Shen Peichuan approached the doctor and asked about Zong Qifeng’s deteriorating condition.
Dr. Jiang nodded grimly. “I’m afraid tonight may be his last. His condition is deteriorating quickly.”
When Sang Yu heard Dr. Jiang’s words, she anxiously tightened her grip on Shen Peichuan’s hand. She could imagine how solemn the atmosphere was in the house.
Shen Peichuan maintained his composure as he held onto Sang Yu’s hands. “Once you enter the house, act as if you don’t know about it. Just do whatever that’s expected of you.”
During such times, the more careful one was the more sensitive it became.
Sang Yu nodded.
Shen Peichuan brought out the mooncakes and presents that he bought from the trunk. After all, today was a festive celebration, and it wouldn’t be right to arrive empty-handed.
With the gifts in his hands, he asked, “Dr. Jiang, aren’t you going in?”
Dr. Jiang replied, “I’m getting some fresh hair. I’ll return in a while.”
Shen Peichuan nodded before entering together with Sang Yu.
Zhuang Zijin was holding the baby in the hall, while Yanchen and Yanxi were in Zong Qifeng’s room. She had folded many paper cranes and hung them all over the house with Cheng Yuwen’s help.
Today, Zong Qifeng requested to have dumplings with spicy beef stuffing.
Cheng Yuxiu loved to make them during every festival. Despite feeling ambivalent about it, he always ate a lot in the end. Today, he felt like having them for some inexplicable reason.
While Lin Xinyan made the noodles, Zong Jinghao cut the chili. By the time her noodles were done, Zong Jinghao was still cutting. She took over the knife. “Let me do it. You should chop up the meat.”
Chopping the meat didn’t require much skill. After washing the meat, Lin Xinyan placed it on the chopping board and handed Zong Jinghao the cleaver. As he accepted it grimly, he began smashing the cleaver down again and again.
His movements were very dramatic.
Lin Xinyan gave him a look but didn’t comment. All she did was continue dicing the chili into little pieces.
After half an hour, the meat was finally minced. Lin Xinyan got him to wash his hands. “I’ll marinade it.”
“Let me do it. Just tell me what to add.” Zong Jinghao took out a big transparent glass bowl from the cupboard and place the minced meat into it. After that, Lin Xinyan passed him the pepper juice that she had boiled earlier. “There’s half a bowl of juice here. Mixed them into the minced meat three separate times. Every time, stir them till they have been absorbed by the meat.”
Zong Jinghao did as he was instructed.
While he was marinating the stuffing, Lin Xinyan began to roll the dumpling skin.
While rolling it, she watched Zong Jinghao and gave him further instructions. “Green onion, ginger, salt… lastly, add the diced chili and stir well.”
Zong Jinghao did exactly as he was told.
Meanwhile, Lin Xinyan was done with her dumpling skin and she taught Zong Jinghao how to fold them. Although he didn’t manage to fold them perfectly, it was still enough to do the job.
“Just like that.” While Lin Xinyan left him to fold the dumplings, she began to flatten the noodles.
No one else entered the kitchen as it may be Zong Qifeng’s last meal. So everyone gave the two of them their last opportunity to perform a filial act.
As night fell, they managed to prepare the dumplings after two hours.
While Lin Xinyan boiled the water, Zong Jinghao put the dumplings into the wok to cook them.
After about ten minutes, the dumplings were ready. Lin Xinyan fished them out and plated them. Then, she took out a tray from the cupboard and placed the plate on it. Furthermore, she prepared some vinaigrette as dipping sauce before adding some minced garlic.
“Take this up.”
Zong Jinghao lifted his gaze towards her. Lin Xinyan repeated, “Go.”
Straightening his posture, he turned and walked out of the kitchen.
After cleaning up, Lin Xinyan saw that Shen Peichuan and Sang Yu were there. She asked, “When did you arrive?”
Sang Yu approached her. “We’ve been here a while.”
She reached out to hug Lin Xinyan. “Tonight, Peichuan and I will stay and accompany you.”
Lin Xinyan nodded. With a hoarse voice, she instructed, “If anything happens, please look after the children for me.”
Sang Yu replied, “Don’t worry, we will take care of them.”
Sitting down on the sofa, Lin Xinyan pulled Zong Yanxi into her embrace. Today, she had been good as she snuggled up in her mother’s arms.
The baby had also slept. Hence, Zhuang Zijin stood up and brought the baby into the room.
Meanwhile, Zong Qifeng’s room door opened and Zong Jinghao walked out with an empty plate. Looking at Lin Xinyan, he whispered. “Another plate please.”
Lin Xinyan was stunned briefly before placing her daughter onto the sofa. She stood up and headed into the kitchen.
Zong Jinghao followed her.
She turned on the stove to boil more water. “Did he finish everything?”
Recently, Zong Qifeng ate very little during mealtimes. As the plate contained a lot of dumplings, they expected him to only finish half of it. Now that he ate everything and still wanted more, it caused her to worry.
“Eating too much…”
“He said that it tasted the same as mom’s and wanted more. So, just let him have it.”
