“This sauce is so authentic! The one made by the housekeeper at home isn’t good; it always smells bad and a bit fishy, making me think that the delicious rice rolls I remember didn’t actually exist.”
“Nowadays, the rice rolls made in restaurants are just pancakes with potato strips and fried bean sprouts, served with a plate of cucumber strips and green onions—that’s not a rice roll, that’s just an old Beijing spring roll.”
After eating his third rice roll, Shen Jiaru couldn’t help but quietly sigh.
These Northeastern dishes were also one of the reasons he had come back home.
Initially, his mood was somber upon returning, and he was completely immersed in painting, so his interest in food gradually diminished, and he had gotten used to it over the years.
Now, a single meal prepared by Hua Jie’s mother had completely revived his appetite.
These flavors from his childhood memories touched his soul even more deeply than the dishes Hua Jie made, which couldn’t be found in their small northern town.
The satisfaction brought by this appetite included a mix of nostalgic feelings for his childhood, truly precious.
Outside, firecrackers were going off from somewhere else, and Hua’s mother stood up, smiling:
“I’ll go boil the dumplings.”
Shen Jiaru obediently put down his chopsticks, not eating anything else, and quietly waited for the dumplings.
In the Northeast, boiled dumplings are served dry in a dish.
Dumpling soup is served separately, with a small dish of vinegar for each person, where they can add a spoon of garlic sauce, a spoon of chili oil, and a few drops of soy sauce to make their own dipping sauce.
When Hua’s mother brought the plates of dumplings to the table, everyone’s dipping sauces were already prepared, and they all looked up at her.
Eagerly anticipating.
Hua’s mother suddenly felt like she was back working at a kindergarten, her table not filled with her husband and the children’s teacher, but with a group of hungry kids.
No sooner had the dumplings been set down than a pair of chopsticks reached for them.
She thought it would be her daughter Hua Jie or her husband, but surprisingly, it was Teacher Shen Jiaru.
Hmm… he really was drunk.
Shen Jiaru, enduring the heat, quickly dipped the dumpling in vinegar and garlic sauce before sending it to his mouth.
As he bit into it, the hot, savory juice of the filling mixed with the flavors of vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic assaulted his taste buds.
He ate and blew on it simultaneously, sizzling his mouth, but it was worth it for that delicious warmth and freshness.
After thoroughly chewing, he realized it was filled with carrot, scallion, and lamb—a combination rightfully celebrated for its freshness, becoming more delicious with every bite.
Before he had even swallowed what was in his mouth, he picked up another dumpling. The white dumpling rolled in the brown-black sauce before entering his mouth.
It was so delicious that it felt like electricity was fizzing up his scalp, as if someone was massaging his head.
He picked up the dumpling soup, blew on it, and a rich aroma of flour filled the air.
With a sip, the hot broth was especially comforting and delicious.
Then, he reached for the vegetarian “three delicacies” dumplings.
Chives, eggs, and black fungus—though lacking shrimp, the soft and springy texture of the fungus was also quite satisfying.
The unique flavor of chives, especially when hot, was even fresher than pork and paired perfectly with eggs.
He had three in a row—that was the real feeling of eating dumplings, the sense of happiness during the New Year, a lot of it coming from this very experience.
Hua’s mother watched Shen Jiaru eat until his forehead and the tip of his nose were sweaty, clearly enjoying himself immensely, giving her as the cook immense satisfaction.
She also served two dumplings to Shen Mo, smiling gently.
With the delicious food on the table, Hua Jie unconsciously got carried away and ate more than usual, her belly rounding out.
She had already gained weight from indulging in various delicacies in Beijing, and now she would gain even more, with a whole New Year and over a month of winter vacation coming up.
She felt that her weight of 86 pounds was likely at risk, probably surpassing 100 soon.
Outside, the sound of firecrackers was continuous, coming from all directions. Despite the houses not being very far apart, the sounds were omnipresent.
Huanhuan, scared, hid in its nest trembling, the door curtain of the doghouse sticking to its back, trembling along with it. It was a sight both pitiful and somewhat funny.
Hua Jie leaned back in her chair, happily patting her stomach, almost feeling as if it were New Year’s already, and she placed a chilled bottle of Beibingyang against her face.
The cool bottle against her hot, flushed cheeks felt extremely refreshing.
She then came back to her senses, remembering that today was only the Little New Year.
The year 2000 is really great, with such a strong sense of the festive season.
In later years, due to expensive plane tickets, she would only return home once every two or three years.
Even when she returned home, the New Year atmosphere is not as rich and lively as this.
She took a deep breath, the room filled with the warm aroma of food.
She tried to remember this moment of happiness—youth, a simple life, parents by her side, no worries about buying a house or job matters. This, she realized, was the charm of a peaceful life.
“Hua Jie designed a desk that can tilt and rotate for drawing. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone bring it over to Teacher Shen,” Hua’s father suddenly remembered, having finished eating.
“That’s too kind of you. To have such a disciple is my good fortune.”
“Seeing her on the stage receiving an award, seeing her laugh happily, I also feel blessed, just as if my own daughter has grown up and become strong.”
“In the future, please don’t prepare any gifts for me. When this child grows up, she still needs to continue making me proud.”
“Everyone will definitely say, ‘That great artist Hua Jie, Shen Jiaru’s disciple.'”
“Look, shouldn’t I be the one giving you gifts for having raised such a fine student?”
Shen Jiaru said, patting Hua Jie on the back of her head, his smile especially gentle.
Hua Jie giggled from the pat, thinking: A drunk teacher is the best; a drunken teacher is a master of flattery.
“Hahaha, that’s not how you say it. Whatever achievements she has, it’s all thanks to Teacher Shen,” Hua’s father laughed joyfully, also patting his daughter on the back of her head.
“…” Shen Mo glanced at the round head of ‘little potato,’ wondering why so many people liked to pat her on the back of her head.
“This time around, I’ve seen more clearly that among the four students, Hua Jie is the most mature and sensible,” Shen Jiaru said, laughing as he took another sip of the dumpling soup and stroked his short hair:
“She’s not a bit of a worry.”
“I almost forget I’ve only had her for a few months; her progress is really impressive. She’s talented, a good seed, and smart.”
“…” Hua Jie smiled shyly and bashfully, feeling secretly thrilled inside.
“Hahaha, it’s all thanks to the teacher’s good instruction,” Hua’s father happily poured himself another glass of wine.
Hua’s mother watched Teacher Shen with a beaming smile, her eyes as if saying: This wonderful child, I raised her! Keep the praises coming, please do!
“Haha, with such a good child, no wonder those wild boys in Beijing, sending gold and silver jewelry, and all kinds of delicious specialties, who wouldn’t like that?” Shen Jiaru suddenly said something surprising, with a grin as if it was no big deal.
“!” Hua’s father’s action of drinking froze, and he turned to look at Hua Jie.
Then, he glanced at Shen Mo, who indeed looked astonished.
Wait, why was he looking at Shen Mo?
He turned his gaze back to his daughter.
“?” Hua’s mother raised an eyebrow, also looking towards her daughter.
Was someone pursuing her? Her daughter called home every evening to check in and hadn’t mentioned anything.
It’s too early for her to be dating, right? She’s only 15, and she’ll be just 16 come the New Year—especially in Beijing, that’s really not ideal.
Thinking this, Hua’s mother couldn’t help but glance towards Shen Mo…
While Hua’s parents looked at their daughter with confusion, Shen Mo couldn’t help but speak up:
“What’s going on?”
His tone was subtly aggressive.
“It’s nothing…” Hua Jie quickly waved her hands, feeling inexplicably guilty under the scrutiny of her parents and deskmate, and explained:
“They’re just fellow art enthusiasts. When I left Beijing, they gave me some local specialties.”
“And one of them, because I gave him some tips on painting, gave me a set of silver earrings. I don’t know his home address, so I couldn’t mail the earrings back to him.”
“After the New Year, when I return to Beijing, I’ll give the earrings back to him!”
Phew… Why did she feel like she had several fathers???
“Silver earrings? Specialties?” Shen Mo scoffed, sneering:
“Heh, small favors.”
His tone was extremely dismissive.
“Yeah, stay away from those boys who try to flirt with small favors,” Hua’s father chimed in.
“There’s no need to be so anxious. It’s normal for a pretty and talented young girl to be pursued.”
“What are we even talking about? Wait until Hua Jie’s painting improves and she turns eighteen or nineteen—that’s when the real swarm of admirers will come.”
“When she goes to university, many things will be inevitable.”
Shen Jiaru, who had been painting since childhood, might still hold some traditional views, but he was exceptionally progressive and open-minded when it came to educating children.
Humans, regardless of gender, naturally awaken to sexual characteristics at a certain age, feel curiosity towards and attraction to the opposite sex—that’s a natural instinct, and no one can stop it.
There’s no need to treat it like a major crisis.
“…” Hua’s father turned his head with a look of astonishment, his expression toward Shen Jiaru somewhat unfriendly.
But it’s not your daughter, so you’re not worried at all, huh?
“…” Shen Mo also glared at his father.
That laissez-faire approach to parenting might be okay for him, but please don’t apply it to Hua Jie!
“…” Shen Jiaru met everyone’s gazes, and even though he was somewhat uncontrollable after drinking, he sensed the tension and instinctively added:
“Of course, they’re in high school now, let them pursue if they want, but she still needs to focus on her studies and painting, no premature dating.”
“…” Hua’s father nodded.
That sounded more reasonable.
“…” Shen Mo’s furrowed brows also relaxed a bit.
At least he wasn’t too muddled from the alcohol.
But then, Shen Jiaru suddenly added another comment:
“However, when it comes to university, as long as they protect themselves, it’s perfectly reasonable to date.”
“And once they’re in university, parents and teachers can’t really control them anyway.”
“Hua Jie is so sensible, I believe she won’t be reckless.”
“Parents should relax a bit, be more open-minded.”
“When Shen Mo goes to university, as long as he doesn’t deceive girls all over, but has a serious relationship, I would support that too.”
For artists, love is often a very important source of inspiration, and many artists even indulge in relationships to capture these emotions.
Shen Jiaru is not a libertine, nor does he appreciate that approach to art.
But there are many such bohemian artists in the West, and plenty in China too.
It’s all part of life.
However, though Artist Shen Jiaru’s words are spoken freely, they are certainly not easy for the listeners to agree with.
“?” Hua Jie incredulously looked at her teacher.
Wow! The usually reserved and awe-inspiring Teacher Shen, when drunk, reveals such progressive views.
He sounds like a teenager or a green youth just starting out in society!
“!” Hua’s father opened his mouth, wanting to firmly reject Teacher Shen’s views.
But as he began to speak, he found himself at a loss for words, his expression turning stern as he glared at his daughter, looking as if he wished he could cover her ears.
“…” Shen Mo gritted his teeth.
He suddenly regretted suggesting inviting his father over for dumplings on Little New Year.
Super, super regretful!
…
…
Fang Shaojun returned home, took a bath, and then went downstairs to make dumplings with his mother.
“The specialty goods you brought back, we ate them today,” his mother said as she arranged things, asking, “Did you buy them?”
His daughter, who usually seemed aloof from worldly concerns, had actually thought to buy specialties to bring home, which was quite surprising.
Fang Shaojun remembered how, during a meal of roasted duck, Hua Jie, because of her full-hearted enjoyment, had made the vice dean Qing Mei ask Teacher Wang Jian to arrange for vacuum-packed roasted duck specialties to be brought back for them.
As she finished wrapping a dumpling, she naturally said:
“Another female student taught by Teacher Shen, the one named Hua Jie, bought them for us.”
“Oh, no wonder, that child seems very outgoing and capable,” Fang’s mother said with a smile.
“…” Fang Shaojun looked up at her mother.
She said nothing and lowered her gaze to continue working.