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"Aunt Wu, please blanch the ribs for me." Chen Dong didn't reply, but instead raised his voice, as if intentionally letting the living room hear the sounds from the kitchen.

Let Han Ning'er know that Aunt Wu gets along very well with them.

Wu Jie understood immediately and smiled, "Are you preparing these ribs in such small pieces for braised pork or sweet and sour pork ribs?"

"I like to eat braised pork ribs," Chen Dong said with a smile.

"Aunt Wu, let me tell you, Brother Dong's braised pork ribs are especially delicious, we all love them." Liu Yumo was never one to mince words; he had a social nature and could always chime in.

"Really? Then your Uncle Han and I are in for a treat today. We'll have to try Xiao Chen's cooking." Wu Jie said, expressing her anticipation.

"Actually, I'm pretty good at cooking too. My chive and egg pancakes are absolutely amazing," Liu Yumo chuckled.

He was there boasting and trying to show off his skills again.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Han Ning'er's threatening voice came from the living room, "Little Mozi, if you dare to cook, I'll beat you to death."

"Aunt Wu, Sister Han bullied me~" Liu Yumo trembled and complained to Wu Jie in a pitiful manner.

Wu Jie chuckled; she hadn't realized Xiao Liu was so interesting before.

"It's no use complaining, she can't control me," Han Ning'er snorted.

"It's over~"

Liu Yumo looked at Chen Dong pitifully.

Chen Dong blinked, watching as Liu Yumo stretched out his neck and brandished the kitchen knife at Liu Yumo's neck, startling Liu Yumo into tightening his grip.

With a trembling, frightened expression, she said, "Brother Dong, killing is wrong."

Wu Jie's smile widened.

She suddenly understood why Ning'er liked playing with them. These children were indeed interesting, and they seemed to naturally change people's moods, filling them with laughter and joy.

Ning'er used to be very lonely and really needed this kind of friendship. Compared to her empty, cold, and lonely home, who wouldn't want to have this kind of joyful feeling?

At that moment, she understood and secretly blamed herself.

"You guys watch TV for a bit, I'll go check on the kitchen."

Han Jiancheng stayed in the living room with Han Ning'er and chatted with Jiang Lina and the others for a while before getting up and heading to the kitchen.

Although Han Ning'er was in the living room, she couldn't help but keep an eye on the kitchen, clearly worried that things might get unpleasant like before.

Therefore, their primary task now is to accept and acknowledge Han Ning'er and her friends, and to make the atmosphere as relaxed and pleasant as possible.

Home should be a haven, not a cold and oppressive place.

"Wow, Xiao Chen's knife skills are pretty good."

"Xiao Liu, what's your best dish?"

Han Jiancheng wandered into the kitchen, chatting and laughing with Chen Dong and Liu Yumo. Wu Jie also chimed in from time to time, creating a very pleasant atmosphere in the kitchen.

This made Han Ning'er, who had been secretly watching, breathe a sigh of relief. No matter what, she didn't want anything unpleasant to happen on the first time she brought Dong Ge and the others home to play.

Soon, the table was filled with a sumptuous feast.

"Dinner's ready, Ning'er. Take your friends to wash their hands and get ready to eat." Han Jiancheng called out to Han Ning'er and the others on the sofa as he placed the last dish on the table.

Chen Dong and the others were serving the rice.

The seven people around the dining table weren't crowded at all; on the contrary, it was warm and lively. However, two people remained distant. Wu Jie really wanted to talk to Han Ning'er, but Han Ning'er didn't seem to care at all.

"Ning'er, try this."

Chen Dong saw this but said nothing, and served Han Ning'er more food.

Han Ning'er didn't pay attention at first, and was still chatting and laughing with Jiang Lina and Ye Wanwan. But as soon as she took a bite of the food, she paused for a moment. Wu Jie across from her was watching her out of the corner of her eye, unable to hide a hint of anticipation.

"How is it? Is it delicious?" Chen Dong asked with a smile.

"Disgusting!"

Han Ning'er complained, but ultimately swallowed it down.

Wu Jie breathed a sigh of relief, her face beaming with joy, because it was a dish she had made. She couldn't even remember the last time she had cooked for Han Ning'er.

But at least this time my daughter didn't refuse.

Han Jiancheng smiled and exchanged a glance with Chen Dong without leaving a trace. "Seeing how clever you are, I won't hold it against you for adding food to my precious daughter's plate."

The meal went fairly well, at least on the surface. After it was over, Ye Wanwan and the other girls started cleaning up the table, a tacit understanding they had developed.

"You guys go have fun, we'll clean up the rest," Han Jiancheng said with a smile, grabbing the bowls and chopsticks.

Wu Jie smiled and agreed.

Han Ning'er didn't stand on ceremony, put down her chopsticks and lay down on the sofa. Jiang Lina looked at Chen Dong, who smiled and nodded gently. The rest of the food in the kitchen was left for the two elders, and the children went to watch TV.

After Wu Jie and Han Jiancheng finished cleaning up the kitchen, they came to the living room to watch TV. The night outside was dark, but the lights inside were bright, highlighting the warmth of home.

It seemed warm and cozy, but Han Ning'er and Wu Jie didn't exchange a single word. No matter how Han Jiancheng and Chen Dong tried to keep things lively, they could only manage to keep the atmosphere from becoming awkward.

Wu Jie glanced at Han Ning'er from time to time, wanting to speak several times but holding back. She listened to Lao Han and didn't bring her assertiveness from work home. Instead, she was a little timid, afraid of upsetting Han Ning'er.

"Brother Dong, let's go back first. I still have two test papers to finish." After a short while, Han Ning'er suggested to Chen Dong.

"it is good."

Chen Dong didn't insist. He knew it was already quite an achievement for Han Ning'er to stay this long. He stood up and smiled at Han Jiancheng and Wu Jie.

"Uncle Han, Aunt Wu, we'll head home now."

Jiang Lina and Liu Yumo also stood up, smiling and saying goodbye to their uncles and aunties.

"It's still early, why don't you play a little longer?" Han Jiancheng said with a smile, trying to persuade him to stay.

"Senior year of high school is demanding, we'll come to see you again next time," Chen Dong politely declined.

"You must come next time," Wu Jie sincerely invited.

Chen Dong naturally understood Wu Jie's meaning and confirmed it. Han Ning'er pouted and muttered something under her breath. Anyway, she just greeted Han Jiancheng and left without saying a word to Wu Jie.

Wu Jie stood by the window watching Han Ning'er and the others leave the residential area. Even though she couldn't see them anymore, she didn't look away. Her gaze was somewhat dim, and her expression was a little disappointed.

Seeing her like this, Han Jiancheng smiled and walked over, gently putting his arm around her shoulder. "Aren't you happy tonight?"

"No." Wu Jie gently shook her head.

"You did very well tonight. Whether you understood or not, you at least learned to be tolerant. Ning'er didn't leave because she couldn't stand being with you," Han Jiancheng comforted her.

"I understand some of it," Wu Jie said.

Previously, she didn't want Han Ning'er to hang out with Chen Dong and Liu Yumo. She was really worried that a girl skipping school and fighting would lead her astray.

But tonight that thought changed, not because of Chen Dong's first-place finish in the city, but because I understand why my daughter likes this friendship.

Chen Dong and Liu Yumo are all good kids. Even if their grades are still as bad as before, she will still support and encourage Han Ning'er to befriend them.

"It's good that you understand."

Han Jiancheng nodded silently, his voice gentle, "You're changing, and Ning'er is changing too. At least she ate the food you cooked tonight, and this house feels warm and welcoming again, something we rarely had before."

Wu Jie didn't speak, but simply tilted her head and gently leaned on Han Jiancheng's shoulder.

She is very happy to have such an understanding, tolerant, and encouraging husband.

"Don't rush, take your time, things will get better."

Han Jiancheng smiled and nestled his head against hers, creating a happy and warm scene.