Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets
Chapter 96: Foodie (Second Update)

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Foodie (Second Update)

"I can’t go if I don’t like it?" Zhang Minmin’s gaze was fixed on the bag behind Zhang Tingyu; even though there was some distance, the aroma of the roast duck kept wafting to her, making her reluctant to look away. If she couldn’t go eat roast duck today, she probably wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

Zhang Tingyu: "..."

She always knew Zhang Minmin loved roast duck. Zhang Minmin could eat more than half of the roast duck bought for the family alone, but she never imagined that Zhang Minmin, for the sake of food, would even follow someone she didn’t like to their house for a meal.

Zhang Tingyu was very clear about Zhang Minmin’s attitude towards Tang Yue.

"Tingyu, let’s get going fast or it’ll be too late for the roast duck," Zhang Minmin urged, pulling her along.

Zhang Tingyu reminded her, "Minmin, you’re inviting yourself over; just make sure not to clash with Xiao Yue."

"Zhang Tingyu, I’m not a three-year-old. Am I that stupid?" Zhang Minmin couldn’t help but roll her eyes and seeing that she had another bag, she couldn’t help asking, "What’s in this other bag you’re carrying? Is it edible?"

"Test papers. Want to eat them?" Zhang Tingyu asked.

Zhang Minmin shook her head repeatedly, "No thanks. You’re really gluttons for punishment. With the school assignments already more than enough and still doing test papers, you’re going to work yourselves to death."

"With grades like yours and not caring about it, no wonder your uncle and aunt are always talking about you." Zhang Tingyu tugged at the corner of her mouth. In the Zhang Family, except for Zhang Minmin, everyone else really liked to study. Zhang Minmin, who liked studying the least, could really be called an odd one out.

"Just looking at those words irritates me," Zhang Minmin sighed. She didn’t want it to be that way; she only just scraped by the passing mark every time. She wanted to do well too, but whenever she saw homework or test papers, she would feel dizzy and want to sleep, which was also very tormenting for her.

They finally arrived at Tang Yue’s house, which was where Zhang Tingyu used to live. It was Zhang Minmin’s first time knowing that Tang Yue had rented a room from the Zhang Family, and she couldn’t help asking, "So, she rents a room from your family, huh."

"Yes, it was vacant anyway." Zhang Tingyu asked, "You’re not going empty-handed, right?"

"Bought apples." Zhang Minmin bought two pounds of apples. The apples weren’t big, but they looked pretty, and the red apples looked especially delicious.

Zhang Minmin ate one herself before asking, "Why are you bringing test papers with you to her house to eat?"

Zhang Minmin realized this after the fact.

Zhang Tingyu couldn’t be bothered to answer that question.

When they got to Tang Family’s place, Tang Yue was waiting in the store. Seeing Zhang Tingyu arriving, she immediately greeted her and was somewhat surprised to see Zhang Minmin had also come.

Zhang Tingyu said with some embarrassment, "Xiao Yue, it was like this - I ran into Minmin when I was leaving the house, so when she knew I was coming to your place, she followed along."

"Welcome," Tang Yue said with a pursed-lip smile. Aside from being a bit arrogant, Zhang Minmin was not really an issue. In the eyes of Tang Yue, who had lived for more than half her life, Zhang Minmin was just an immature little girl, so naturally, she wouldn’t mind.

Tang Yue introduced Tang Zhengde to Zhang Hualian and vice versa. Seeing Zhang Tingyu, Tang Zhengde and Zhang Hualian knew she had helped to mediate, and were exceptionally warm, making Zhang Tingyu somewhat overwhelmed.

"Uncle, Auntie, I’m really sorry to trouble you," Zhang Tingyu said as she handed over the roast duck brought back from the Capital City, "This is the roast duck we brought back from our trip last time; I thought I’d bring some for Xiao Yue to try."

"Uncle, Auntie, these apples looked good, so I bought some too," Zhang Minmin followed suit.

Zhang Hualian looked at the gifts, uncertain whether to accept or refuse.

In the end, it was Tang Yue who broke the silence and took the item.

Upon reaching the living room, Tang Jun was doing his homework on the table. When he saw Tang Yue come back with two classmates, he immediately stood up and said, "Sis, hello everyone, I’m Tang Jun, my sister’s little brother."

"Poof—" Zhang Minmin couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this introduction, saying, "You already called her ’Sis,’ of course you’re her little brother; even a fool would know that."

Zhang Tingyu gave her a glance, and Zhang Minmin quickly corrected herself, "Xiao Yue, your little brother is really cute."

"Mhm." Tang Yue responded and asked, "Xiao Jun, have you finished your homework?"

"Not yet." Tang Jun sat back down to continue his homework.

Zhang Minmin shook her head as she looked at Tang Jun, whose homework obviously wasn’t just homework, but a hand-carved booklet, and then noticed Tang Yue and Zhang Tingyu were also pulling out booklets to work on, which flabbergasted her.

Wasn’t she here to enjoy some delicious food? Why had they all started doing homework?

Zhang Minmin sat to one side, glancing around here and there. She had been to this place before. In the past, Zhang Tingyu’s home was filled with many things, even boasting a color TV. However, now things seemed much emptier, and naturally, the house seemed more spacious, but the Tang Family still kept it very clean and tidy.

Even with fewer possessions, it all looked comfortably arranged.

It didn’t take long for Zhang Minmin to feel bored and she asked, "How long are you two going to keep at it?" her face drooping with tedium.

"Until we’re done," Zhang Tingyu replied without looking up, focusing on her paper. Both she and Tang Yue liked to think on their own while doing their work and did not enjoy being disturbed.

Even after Tang Jun finished his exam paper and saw both Zhang Tingyu and Tang Yue working on their papers, he admired them greatly. He had been to classmates’ houses before, especially to Mo Weidong’s house, which he had visited the most, but it was all for fun. Never had he gone to someone else’s house for a meal and ended up doing homework together.

"Hey, are we just going to sit here and wait?" Zhang Minmin felt utterly bored.

Tang Jun immediately asked, "Shall we play military chess?"

"Sure." Zhang Minmin agreed straight away.

Tang Jun took out the military chess game from his backpack. He always carried it around, handy for an impromptu game whenever the opportunity arose.

Zhang Minmin had played before but lost interest as the game went on; she had never won a single game. Unable to beat even an elementary school boy, Zhang Minmin felt utterly humiliated.

"Come on, try these oil lamps I made," Zhang Hualian said, offering the freshly made snacks. Made of flour, sprinkled with green onions, and fried in oil until crispy and flaky, they were exceptionally tasty.

"I’ll have some." Zhang Minmin’s eyes lit up at the sight of food.

Zhang Hualian also washed some apples and brought them over.

Biting into the oil lamps, Zhang Minmin savored the crispy fried flavor infused with the scent of green onions, joyfully squinting her eyes. They were really delicious.

"Delicious, your mom’s cooking is amazing," Zhang Minmin admitted, feeling that coming here today, even a bit shamelessly, was entirely worth it.

"Of course," Tang Jun immediately said with a hint of pride, "My dad’s cooking is delicious, my mom’s snacks are tasty, especially the crispy meat, my favorite. Of course, these oil lamps are also good, as well as Ai Guo and zongzi. My mom makes them tastier than anyone else’s."