Chapter 159: Maintaining a Good Image When Away from Home

Upon returning, Li Sheng shared the teacher's message with his family. The eldest son, who was usually rather reticent in front of his parents, was exceptionally cheerful with his younger brothers.

Both Father Li and Mother Li were overjoyed. Fang shi, in particular, immediately turned to Tang Xin and said, "Daughter-in-law, we're so happy today. Let's make something delicious tonight to treat them."

Li Xihua rolled her eyes inwardly. They spoke as if they ate poorly every day, conveniently forgetting that they had already eaten meat both yesterday and at noon today.

She felt that this little old lady was getting a bit carried away, but for once, she refrained from making any sarcastic remarks.

Since the meal would be shared by the entire family and wasn't just being prepared for the three children, Li Xihua realized that objecting would only offend everyone, so she wisely kept her mouth shut.

Since they were going to make something delicious, it was naturally Fang shi's domain, though the idea came from Tang Xin.

In this warm spring season, the vegetable garden was bursting with vibrant reds and greens, offering an abundance of vegetables.

With both fish and meat currently available in the house, Tang Xin suggested making spicy hot pot.

It didn't matter that Fang shi had never tasted such a thing before; after Tang Xin gave a brief explanation, she understood immediately. Being quite clever, Fang shi even drew inferences and figured out how to prepare seasonings with different flavor profiles.

Actually, what Tang Xin missed even more was hot pot, but unfortunately, hot pot had not yet become popular nationwide in this era, nor could ready-made hot pot bases be purchased at the supply and demand cooperative.

The broth base was simmered by Fang shi, using chicken soup as the foundation and boiling it with some spices.

No chili oil was added directly to the broth; instead, everyone added it themselves during the meal, preventing any awkwardness for those who couldn't handle spice.

Once the broth had simmered to a rich aroma, even from a distance, everyone found it irresistible. Why did they suddenly feel hungry so much earlier and faster today?

Tang Xin helped her mother-in-law simmer the broth. Since all the family members had returned, they naturally joined forces to complete the dinner task together.

Father Li, Li Sheng, and Li Kai went into a room to talk. Tang Xin jokingly teased them that they were having a men-only conversation, so the women should have their own tasks to do as well.

Li Xihua and Li Xiyue went off to wash the vegetables, making sure the potatoes, radishes, and greens were thoroughly cleaned so they could all be boiled in the pot later.

There were also the homemade meatballs, small crispy pork bites, and the tofu Tang Xin had brought back. After being washed and sliced, they were arranged on a round table, filling it entirely.

There were also sauces mixed with cilantro, sesame seeds, salt, chili oil, soy sauce, and vinegar. Just the smell of it made everyone's mouth water.

The younger ones refused to leave the kitchen. They hung over the edge of the stove with their heads practically falling in, crying, "Oh goodness, Mom, Sister-in-law, what are you making? Just smelling it makes us know it must taste beyond amazing!"

"This is called spicy hot pot. Mom also prepared different dipping sauces, so you can choose the flavors you like best when it's time to eat," Tang Xin explained patiently and in detail.

In fact, her own stomach was rumbling too. Heehee, she hoped they could start eating soon!

Before long, the whole family sat down to prepare for dinner.

Naturally, Third Brother Gu was invited over to eat with them again tonight. Father Li had insisted that since the old woman had made something novel, he simply had to come over and try a fresh taste.

Normally, Third Brother Gu and the Li family had a wonderful relationship; coming to the old Li household was just like coming to his own home, so sharing a meal was no big deal.

Today, however, for some reason, he acted all bashful and hesitant until Li Zhirong forcefully dragged him over.

At first, Third Brother Gu was somewhat reluctant, but the moment he stepped into the Li family courtyard, he was hit by that rich, overbearing aroma.

Third Brother Gu paused in his tracks, then promptly abandoned his hesitation and strode forward quickly, imitating his son's mannerisms.

With everyone pitching in to set out the bowls, chopsticks, and benches, the preparations were finished much faster.

Once everyone gathered around and started eating, they naturally fell into three categories:

Some ate the spicy version, gasping with pleasure, eating more and more the longer they went on;

Others dipped everything in red chili oil before putting it in their mouths, crying out that it was so spicy, so spicy, yet refusing to let go, with the very next bite still dripping with chili oil;

And finally, there were those who couldn't tolerate even a hint of spice. However, the broth base itself was exceptionally savory and flavorful, tasting delicious even without the chili oil seasoning.

With various ingredients offering different textures, eating this way was truly a unique form of enjoyment.

The family sat around the large table eating very happily. Even the last drop of soup at the bottom of the bowl was used by Father Li and Third Brother Gu to soak their rice and clean the pot entirely.

Third Brother Gu, in particular, felt quite embarrassed as he ate.

Originally, he hadn't wanted to come, dragged over forcibly by Old Li, yet here he was, eating so much.

When he saw Li Xihua helping him fill his rice bowl for the third time, Third Brother Gu's face turned beet red—partly from the spice, and partly from shyness.

Yet, unable to resist the temptation of the delicious food, he ultimately ate that extra large bowl anyway.

Well, anyway, anyway—he would just come over tomorrow and help them do more chores.

With this thought, Gu Changfu's heart grew much more at ease.

That night, although Li Sheng wasn't as excessive as before, he still refused to let his young wife off easily, and the two of them tossed and turned until very late before finally falling asleep.

However, compared to Tang Xin who slept soundly, Li Sheng woke up very early as usual.

Unlike the previous day, the moment Li Sheng started getting up and dressing, Tang Xin opened her eyes.

"Did I wake you? Be a good girl, it's still early, go back to sleep for a bit longer."

Tang Xin rested sleepily against the head of the bed, watching her man put on his shoes.

They were a pair of very worn-out Liberation shoes, the uppers so scuffed that their original color was no longer distinguishable. Tang Xin remembered he had worn these exact shoes when he went out driving his truck.

And he only had this single pair—didn't he bring a change of shoes for the road?

Oh dear, it was her carelessness as a wife. She should have bought him a pair of leather shoes suitable for spring and autumn.

When a man traveled outside, his image was still very important, and moreover, Brother Li Sheng currently represented her own face and dignity out in the world.

With this thought, Tang Xin's sleepiness instantly vanished, and she began to earnestly observe the man who belonged exclusively to her.

As a result, she realized—oh my, she truly had been derelict in her duties as a wife.

She hadn't even noticed that from head to toe, her husband was wearing clothes that were half-old.

This simply wouldn't do. Brother Li Sheng was hers now, and she needed to dress him up properly.

And so, for once, Tang Xin didn't sleep in. Shortly after Li Sheng left with Father Li to go work, she got up as well.

She rode her bicycle alone to the county town and bought Li Sheng a pair of leather shoes and a complete set of ready-made clothes.

The clothes for the other children in the family were usually made by her mother-in-law after buying fabric. Although her mother-in-law possessed great tailoring skills, the resulting styles were inevitably rather dated.

Tang Xin figured that since Brother Li Sheng frequently had to go out on business, it was best for him to dress a bit more sharp and presentable.

When Li Sheng received his mysterious gift that evening, he was naturally overjoyed, showing not a shred of blame toward his young wife for spending the money they had just earned.

He happily tried on the new clothes and shoes, and in the end, successfully pinned his young wife down onto the bed.