The old lady didn't cry for long. When the waiter Cao Min brought the third dish to the table, the old lady wiped away the tears on her face and began to adjust her mood.
When he raised his head, he forced a smile and said softly: "The taste of these steamed mutton dumplings is indeed very similar to what your father made back then. You all should try it! Ah Cai, you can try one too! The whole lamb made by your father
You haven’t had the feast yet!”
The two sons and two daughters-in-law immediately agreed and picked up the steamed dumplings with their chopsticks.
The two daughters-in-law were fine, they were too sad to begin with, but the two sons, Mr. Zhang and brother Ah Cai, were still immersed in grief.
Therefore, you can imagine what it would be like to eat steamed mutton dumplings in their mouths.
Maybe they would find it fresh and delicious, but neither of them would be surprised by the taste of the steamed mutton dumplings.
…
Time passes.
All twelve dishes of the whole lamb feast have been served on the table. The old lady actually ate very little, and her two sons and daughter-in-law didn't eat much either. The main purpose of their coming here today was not to enjoy the delicious food.
They will try every dish, but mainly just to taste it.
I am more immersed in the emotions of remembrance and grief.
In contrast, although the old lady who died not long ago cried tonight, her mood afterwards was the calmest, with a faint smile on her face.
I would just look at the whole sheep feast on the table from time to time, and I would be in a daze.
Maybe...this whole-sheep feast really reminded her of a lot of past events with her husband!
Xu Tongdao, who has been cooking in the kitchen, has also heard the story of this family for a long time.
It was Xu Tonglin who quietly came to the kitchen and whispered in his ear.
I heard that the old mother that Mr. Zhang brought here today is about to die. Mr. Zhang brought her here today to resolve a regret.
Comrade Xu was also surprised.
Is this what happened?
The whole sheep feast he cooked was actually able to help an old lady, but what was his last regret before his death?
Even though he has lived in two lifetimes, this is the first time he has encountered such a thing.
Although I was surprised, I also admired Mr. Zhang's filial piety.
In life, everyone's parents will die one day.
It is normal for an old man to have regrets in his heart before he dies.
But how many children can do what Mr. Zhang did?
Not to mention others, before his rebirth, before his mother Ge Xiaozhu passed away, he also had a lot of regrets in his heart. He was determined to let his mother die without regrets, or with less regrets.
But, there was nothing he could do.
Because the regret his mother had before her death was not about what she wanted to eat, but that her three children were not living well, which he could not make up for at all.
I could only watch my mother pass away with regret.
Can you waive the meal expenses for Mr. Zhang and his family today?
This idea flashed through Xu Tongdao's mind, but his reason told him that there was no point in doing so.
Because Mr. Zhang and his family seemed to be rich, a whole sheep feast was not even a drop in the bucket for them.
But after Comrade Xu heard about their family, he always wanted to express his feelings.
Because he really admires Mr. Zhang.
Because of this idea, he told Xi Dongyang to pay attention to Mr. Zhang and his family in the front hall, and let him know when Mr. Zhang and his family were ready to leave after paying the bill.
He couldn't help but wait in the front hall all the time.
He still has to cook, and there are customers in the shop again.
…
More than an hour later, Xi Dongyang came to Xu Tongdao and reminded him in a low voice: "Xiaodao, Mr. Zhang and his family paid the bill."
Hearing this, Comrade Xu temporarily put down his work, picked up a rag and wiped his hands, and at the same time told Xi Dongyang, "Brother Xi, help me get a packing box! Hurry up!"
Not long after, Comrade Xu came out of the kitchen holding a packing box.
At this time, Mr. Zhang had just paid the bill and turned around to leave.
His younger brother Ah Cai supported the old lady.
"Mr. Zhang! Please wait a moment!"
Comrade Xu's words made Mr. Zhang and his family stop and look back.
Mr. Zhang frowned, "Is there anything else? Young Master? Is the calculation wrong?"
Comrade Xu quickly came to him, shook his head, and handed the packing box to Mr. Zhang, "No! Mr. Zhang, it's not about the account. I heard that you and your mother both like my steamed mutton dumplings.
This is a steamed dumpling I just packed for you. It’s not worth much, it’s just a little thought. I hope Mr. Zhang won’t refuse, give it!”
Everyone at the scene was surprised.
Except for the scene at the kitchen door, Dongyang and the dishwashing aunt Huangmei.
Mr. Zhang frowned and looked at Comrade Xu, then looked back at his mother. The old lady smiled faintly at him and said nothing.
Mr. Zhang withdrew his gaze and looked at Comrade Xu again, "You gave it to me? No money?"
Comrade Xu hummed, and then moved the packing box closer to him.
Mr. Zhang lowered his head to look at the foam packing box in Xu's hand, with a faint complicated smile on his lips, and reached out to take it.
After raising his head, he said to Comrade Xu: "Thank you, little master! You are considerate!"
With that said, he patted Xu Tongdao's arm, nodded, turned around and left.
Comrade Xu smiled and said: "Guys, go slowly!"
Before leaving, the old lady showed a kind smile to Comrade Xu and said: "Young man! Thank you, I wish you a prosperous business!"
…
Mr. Zhang and his family left.
Xu Tonglin, Huang Mei, Cao Min, and Fang Fang all subconsciously gathered around Xu Tongdao, their eyes still watching Mr. Zhang and his family getting into the car.
Xu Tonglin whispered: "This old lady is actually very lucky. Her two sons seem to be doing well, and her two daughters-in-law are also so fashionable."
Huang Mei: "Yes! An old lady is indeed very lucky to live as long as she does."
Cao Min: "I think she is amazing. Listening to what her family just said, her husband passed away very early. It is really amazing that she, an old woman, can raise two sons so well!"
Fang Fang: "Her family's conditions are so good, maybe her disease can be cured!"
Tongdao Xu did not participate in their conversation. All he could think about at this time was the circumstances surrounding his mother's death before his rebirth.
So seeing Mr. Zhang and his brother helping the old lady get into the car, Comrade Xu felt particularly complicated.
He also felt that this old lady was very powerful. It was not easy for her to raise her two sons to be what they are now after her husband passed away early.
But more... what he was thinking about was that it was not easy for his own mother, and it was not easy for most mothers in the world.
I have been worrying about my children all my life.
When children grow up, they can do very little for their mothers.
Fortunately for Mr. Zhang, at least he has the ability to fulfill his filial piety and try his best to make up for the regrets in his mother's heart before her death.
Xu Tongdao hopes that he can do the same in this life, so that when his mother passes away, he will feel less regretful!