Chapter 144: A Joyful Gathering

After breakfast, Zhong Yuxiu went to open the front door. The cold wind blew in, making her shiver.

"Phew, it’s freezing."

The temperature outside was a world apart from the warmth indoors.

Goudan walked over. "Mistress, there are ten guests coming today. The long table in the dining room might be a bit crowded. Should I set up an extra table?"

"No need. The long table is long enough; we can just add two more chairs." You could seat two people at each end and four or five on each side, so it was perfectly adequate.

"Understood, Mistress." Goudan turned to the kitchen, brought out the gas canister and stove, and set them up on the dining table. After washing two pots, he placed them on the burners. He brought the prepared soup base to the table, turned on the gas, and lit the stoves, adjusting the flame to a medium heat to let them simmer.

Meat and vegetables were brought out one after another. In just a moment, the long table was filled with ingredients.

Zhong Yuxiu then noticed something familiar: meatballs.

"Goudan, you are so capable, you even made meatballs."

"Thank you for the compliment, Mistress. Goudan didn't just make beef meatballs; I also made pork meatballs stuffed with cabbage. You will surely like them." Goudan’s tone was cheerful, relaxed, and eager to please.

Zhong Yuxiu laughed. "Impressive. Keep it up."

"Yes, Mistress."

Goudan worked efficiently. Once the ingredients were set, he went to wash the dishes and chopsticks and laid them out.

To Zhong Yuxiu's surprise, the Yan family arrived early; it wasn't even nine-thirty yet. Yan Guofeng, Yan Hejun, Song Man, and Yan Ruhai had all arrived, with Yan Hejun and his son carrying gifts.

"Grandpa Yan, Uncle Yan, Aunt Yan, Xiaohai, you’re here. Come in and sit. I’ll have Goudan bring you some tea."

"No need for tea. It’s a short walk; we aren't thirsty or tired. You go about your business. Let your aunt and Xiaohai help you out," Yan Guofeng said, waving his hand in a polite refusal. They had come to help, not to be a burden.

Zhong Yuxiu understood their intentions, but she wasn't so bold as to put them to work. "Thank you for your kindness, but I really can't let Aunt Yan work. Goudan finished all the chores by himself; I didn't even have to lift a finger."

"Goudan prepared everything?" Old Man Yan asked, curious. He stepped past Yuxiu and walked quickly to the dining room entrance. Yan Hejun, Song Man, and Yan Ruhai hurried after him. Just as Zhong Yuxiu had said, the table was covered with ingredients, looking so complete that there was truly nothing for them to do.

"Goudan is really capable," Yan Ruhai exclaimed.

Song Man nodded seriously. "It really is something. Dear, why do I feel like our two sons aren't even as useful as Goudan?"

People aren't as good as Goudan! That was the reality.

"Grandpa Yan, Uncle Yan, Aunt Yan, please." Zhong Yuxiu gestured toward the living room.

The group sat down in the living room, still reeling from the surprise.

Zhong Yuxiu called Goudan to serve tea, placing a cup before each person. "Grandpa Yan, please have some tea. Uncle Yan, Aunt Yan, please. Xiaohai, there are snacks on the table, feel free to help yourself."

"Got it, Sister-in-law." Yan Ruhai grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and scurried off to find Goudan.

Old Man Yan took a small sip of tea and glanced at the pomelo segments on the table. Yan Hejun and Song Man saw them too. One had to admit, with a Goudan around, the men and sons were all completely outshone.

Song Man felt this deeply, and at the same time, she couldn't help but marvel at her future daughter-in-law's intelligence. She had invented a robot to handle housework so early on! Look at that table full of ingredients and the hot pot base, look at how clean the house was, and look at how her future daughter-in-law could sit calmly chatting with them while Goudan busied himself with the preparations.

What was the use of sons? What was the use of men? Song Man began to question reality.

"Yuxiu, did Goudan prepare all the food on that table?" Yan Hejun still found it hard to believe.

Song Man looked over as well. Zhong Yuxiu replied unhurriedly, "I slept soundly last night and woke up late today. By the time I came down, Goudan had already prepared everything. I really didn't help much."

"So capable," Song Man blurted out.

Yan Hejun nodded. "What gave you the idea to make a robot in the first place?"

"Well..." Zhong Yuxiu smiled bashfully but responded openly. "It’s a bit embarrassing to say. I told Grandpa Yan before that doing housework takes up too much time, and my interests lie in research. I have no talent for cooking, and I wasn't in a position to hire a nanny, nor did the environment allow for it."

So she decided to build a robot?

Yan Hejun found it both funny and frustrating that such an absurd reason had led to the birth of a robot.

"Yuxiu really has no talent for cooking. I remember her saying that no matter how she tried to learn, she just couldn't pick it up. She would follow the exact same steps as others, yet the final result would be worlds apart," Yan Guofeng added. "No one is perfect. Her talent is perhaps entirely focused on scientific research. There’s no helping that. Fortunately, Yuxiu is clever, and with Goudan, she has been liberated from those tasks."

Song Man and Yan Hejun exchanged glances for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"Indeed, indeed."

Seeing the conversation stalling, Song Man quickly changed the subject. "Yuxiu, Dashan went to pick up his friends and will be here in a while. Is there really nothing we can help with? If there is, don't be polite. We came early specifically to help you with things like tidying up or cleaning."

"Aunt Yan, please set your mind at ease." Zhong Yuxiu steered the conversation elsewhere, chatting with Song Man.

Yan Guofeng and his son chatted intermittently.

By the time Yan Rushan arrived with his friends, it was ten-thirty. As more people arrived, the place suddenly became lively.

"Sister-in... I mean, Comrade Zhong, sorry to disturb you." Luo Lijun had intended to call her sister-in-law, but seeing the three elders from the Yan family, he quickly changed his words.

Wu Chao and the others were genuinely surprised to see the Yan family there. They greeted them in unison before looking at Yan Rushan.

Yan Rushan acted as if he hadn't noticed, walking to Yuxiu’s side. "Yuxiu."

"Welcome, everyone," Zhong Yuxiu said with a smile, acknowledging him before addressing the others.

"Comrade Zhong, is there anything we can help with?"

Faced with Old Man Yan and the head of the Yan family, Yan Hejun, the pressure increased significantly. They all hoped to find something to do to keep busy and avoid their gaze.

It wasn't just one person who felt this way; Cao Zheng and the others shared the same thought.

"Yes, Sister-in... Comrade Zhong, we can help."

"Comrade Zhong, if there’s anything, just let us know. We’re here to eat and drink for free, so we should do something."

Zhong Yuxiu shook her head slowly. "Goudan has everything ready. Why don't we eat while we talk?"

Eating hot pot takes a long time. While ten-thirty was a bit early for lunch, it wasn't unacceptable.

Song Man looked at her, opening her mouth to say it was a bit early, but then she caught herself. She looked at Yan Hejun, who shook his head at her, and she felt reassured.

"Fine, fine. I brought some liquor. We can drink and eat at the same time." Luo Lijun handed over the liquor he had brought. It was a specialty brew reserved for state banquets, available only as a perk for those in high positions.