When Fang Yan returned home, Fang Yingxiong and Fang Haohan were having dinner.
Braised pork, braised fish, braised eggplant, stir-fried water spinach with garlic - although they are all braised, the dishes are quite rich.
Fang Yan was shocked. He knew that a good hero couldn't cook. Even if he could, he could only make a bowl of egg fried rice or egg instant noodles or other fast food.
"Will Junior Master-Uncle beat us when he comes back?" Fang Haohan asked worriedly while stuffing braised pork into his mouth.
"He would eat before beating us," Fang Yingxiong said. "When he was full, he would not have the energy to beat us."
Fang Yan sneered and said, "In order to stop you guys from guessing, should I exercise and beat you up first before eating?"
"Junior Master-----" Fang Yingxiong and Fang Haohan quickly stood up.
Fang Yan waved his hand and said, "That's enough. Stop pretending. I opened the door so loudly, I don't believe you didn't hear it-----"
Fang Yan glanced towards the kitchen and asked, "Who cooked the meal?"
"Master, it's me." Zhang Chen, with an apron tied around her neck, stood shyly at the kitchen door, like a young bride who had just married.
"It's Coach Zhang." Fang Yan said with a smile. He walked over and shook hands with Zhang Chen, saying, "Coach Zhang, you've worked hard. It's really outrageous for these two lazy guys to invite Coach Zhang to be the chef - it's really a waste of talent."
Zhang Chen smiled bitterly. Fang Yan called him Coach Zhang instead of Zhang Chen, which was like driving him out. He still didn't want to accept him as his apprentice.
Zhang Chen really wanted to yell, "Why do you respect me so much? Why do you respect me so much? Can't you scold me, kick me, or even slap me twice? Do you have any sense of loyalty? Is this a broken world?"
Zhang Chen is a man who will not easily repent once he has set his goal. Otherwise, he would not have persisted on this path for so many years. With his skills, many headhunters came to him and offered him a salary equivalent to ten or even dozens of times that of teaching in martial arts schools now, inviting him to be a bodyguard for some big shots, but he refused all of them.
He has a heart for martial arts, and he constantly hones his body and strengthens his bones and skin, all in order to go further and further on this path.
Therefore, he will never give up easily.
Zhang Chen ran over and pulled open the chair for the chairman's seat. He smiled at Fang Yan in a simple and honest manner and said, "Master, are you hungry? Sit down and eat first. I'll make some kelp soup and it will be done."
"Coach Zhang, don't be so polite, I'll wait for you----" Fang Yan said with a smile.
He went to the bathroom to wash his hands, then came back and slapped the heroes on the head, cursing, "How can the host eat before the guests are seated?"
Fang Yingxiong and Fang Haohan looked aggrieved. Fang Haohan said, "It was Zhang Chen who asked us to eat first."
"I told you not to eat yet." Fang Yan said angrily. "Although our Fang family is a martial arts family, we must always remember the four words of respect, frugality, benevolence and modesty. We are warriors, we have ideals, morals, feelings, and we are very polite. We don't spit or urinate on the side of the road. If we only have skills but no qualities, we will be reduced to low-level reckless men."
Fang Yingxiong and Fang Haohan were too straightforward and rarely went out before, so Fang Yan was worried that they might be cheated by others. That was why he gave them such a warning at the dinner table.
"Master Junior is right." Fang Yingxiong and Fang Haohan bowed their heads to accept the instruction.
"Nonsense." Fang Yan said unhappily, "Would I say something wrong?"
"------"
Fang Yingxiong and Fang Haohan looked at each other and sighed in their hearts. It seemed that they could not help Brother Zhang Chen. Fang Yan did not plan to accept an apprentice at this time.
When the last bowl of kelp soup was served, Zhang Chen refused to sit down, but was dragged up by Fang Yan. He even sat opposite Fang Yan.
Fang Yan looked at Zhang Chen and said with a smile: "Coach Zhang, we are friends of the same generation, so don't be so formal. Come over often when you have time, and we can have a few drinks together. I heard that Coach Zhang can drink a lot--"
"Master----" Zhang Chen tried hard to keep a smile on his face and said, "I will come to cook for Master and my fellow brothers every day from now on."
"That won't do." Fang Yan hurriedly stopped him. "Coach Zhang is the top coach of Huihuang Martial Arts School and a well-known figure in the martial arts world of Huacheng. How can we let you come to cook for us every day? I can't stand it. Just come once every two or three days. Let's drink and have fun."
Fang Yan thought, it's not a good idea to ask Zhang Chen to cook every day. This favor is too big. It's not appropriate to always take heroes to eat in the cafeteria. To be honest, the food in the school cafeteria is really not so appetizing.
If Zhang Chen could come over every two or three days to improve their lives, Fang Yan would be able to accept this result.
"Then I'll come once every two days." Zhang Chen said happily. "Master, I'll toast you a glass."
"Coach Zhang, let's have a drink."
"------"
Fang Yingxiong and Fang Haohan buried their heads in their food. They felt that the situation was too complicated and that their IQs were clearly insufficient.
---------
---------
The banquet was lively and festive, especially at the female guests' table where all kinds of strange stories and gossips were heard.
After the aunties and grandmas finished discussing which world-class brand's new product was the best looking, which celebrity had plastic surgery to become the boss's mistress, and who bought a luxury house in Europe, they finally turned their attention to Lu Chaoge, who had sat there without saying a word the entire evening except for saying hello to everyone when he arrived.
"Chao Ge, what school are you working as the vice principal of now? I'm not saying anything bad about you, but what's the point of being a vice principal? How much salary can you get per month? It's not even enough for me to buy an Hermès scarf----"
"You don't understand this, right? Chaoge did it because of her hobby. Can hobbies be linked to money? Besides, doesn't Chaoge have Zhuliu to rely on? With Jiang Zhuliu as a big tree, does Chaoge still have to worry about money?"
"Yes. Chaoge, tell your auntie, when are you and Zhuliu getting married? I'm still waiting to drink your wedding wine." The woman who was speaking looked at Jiang Zhuliu's mother, Ren Jin, who was sitting next to Lu Chaoge, and said, "Ren Jin, as a mother, why don't you urge them to get married?"
Ren Jin was holding a glass of red wine and shaking it gracefully. He took a sip and then answered, "It's no use for me to urge them about their children's affairs. But don't worry, I won't make you wait too long. Zhuliu and Chaoge grew up together and have a deep relationship. I am Chaoge's mother now and will continue to be Chaoge's mother in the future."
"That's right. I also think this matter is a done deal. There's no way around it." A noble lady echoed.
"Lu Chaoge and Jiang Zhuliu are a perfect match. This is known to everyone in Huacheng."
"Chao Ge, don't say that your aunt didn't warn you. You have to hold on to a man like Jiang Zhuliu. There are so many beautiful women out there, and they are so shameless - don't let them snatch you away. It will be too late to regret it then."
Lu Chaoge felt dry mouth and a burning sensation inside her body. She had the urge to vomit, but facing these "relatives" in front of her, these aunts and uncles with whom she had almost no contact, she had to nod and smile with a stiff expression.
Dealing with this kind of hypocritical interpersonal relationships is so tiring, even more stressful than working overtime for a week.
At this moment, a handsome man walked behind Lu Chaoge.
He placed his hands on the back of the chair where Lu Chaoge was sitting, bent down and asked softly in Lu Chaoge's ear: "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
"There are some." Lu Chaoge said in a low voice.
Jiang Zhuliu, the male protagonist discussed by these aunts and uncles appeared.
"Give me thirty seconds." Jiang Zhuliu said with a smile.
He looked up at the ladies present, with a gentle smile on his face, and said, "Ladies, I know you are in high spirits, but I have to interrupt you. Chaoge felt a little uncomfortable when she went out today, so I want to take her back to rest first."
"How can we refuse such a request?"
"Zhuliu is such a considerate and kind man. Chaoge is so happy----"
"Go ahead. Young people have precious time. They are not as bored as us old people----"
-------
Although he was somewhat disgusted by Jiang Zhuliu's deliberate "show of affection" in front of others, being able to get away from this place and breathe some fresh air was something Lu Chaoge wanted very much.
"Sorry. I'll go back first." Lu Chaoge stood up and apologized to everyone present.
The black Bentley was driving fast on the road. Jiang Zhuliu looked at Lu Chaoge who was sitting in the passenger seat and said with a smile, "Chaoge, it's still early. Do you want to find a place to have a drink?"
Lu Chaoge refused and said, "I'm tired. I want to take a rest."
"Okay. I'll take you back." Jiang Zhuliu said with a smile. He was not unhappy at all because of Lu Chaoge's rejection.
Lu Chaoge nodded and turned his gaze to look out the window at the night view of the Flower City flashing by.
The night in Flower City was charming, but she rarely felt like appreciating it.
At this moment, a familiar building appeared before our eyes.
"Park the car in front of the school." Lu Chaoge said suddenly.
"Chao Ge, aren't you tired?" Jiang Zhuliu asked puzzledly.
"I suddenly want to go for a walk to school." Lu Chaoge said.
Snap-----
The luxury car stopped silently in front of the gate of Suzaku Middle School. Lu Chaoge unbuckled his seat belt and prepared to get out.
"Chaoge----" Jiang Zhuliu hesitated. "Do you want me to walk in with you?"
Lu Chaoge stopped and thought for a moment, then said, "Next time."
The muscles on Jiang Zhuliu's face twitched inaudibly, and he said with a smile, "Then next time."
He knows that oftentimes what women mean by "next time" is actually no next time. (To be continued)