Chapter 122: Joy

Chen Li and Chen Nuo had agreed on a meeting place.

When Ming Han saw Chen Nuo, sure enough, she was carrying a box of cake. Ming Han peeked through the plastic wrapping and read: “Happy 18th Birthday, Auntie!”

Ming Han realized he was about to gain two more aunties.

“Sis, you’re wearing your school uniform on such an important day? Don’t tell me you think your Jin Hua uniform is red, so it’s lucky and festive? Trying to bring good fortune?”

Chen Li looked embarrassed. “It was so sudden! I didn’t even know it was Auntie’s birthday!”

Ming Han cast a faint glance at Chen Nuo. “Wearing that formal dress to my mom’s restaurant, my mom would probably think you’re some street performer lugging a big speaker.”

Chen Nuo shot Ming Han a sharp look. “Already playing defense? How sad!”

...

After dinner time, Su Yan closed her shop and began to display her culinary skills in her own kitchen.

Since she had invited Chen Li, the meal had to suit her tastes perfectly—delicious, healthy, nutritious, and skin-nourishing, all in one!

By the time Ming Han and the others arrived at the restaurant, Su Yan had prepared a lavish feast.

Chen Nuo was as excited as a monkey seeing a banana. “Auntie, so much delicious food, and it smells amazing! Don’t you lack a daughter?”

Chen Li thought to herself, “Nuo Nuo, if your mom knew this, how sad would she be? After raising you for over ten years, you’ve been won over by a table full of food.”

Su Yan beamed at the remark. “Haha! Auntie doesn’t lack daughters, just a beautiful daughter-in-law.”

Both young ladies blushed simultaneously.

Ming Han was quite displeased. “Mom, could you not be so blatant about your ill intentions?”

Su Yan laughed heartily. “Dig in!”

She winked at her son as she spoke.

Ming Han was speechless. “I’m only a few years old, Mom! Right now, I just want to study hard so I can contribute to the country’s modernization.”

Su Yan was an easily satisfied person. Watching her son grow was her greatest happiness.

She didn’t harbor the pessimism typical of single mothers; instead, she worked hard to create an atmosphere of joy and positivity for him.

It had to be said, Su Yan’s cooking was excellent. Both girls couldn’t stop praising the food.

Ming Han realized that tonight, he was the most unnecessary person at the table.

“Auntie, do you like any particular celebrity?”

“The one who was recently exposed for some scandal? I heard that…”

They analyzed every possibility with such certainty.

Ming Han sat quietly, eating and feeling like they lived in completely different worlds as they chatted about gossip he’d never heard before.

“Auntie, when I first saw Ming Han, I thought he was quite handsome. But seeing you today, I realize Ming Han must have inherited only one-tenth of your beauty—he’s a genetic failure!”

Chen Nuo’s compliment made Su Yan glow with delight.

Su Yan laughed even more. “Auntie’s old now, nowhere near as good as in the past! But when I was young, suitors were as numerous as clouds!” She began to recount her glorious past.

Ming Han sighed. “You two can compliment each other all you want, but why drag me into it?”

“Mom, you’ve had too much to drink.”

Su Yan was in a great mood today, having downed three bottles of beer without realizing it.

The dinner was lively, and as Su Yan drank more, she became increasingly animated, gesturing excitedly with every word.

Ming Han knew this was probably the happiest birthday his mother had ever had.

In truth, it doesn’t take much to make someone happy—just the ability to revel in some joyful boasting is enough.

At nine o’clock, Chen Nuo’s driver arrived to take them home.

Su Yan staggered slightly but insisted on seeing them to the roadside to catch their ride.

“If anyone at school bullies you two, remember to tell Xiao Han. He’s tall and strong and can protect you delicate girls.”

Chen Nuo nodded happily. “Auntie, I’ll come over for meals often.”

“Great! Auntie has many signature dishes yet to try!”

Chen Nuo got into the car first.

Suddenly, Chen Li gently hugged Su Yan. “Auntie, happy birthday!”

Su Yan whispered into Chen Li’s ear, “This kid’s a bit silly. Please be patient with him.”

Chen Li said nothing, shyly getting into the car.

Ming Han was speechless. “Mom, are you selling me out like this?”

Su Yan smirked. “Brat, those things you two are wearing on your wrists—aren’t they a pair?”

She was referring to the bracelet Chen Li gave Ming Han on his birthday.

“Too inexperienced to fool your mom,” Su Yan said proudly, as if she’d discovered a new continent. “I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice.”

“Uh huh,” Ming Han muttered, somewhat speechless.

“Xiao Han, cherish this friendship. At this age, you don’t understand love and responsibility, but the friends you make now will help you grow.” Su Yan rarely spoke to Ming Han like this.

Ming Han didn’t argue; he accepted his mother’s advice in his heart.

Then, from under the table, he pulled out a sun hat he had hidden beforehand. “Here.”

Ming Han wasn’t an emotionally expressive person; he seldom confessed his love to Su Yan directly.

But he remembered many things, like knowing that all the restaurant’s deliveries were made personally by Su Yan. So he ran to many shops to buy a hat that was both stylish and sun-protective.

He was sure that if the hat looked too old-fashioned, his mother wouldn’t hesitate to give it to the waitress instead.

Su Yan’s philosophy was advanced: all her hardships were so that her two children could live a glamorous life.

After returning home, Su Yan immediately fell asleep.

Ming Han logged on to QQ to check messages.

Chen Li sent a text to report her safe arrival.

Chen Nuo sent a message: “Ming Han, I really like your mom. Can you share half of her with me?”

Ming Han replied: “All yours!”

Then Sister Fang, who hadn’t spoken for a week, messaged: “Ming Han, there’s an event scheduled! Please check your email for details.”

It turned out there was an event in the city recently, successfully inviting Zhuang Tonghe, a basketball artist from Wu You Studio.

Wu You was a nationally renowned streetball player, with commercial tours covering nearly all first- and second-tier cities. Last year, he partnered with Tian Qi to open his own studio, signing a large number of basketball artists modeled after him.

Of course, only a few managed to rise to fame, and Zhuang Tonghe was one of them. He was quite famous throughout the province, able to command thirty to forty thousand yuan per commercial performance, making him a star artist under Wu You’s management.

This time, Zhuang Tonghe was performing in the city, and the organizers proposed arranging a few opponents for basketball comparisons and exchanges. The Qianyang Club secured the spots and assigned them to Yu Hang and Ming Han.

For them, this was all benefit and no harm. Surely there would be reporters and many spectators.

Of course, their pay would never match Zhuang Tonghe’s.

“Next Saturday, okay?”

Ming Han: “Okay!”