I had previously planned to invite colleagues from the research institute to dinner at my home, but due to various reasons, we were unable to do so.
On Cen Zhengnian's birthday, Chu Xia discussed with him: "How about inviting your best colleagues from the research institute to help you celebrate on your birthday?"
Cen Zhengnian was taking off the scarf from his neck when he heard this and said, "There's no need to celebrate my birthday like this. I can just eat an egg on that day."
He didn't care about these rituals, and it was early summer, which was busy with birthday celebrations, and he didn't want her to be too tired.
Chu Xia turned to look at Cen Huaian: "An An, did you say you wanted to celebrate Dad's birthday?"
"Yes!" Cen Huaian nodded immediately. He thought for a moment and said, "But mom, I just want to live with you and dad."
In fact, Chuxia also wanted to do this, but she had to find a reason to treat everyone to a meal.
"An An and I moved here, and your teacher helped us. Your colleagues also helped us when we had problems. You should treat them to a meal."
Cen Zhengnian looked at Chuxia and nodded: "Let's set the time for this Sunday. I can come back to help."
"good."
*
On Sunday, Chuxia started to get busy after breakfast in the morning.
The vegetables were discussed in advance by Chuxia and Cen Zhengnian, and he went to buy them during lunch time.
Cen Zhengnian was still as bad at picking vegetables as ever. However, there weren't many fresh green vegetables in winter, and the other vegetables, such as potatoes and cabbages, were of different sizes, but not rotten. Cen Zhengnian still knew how to look at them.
Cen Zhengnian took a special leave today. He and Cen Huaian helped Chu Xia in the kitchen.
However, the kitchen was small, so Chuxia soon let Cen Huaian go out to play by himself.
She called Grandpa Jiang and told him that An An would not go to his house to learn chess today, but he needed to study at home.
Only Chuxia and Cen Zhengnian were left in the kitchen. Chuxia gave instructions and Cen Zhengnian did as he was told.
"You peel the potatoes."
"Cut the beef into cubes."
"This piece of pork is washed."
Because it was a dinner party, several dishes had to be prepared. Not to mention the early summer, Cen Zhengnian was very busy.
He was either sitting on a small stool peeling potatoes, cutting meat on a chopping board, or washing cabbage in front of the faucet.
And Chuxia was always by the pot, cooking over the coal stove.
Because there were many dishes to cook, I specially borrowed Yan Hemin’s coal stove.
Cen Zhengnian felt tired because of the two of them being busy. He thought to himself that it was a good thing that he had asked for leave and came back, otherwise Chuxia would be alone and he didn't know how tired she would be.
After a busy morning, all the dishes were finally ready. At this time, the colleagues from the research institute invited by Cen Zhengnian also came over.
Cen Zhengnian didn't invite many people. In addition to Yan Hemin and Ye Xingxiu, he also invited five others with whom he had a good relationship.
There are dozens of people in a laboratory, and it is impossible for Cen Zhengnian to invite everyone. He doesn't have much experience in interpersonal relationships in his daily work.
As soon as Yan Hemin came in, he gave the gift he brought to Cen Zhengnian: "Happy birthday, do you have a cake?"
"Yes." Cen Zhengnian didn't exchange pleasantries with Yan Hemin. He took his gift and put it aside.
"But you can't eat too much, teacher."
Yan Hemin's smile immediately fell: "Zhengnian, you are becoming more and more unreasonable, just like your master's wife."