Chapter 30: A Western Dinner

“Hello. May I serve the dishes now?”

“Mm. Go ahead.”

Uncle Liu nodded in agreement. The waitress left the room and brought in a few others. They placed the utensils from the cart in front of each person, arranging them neatly. The head waiter began introducing the evening’s menu…

The dinner had eight courses: two appetizers, two soups, two main courses, and two desserts.

The introduction finished. The waitress was about to leave when Uncle Liu waved to stop her. He turned to look at Yaqi and Liu Ya…

“Yaqi, take a look at the menu. Is it okay? Liu Ya, I remember you were allergic to seafood as a child, so I didn’t order any. Yaqi… I recall you had no dietary restrictions when you were young. Any now?”

“No, none.”

“Ha. That’s good. I thought so, so I ordered accordingly.”

“It’s fine! If it’s not enough, just say the word. We can add more dishes!”

“Oh, no need! Eight dishes will probably leave us stuffed! Haha!”

“Mm. Don’t be polite with your uncle. If you need anything, just say it.”

“Mm.”

“Then! Let’s welcome Yaqi officially as a member of our family!”

“Great! Haha!”

Aunt and Uncle clapped enthusiastically. Liu Ya clapped lightly, feeling shy. Yaqi lowered her head, embarrassed, her cheeks flushed.

They chatted for a while. The waitress knocked on the door and brought in the first appetizer. Calling it an appetizer, it was only bite-sized and looked more like a dessert:

The bottom half was a biscuit that looked crispy. On top was a slice of ham rolled around some unknown filling. A bit of caviar adorned the top. It was a very delicate amuse-bouche.

Liu Ya lowered her head and examined it carefully, but couldn’t understand. A huge plate with just this one… biscuit in the middle? And setting aside the portion size, the array of utensils arranged left and right on the plate was enough to overwhelm anyone.

‘Seriously… is this portion normal? I could down it in one bite…’

‘I’ve seen stuff like this in videos before… but seeing it in person is still hard to accept!’

‘Ugh… I’m so hungry… Can this even fill a tooth gap?’

‘And… how am I supposed to eat this? Isn’t Western food just a knife and fork? Why are there… one, two, three, four… eight? Eight?’

‘Why so many! And some are different… And why are there three glasses? Is there some rule?’

Uncle Liu had considered that Yaqi just returned from abroad and didn’t want to be impolite. He also remembered Liu Ya saying she really liked Western food. So this time, he specially arranged a Western dinner following standard dining etiquette, hoping to make the two girls happy.

But Liu Ya didn’t feel his kindness. Instead, it weighed on her like a heavy stone, making it hard to breathe.

Liu Ya stared at the tiny thing in the center again and again, having no idea how to eat it.

She looked up helplessly, glancing left and right. She noticed that Old Liu’s plate was already empty, and the utensils on the table showed no signs of use. She turned to look at Yaqi and found that Yaqi’s dish was still there, but she was grinning at Liu Ya, with no intention of eating.

“Mm? What’s wrong, Liu Ya? Why aren’t you eating? And Yaqi, is the dish not to your taste?”

Uncle Liu asked with some concern. Liu Ya and Yaqi quickly explained.

“Ah… I… I’ll eat later… Oh! Just eat yours!”

“Ah. Same here, Uncle. I’ll eat in a bit!”

“Mm, okay. Yaqi, if you need anything, just…”

Before he finished, Aunt patted his hand, smoothing things over.

“Oh, girls have their own thoughts. You big man shouldn’t meddle.”

“Haha… alright.”

“By the way, Old Liu. Speaking of which…”

Aunt seized the chance to change the subject and chat about something else.

Liu Ya sighed in relief and stared at the dish again, but still had no clue. Finally, like a lost lamb, she cast a pitiful, helpless look at Aunt, her mouth slightly open as if she might cry any second.

Aunt smiled slightly, sat up straight, and placed her hand on the set of knife and fork closest to the plate.

‘Oh? That one?’

Just as Liu Ya was about to follow suit, Aunt suddenly picked it up with her hand directly, cupping the other hand underneath, tilted her head back, and popped it into her mouth. She savored it with a look of bliss, leaving Liu Ya a mysterious smile.

‘Huh? Using hands? This…? Then how did Sister Yaqi eat it?’

Liu Ya turned to look at Yaqi, who happened to be starting. Yaqi also picked it up with her hand, put it in her mouth, and looked delighted. Liu Ya was completely bewildered.

‘Ah… ah? Sister Yaqi eats it that way too? Then… it must be meant to be eaten like this… Hmm!’

Liu Ya imitated and reached out to pick it up. Before putting it in her mouth, she eyed it suspiciously. She ate it, chewed a few times, and the taste was surprisingly delightful.

Unlike its plain appearance, the flavors were layered. First came the buttery fragrance, then the slight saltiness of the ham. She could also taste the filling: mushrooms, rich with mushroom aroma.

As the saying goes: when people eat something delicious, they can’t help but smile.

As the various ingredients were chewed and pressed in her mouth, the flavors intertwined, collided, and merged. It was extremely enjoyable. A happy smile appeared on Liu Ya’s face.

Seeing the two children enjoying themselves, Uncle Liu and Aunt Zhao exchanged a smile.

The second course was a soup. Liu Ya quietly observed, copied Aunt exactly, picked up the spoon on the far right, directly dipped it in, scooped a spoonful, and drank it down.

‘Wow! Delicious! So amazing! It looks like water but tastes surprisingly good!’

“Mm… Liu Ya?”

“Huh?”

Just as Liu Ya was about to take another spoonful, Uncle Liu called out to her with a wry smile.

“In Western dining, you scoop soup from the inside out. And you shouldn’t put the whole spoon in your mouth, haha…”

“Eh! But Aunt…”

Liu Ya turned to look at Aunt, who was scooping her soup from the inside out. Liu Ya’s eyes widened as she stared blankly.

‘Huh? Was Aunt scooping that way just now? I saw her drink it before I did… Did I missee? Damn, Old Liu still got one up on me…’

Liu Ya lowered her head reluctantly. Following Uncle Liu’s method, she scooped a spoonful from inside out and took a small sip. She complained sullenly.

“It’s just soup… What’s the big deal… Why so many rules…”

Uncle Liu put down his utensils and looked at Liu Ya seriously.

“Hey, you can’t say that. Liu Ya, aren’t you also interested in Western food? I think this is a good opportunity to cultivate your etiquette in this area.”

“After all, when you enter society, first impressions matter a lot. It’s a disadvantage to be rude in such settings.”

“Exactly, Liu Ya. Old Liu has a point. Since you’ll take over the company in the future, you’ll definitely encounter these situations. You need to learn well.”

“Eh?”

Aunt also chimed in to support Old Liu. Liu Ya was baffled, a bunch of question marks popping up in her head. She looked at Aunt cluelessly, who gave a small expression signaling her to listen. But Liu Ya, rebellious, rejected the cue.

“I… I never said I’d do it in the future! Why force it on me…?”

Uncle Liu sighed helplessly.

“There you go again. You’re my daughter. If I don’t leave it to you, who will?”

“Whoever wants it! I don’t want it…”

“Sigh…”

Liu Ya turned away angrily. Aunt, who had been watching the show, suddenly had a good idea. She looked at Yaqi and said.

“Yaqi~ How about you take over your uncle’s company?”

“Cough! Cough…”

“Hmph…”

Yaqi still had soup in her mouth and almost choked. She quickly covered her mouth. Liu Ya didn’t flinch at the remark. She glanced disdainfully and turned away.

In Liu Ya’s heart, the only thing she wanted was Yaqi. Nothing else mattered. In fact, if Yaqi took over the company, it would be perfect. Both career and love would be fulfilled.

“Haha… calm down. What do you think, Old Liu? Yaqi is a great kid.”

“Mm. Makes sense. And the company wouldn’t be where it is today without Yaqi’s family’s help.”

“Exactly! I already see Yaqi as my own daughter.”

“Mm. Same here. So, Yaqi, what do you think? Do you accept?”

Yaqi took a few breaths, brushed the hair from her face, looking completely lost.

“Ah? Uncle, stop joking… How could that work?”

“Who’s joking? I’m serious! And even if I don’t say it now, I plan to have you and Liu Ya run the company together in the future. Half each!”

“Ugh… Please don’t joke, Uncle…”

Yaqi hunched over, wearing an awkward smile, hands between her legs, pouting and lowering her head. Uncle Liu found Yaqi’s reaction adorable and got carried away, continuing to tease.

“Haha! Since Liu Ya said she doesn’t want it, her half is all yours!”

Hearing this, Liu Ya froze, frowned, and glared at him.

“Old Liu, you!”

“What’s wrong? You don’t want it, right? Giving it to Yaqi is no big deal, haha…”

“I…!”

Liu Ya’s voice trembled. Her hands clutched her skirt tightly. She slowly lowered her head and leaned back in her chair.

Aunt noticed something seemed off and immediately stopped smiling. Yaqi also noticed Liu Ya’s hands under the table and panicked for a moment.

But Liu Ya’s anger wasn’t because Yaqi was replacing her. It was because the part being replaced was someone as important to her as Yaqi, earned with that person’s life.

Uncle Liu didn’t catch on and continued laughing.

“How about it? Say yes, Yaqi? Haha!”

“Oh! Uncle… stop…”

“Hm? What?”

“This company was also Mom’s…”

Liu Ya forced back tears and choked out the words. The table fell silent. Everyone wore an indescribable expression.

After a moment of silence, Uncle Liu realized he had gone too far. He looked at Liu Ya guiltily.

“Um… I’m sorry, Liu Ya! Dad… no… I didn’t mean that…”

“…”

“I… I was just joking… I haven’t forgotten! I always remember!”

“I don’t think it’s funny!”

“This… I’m sorry…”

Uncle Liu sighed silently and lowered his head in shame.

“Sigh…”

Aunt wanted to smooth things over. But before she could, Yaqi turned to Liu Ya and gently nudged her leg.

“I’m sorry, Liu Ya…”

“Sister Yaqi, why are you apologizing? It has nothing to do with you…”

“I…”

Yaqi choked and couldn’t speak. She gave Liu Ya a reluctant look, silently lowered her head, and turned back. Aunt saw this, pursed her lips, lifted the corners of her mouth slightly, and let out a light laugh.

“Alright, Liu Ya. Old Liu was out of line just now. Auntie thinks it was too much. I’ll make him apologize to you.”

With that, Aunt Zhao, under the table, dramatically raised her leg and stomped on him hard with her high heel.

“Ah! Ouch…”

Uncle Liu winced in pain and curled up. He turned to see Aunt Zhao smiling slyly. He understood what to do. He stood up, endured the pain, took a deep breath, straightened himself, looked directly at Liu Ya, and said seriously.

“I’m sorry, Liu Ya. I was wrong.”

He closed his eyes and bowed his head deeply.

Liu Ya was silent for a moment. She stole a glance, and her tightly shut mouth loosened just a crack. At the same time, something gently nudged her toe under the table.

She looked at Aunt, who smiled slightly, shook her head, and glanced toward Yaqi. Following her gaze, she saw Yaqi sitting nervously like a frightened rabbit, full of worry and guilt.

Liu Ya slowly turned back, sniffled, sat up straight, picked up the soup spoon, scooped from inside out, and took a small sip.

“Is this okay now…”

“Mm.”

Aunt smiled approvingly and smoothed things over.

“Mm-hmm! Liu Ya learns fast! Ah, Old Liu really doesn’t know how to talk just now.”

“But, setting that aside, Yaqi just came back from abroad. If Liu Ya doesn’t know these etiquette rules, won’t Yaqi laugh at her?”

“Ah? Me…?”

Aunt gave Yaqi a wink. Yaqi hesitated for a moment, then caught on.

But even though she caught the signal, she had no idea what Aunt meant. Should she go along and keep provoking? Or was it nothing to worry about?

She thought it over, completely confused. Finally, she went with her gut.

“It’s… it’s fine! After all, Liu Ya is still young. She has plenty of time to learn these things later.”

‘Phew… okay! If I say that, Liu Ya won’t be angry, right?’

‘After all, she’s only sixteen. Why learn this now? I’m a genius! Hehe!’

When Yaqi got no response, she turned to look at Liu Ya in confusion. Liu Ya was staring at her with icy eyes. The gaze was colder than icicles hanging in a winter ice cave.

“Uh… huh?”

Yaqi thought her words were perfect, but they exactly hit Liu Ya’s fuse. Aunt also sensed something amiss and smiled helplessly.

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