"Dad!" Xue Wu trotted out of the living room and threw herself into his arms.
"Mm, you're back." Xue Li smiled and ruffled her hair. "You've grown a little taller, but thinner too. Haven't you been eating properly out there?"
"Of course I have. I eat a lot every meal."
Xue Wu raised her face and pulled him into the house. "Dad, these are all my classmates."
Wu Changkong and the others stood up one after another and greeted him in unison, "Hello, Uncle Xue."
Xue Li gave a grunt, smiling heartily. "Hello, welcome to my home. Don't be reserved; just treat it like your own place."
Xue Wu's mother said, "Li, you entertain the children. I'll go buy some groceries and make a few good dishes for dinner."
Xue Li waved a hand. "Don't bother. We'll eat out tonight."
Xue Wu's mother hesitated and glanced at the darkening sky outside.
"All right, then."
"Come on, get ready. Everyone's going." Xue Li smiled as he invited them.
Xue Wu answered loudly and led them outside.
Wu Changkong followed behind, carrying Wu Changbing.
Little Changbing lay on Wu Changkong's shoulder and let out an "ah" in Xue Li's direction.
Xue Li froze for a moment, then turned to look at her. Suddenly, he broke into a grin. "What a pretty little girl. Your sister?"
Wu Changkong nodded. "Yes. She can be a little fussy sometimes."
Xue Li waved his hand. "All children are like that. Let's go eat."
The restaurant was not far from Xue Wu's home, just diagonally across from the mouth of the alley. Its sign read "Blacksmith's Old Pot," and the place was bustling with activity.
Xue Li was clearly a regular. The moment he entered, he waved at the plump proprietor behind the counter. "Old Liu, do