Chapter 263: Drinking Milk Tea (One Update)
rsimmons, like small lanterns, very festive, symbolizing everything going well and prosperity.Everything is ready, just waiting for a good day.The auspicious day has already been calculated by a fortu...Gu Huanxi cursed Xu Huaiyi several times in her heart. On the surface, she still had a smile on her face and greeted him. She wondered if she was socially anxious She invited so many men at once! If she had known earlier, she could have gone to the backyard to avoid them. Now, there's no way out but to bite the bullet. After all, this isn't modern times. Men and women can interact freely, but it's a delicate balance. If you don't handle it well, you'll attract all sorts of trouble. This bumbling fool, did he think her reputation was too good
Thankfully, others were more uncomfortable than she was. Li YunTing was the most composed, taking the lead and politely addressing her as "Sister-in-law". This single address seemed to give the others a sense of direction, and they quickly followed suit. Zhao SanYou and Wang QiuSheng, being older than Xu HuaiYi, called her "Sister-in-law".
Gu Huaxiang greeted the guests with some pleasantries and polite exchanges.
Subsequently, Xu Huaiyi led the people into the study.
I chose the study instead of the grand hall because it's cold outside. The study has a fireplace, and when the firewood burns, it creates a cozy atmosphere and keeps things warm. It's the perfect place to sit with three or five friends, drink tea, and chat.
As expected, when they saw Xu Huaiyi lighting the fireplace, the warm flames dancing, the others curiously gathered around him, asking him questions.
"What kind of stove is this It looks pretty rare, doesn't it"
"I've never seen this kind before, with such a big opening at the front. Aren't you worried about smoke and ash coming out"
"But it's actually warm and convenient like this."
"Who on earth thought of this"
Xu Huaiyi answered one by one, "I figured it out myself. I named it a fireplace. It's mainly for heating. There's a chimney on top, and it's designed so that the smoke won't go into the room. With the opening wide, it's convenient for hot air to dissipate. It's much better than a charcoal brazier. Come, come, all sit down..."
Before the fireplace, there was a round coffee table, surrounded by armchairs with backrests. Soft cushions were placed on the chairs. At first, everyone felt a little awkward sitting in them, but soon they realized how comfortable and pleasant it was.
Xu Huaiyi boiled water to make tea. Last time, in the dormitory, because there was no milk and a few ingredients were missing, the tea he made could only be considered half-finished. Now at home, the ingredients are naturally complete. He fiddled with the things his wife had prepared, placing them one by one in an orderly manner, clearly experienced.
Su Zhe was the most attentive, not only silently remembering the steps but also the order of ingredients added, including the quantities, all secretly tucked away in his heart. His eyes were getting brighter and brighter. Seeing the milk tea boiling in the clay pot and smelling that strange yet alluring sweet aroma in the air, he felt a growing impatience.
While others weren't as excited, they were still eager to try it.
Xu Huaiyi smiled and poured drinks for several people, "Come on, everyone try some. It's warming to the stomach on a cold winter day, comforting, and can even relieve hunger."
It's both milky and sweet, can it not satisfy hunger
Others lifted their cups, some with decorum, some with elegance, and others with a hint of curiosity, each taking a sip that almost unanimously sparked a glimmer of surprise in their eyes.
"Zhao Sanshou said, 'That's delicious!'"
If it wasn't too hot, he would have gladly gulped it all down in one go.
Wang Qiusheng smiled and agreed, “It’s really good. I guess girls and children would like it even more.”
Xu Huaiyi nodded and chuckled, "That's right. My wife and son take turns cooking up all sorts of dishes every day. What you're drinking is still a simple one; there are even more complex ones!"
Su Zhe eagerly pressed, "What kind of amazing flavor would the most complex one be"
Hsu Huai-yi said, "It's not that I don't want to make them for you, but the kind of tapioca pearls added inside are quite troublesome to make. I don't have them at home right now. If you're interested, I'll tell you the recipe later, and you can try making them yourself."
At this, Su Zhe's eyes flickered. "Is this appropriate"
Xu Huaiyi asked with a face full of openness, “What’s inappropriate It’s just a recipe for milk tea, a small snack. It’s not some secret that can't be spread. Now that we are classmates and comrades-in-arms who have fought side by side, do I still need to hide anything from you”
Su Zhe was always eloquent, but this time, his mouth opened and closed, unable to utter a word.
"You're asking me that, aren't you trying to be cold towards me"
Su Zhe's heart skipped a beat, he stood up and bowed, "Brother Huaiyi has such a magnanimous heart, Zi'an admires it. I am just a petty man, please forgive me, Brother Huaiyi. Allow me to offer you this gift as compensation."
It's rare to see him this serious, the others are still a bit unaccustomed to it.
Xu Huaiyi let out a hearty laugh. "Come on, that was just a joke! You took it seriously Just have a seat. I can't stand this pretentious act of yours; it makes my teeth ache..."
Su Zhe sat down gracefully, a roguish smile returned to his face. He added playfully, "To be honest, all that scholarly stuff is just pretense. If I could actually read books, I would have gone to the Imperial College long ago. Then I wouldn't have had the chance to meet Brother Huai, which would have been a real shame in life, wouldn't it"
Zhao San'yu couldn't take it anymore, exaggeratedly rubbed his arms, "Can you not be so mushy My teeth are aching, we are all big gentlemen, what's with this fated or not fated"
Su Zhe, “…”
He doesn't mind that rude person.
At this moment, Qiao Huaijin looked at the two potted persimmon trees and asked, "Xushu, what kind of persimmon tree is this Looking at the branches, they are not slender, but the fruits they bear are not the same as those planted outside. Moreover, the plants are obviously smaller, but when planted in pots, they show a unique beauty and wild charm."
When he asked that, the others followed his gaze. Before, everyone's attention had been on the fireplace, and then they were busy enjoying the tea, so they had overlooked the other decorations in the study.
Upon closer inspection, many distinct features are revealed.
Xu Huaiyi casually explained, "This is a wild loquat dug from the mountains. It grows mainly on cliffs and steep walls. The plants themselves aren't very big, but they have quite a unique shape. The fruits are bright red, like small lanterns. My wife likes them, so she made them into a bonsai and put them in the house. They look lively and festive, and the meaning is good too - everything goes smoothly. It's a lucky symbol."
Xu Huaiyi spoke of his daughter-in-law with complete openness, not at all embarrassed that the listeners were all men. However, Qiao Huaixin found it inappropriate to bring it up directly. Instead, he praised the persimmon tree: "It is indeed interesting and lively. I will ask someone to find a few in the mountains when we return. In winter, when all the flowers wither, these wild persimmons are as beautiful as any flower or grass."
Hearing this, the others nodded in agreement.
Li YunTing prefers that bamboo bonsai. Bamboo is not uncommon, but the container at the bottom is made from rotten wood slightly modified, forming a natural and primitive, simple and elegant shape. Besides planting bamboo, there are also stones and moss decorations inside, with these external elements added, the artistic conception is immediately created.
"This bonsai..."
"It was also my daughter-in-law who did it."
Li Yunteng opened his mouth as if to say something, but swallowed it back.
Xu Huaiyi pointed to the other furnishings in the study with great pride and said, "Most of the things in this room were arranged by my wife. Besides flowers and plants, there are also paintings on the walls, those delicate ornaments, and the books on the shelves were all chosen by my wife."
Others, “…”
Then this study isn't yours, is itves, but at least they can lend a hand during critical moments. At the very least, they could provide some information, preventing us from being clueless and praying without knowing which direction to...