"How does it taste?"

After nearly two hours of busy work, Fang Weiguo brought a bottle of wine. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Maotai.

Without any hesitation, Jiang Chen raised his thumb, "Uncle Fang, your braised preserved meat with old cucumber is truly authentic! Do you have any secret recipe? No wonder you didn’t let Aunt Pan and Fang Qing into the kitchen earlier. Were you worried they’d steal your techniques?"

Fang Weiguo chuckled.

"You have good taste, kid. This is something I researched myself; you can’t find this flavor anywhere else. And this dish of sticky rice fish, I’ve skillfully integrated and improved upon online recipes..."

"Alright. Jiang compliments you, and you take it seriously. Look at Qing Qing, she doesn’t even want to taste your preserved meat."

"That’s because this girl doesn’t like preserved goods or greasy stuff. I think eating in moderation is fine; will a few pieces of meat really make you fat?"

"Uncle, why bring out such good wine? It’s too extravagant."

Jiang Chen looked at the bottle of Feitian Maotai, changing the subject.

"What’s this about extravagance? Wine is meant for drinking. Who’s more important than you in our house?" Fang Weiguo joked.

Jiang Chen felt embarrassed, "If you say that, Uncle, I don’t dare drink it."

Regardless, Fang Weiguo opened the bottle, "What are you afraid of? Don’t worry, Uncle Fang didn’t buy such expensive wine; it was given to me."

"Tong Dan gave it to us."

Pan Hui supplemented.

"We should call her General Manager Tong now."

Fang Weiguo laughed while pouring the wine.

"Tong Dan truly treats Uncle Fang and Aunt Pan like her elders," Jiang Chen sighed, not forgetting to tease the other side, "But in my memory, she wasn’t a generous person."

"Still holding a grudge against her?"

Fang Weiguo glanced at him.

"Why does Jiang hold a grudge against Tong Dan?" Pan Hui was puzzled.

"You forgot," Fang Weiguo said to his wife: "Back in school days, those two were always at odds."

Pan Hui laughed and glared at her husband, "You think everyone is as petty as you? If these two still minded past issues, would they be working together now?"

"Aunt Pan is right."

Jiang Chen nodded vigorously, "Tong Dan and I have long since made peace."

Fang Weiguo handed over a glass of white wine, a disposable cup full to the brim, "That’s a real man. Don’t argue with the ladies. Uncle really appreciates your approach."

"Why pour so much? A moderate amount is enough. You insist on getting him drunk now that he’s back?"

"Qing Qing hasn’t said anything; you’re the one worrying unnecessarily. Does he drink any less while socializing outside? His drinking tolerance must be higher than mine by now; you should be concerned about this old fellow."

Fang Weiguo put down the bottle, saying to Jiang Chen, "Eat and drink slowly, enjoy but don’t overdo it."

Jiang Chen nodded with a smile.

"Qing Qing, there’s beer in the fridge, if you want some, help yourself."

Fang Weiguo was indeed very open-minded, not like some parents who keep numerous rules even after their children grow up, treating them like kids.

"Why not keep Jiang company for a couple of drinks?"

Pan Hui suggested as well.

Before Fang Qing could speak, Jiang Chen quickly waved his hand, "No, I’m not worthy. I’ll just drink with Uncle."

"What do you mean by ’not worthy’?"

Fang Weiguo said, "On the personal side, you and Qing Qing are childhood friends, decades of friendship; on the professional side, you’re Qing Qing’s boss, giving her such a good job and often allowing her to be with us. Jiang Chen, your Aunt Pan and I are aware, we need to thank you."

Jiang Chen hurriedly raised his cup, "Uncle, you’re overpraising. Fang Qing working at Tianci wasn’t me helping her, it was purely due to her abilities and talent. Business competition is talent competition. Since she joined Tianci, she’s been running around, putting her heart and soul into handling countless legal troubles, easing the company’s concerns, and safeguarding Tianci’s development. Precisely speaking, she’s the one helping me."

Though all knew these were polite words, for the older generation, a boss is a boss, a subordinate is a subordinate; there’s no logic for a subordinate to be kind to a boss.

But hearing it warms the heart.

Fang Weiguo and his wife looked at Jiang Chen more and more kindly, no wonder they treated someone like their own child.

"Speaking of which, the two of you should toast together."

Fang Weiguo signaled to his wife, "Go get the wine."

"I’ll go myself."

Fang Qing stood up and went to the fridge to get two cans of beer.

Fang Weiguo and Jiang Chen clinked their glasses, laughing, "Feels like New Year’s."

Holidays are never about a specific date, but about the people around you.

"Qing Gege, feel free to drink your beer."

Jiang Chen said to Fang Qing, his childlike tone made Fang Weiguo and his wife chuckle.

They had visited Kyoto.

And toured the magnificent Great Wall Building.

If they hadn’t seen it themselves, it would be hard to believe the kid across the street has become such a remarkable figure.

"Jiang Chen, personal matters are personal, and business is business; it’s true you and Qing Qing are childhood friends, but don’t treat her differently at work. Your Uncle Fang and I aren’t old enough to need her staying in Sha City."

"Yes, your Aunt Pan is right. No rules, no boundaries; you’re in the big business with so many employees; don’t let them feel it’s unfair."

Jiang Chen smiled, "Uncle, Aunt, Fang Qing often stays in Sha City because there are legal matters here and in River City that need her attention. She’s the right person for the job; I haven’t given her special treatment."

"That’s good."

Fang Weiguo nodded, urging everyone, "Eat more dishes."

"Yes, enjoy Uncle Fang’s cooking."