88 Chicken Wings
The two of them continued to chat as they waited for their food to arrive.
Zhang Li Xue was trying to find out a little bit more about Bai Qi’s childhood while he was living in Y City. However, that man had cleverly turned things around.
Whenever Zhang Li Xue asked about him, he would then return the question to her. Zhang Li Xue liked talking and once she started, it was difficult for her to stop.
Soon, it was Zhang Li Xue who continued to talk to him about her life and growing up in the city.
Meanwhile, Bai Qi would occasionally encourage her to talk more. With a good listener beside her, Zhang Li Xue talked happily without realizing that she had become comfortable and talkative around this young doctor.
The waitress appeared again to deliver their food to the table.
Zhang Li Xue looked at the chicken wings with a greedy look in her eyes.
However, she had to remind herself to maintain her image. Since she was treating Bai Qi to this meal, she should let him taste the food first. After introducing the food on the table, Zhang Li Xue encouraged the young doctor to taste the chicken wings and waited for his comment.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“What do you think?” Her hands clasped together as she waited for his reaction.
.....
Bai Qi had only taken a bite at the spicy chicken wings when Zhang Li Xue had asked him this question. Her voice surprised him and the food was stuck in his throat. Bai Qi let out a soft cough and drank some water to ease the slight heat in his throat.
“What is it? Is it too spicy?” Zhang Li Xue began to worry that the dishes would be too spicy and that the young doctor would not be able to tolerate the heat.
“No.” Bai Qi drank more water. Then, he waved his hand. “It’s alright. I’m fine.” He flashed her an assuring smile. Then, he took another bite at the chicken wings to prove that he was alright with the little heat.
Zhang Li Xue continued to observe his face and finally exhaled in relief when she saw that the young doctor did not sweat after eating a bit more of the chicken wing.
Once he had finished one piece, Bai Qi put the bone to the side and spoke, “The coating sauce tasted very good. It was spicy, but not overly spicy.”
“You think so too, right?” Zhang Li Cue was happy that the food she liked received his approval. “Doctor Bai, since you like it, you have to eat more.”
Anyway, she could not eat too much of the spicy flavored one. It would be difficult if she had a stomach ache later.
Seeing her anticipation look, Bai Qi took another piece and ate them slowly. Then, he silently raised his head and peeked at the girl as she picked up a piece of a chicken wing.
The smile on her face was apparent.
His little fairy looked so happy when she ate the chicken wing.
At this time, Bai Qi was convinced that this dish was her favorite food. Other than basketball, chicken wings seemed to be her next favorite thing.
Perhaps he should try and learn a few recipes as well?
Just in time, Zhang Li Xue raised her head and their gazes met. Feeling a little awkward at the situation, Bai Qi flashed her a smile.
He let out a cough and spoke, “Then, Miss Zhang, do you consider these chicken wings as the best you ever had?”
“Hmm...” Zhang Li Xue pondered about it for a while. Her eyes seemed to be in a daze for a few seconds. “The best one...” Her lips curled into a faint smile. “The best chicken wings should be the one that my late great-grandpa made.”
“Your late great-grandpa?”
“Mmm...” Zhang Li Xue nodded. She took a napkin and wiped the corner of her lips. “He passed away almost ten years ago.”
His movement froze.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBai Qi did not expect that his casual question about chicken wings would make her unhappy. The hand that was holding the chicken wing slowly lowered down.
His throat bobbed a few times. Seeing the sad smile on her face made him feel very bad. Bai Qi tried to speak but found that he could not say a word for a long time.
“I’m sorry.” Other than these words, he did not know to say anything else.
“It’s alright.” Zhang Li Xue took a deep breath and smiled. “He lived a long life being surrounded by his family and friends. I think he would be very happy to be reunited with my great-grandma as well.”
In the past, her great-grandpa would often tell her stories about her great-grandma. Although her great-grandma was a few years older than him, the couple loved each other dearly. Whenever her great-grandpa mentioned his wife, Zhang Li Xue would often see the love and admiration in his eyes.
Her great-grandpa must have missed her great-grandma a lot.
Zhang Li Xue also realized that the atmosphere between them had turned a little awkward. She flashed a smile and tried her best to liven up the mood again.
“When I was younger, my late great-grandpa had taught me his recipe as well,” Zhang Li Xue continued. “Although the taste was not as good as how my great-grandpa would prepare it, I think the chicken wings that I made tasted very close to what he made.”
Zhang Li Xue lowered her head again.
She had often wondered why was it the one she made did not taste the same as her great-grandpa. She had used the same recipe and the same measurement. Then, she figured that perhaps, the one that her great-grandpa prepared was full of his thought and love for his family. It was a seasoning that she could not get anywhere in the world.
“Then, Miss Zhang, I hoped that one day I could taste the chicken wings that you made as well.”
A light glinted in her eyes. Zhang Li Xue looked happy again. “Of course, if we have the chance in the future, I will let you taste the chicken wings that I made. Doctor Bai, I assure you that it would be the best chicken wings you tasted.”