Noon.
Zhenshui County.
The Yao Family home, in the small courtyard.
"Xuebin, have a seat first. I'll go help my mom cook," Yao Cui said with a smile.
Dong Xuebin looked surprised. "You can cook? I never heard you mention that back in college."
Yao Cui smiled sweetly. "There weren't any pots or bowls in the dorm, so even if I wanted to cook, I couldn't. I'll let you try it today."
Dong Xuebin gave an amused sound. "Then I'm in for a treat today. All right, but I need to head out for a moment. I have something to take care of and will be right back."
"Okay. It'll be a while before we eat anyway, so go do what you need to do."
Dong Xuebin informed Yao's Father and Yao's Mother, then left their courtyard and walked down the street.
He arrived at the residential complex where he had just paid a year's parking fees. Walking to the back of his Land Rover, he opened the trunk and rummaged around. In the end, he took out about half of the local specialties Mom had brought him from Fenzhou City. Though it was only half, there were still several large bags. Dong Xuebin laboriously hooked them over his arms, shut the trunk, and headed back. Since he was eating at someone else's home and had run into an old classmate, it would have been inappropriate not to bring anything. Dong Xuebin was fairly polite and particular about returning favors. That was probably one of his good qualities.
The Yao Family home.
A table had been set up in the courtyard. Yao Cui and Yao Li helped their parents carry dish after dish out from the small kitchen behind the house.
"You're back?" Yao Cui looked toward the entrance.
Dong