I woke up early the following morning, I made a trip to the local super market to buy some grocery. I was told to expect roughly 10 or so people today for lunch. So, I decide to make some dishes I learned when I was abroad. Cooking is one of my hobbies and love to feed people too, so I will take this opportunity to show off some of my skills. According to little Meng, aunty will be making 4 dishes, including her signature Chow Mein and Dumplings. I decide to make a vegetarian Spätzle and Sauerbraten. I also got some wine and sparking juice since kids are expected, including little Meng. It took me almost 4 hours to finish the meals and finishing it all 15 minutes’ pass 12. I quickly spread out the tableware and arranged the table, before rushing into the shower before anyone shows up.

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At 1 in the afternoon, they all showed up together. Uncle and aunty, in addition to calling their daughter’s family, called over my old neighbor and a few of my childhood friends. It was rowdy from the doorway in. I was introduced to the company of each person. Uncle’s daughter Mei introduced me to her boyfriend Ning. She had divorced the first husband after cheating and gambling problems and moved back to uncle’s place. It seems she started dating Ning a couple of months back and little Meng seems to be quite taken with him as well. But Meng seriously mentioned – ‘Big Bro is always first’ – ad got everyone laughing merrily. Ning seems like a good guy at least, since everyone had something good to say about him. He was very courteous. Apparently, he works for Real Estate company in the city.

The old neighbor old man Yijun also came with his wife Liling. They gave me their greetings and brought over a plate of Wontons. I kind of reminiscence on the Wontons of Ms. Liling. They are really good, I used to visit a lot back then to have some and join for dinner. She was like a second mother, with the first being aunty Xue. Uncle Yijun reminiscent with me, about growing so big. He used to be giant, but now I tower over him. We also talked about local opera shows and horse racing. He is the one who introduced and fostered my love for the opera. Horse racing never caught on with me, but I got engrossed with the opera. We used to go to a lot of the shows held downtown. After each show, we critiqued on everything, with me learning the facts from him.

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After uncle, I greeted my old childhood friends that showed up. First was Zhihao. He was my very first friend after moving here. I met him in G-Elementary. We were in the same class for 3 years before going to the same middle school, but in different classes. He was a little bully back then and enjoyed causing trouble. But I never had it tough with him. We were buddies in playing football and running. He now works at Times publishing and has been 2 years now. He also got himself a girlfriend who he brought along and introduced. She is called Shuang and was a nice girl, of the same age. She is also a co-worker from the same publishing company, but in different departments. Shuang works in the news section, while Zhihao is in the PR and Marketing section.

Next to meet was Xun and Shui. These two are my previously closest BFFs. Unlike Zhihao, these 2 stuck with me until I left for abroad. We had been through thick and thin back in the old days. Playing taunt together, getting scolded together, playing together and everything else. They came to see me off on the day I left too, brawling. They gave me a hard time, quite a few times. Both them seem to single, so far unsuccessful in getting a girl. They jokingly teased Zhihao for getting ahead. Of the two, Shui is far calmer, more intellectual. He said that he is working at the S-University, in the language department. He apparently completed an internship and is now working as a student teacher while still pursuing some of his studies. Xun had joined the police force. Apparently after I left, he played truant a few too many times, and his old man through him into cadet boot camp. He went on to graduate and joined the police force, criminal division. He has gone through quite the change, in appearance and personality. He has a more serious vibe, and has a hard look. But still has the old mischievousness as he pranked little Meng.

Last were the pair of girl friends. Nuo and Rong are friends I made in middle school. They are each other’s BFFs and have been together like I, Xiu and Shun have. I befriended them during the cultural festival in the school, while working on the café setup. Nuo and Rong both love to cook, with Nuo loving desserts and Rong loving spicy foods. Back then, I helped in the kitchen, cooking a few times as well. Of the two, Rong is more spontaneous and rebellious, like her taste for food. Nuo is really very shy and introverted. She was a class flower back in the old days. Meeting them now, both of them have become really beautiful. Both matured not too modestly, with Rong best described as a Hibiscus and Nuo as a Daisy. Both went only to culinary school and graduated. Nuo joined a famous patisserie bakery in the city, while Rong joined the Marriot Hotel kitchen, become a deputy chef in the kitchen very quickly. Both of them are chasing their long-held dreams. Apparently, they are not dating either, but it seems Nuo has an arranged marriage meeting later in the year that her parents are arranging.