Chen Lan pretended to be angry, her eyes flashing as she scolded, "You brat, can't even taste the food I make? It's because you kids have had enough to eat, never known hunger. If I starve you a few times, you'll find everything smells delicious."
Seeing their mother flare up, Jiahui immediately stepped forward, threw an arm around Chen Lan's shoulder, and began to act cute and coy. She said, "Mother, what are you talking about? How can you have so little confidence in your own cooking? We ten brothers and sisters grew up eating your food. No one can compare to your culinary skills. It's Mother's taste, it's just delicious, exquisite, and we all love it. Don't you brothers agree?"
After Jiahui spoke, she turned her head and winked at Jia Yao and the other two.
The three brothers immediately chimed in subserviently, "Yes, yes, exactly, it's Mother's taste."
Jia He also stepped forward and, just like when she was little, hugged Chen Lan's neck and said sweetly, "I love Mother's cooking the most. I can eat half a bowl more rice every time Mother cooks."
Chen Lan felt very pleased hearing her daughter and sons' compliments, but she wasn't about to let them off the hook. She pointed her finger at Jiahui and Jia He's foreheads and chided, "Don't try this with me. I won't fall for it. You're all flatterers, and you too, and you too. You two have the sweetest tongues and are the best at deceiving your old mother."
Jiahui, hearing her mother say this, immediately protested, "Mother, how is this flattering you? It's the truth. If you don't believe me, you can ask them, or you can ask Uncle Xiao."
Jia Xing and Jia He, the brothers, echoed her sentiments, "Mother, we brothers and sisters truly love your cooking. It's just that you rarely cook anymore. Eldest sister, second sister, and third sister at home can't replicate your flavor."
Jia Yao also offered a rare compliment, "Yeah! I really miss Mother's braised prawns! I miss Mother's seafood hot pot!"
At this moment, Er Zhuang also chimed in, "That's right, Sister-in-law's seafood hot pot is delicious. I'm starting to drool just thinking about it."
Chen Lan understood immediately. They weren't complimenting her cooking; they were just craving seafood hot pot. It wasn't difficult to make. If they wanted it, she would make it! Just as she was about to readily agree to their little request, she suddenly remembered they were all staying in a guesthouse. Where could she possibly find a place to cook seafood hot pot?
Seeing that the claypot rice was ready, Chen Lan quickly changed the subject, "The rice is ready, everyone come and eat quickly! Be careful, don't burn yourselves."
Alas, staying in a guesthouse was truly inconvenient. It seemed they needed to find a place to live in Harbin. After all, with so many people, they couldn't stay in a guesthouse forever. It wasn't about the money, but the sheer inconvenience. She wondered where the organization would assign Xu Mingxuan to work in Harbin.
People are often thought of when they appear. The moment Xu Mingxuan entered the room, he said with a smile, "It smells so good! Perfect. I didn't have breakfast this morning either. Lan'er, get me a portion too!"
Jiahui said, "Mother, don't make one for Father. Just let him have mine. I'll drink yogurt and eat bread. I want to save my stomach to taste Harbin's delicacies later."
Xu Mingxuan picked up a bowl of claypot rice and asked with some curiosity, "Where are you planning to eat delicacies later?"
Jia He swallowed her food and happily interjected, "Father, Mother said she'll take us to the best state-run restaurant in Harbin for a big meal at noon."
Xu Mingxuan took a bite of rice and continued to ask, "Do you know which state-run restaurant in Harbin has the best food?"
Chen Lan and the children all shook their heads. Chen Lan then asked, "Mingxuan ge, do you know?"
Xu Mingxuan replied with a smile, "I've only been here a few days! I really don't know. However, if we don't know, someone will! The guesthouse staff surely know. After we finish eating, Jiahui, you're a girl, and girls have common topics. You can be in charge of asking the service staff. The rest of us will pack up and prepare to check out."
Everyone was very surprised to hear about checking out and exclaimed in unison, "Check out? Why?"
Xu Mingxuan said with a smile, "Eat first, then we'll talk."
After they quickly finished their meal and the rubbish was put into the system warehouse, Chen Lan impatiently asked, "Mingxuan ge, where did the leaders of the General Bureau assign you?"
Xu Mingxuan replied with a very happy smile, "The leaders of the General Bureau knew I was a high school student before liberation. Because of my later participation in the revolution, I was admitted to university but couldn't continue my studies. They all expressed great regret for me, so they decided to send me to the Party School for advanced studies. I'll be reporting to school this afternoon. The Party School is also in Nangang District, on Yanxing Road. Lan'er, you can all move to a guesthouse near the Party School as well. This way, it'll be closer, and I can come visit you often."
Chen Lan heard that such good fortune had befallen Xu Mingxuan. Xu Mingxuan being able to study at the Party School meant the organization's trust and support. It indicated the organization wanted to cultivate him, and this could also be a precursor to promotion. Studying at the Party School was not a privilege afforded to just any cadre. There was also a saying in society: "When grassroots leaders go to the Party School, they are either promoted or transferred." However, regardless of whether the organization truly intended to promote him, it was at least an acknowledgment of Xu Mingxuan's hard work over the years.
Chen Lan thought it was no wonder Xu Mingxuan was in such good spirits today. It was truly a blessing in disguise, a case of turning misfortune into fortune.
Hearing Xu Mingxuan say he was going to school, the brothers Jia Yao and Jia Xing were very surprised. Jia He, upon hearing this, immediately exclaimed, "Father, how old are you? Why do you still have to go to school!"
Xu Mingxuan pointed at Jia He and jokingly scolded, "You brat, what are you shouting about? How can you speak like that? Am I really that old? Aren't your Uncle Xiangxi and Uncle Xiangdong, and Uncle Er Hu, all studying in the valley? Why can't your father go to school? You really don't know how to talk, you deserve a spanking."
Saying this, he reached out and spanked Jia He's bottom. Father and son immediately burst into laughter and playful scuffles. After they had had their fill of fun, Chen Lan arranged for Jiahui to go chat with the service staff, while she and the rest of them returned to their rooms to pack their belongings.