Chapter 160: Jiang Li Meets His Parents
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Zhou Chao was busy in the kitchen, completely absorbed in his cooking. Meanwhile, outside, the three of them were becoming more engrossed in their conversation, and Jiang Li had overcome her initial nervousness.
Watching the lively conversation, Zhou Chao, who had paused his work, perked up his ears quietly to eavesdrop.
“Sister-in-law, 1 have to share a childhood story about my brother. When he was little, he used to have a habit of bedwetting all the time. It only improved when he reached elementary school!” Zhou Chao listened as Guo Yan revealed this embarrassing secret, his frustration evident as he clenched his teeth.
“This young lady will have her turn, you’ll see!” Zhou Chao made a mental note of Guo Yan’s revelation. He decided to stop eavesdropping and returned to his cooking, the kitchen filled with the sounds of clanging pots and pans.
“Dinner’s ready!” Zhou Chao, alone in the kitchen, stuck his head out the doorway and called.
The several people engaged in their conversation heard Zhou Chao’s call and finally stopped chatting. They looked at the abundant spread of dishes on the table, and Jiang Li gazed affectionately at Zhou Chao. After all, a man who could cook was quite charming!
“Xiao Li, eat more meat and nourish your body. You’ll need plenty of milk when it’s time to have a baby!” Hearing Guo’s mother’s words, Zhou Chao and Jiang Li were both dumbfounded. How did the conversation take this turn?
“Thank you, Auntie!” Blushing, Jiang Li lowered her head and dared not look at Zhou Chao. However, Zhou Chao noticed the smug smile on Third Aunt’s face. Old habits die hard!
“Sister-in-law, try these sweet and sour spare ribs and this tomato spare rib soup. They’re my brother’s favorites, and they’re delicious!” Guo Yan said with her mouth full, not stopping her chopsticks for a moment. She seemed just like a little hamster, stuffing her cheeks with spare ribs.
“Xiao Chao, would you like to visit your uncles’ houses tomorrow? It’s been many years since you last went there!” Third Aunt’s question briefly surprised Zhou Chao.
In recent years, he had been avoiding reality, after all, he wasn’t the original Zhou Chao. So, he hadn’t come back for several years. But now, his emotions were entwined with those of the original owner of his body, and he was genuinely looking forward to seeing his relatives as Zhou Chao.
“Yeah, I’ll go tomorrow!” He had thought about visiting when he returned this time, but when it came time to go, he felt a bit lost, unsure how to face them.
“Just go with the flow,” Zhou Chao silently whispered to himself.
“Brother, what are you thinking about? If you don’t eat soon, 1’11 finish everything!” Zhou Chao only realized that most of the dishes on the table had already been devoured by the three of them.
“All, could you all save me some? I’ve been working hard in the kitchen for a while and haven’t eaten anything!” Zhou Chao decisively joined the food-snatching squad.
There was a moment of laughter and joy, along with the pitiful cries of Guo Yan, who didn’t manage to snatch the last piece of sweet and sour spare rib.
After lunch, Zhou Chao was left behind. Third Aunt took Jiang Li and Guo Yan out for shopping, while Zhou Chao had to stay home to clean up and wash the dishes.
“All, I’m exhausted! Finally, I can have a proper rest!” After tidying up the kitchen, Zhou Chao lay down on the sofa and didn’t move at all.
“Buzz, buzz, buzz…”
“Who is it? Seriously, just as I lay down, the phone starts ringing!” Zhou Chao grumbled but still reached for the phone on the table.
“Hello, is this Brother Lei?” Seeing that it was his childhood friend’s call, he answered directly.
“Brother Chao, do you have time tonight? Want to grab dinner?”
“Dinner? You’re inviting me for dinner on the third day of the Lunar New Year? Just tell me what’s happening! 1 didn’t befriend you for no reason!” Zhou Chao quickly sensed that Lei Mingtang’s invitation was likely tied to a favor he wanted to ask.
“Hehe, you’re still sharp, Brother Chao! Didn’t I get married on the tenth day? I just thought of using your Mercedes as the lead car for the wedding procession!”
Lei Mingtang hesitated for a while before finally revealing his request, which left Zhou Chao somewhat puzzled. During their earlier dinner, Lei Zi had mentioned that they had a Bentley as the lead car. So, why were they now asking Zhou Chao to provide the lead car?
“Spill the beans, what’s the real story?”
“It’s nothing, just that the car we originally booked as the lead car is no longer available. So, 1 can only trouble you, Brother Chao!”
“Alright, 1’11 come a day early to decorate the car with flowers!”
“Great, thanks, Brother Chao!” Zhou Chao promptly hung up the phone. He took Lei Mingtang’s wedding seriously, and the call reminded him that he hadn’t bought a wedding gift yet.
Zhou Chao pondered for a moment and decided to call the salesperson, Xiao Wang, who had assisted him in purchasing a car in Fog City. It slipped his mind that it was only the third day of the Lunar New Year, and most people were likely still enjoying their holidays.
At that moment, Xiao Wang, the salesperson, was playing mahjong with relatives at home. Suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang.
“Hey, Uncle, can you fill in for me for a round? I’ve got to answer a call. If we lose, it’s my treat!” Xiao Wang checked the caller ID and immediately enlisted his uncle, who was observing the game. He then rose and moved to a quiet spot outside.
“Mr. Zhou, hello!” Xiao Wang was also surprised that Zhou Chao would call him.
“Xiao Wang, are you at work?” Zhou Chao’s question made him a bit nervous. Could something be wrong with the car?
“Mr. Zhou, we haven’t started work yet. We’ll be back on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. Is there something you need?”
“Oh, I was planning to buy a car as a wedding gift for a friend, but if you’re not at work, forget it.” As soon as he heard the first part of the sentence, Xiao Wang felt like he was about to take off!
“Mr. Zhou, please wait a moment!” Xiao Wang hurriedly said.
“What’s the matter?”
“As long as the customer needs it, I can start work today!” Zhou Chao laughed heartily at these words.
“Well, you’re good. Do you have any good off-road vehicles at your 4S dealership?”
“We received a few G500S before the Lunar New Year. They’re intended for post-holiday promotions. If you’re interested, I can introduce them to you.”
“No need. Just tell me the total cost of everything, but it must be a brand-new car. You understand what I mean?”
“Mr. Zhou, rest assured, it will definitely be brand new!” Zhou Chao hummed in agreement, and salesperson Xiao Wang immediately began calculating the price.
“Mr. Zhou, the total cost for everything is 2 million yuan!”
“Alright, 1’11 forward you the details, and please share your bank account info with me. I’ll make a direct money transfer. Ensure the car arrives in Fuzhou by the 9th. That’s all! Happy New Year!”
Xiao Wang sent his account information to Zhou Chao, and in less than a minute, he received a text message confirming a 2 million yuan transfer from Huaxia Bank. He was stunned.
It wasn’t until his relatives called him that he snapped out of it. He checked the message again, pinched his thigh, and realized he wasn’t dreaming; it was real! “Mr. Zhou, aren’t you afraid that I’ll take your money and run?” Xiao Wang briefly entertained a not-so-nice thought, but it quickly disappeared. Instead, he took out his phone and called the manager of the 48 dealership.
Meanwhile, Zhou Chao had drifted off to sleep on the sofa. After all, last night had been quite demanding, and he hadn’t slept well. Additionally, he hadn’t gotten any rest this morning. Now that he had handled the situation, he lay on the couch and slipped into slumber..