novelraw Chapter 44 Little girl, don't talk nonsense!
Chapter 44 Little girl, don't talk nonsense!
Hong Kong Island, Kai Tak Airport.
In the arrival hall, the sounds of suitcase wheels rolling and various regional accents mingled and created a noisy atmosphere.
Over the past two days, besides studying the information about Hong Kong Island International School sent by his second aunt Li Dongli, Li Shuo has been kept on the phone by director Wong Jing, who has taken a break from his busy schedule, to discuss the details of the script for "Ju-on" and the market model of V-Cinema in Japan. It seems that this fat guy is getting more and more interested.
However, Li Shuo spent most of his energy communicating remotely with his grandparents.
He did his homework thoroughly, from flight information and pick-up routes to even detailed reminders about the temperature difference on Hong Kong Island that the elderly might need.
At that moment, he was excitedly squeezing into the front row of the crowd of people waiting to pick up passengers, his eyes fixed on the passenger exit.
Finally, that familiar figure appeared!
Grandma Song Zhuohua carried an embroidered handbag in one hand and steadily supported Grandpa Li Yisheng with the other. The two elderly people walked out step by step with the flow of people.
Li Shuo immediately waved his hand high.
The two elderly people's eyesight was not very good at this point, and they could only see a tall, thin young man in neat and clean clothes waving from afar.
Li Shuo had previously cut off his rebellious, messy long hair, and now his short hair made him look even more energetic. Coupled with his casual yet appropriate attire, the two elders were momentarily hesitant to confirm his identity.
As they got closer and saw the face that resembled her son Li Mingyao, but with added handsome features and clear eyes, Grandma Song's face immediately lit up with joy, and Grandpa Li's stern lips involuntarily relaxed.
This handsome young man is none other than their beloved grandson whom they've been longing for day and night!
Li Shuo strode forward, opened his arms, and gave the two elders a big, firm hug.
"Grandpa! Grandma! You've missed me so much!"
He tried to control his emotions, but just greedily inhaled the scent emanating from the two elderly people.
Grandma Song patted her grandson's back with delight, saying repeatedly, "Good, good, Grandma wants to too, and your grandpa wants to even more!"
When Li Yisheng, who was being embraced by her grandson, heard her husband say this, her body stiffened slightly at first.
"No way...who would have thought this brat would run off to Singapore without even saying hello, swayed by his dad!"
However, the satisfaction and enjoyment on his usually stern face could not be hidden; he just had to maintain a bit of the patriarchal reserve in his words.
While Li Shuo was delighted, he also felt a pang of sympathy for his father, who had once chosen to "take the blame" for his rebellious actions.
Following closely behind the two elders was a large contingent of the Mainland Chinese Folk Orchestra.
Among the crowd, a pretty young girl pushing a luggage cart stood out.
She spotted Li Shuo embracing his grandparents, paused, and stood beside them with a complicated expression.
There was concern in his gaze, but more than that, it was a glare that was full of suppressed anger and had a distinctly sullen tone.
Grandma Song quickly pulled the girl over.
"It's been a long time since you've seen each other, hasn't it? I heard we went on a long trip, so she specially asked her dad, Xiao Zhu, to take time off to come with us and take care of us along the way."
Isn't this Zhu Zhu, the one Dad said smashed the window of the room where he lived in the compound in Beijing?
At this moment, a middle-aged man leading the folk music troupe also came over with a smile to greet them.
He was clearly familiar with Grandpa Li, and greeted him warmly, "Grandpa Li, this must be your eldest grandson whom you always talk about? He's a handsome young man, full of energy!"
Grandpa Li, however, maintained a composed demeanor while inwardly smiling and nodded slightly.
"He's still just a child, how could he be so handsome? But he looks much better and more energetic now."
But her hand patted her grandson's arm lightly without leaving a trace.
Seeing the large pieces of luggage coming out one after another, and knowing that the group members needed to assemble, Grandpa Li said to the leader, "Commander Zhou, you all go about your business, don't worry about this old man. My grandson has been taken care of."
Li Shuo immediately took over the conversation, his attitude both polite and considerate.
"Hello, Commander Zhou, I am Li Shuo. All of you teachers have come from afar and must be tired. My father, Li Mingyao, specifically instructed that once everyone is settled, you must give him the opportunity to host a simple meal for us all, as a way of showing hospitality. In addition, we would be happy to arrange a visit to some unique places on Hong Kong Island for you."
As he spoke, he handed over a note that had been prepared beforehand, on which a contact number was written.
"This is my contact information. Feel free to contact me anytime if you need anything while you are in Hong Kong."
Upon hearing this, Commander Zhou and several teachers around him smiled and thanked him repeatedly, praising Old Li for his good upbringing and his sensible grandson.
At first, Grandpa Li listened to his grandson's well-reasoned arrangements, and the seriousness on his face quickly turned into an undisguised smile of pride.
But upon hearing the name "Li Mingyao," the old man's brows furrowed as usual, and that awkwardness returned. He muttered under his breath, "Where's that guy? He's made a little money, and all he knows is this showy stuff..."
Before he could finish speaking, Grandma Song pinched his arm hard.
The old lady glared at him and whispered, "There are so many people watching. How can you talk about your son like that in front of so many people? Say less!"
Grandpa Li winced in pain and sheepishly stopped talking, but his expression still showed some defiance.
Li Shuo pretended not to see the little interaction between his grandparents. He smiled and said goodbye to Commander Zhou, preparing to lead them to the car.
I saw Zhu Zhu still pushing her luggage cart and standing there.
Li Shuo smiled at her, took the stroller from her, and whispered, "Come on. What? Why don't you stand on the stroller and I'll push you along?"
Zhu Zhu was stunned for a moment.
Hey! This young lady has a fiery temper!
However, seeing Li Shuo return to that familiar feeling from before, her "stinky" expression relaxed, and the corners of her mouth turned up and then down again.
But she deliberately put on a stern face, put her spacious backpack on the bus, and chased after Grandpa Li, walking away arm in arm with Grandma Song, laughing and joking...
Li Shuo looked and shook his head... then pushed the cart and followed.
As the group walked out of the airport, a brand-new Mercedes-Benz Vito that Li Mingyao had specially bought was already waiting for them.
The interior is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate more than six people, and the dark-colored car has a subtle sheen.
The car did not head towards the hotel, but instead drove straight to the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter.
Li Shuo had made arrangements in advance; tonight's family dinner would be held at the renowned Jumbo Seafood Restaurant.
This magnificent painted boat, resembling a palace on the sea, was the filming location for the final scene in Stephen Chow's movie "The God of Cookery".
It is not only a culinary landmark, but also a symbol of the prosperity of an era in Hong Kong.
Li Shuo reserved an elegant private room on the second floor by the window, where one could see shimmering waves and the lights of fishing boats.
After everyone was seated, he, like a diligent little host, began to enthusiastically introduce the dishes: "Grandpa and Grandma, the dishes here are the most authentic. I specifically asked that they be soft, tender, and nourishing."
As the dishes were served one after another, the aroma instantly filled the private room.
First, each person was served a bowl of thick, golden braised shark fin soup. The soup was rich and flavorful, and the shark fin was tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft.
Next came the traditionally steamed grouper, and the fish maw and conch stewed with old chicken. The forearm-thick, salt and pepper mantis shrimp were fried to a golden brown and crispy perfection, their aroma irresistible. The cheese-baked Australian lobster served over noodles had a wonderful blend of creamy flavor and the lobster's sweetness. The stir-fried razor clams with black bean sauce were bursting with wok hei (wok aroma), their meat plump and juicy. Finally, a large plate of typhoon shelter-style stir-fried crab, the aroma of garlic, black bean sauce, and chili enveloping the fresh crab, was incredibly tempting.
As Li Shuo served the dishes, he introduced them to the elderly couple, making Grandma Song beam with joy. Even the usually stern Grandpa Li ate a few more bites. His thoughtfulness and consideration warmed the hearts of the two elders.
Although they had reservations about their grandson's previous trip to Singapore, seeing Li Shuo's tremendous change in becoming more sensible... the two elders were less resentful of Li Mingyao, their "bad eldest son"!
However, there was a gaze that occasionally flew over with a "dagger" in its eyes.
Zhu Zhu ate the fresh seafood without any politeness, and then looked at Li Shuo's model of "filial piety and obedience." The anger that had been bottled up in her heart for a long time, mixed with some indescribable emotions, rose up again.
She was engrossed in dealing with a huge mantis shrimp, making more noise peeling it than the others, as if she wasn't peeling a shrimp shell...
Li Shuo naturally noticed this, and while adding soup to his grandparents' bowl, he discreetly transferred the peeled, plumpest lobster claw to the plate in front of Zhu Zhu.
Zhu Zhu paused, stared at the lobster claw, grabbed it, and ate it in a few bites.
Then, after wiping his hands, he took out RMB 100 bills (which were still blue at the time) from a cute little wallet he carried with him, counted out 5 bills... then thought about it and reluctantly added 1 more.
"Although Grandma Song said it wasn't necessary... I don't want to owe you anything. This is to compensate you for the broken glass and any things that might have been damaged in your room."
His tone remained stiff.
Li Shuo was a little confused...?
"No...you smashed my window...why?! Huh!?"
Zhu Zhu thought for a moment, then decisively but in a barely audible whisper, "Because Li Shuo owes me!"
Li Shuo was shocked when he heard those outrageous words!
Young lady, don't talk nonsense!