Chapter 109 - Dinner

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CHAPTER 109

"Go on. Say hi. Mummy promises that she will not bite you."

<<Ning Xiaozhi: Does this kid think I am a lion? How will I ever think of biting such a cute creature of God? Ning Xiaozhi mused in her head but still kept a smiling face on the outside.

Bai Xiaojin raised his head, turned to Ning Xiaozhi and bowed his head a little.

"Good evening aunty," he said in a tiny voice and hugged Bai Renxiang again.

"Hahaha. Good evening little boy. How are you?" Ning Xiaozhi asked and patted his head.

"Fine," came his short reply.

"Alright listen to mummy now my love," Bai Renxiang carries him on her lap.

"This pretty lady right here is mummy's boss at that restaurant I told you about. She is also mummy's best friend and she has a very big heart," she explained.

After hearing all whtat his mother had said, Bai Xiaojin took few seconds to digest everything. 

'If this pretty lady is mummy's best friend that means she is good. Mummy also said she I her boss and has a big heart. So it is alright to let her be my friend too,' he thought.

Suddenly, he came down from Bai Renxiang's laps and hugged Ning Xiaozhi.

"Aww! Such a sweet gesture. It warms my heart. Come here," she carried him and gave him a bear hug.

"Well it is all settled. He likes you because you are good to me. So you better not bully me or else no bear hugs for you, right my love?" Bai Xiaojin nodded his head and the two women burst out laughing.

"Okay, come to the kitchen. We have to greet mum." 

The three of them went to kitchen to see their mother and what the perceived and saw made their mouth water. Steaks, dumplings, fried fish, rice, sauced green leafy vegetables. A mini feast.

Ning Xiaozhi gulped down a full mouth of saliva to prevent from drooling at both the sight of the food and the handsome man helping the woman in the kitchen.

"Mum, good evening. Brother Shin good evening," Bai Renxiang called out.

Shin did a little kid to acknowledge the greeting while Jiang Meilin wiped her hands with a napkin and walked towards them.

"Good evening my child. And perhaps this is your friend?" She said as she simultaneously gave the two of them hugs and pecks on their cheeks.

"Yes, this is my best friend and boss at the restaurant, Ning Xiaozhi. Xiaozhi this is the best mother in the whole wide world. She is the only one you can find," Bai Renxiang smiled as introduced the both of them.

"Good evening aunty. It is a huge pleasure and honour to finally meet you. Rennie told me a while lots about you," Ning Xiaozhi said with a genuine bright and contagious smile.

"Oh I see. I hope she does not give you a hard time at the restaurant," Jiang inquired.

"No no. Not at all. In fact, she is very reliable."

"Alright enough. Xiaozhi that is my elder brother Shin. He is just like Xiaojin to strangers only that he talks more less than he really does and puts on an expressionless face. So do not mind him," she whispered the last part to Ning Xiaozhi but Shin could still hear her.

Shin: Ahem ahem *glares at Bai Renxiang and gives a curt nod to Ning Xiaozhi*

Ning Xiaozhi also returned the nod with a small smile. Bai Renxiang, Ning Xiaozhi and Bai Xiaojin helped to take the dishes out to the dinning table.

After setting everything, everyone sat on their respective seats ready to eat but someone is missing.

"Renxiang where is Shane?" Jiang Meilin asked.

"Oh, he said he wants to take his bath before coming here. He should be done by now. I told him I will not lock the door so that he could just come in when he is done," Bai Renxiang said.

Just then Shane rang the door bell before entering the apartment. He is wearing a casual grey Polo shirt with black shorts. He looked like a teenager.

"I am sorry for the delay. Please pardon me," he placed both hands together in front of his face with both eyes closed.

"If you do it again, you will have to eat cabbages and steamed buns for a week," Shin stern voice rang out.

"What? That is not fair. Mum, Shin is being a bully," he complained to Jiang Meilin with a pout.

"Shin.... Be a little less harsh to him. If he eats just cabbages and steamed buns my ears will hurt for that whole week," Jiang Meilin sighed.

Bai Renxiang and Ning Xiaozhi chuckled at her words. Shane could only pout in anger as he took his seat beside the bully, Shin.

Now that they were all seated with Jiang Meilin at the end of the table being the head. On her left is Shane and Shin and on her right, is Bai Xiaojin, Bai Renxiang and Ning Xiaozhi.

"Xiaojin say grace please," Jiang Meilin said.

Bai nodded. He joined his two hands together and closed his eyes before he started.

"O Lord, bless our food and the works of our hands. Thank you for providing and protecting. Amen."

Everyone: "Amen."

"Hmm. Wow. I love love love the steaks," Ning Xiaozhi moaned once she munched on the steaks. 

"You hear that Shin. Your food is amazing," Bai Renxiang praised. 

"Wow. I must say that your cooking is great," Ning Xiaozhi continued praising him. 

"Thank you," Shin showed his gratitude. 

dinning with Bai Renxiang and her family was enjoyable for Ning Xiaozhi. They talked freely with each other and to also her. The atmosphere was not stiff and there was no pretense. 

Jiang Meilin even kept on adding food to Ning Xiaozhi's plate. Shane kept on troubling Shin and Bai Xiaojin's giggles filled the room at every actions made. 

It was lively, warm, delicious and worth remembering. Ning Xiaozhi also did not forget to give Jiang Meilin the cookies she had bought on their way home.. Bai Renxiang then escorted Ning Xiaozhi to the and stayed with her until she hailed a cab to take her home.