned, “She’s just a lowly cook. What is she busy with? How can she be busier than a person in a high position like you?”
“Mother! You can’t say that! Her restaurant is doing very good business now! Besides, I’m just not in a high position. Don’t think too highly of me!” Xu Ba explained.
Xu Chun hurriedly grabbed Old Madam Xu’s hands and said, “Grandma, you still don’t know! Auntie Li’s culinary skills are well-known and many people fight for a chance to try her cooking! It’s so hard to get a table at her restaurant! I’ve long heard of Auntie Li’s culinary skills and have always wanted to try the food there, but I can’t even get a reservation. Little Uncle, maybe you should bring us there for a meal!”
“You’re such a foodie! Xu Ba, make the arrangements then.” Old Madam Xu patted Xu Chun’s hand dotingly. Old Madam Xu always gave Xu Chun the time of day.
Xu Ba immediately said, “Sure, let me ask her to reserve a private room for us.”
Xu Chun acknowledged what he said and then brought Old Madam Xu into the room to watch television. Xu Ba looked at Xu Chun appreciatively. This child had always been the most considerate person in the family. Xu Chun was right. It was time for Li Gui to meet his family.
If he went to ask Li Gui directly, she definitely would not agree. Xu Ba knew that Qiao Mei had the final say in all of Li Gui’s matters, so he went straight to ask for her opinion.
“What do you think?” Xu Ba probed.
Qiao Mei was still wondering how to settle the score with the Xu family. Now that an opportunity had presented itself to her, she was naturally agreeable.
Qiao Mei said readily, “Leave this matter to me. I hear that you also have an elder brother. You can ask his family to come and have a meal together as well so that we can get to know one another better.”
“That’s great! Thank you!” Xu Ba said happily. When it came to being considerate, Qiao Mei was on par with Xu Chun. However, Xu Ba knew about Qiao Mei and her style of doing things. He knew very well that Qiao Mei was currently only doing this out of politeness.
“Oh right, I hope that Xu Chun will be able to come too,” Qiao Mei added.
“You know Xu Chun?” Xu Ba asked in surprise.
Qiao Mei observed Xu Ba’s expression carefully. After confirming that Xu Ba did not know what Xu Chun had done, she decided to let her guard down a little.
“We met by chance. She’s in the same workplace unit as my husband’s younger brother. Some time ago, I went there on some business matters and bumped into her,” Qiao Mei said.
“That’s really fate in motion!” Xu Ba said.
“Let’s set the date for tomorrow. I’ll talk to my mother about it,” Qiao Mei said.
After Qiao Mei returned home, she took out her set of emerald jewelry. During the new year, Qiao Mei had made a dress for Li Gui. It was a very beautiful purple A-line dress with embroidered osmanthus on it. When Li Gui wore it, she looked elegant and poised.
When Li Gui returned from work and saw that Qiao Mei had placed all these items on the table, she asked curiously, “What are you doing with these things?”
“It’s a secret! Wear these to work tomorrow,” Qiao Mei said.
“I work in the kitchen and there’s always oil and smoke around. Your mother-in-law told me that these jewelry can’t come in contact with oil as it will affect the purity of the gems! These are all expensive stuff! Why do I need to dress so well at work?” Li Gui said.
“I already say that it’s a secret! Listen to me! You have to wear it tomorrow!” Qiao Mei said.
Li Gui agreed to do as Qiao Mei said. The next night, the entire Xu family came for a meal. When Li Gui saw them, she hid behind the stairwell to avoid them. No wonder Qiao Mei had asked her to dress up. It turned out that they were meeting the Xu family members!
Qiao Mei went to look for Li Gui and said, “Why are you hiding here?”
“Why didn’t you discuss this with me earlier!” Li Gui scolded softly.
“Actually, it’s not a big deal. Just go and show your face and say hello. Leave the rest to me,” Qiao Mei said.
“That’s not good enough. People will say that I’m rude! You naughty girl. If you had told me earlier, I could have discussed it with your mother-in-law and asked her for the special food coupons to exchange for some abalone and lobsters!” Li Gui said in frustration.
Abalone and lobsters? It was hard to say if the Xu family members were worthy of eating these things! Qiao Mei pushed Li Gui into the kitchen and told her to just cook as usual. She would take care of the Xu family.
Qiao Mei asked a stall member to cut up some watermelons, kiwis, strawberries and other fruits to make an exquisite fruit plate. These were all fruits which were not easily available. She led the staff and entered the private room while saying, “Welcome, everyone. The dishes will take a while to be served. Please try some fruits from our restaurant first.”