The three of them were busy in the kitchen while chatting leisurely. Half an hour later, dinner was ready.

It was a hearty meal, filling the table completely.

Su Jianjun took out a few bottles of ice-cold Shuanglu beer from the fridge. Both he and Qin Daqing enjoyed this. In the summer, they would have a drink or two with dinner, especially on happy occasions like today, it was indispensable.

"Dad, uncle, let me pour you some!"

Su Zelin eagerly opened the caps and filled their glasses, then hesitantly poured himself a glass too.

He couldn't settle for Guangshi pineapple beer; that stuff was almost like a soft drink and just didn't cut it.

In his previous life, he liked going to nightclubs. Although later it was often for business or to drown his sorrows, he still had a bit of a craving for it.

Alcohol is strange like that; when you're happy, you want to drink, and when you're not, you want to drink too. It's just like smoking.

Zhao Lixia glanced at him. Whether it was because she was in a good mood or thought she couldn't control her son after he went to college, she didn't say anything, which made Su Zelin breathe a sigh of relief. Naturally, Su Jianjun didn't care either.

With his son's personality, the best path after graduation would be business, where socializing is unavoidable, and drinking is hard to avoid. Besides, many college students drink; it's not strange.

The three women didn't drink alcohol, so they opened a bottle of orange soda.

Since it was Su Jianjun who initiated this gathering, and it was held at the Su family's place, as the male host, he spoke first.

"First of all, Lixia, Sufen, and Shiqing, thank you for your hard work in preparing such a wonderful dinner for us!"

This showed Old Su's emotional intelligence. The three big men didn't have to work, but saying a few nice words to flatter the tigresses was very necessary.

"Exactly, my mother's and aunt's cooking skills are just too good. This food looks so delicious and smells so good, it made me so hungry that I almost couldn't resist sneaking into the kitchen for a taste!"

Su Zelin chimed in, showing that his emotional intelligence and silver tongue were somewhat inherited from his dad.

Qin Daqing didn't say anything, just chuckled happily.

He was the kind of person who possessed a great mind hidden under a simple demeanor. His heart was bright, but his skill with words couldn't match the Su father and son.

"It's good that you know!"

Zhao Lixia rolled her eyes at him, but was clearly pleased.

The reason she cooked every day was to ensure her husband and son ate well. Hearing them say a few words of praise was enough to satisfy her.

"Oh, you and Zelin are good talkers, unlike our Old Qin, who I've cooked for these decades without a single compliment!"

Liu Sufen was happy but also made a gentle jab at her own husband.

Qin Daqing didn't mind. Both families were so familiar by now that they had long gotten used to each other's ways of interacting. His wife complaining about him was nothing to be ashamed of in his eyes.

"Old Qin, why don't you say a few words too!"

Su Jianjun timely handed the stage over to Qin Daqing.

"Haha, then I'll just wish the two kids, Shiqing and Zelin, smooth acceptance into their desired universities with a bright future ahead!"

Qin Daqing's words were simple and sincere, just like his outward appearance.

Qin Shiqing's looks were more from Liu Sufen, but her intelligence certainly came from her dad.

"Well said, Old Qin!"

Su Jianjun led the applause, and everyone else joined in, making the dining room lively and cheerful.

Whenever the two families gathered, there was always much joy.

"Alright, alright, you big men, don't be so melodramatic with all this formality. The main thing is we're happy and having fun tonight!"

Zhao Lixia raised her glass with a smile.

Seeing her son get into a university, with fairly ideal grades, and even becoming top in English, today she felt like the happiest mother.

"Cheers!"

One bottle of beer, just three glasses, and it was quickly finished.

Su Zelin opened another bottle, still pouring for his dad and Qin's dad first, then filling his own glass.

Zhao Lixia frowned, "Zelin, that's enough now, you can't drink too much!"

Though she wouldn't be able to control Su Zelin's drinking in the future, Granny Su couldn't let him overdrink.

"Mom, it's just a few beers, not liquor. You yourself said we should be happy tonight, right? You can't let me be just happy and not enjoy!"

Su Zelin argued.

"Smart aleck..."

Zhao Lixia was momentarily at a loss for words, feeling annoyed and helpless at how he had outwitted her.

Even daring to scheme against his own mother, how cunning!

"Alright, Lixia, let's just enjoy this rare happiness!"

Su Jianjun mediated.

"Okay, just this once, no exceptions next time!"

Zhao Lixia put on a stern face, but felt a bit embarrassed.

Su Zelin raised his glass, "Dad, Mom, this one's to you. Thank you for giving birth to such a handsome and smart me. Fatherly love is as steady as a mountain, and motherly love is as gentle as water. Your nurturing is greater than the sky, and your selfless dedication leaves me indebted. I can only wish for your health and happiness, and success in everything!"

These words were both flattering and heartfelt.

In his previous life, because of the way he had wronged Qin Shiqing, he had completely fallen out with his parents. Though Zhao Lixia was more forgiving, Su Jianjun had declared he would never acknowledge this son again, not even in death.

So in this new life, Su Zelin truly cherished the regained familial bonds.

This time around, he was determined to help Qin Shiqing get into Tsinghua or Peking University, fearing to repeat past mistakes. The possibility of falling out with his parents was also a significant reason.

"You rascal!"

Zhao Lixia's eyes welled up, and any remaining discontent vanished into thin air.

Those ten months of pregnancy were filled with anticipation and anxiety every day. After giving birth to him, it was all about taking care of him, then worrying about his studies as he grew. Raising him to this day had not been easy.

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