Movie/TV series: Starting with Ode to Joy, I opened my own private kitchen.

Page 70

Fifty minutes later, Su Chang, in a good mood, went to the front desk and asked, "Hello! Has the gentleman who came with me come out yet?"

"Sir, please wait a moment, let me check for you," the receptionist replied politely.

Not long after, the receptionist said politely, "Sir, it probably won't be that quick, it will take about half an hour. If you're waiting for that gentleman, why don't you go to the rest area, have something to eat, and sit and wait?"

"Oh, okay then." Su Chang had no choice but to go to the rest area to eat. The food wasn't fancy, but there was a good variety. Since she hadn't eaten dinner, she sat down near the front desk with her plate and slowly ate.

But less than ten minutes into his meal, he suddenly noticed two somewhat familiar figures rushing in. When they saw Su Chang eating, they glared at him with hostility.

"Awei, where's your uncle?"

"Yeah, Su Chang, where's my dad?"

"Uh... um..." Su Chang was immediately embarrassed and didn't know what to say. He just hoped that his father-in-law would come out quickly, otherwise he would be caught red-handed.

"Why are you hesitating? Just say it, is that shameless old man inside?" After saying that, Guan's mother was about to rush inside.

"No, Auntie, wait a minute. Uncle just said his foot was a little uncomfortable. He's just getting a foot massage and will be out soon." Su Chang could only pray that Guan's father would come out quickly and stood in front of Guan's mother.

"Your feet don't feel well? Do you think I'd believe that? Get out of my way."

"What's all the noise about?" Guan's father appeared out from behind Su Chang at some point. "Wife, really, you just had a little scuffle with Xiao Wei and then my foot was a bit sore, so I came over for a foot massage. You're making a big fuss over nothing."

"Really? Guan Shumo, do you think I'm easy to fool?" Guan's mother pointed at Guan's father, then walked straight to the front desk: "Let's settle the bill!"

Mr. Guan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly went up and hugged Mrs. Guan tightly: "Wife, Su Chang just said that he's treating, so he can handle the bill, right? Su Chang."

"Yes, Auntie, you can go ahead, I'll pay the bill." Su Chang quickly stepped forward to pay the bill.

"Okay, you pay, go ahead and pay, I'm watching." Guan's mother wasn't so easily fooled. By now, she had already realized that Guan's father and Su Chang weren't arguing at all. They were clearly upset because they felt that she and their daughter had been too noisy and that the two of them had gone out to have fun, making her worry so much. They were really angry.

Su Chang looked at Guan's father with a troubled expression. Guan's father didn't have any good ideas at the moment either. As for Guan Juer and her second cousin, they were just watching the show. Su Chang had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Miss, please pay the bill for the foot massage."

"Oh, okay, sir. The total bill for the foot massage is 58 yuan. Would you like to pay in cash or by scanning a QR code?"

"Okay, just scan the code." After paying, Su Chang looked at the aunt with a fawning expression and said, "Auntie, you see, it's just a foot wash."

"Hmph! Guan Shumo, you're good enough to be honest. Let's go back and teach you a lesson later." Guan's mother's tone softened at this point.

"Oh, okay, let's go then." Mr. Guan quickly pulled Mrs. Guan out, and before leaving, he winked at Su Chang.

Su Chang nodded, then touched her stomach, took out the keys, and said to Guan Juer, "Guan Guan, take the keys and go out with your aunt and uncle. My stomach is a little upset, I'll be right back after I go to the restroom."

"Oh, okay, Su Chang, are you alright?" Guan Juer took the keys and nodded obediently, then looked at him with a worried expression.

"It's okay, I'll just go to the restroom."

"Alright then." After saying that, she walked out with her second cousin, but her second cousin's eyes looked a little strange.

Su Chang breathed a sigh of relief after everyone left. What bad luck! Even a seasoned veteran can make a mistake. She quickly went to pay the bill, but seeing the 999 yuan bill, Su Chang couldn't help but want to show it to Guan's mother.

After staying at Guan Juer's house for two days, Su Chang quickly fled the Guan family.

As for why he said he was escaping, it was mainly because ever since Su Chang helped him clean up the mess that night, Guan's father, that old geezer, had been trying to drag him along to "do bad things." Su Chang didn't dare, and Guan's mother was quite terrifying, so they quickly set off for the next stop, Song Nuan's house, which wasn't far from Guan Juer's hometown.

Su Chang remembered that she didn't find any relatives of Song Nuan's family when she watched the TV series, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Su Chang still bought a trunk full of local specialties in Guan Juer's hometown. Even if she didn't use them when she went to Song Nuan's house, she could still use them when she returned to Shanghai.

After an hour and a half drive, Su Chang arrived at the entrance of Song Nuan's residential compound. Song Nuan was already waiting there, her hands and feet trembling as she looked around.

Su Chang smiled slightly, drove the car to Song Nuan's side and stopped. Since Song Nuan had never seen this car before, she only glanced at it before walking to the side to continue looking around.

Seeing Song Nuan's adorable appearance warmed Su Chang's heart. He remembered how the last time he honked the horn, it startled Yang Tao. To avoid startling Song Nuan, he opened the door, got out of the car, and called out to her, "Nuan Nuan, who are you waiting for?"

Song Nuan heard someone calling her, and the voice sounded familiar, so she looked over at Su Chang. When she saw it was Su Chang, she immediately rushed over, but stopped when she got close.

"Brother Su Chang, you're here!"

"Yeah, what? You don't welcome me?" Su Chang said, feigning anger.

"No way! Brother Su Chang, I miss you so much!" Song Nuan immediately explained anxiously.

"Haha! Nuan Nuan, you're so cute. Come here, let me give you a hug. Let me see if you've gotten fatter." Su Chang said teasingly, opening his arms wide.

"Brother Su Chang, how could you be so naughty?" Although she said that, her body still honestly threw herself into Su Chang's arms.

"Cough cough!" Just then, a man's dry cough suddenly came from the green belt next to the car.

Su Chang and Song Nuan looked in the direction of the sound and saw a middle-aged man wearing glasses staring at Su Chang with an unfriendly expression. When Song Nuan saw the man, she immediately jumped out of Su Chang's arms, her face flushed, and said coquettishly, "Dad, what are you doing here?"

Su Chang understood immediately; this was Song Nuan's father, Song Guangming. So he stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Happy New Year, Uncle!"

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, so Song Guangming forced a smile and replied, "Young man, you're nice too! But you should still be mindful of your image on the street."

"Okay, Uncle, I'll be more careful in the future." Su Chang knew that Song Guangming was a middle school teacher, and disciplining students had become a habit ingrained in their bones. So she didn't care about Song Guangming's attitude. After all, she was going to come and eat their cabbage, so she couldn't let him get a little angry.

"Okay, go park the car and let's go home." Seeing that Su Chang's attitude was alright, Song Guangming's expression softened a little.

“Dad, Su Chang just arrived and isn’t familiar with this place yet. I’ll go with him to park the car,” Song Nuan said, seizing the opportunity.

Song Guangming, however, adopted a strict guard: "No need, Nuannuan, you go home first. Dad will accompany Su Chang to park the car."

"Dad," Song Nuan said, clinging to Song Guangming's arm affectionately.

"Then...we'll go with Su Chang to park the car together, is that alright?" Song Guangming couldn't resist Song Nuan's coquettish pleading and had to back down again.

"Alright then." Although Song Nuan wanted to spend some time alone with Su Chang, she knew from her father's expression that there was no hope, so the two got into Su Chang's car.

Song Nuan, in the passenger seat, directed Su Chang to park the car in the underground parking lot downstairs from his apartment building, while Song Guangming kept his eyes fixed on the two of them, afraid that they might have any intimate contact.

Su Chang sighed, "This father-in-law is much harder to deal with than Guan's father. Guan's father probably doesn't need anything else, just a little service is enough to keep him happy. But Song Guangming is a doting father, he's really difficult to handle!"

When Su Chang got out of the car, he specifically asked Song Nuan, "Nuan Nuan, how many people are in your family?"

"There are only three people, my parents and me, what's wrong?" Song Nuan looked at Su Chang with a puzzled expression.

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just worried that your relatives might be staying at your house, so I could prepare gifts." Su Chang was already scared by Guan Juer's family, so she had to ask one more question to avoid having to make the trip again.

"No need, Su Chang, it's enough that you're here," Song Nuan waved her hand and said casually.

Su Chang didn't say much. She took a gift bag she had prepared beforehand and, under Song Guangming's watchful eye, went to Song Nuan's house by elevator to complain.

As soon as the elevator arrived, a middle-aged woman with a scholarly air was waiting at the door. Upon seeing the three of them arrive, she first greeted Su Chang: "Su Chang, right? Welcome to my home."

"Thank you, Auntie. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it." Su Chang quickly handed the two gifts to Song's mother.

Song's mother accepted the gift with a slight smile, without looking at what was inside the gift bag, her expression completely indifferent.

Chapter 133 An Awkward Dinner

"Thank you! Okay, let's not stay outside anymore, it's so cold outside, come inside and sit down."

After Song Nuan led Su Chang into the house, Song's mother blocked Song Guangming's way: "Guangming, our daughter is all grown up now. Why are you still watching her like she did when she was little? You need to give her space. You even lied to me about buying soy sauce. Where's the soy sauce?"

Song Guangming chuckled awkwardly, "Honey, aren't you used to this? Our Nuannuan is so innocent, cute, and kind. What if she gets tricked by some random blond kid?"

“I think Su Chang is a good young man. He has a good appearance and temperament, and he is also polite. Besides, Nuan Nuan is innocent, but she is not stupid. She has her own judgment. Guangming, what you are doing is really not good.”

"Oh dear! Honey, what can you possibly know from your first meeting with him? We need to observe him carefully." Hearing his wife praise Su Chang, Song Guangming immediately felt uncomfortable.

"Alright, alright, but you should be careful. After all, you're a teacher, so mind your manners." Seeing Song Guangming's expression, after so many years of marriage, how could she not know what he was up to?

"Okay, okay, let's go inside quickly. I'm telling you, as soon as Su Chang got out of the car, he tried to hug our Nuannuan right there on the street. Honestly, it was too..."

"Alright, alright... let's go inside, don't let your precious daughter get kidnapped." Seeing that Song Guangming was about to launch into another long speech, Song's mother quickly interrupted him, then turned and went into the house. Song Guangming had only said half of what he wanted to say and was indeed feeling quite uncomfortable.

As soon as the two entered the room, they saw Song Nuan rummaging through drawers and cabinets looking for something for Su Chang to eat.

Song Guangming's face immediately darkened, and Song's mother shook her head helplessly. However, seeing Su Chang protecting Song Nuan by her side and looking at her with such doting eyes, just like her own son, she felt much more at ease.

"Nuan Nuan, what kind of behavior is this? How can a girl rummage through drawers at home?" Song Guangming couldn't stand his daughter being so attentive to other men. He didn't want to say anything to Su Chang, so he had to stop Song Nuan.

Song Nuan retorted irritably, "Dad, but you also said that you should warmly welcome friends when they come. Don't you do the same when your colleagues from school come?"

"Alright, go to the kitchen and cook. Su Chang has been driving for so long, she must be hungry too." Seeing that Song Guangming was speechless after Song Nuan's retort, he quickly spoke up to defuse the situation.

"Okay, I'll go to the kitchen now."

Song Guangming went to the kitchen dejectedly. Song's mother glared at Song Nuan, who stuck out her tongue and ignored her mother, pulling Su Chang to the living room to eat something delicious, giving Su Chang no time to react.

After waiting for about forty minutes, Song's mother came to call the two of them to prepare for dinner. Song Nuan excitedly pulled Su Chang to wash her hands, but when they returned to the table after washing their hands, Song Nuan suddenly felt unhappy.

Because their dining table had two seats on each side, Song Guangming and his mother each sat on one side, which made Song Nuan, who wanted to sit with Su Chang, very unhappy.

Su Chang patted Song Nuan's shoulder and whispered, "Go sit down. We're going back to Shanghai tomorrow. You can spend some time with your mother. We'll have plenty of opportunities in the future."

"Oh, okay!" Upon hearing Su Chang's words, Song Nuan's expression immediately softened, and she sat down next to her mother, while Su Chang sat with Song Guangming.

"Xiao Su, hurry up and try this dish. Your uncle's cooking skills are pretty good." Song Guangming placed a plate of stir-fried pork with chili peppers in front of Su Chang and said with a face full of enthusiasm.

Su Chang immediately sensed something was amiss, but Song Nuan chimed in, "Brother Su Chang, my dad's cooking is really good, you should try it."

Although Song Nuan found it strange that her father was handing food to Su Chang, she thought it was a sign of progress, so she looked at Su Chang expectantly. However, Song Nuan's mother's expression was rather odd, which set off alarm bells in Su Chang's mind.

But he had no choice but to bite into a small bite. Just that one bite made him break out in a sweat. He finally understood what Song Guangming was thinking. This was stir-fried pork with the spiciest chili peppers, and the peppers were deliberately cooked until slightly undercooked, making it extra spicy.

After swallowing it down, Su Chang gave Song Guangming a thumbs up: "Uncle's cooking is really delicious."

Then he picked up a piece of stir-fried pork with chili peppers and put it in Song Guangming's bowl: "Uncle, this dish is really delicious. You work so hard to cook, you should eat more."

Song Guangming was just looking forward to Su Chang making a fool of herself, but now he's upset because he's now the one who got caught up in the drama. Song's mother's expression became even stranger, and she immediately lowered her head, seemingly doing something.

Little Confused Song Nuan didn't find it strange at the moment, and even put another piece of stir-fried pork with chili peppers into Song Guangming's bowl.

"Yes, Dad, you work so hard, you must eat more."

Then, as if remembering something, she put a chopstick on Su Chang's and Song's mother's plate.

"Mom, Su Chang, you should eat more too."

Suddenly, Su Chang and Song's mother, who had just been watching the show, were also caught up in it. Song's mother glared at Song Guangming, as if to say, "Look what you've done."

Song Guangming forced a smile and said, "My dear wife, Xiao Su, hurry up and eat. We'll have a drink after we finish."

There was no other way; in order not to appear abnormal in front of Song Nuan, they had to take the lead in eating the stir-fried pork with chili peppers, and Su Chang and Song's mother had no choice but to bite the bullet and do it too.

Fortunately, none of them were completely unable to handle spicy food. Along with rice, they all forced themselves to finish the dishes. However, after finishing, all three of them wiped the sweat from their foreheads in unison.

"Mom and Dad, Su Chang, are you hot? Wait a minute, I'll go turn the air conditioner down a bit." Seeing that all three of them were sweating, Song Nuan went straight to the living room to adjust the air conditioner.

As soon as Song Nuan left, Song Guangming and Su Chang were sticking out their tongues and breathing heavily without any regard for their image. Song's mother scooped up two spoonfuls of soup and slowly tried to get rid of the spiciness, but the look she gave Song Guangming was extremely unfriendly.

"Um... Uncle, I brought some wine. Let's call a truce for now. You can put this dish in the kitchen." Su Chang quickly offered a reconciliation plan.

"Okay, go ahead." Song Guangming had no choice but to quickly carry the plate to the kitchen, while Su Chang went to the door to get the wine. After all, he saw that Song's mother had left the gift bag at the door without paying any attention to it, which made it convenient for him to escape the disaster scene.

As Su Chang walked, he silently chanted in his mind, "System, sign in!"