NOVPUB
Chapter 160: Chapter 160: The Feast at Hongmen
Early in the morning, Duan Shuhua sent someone to pass a message to Han Yi, hoping that he and Han Jiaojiao would attend her birthday luncheon. The messenger emphasized repeatedly that it was just a regular family banquet and said Professor Duan had invited a few well-acquainted family friends, insisting Han Yi and Han Jiaojiao make every effort to be there.
Turning fifty was considered quite significant, but considering Han Jiaojiao’s animosity towards the Qin family, Han Yi had no wish to go. However, the other party stressed again and again, hoping that the younger generation could gather and get acquainted with each other.
In Han Yi’s mind, suspicions abounded—what was Duan Shuhua’s intention?
Surprisingly, Han Jiaojiao’s reaction was unusually calm. Not only did she show no signs of anger, but she even joked that she must accompany her brother to prevent Qin Nanyi from finding an opening.
As the time for the luncheon approached, Han Yi took a box of blood swallows from his space as a birthday gift, and both changed their clothes and left the house.
Duan Shuhua reserved a private dining room at the base, and when Han Yi and Han Jiaojiao arrived, everyone else was already there.
Indeed, as Duan Shuhua had said, she had only invited a few familiar people. In the room were Duan Shuhua, Qin Nanyi, Qin Wenhao, Du Wenbo, and two other young men Han Yi didn’t recognize. Together with Han Yi and Han Jiaojiao, there were only eight people at the table.
As soon as Duan Shuhua saw them come in, she said with a smile, "Please, take a seat. We were just waiting for you."
The table was laden with a cake and various dishes. Qin Nanyi placed candles on the cake and lit them; the lights in the room dimmed, and the melody of ’Happy Birthday’ wafted around. Qin Nanyi softly sang along with the tune, creating a harmonious and jovial atmosphere throughout the room.
After the birthday song ended, Duan Shuhua blew out the candles, and Qin Nanyi urged her with a laugh, "Mom, make a wish quickly."
"Ah, at my age, what wishes do I have like you young people?" Duan Shuhua laughed.
"Oh come on, who doesn’t make a wish on their birthday? Just make one!" Qin Nanyi coaxed.
"Alright, alright. My only wish is for you to marry into a good family and be happy and content all your life."
"Mom!—" Qin Nanyi blushed and stomped her foot.
Everyone laughed.
The lights were turned back on, and Duan Shuhua, pointing to the people beside her, introduced them to Han Yi, "This is my nephew, Qin Wenhao; this is Du Wenbo, the son of Director Du; this is Ye Rui, and Li Yanliang, both are promising young researchers from our Research Institute. You are all young; you should interact more if you get the chance. We are getting old; it’s you young people who will take over in the future."
Qin Nanyi pouted unhappily, "Mom, it’s your birthday, can’t you stop saying you’re old?"
Duan Shuhua laughed, nodding, "Okay, I won’t say it anymore."
Du Wenbo also chimed in from the side, "Auntie, you look so young sitting with Nanyi, almost like sisters, not old at all."
The two young men raised their glasses to toast Duan Shuhua.
"We will need Professor Duan’s guidance in the Research Institute’s matters in the future; we are young and inexperienced and can’t do without your support."
"Yes, without Professor Duan’s nurturing, how could we have our achievements today..."
The atmosphere was very harmonious, and even Han Jiaojiao good-naturedly joined in toasting Duan Shuhua. Unable to utter flattering words, she simply wished her a happy birthday, fulfilling the social niceties. 𝚗ov𝚙𝚞𝚋.c𝚘m
Gifts were then presented in turn, and Duan Shuhua was in high spirits. She said, "There are advantages to being older—I always receive tokens of respect from the younger generation."
The room burst into laughter.
Duan Shuhua added, "I also prepared gifts for you, the Golden Silk Taro Rolls I made myself this morning. It’s been a long time since I’ve cooked; try them and see if they suit your taste." Turning to Qin Nanyi, she said, "Xiaoyi, could you please fetch them from the kitchen?"
Qin Nanyi agreed cheerfully and stood up, heading towards the door. As she passed Han Yi’s seat, Duan Shuhua seemed to suddenly remember something and blurted out, "I recall Ayi loved this dessert when he was young. Once, I had just fried them and you couldn’t wait to eat, burning your tongue in the process..."
Qin Nanyi’s face showed nostalgia as she smiled and said, "Yes, I remember that too."
"Ayi, could you get that for Xiaoyi? I made quite a lot; I’m afraid it won’t all fit on two plates," Duan Shuhua said to Han Yi with a gentle voice.
It wasn’t a big deal, but for some reason, Han Jiaojiao felt a sudden pang in her heart.
Then, she watched as Han Yi stood up and followed Qin Nanyi out of the room—
"It’s fine, your brother will be back soon. We’re still waiting to eat the Golden Silk Taro Rolls," Duan Shuhua smiled and consoled her.
But Du Wenbo seemed a bit restless and said, "I could go help Xiaoyi with that..."
Duan Shuhua looked at him teasingly, "It’s alright, it’s just fetching a few dishes; she’ll be back soon."
Du Wenbo chuckled quietly.
At that moment, Qin Wenhao, who had been silent, suddenly stood up, strode over to Han Jiaojiao, sat down in front of her, and half-squinted his eyes, "You look pretty in that dress today."
Han Jiaojiao was momentarily stunned and took a while to understand. What did he mean by that?
Qin Wenhao snapped his fingers in front of her, "Free later? I’ll take you out for some fun."
Han Jiaojiao finally caught on.—He was flirting...
The tension in her nerves relaxed.
Han Jiaojiao tried to appear natural as she smiled and said, "...It’s been too hot lately; I don’t really like going out."
"It’s cooler at night," Qin Wenhao replied with a deeper smile, inching closer to Han Jiaojiao, his tone flirtatious, "I also like the night."
Duan Shuhua coughed twice on the side, looking teasingly at her and Qin Wenhao, "Wenhao, you can’t just run off with Jiaojiao while her brother’s away. Ayi keeps a tight watch, and Jiaojiao here has never been out with a boy."
At those words, Qin Wenhao’s gaze brightened even more when he looked at Han Jiaojiao.
And Han Jiaojiao, on hearing Duan Shuhua’s remark, felt a clarifying thought in her mind. So that’s what she meant...
This mother and daughter were really going to extremes.
"Never been out? That must be boring," Qin Wenhao’s gaze landed on Han Jiaojiao, shamelessly sizing her up. "But Beicheng Base really isn’t that interesting. Yunan Base is different. I’ve been here a few days and found that fishing at Huaihe is the thing to do. Have you tried it?"
"I haven’t," Han Jiaojiao turned her face away, pretending to be shy as she replied. Anger was bubbling up inside her, but at the next moment, she suddenly realized something and calmed down...
Perhaps this was an opportunity.
As she was thinking, Qin Wenhao had already started saying, "I’ll pick you up tonight; I know the fishing area best."
Han Jiaojiao’s face showed longing mixed with a hint of nervousness as she looked toward Duan Shuhua, "If my brother finds out, he’ll scold me."
Duan Shuhua smiled affectionately, "It’s good to go out and have fun. Don’t keep yourself cooped up. Don’t worry, I won’t tell your brother."
Han Jiaojiao bit her lip, glanced shyly at Qin Wenhao, and whispered, "Then I’ll go over by myself tonight. You don’t need to pick me up. I’m afraid... my brother will find out. I don’t even know if I can sneak out..." Her voice trailed off to a whisper, yet it was purposely audible to everyone in the private room.
Seeing her bashful demeanor, Qin Wenhao found her very charming. The thought of enjoying her company later that evening made his heart bloomed with joy.
