To welcome Zhao Meimei's family, Shi Yang's mother has been busy in the kitchen since morning, making her specialty braised fish, steaming prawns, and frying two plates of vegetarian dishes. The rest Shi Yang ordered from the restaurant downstairs, and he transferred them from takeaway boxes to their beautiful home plates, filling the table completely.
Shi Yang's home has good heating, especially during the festive season with the radiators scorching hot. Zhao Dazhuang took off his sweater, wearing only a shirt, rolled up his sleeves and got comfortable as if he were at his own home.
Shi Yang's father was similarly dressed in home attire, making himself comfortable. Ever since Zhao Dazhuang arrived in the afternoon, the two were engrossed in lively conversation.
Shi Yang's father asked briefly about Zhao Dazhuang's mother's health, about the situation over there and things that happened recently, before leading Zhao Dazhuang to talk about his plans.
