Liu Cha Sheng saw Liu Yi Feng's actions and kept shaking his head. "Yi Feng, this is too wasteful. Such a large crucian carp is not commonly seen. You actually threw away all the meat and only kept some soup. It's truly a sin to waste such a delicacy."
"Uncle, you don't know," Liu Yi Feng explained with a smile. "The nutrition of the fish is all in the soup. Eating the meat or not doesn't matter much."
"You just keep wasting good things!" Liu Cha Sheng did not agree with Liu Yi Feng's words.
Knowing it was futile to argue, Liu Yi Feng stopped talking. He then made braised abalone ribs and blanched prawns, preparing a dipping sauce. This way of eating was the most nutritious and greatly preserved the original flavor of the shrimp. He also cooked stir-fried water spinach stems and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. He prepared all these dishes in just forty minutes. Cooking with a stove was faster than using a gas stove, and the taste was excellent, which was why many people enjoyed communal meals.
"Yi Feng, your cooking skills are quite good. It's perfect in color, aroma, and taste," Liu Kai Chen praised with a smile, looking at the finished dishes on the stove.
"I just made them casually. You and Uncle should eat more later. Should I call Aunt over to join us?" Liu Yi Feng remembered that only his Aunt was at home and asked.
Liu Cha Sheng shook his head. "Why call her? She's just a housewife and would only criticize. We have important matters to discuss later. By the way, where is your father? I haven't seen him for so long."
For Liu Yi Feng to agree to this matter, his second brother would still need to be persuaded. Otherwise, this trip would be in vain. Liu Yi Feng knew what was coming couldn't be avoided. It was best to clarify things today to prevent them from constantly bothering him about this matter later.
"My dad is in the watermelon patch. Someone is here to buy watermelons, so I asked him to keep an eye on it!"
"Yi Feng, I heard your watermelons sold for a great price. That's impressive! You can make money from anything you do now. Your brother might even have to follow you in the future!" Liu Cha Sheng praised.
"Uncle, please don't joke. Kai Chen is a senior executive in a big company. He might even start his own company and become a boss in the future. It's good enough not to have to follow him."
"What's the use of being a senior executive if you can't even sign a single contract? I heard from him that a boss took a liking to your vegetables and said that if you sell your vegetables to him, he would sign a five-million-dollar deal with your brother, and they could establish long-term cooperation. Just the commission from this deal alone, your brother could get ten percent, which is fifty thousand. I'll let your brother give you half then, as it's all thanks to your contribution!"
These words were flawless, leaving Liu Yi Feng with no room to refuse. However, he had no intention of compromising. If a person loses their principles, what distinguishes them from animals? Just as he was about to speak, his father arrived.
"Cha Sheng, Kai Chen, why have you come?" Liu Chun Sheng walked into the living room and took off his straw hat, hanging it on the wall. After a morning outdoors, his clothes were already soaked with sweat. In front of everyone, he took off his shirt and changed into clean clothes.
"Second Brother, you're here at the right time. The meal is just ready. Sit down and eat! Kai Chen knows you've been working hard lately and specially bought you some excellent tonics. Remember to eat them!"
"It's fine to just come, why buy things? We're not outsiders. If you do this again, Second Uncle will be angry," Liu Chun Sheng said, feigning displeasure.
Liu Kai Chen smiled and said, "Second Uncle is an elder, so it's only right for me, a junior, to be filial. These tonics are imported from abroad and are very effective. After you finish them, tell me, and I'll buy you more." He said this to make Yi Feng feel embarrassed to refuse him. After all, he had accepted a gift, and it wasn't cheap. To refuse him now would be too unfeeling.
"This stuff is probably very expensive. Take it back to your father after you finish eating. Second Uncle is as strong as an ox and doesn't need to supplement his body." This was the first time Liu Kai Chen had bought something for him, and he had been so generous. There was only one reason: he needed Yi Feng's help with something, and Yi Feng seemed unwilling to agree. That's why he came over with gifts, hoping to persuade Yi Feng through him. Although the two of them hadn't said anything yet, he understood the situation clearly. Yi Feng was not someone who disregarded family ties and feelings. If he refused, he must have his reasons. As his father, he naturally couldn't put him in a difficult position.
"Second Uncle, aren't you mocking me! There's no reason to take back something that has been given away. Besides, I bought some for my father too, so just eat it with peace of mind!" Liu Kai Chen said.
"Exactly, Kai Chen is just showing his good intentions. As his Second Uncle, can't you fulfill his filial piety? Let's stop talking and sit down to eat. We can chat while we eat!" Liu Cha Sheng said, personally pouring a glass of white wine for Liu Chun Sheng and Yi Feng.
"By the way, Yi Feng, where is your son? Why not call him out for dinner?" Liu Kai Chen asked.
Liu Yi Feng then remembered that Tong Tong was still painting and immediately went to the study. "Tong Tong, it's time to eat. It's not too late to paint after dinner," Liu Yi Feng said softly as he opened the door.
"Daddy, Tong Tong is almost finished. You eat first, don't wait for me!" Tong Tong's hand moved on the drawing board as gracefully as a dragon. Liu Yi Feng thought that they would be discussing adult matters later, and it was better for Tong Tong not to be present. If Liu Kai Chen got angry and scared Tong Tong because he didn't agree, it wouldn't be good. Therefore, he didn't rush him. He gently closed the door and returned to the living room.
"Tong Tong is still painting, so let us eat first. I'll save some for him," Liu Yi Feng said, scooping a bowl of crucian carp and tofu soup for Tong Tong. He then took another bowl, picked some dishes for him, and placed them on the stove so they wouldn't get cold.
"Yi Feng is a first-time father, and he's quite good at it. But you're still young, so you should find a wife to help you take care of Tong Tong. Otherwise, it'll be hard to find someone after thirty," Liu Cha Sheng said.
"There's no hurry for marriage; it's all about fate," Liu Yi Feng knew that a rich man, even at eighty, could find an eighteen-year-old girl. He was only twenty-eight, so what was the rush? Anyway, he already had Tong Tong, so he had fulfilled his duty to his ancestors.
"You child. Come, Kai Chen and I will toast you and your father," Liu Chun Sheng said, raising his wine glass.
"Second Uncle, I'm truly sorry to disturb you and Yi Feng today. I'm driving, so I can't drink. I can only substitute tea for wine. Please forgive me!" Liu Kai Chen stood up directly. Seeing Liu Kai Chen being so polite, Liu Chun Sheng disliked it greatly. In the past, this nephew would just greet him and then there would be no more conversation. Today, he was buying tonics and toasting him. He felt somewhat overwhelmed. He didn't know how important the matter was that he was asking Yi Feng for help, that he, who was usually so arrogant, would behave like this.
"We're all family, no need to be so polite. Sit down quickly!" Liu Chun Sheng said, beckoning him to sit.