346: Chapter 344: The Taste of Home 346: Chapter 344: The Taste of Home Cui Bo had no sense of ruining someone’s good times and still had a cheerful look on his face, laughing as he said to Gao Yang, “Brother Yang, I’ve been to your place.”
Those words from Cui Bo instantly snapped Gao Yang fully awake, or rather, shocked him awake.
Fearing the worst, and operating on the principle that being cautious never led to big mistakes, Gao Yang had specifically warned Cui Bo not to go to his home when Cui Bo wanted to return to the country to take a look around.
Having used Cui Bo’s passport before, Gao Yang feared that Cui Bo’s identity might have been targeted too.
If someone were to follow him to Gao Yang’s house, it would cause trouble, or it could lead people to track them down by association.
Although these possibilities seemed unlikely, they certainly existed, so it was always better to be careful.
Gao Yang exclaimed in shock, “What did you say?
You went to my house?”
Cui Bo nodded but then quickly shook his head and said, “Actually, it wasn’t me who went.
It was my mom.
She went twice, so it probably didn’t blow our cover.”
Gao Yang asked with a trembling voice, “How are my mom and dad?
Are they in good health?
And, have they been dragged into the mess I’m in?”
“Your parents know you’re safe.
Aside from worrying about you, everything else is fine, and they’re in good health.
Your case is actually still unresolved.
The family of the deceased is causing a fuss, but your identity is still kept secret.
No one has bothered your family, and as a suspect, you’re just that—a suspect.
Without solid evidence or an arrest, your parents are fine.
But indeed, your house is being watched.
Don’t call them, though.
I’m not sure if someone is keeping a constant watch near your house.
It’s hard to tell if they are there.”
Upon hearing the news about his home, Gao Yang’s heart soared with anxiety.
He couldn’t quite describe his feelings but, after reflecting on Cui Bo’s words for a moment, Gao Yang sighed and said, “You’re still taking too many risks.
Don’t forget that I used your passport, and the police have been to your house.
If your mom visits my place, and if the police make the connection, wouldn’t that get you in trouble too?”
With a smug look, Cui Bo chuckled and said, “No worries, we’re as inconspicuous as a covert operation on the streets.
There’s no way we could have been exposed.
Look, I’ve made it back safe and sound.
Brother Yang, let me tell you something else.
I left one million yuan for your folks.
You don’t have to worry about them having no money to spend.”
Out of concern, Gao Yang, who couldn’t claim to be inexperienced with the ways of the world, felt his heart tighten upon hearing that Cui Bo had given his parents one million yuan.
He quickly said, “Giving them so much money, couldn’t that cause problems?
One million isn’t a small sum.
It’s bound to raise suspicions.”
Cui Bo said proudly, “Rest assured, there won’t be any issues.
Of course, I wouldn’t transfer the money through a bank.
It was cash I prepared, put into a woven bag, and then filled the bag with walnuts, dates, and the like, and had my mom deliver it in the bag.”
After explaining, seeing that Gao Yang still looked uneasy, Cui Bo said softly, “Here’s what happened.
After I went back, I found out that while Swiss Bank has a company in Huaxia, there’s only one office in Capital City, and no other locations at all.
My dad and the others didn’t have a clue about where to withdraw money, so I figured your parents would likely be in the same situation.
Later on, I had my mom casually ask them about it.
Your parents said they were managing okay without spending much.
They were also worried that withdrawing the money could expose you, so they never even considered heading to Capital City to withdraw it.
I thought it would be inappropriate to leave things like that and didn’t dare give more, so I just took one million to them, saying it was from you.”
Gao Yang patted Cui Bo’s shoulder, his voice heavy with gratitude, “Bro, thanks.”
Cui Bo laughed heartily and said, “What are we to each other that you need to thank me?
Plus, I told my mom to tell your parents you’re doing great.
I also told them not to worry, that when there’s a chance, we’d get them out for a reunion.
Your parents were so happy that my mom told me that your mom’s appetite has improved a lot because of the news.”
As Cui Bo brought back nothing but good news, Gao Yang, though feeling down from missing home, was genuinely happy.
Their relationship had reached a point where words of thanks were hardly needed, yet Gao Yang patted Cui Bo’s shoulder again, a serious tone in his voice, “Rabbit, I won’t say much on other matters, but this time, I really owe you one.
You know what’s been on my mind.
Anyway, you’ve really helped me out a big time.
I thank you on behalf of my mom and dad too.”
Cui Bo still wore a goofy grin, but at that moment, Gao Yang found that goofy smile to be more endearing than ever.
Just then, Yelena, who had been hiding in her bedroom, also came out, looking at Gao Yang with concern, “Honey, are mom and dad okay?”
Cui Bo was initially taken aback, then made a disgusted face and said, “Geez, you guys aren’t even married yet, and it’s already ‘mom and dad’?
Elena, it should be ‘father-in-law and mother-in-law’, right?
But speaking of which, Brother Yang, I told your parents you’ve got a girlfriend, a stunning Russian beauty, and a great musician.
Ah, your dad and mom were thrilled.”
Elena’s eyes brightened, a look of joy on her face as she said, “Really?
Rabbit, you are so sweet, thank you.”
Gao Yang, too, wore a silly smile, wrapping an arm around Elena’s shoulders and imagining his parents, who had always been pressuring him to find a girlfriend and get married, and how delighted they would be upon hearing this news.
As Gao Yang and Yelena looked sweetly at each other, Cui Bo reached for the backpack he had kept behind him.
He grinned cheekily at Gao Yang and then, with a hand in his backpack, teasingly said, “Brother Yang, there’s one more surprise gift for you.
Guess what it is?”
Gao Yang’s eyes lit up as he said eagerly, “Stop beating around the bush, what is it?
Bring it out!”
“Ta-da, zhajiang!”
After rummaging through his bag, Cui Bo triumphantly produced a glass jar, then with a smile on his face, he said, “Auntie said you love noodles the most.
Since she couldn’t make you a bowl of noodles, she prepared a pot of zhajiang sauce.
This won’t spoil easily.
She packed it into two canning jars and sealed them tight, definitely still good to eat.
There was also a large piece of cured meat, for zhajiang noodles with meat, but unfortunately, it got confiscated by customs, so I couldn’t bring it.”
Gao Yang was stupefied, and as he took the jar, he held it in his hands, caressing it back and forth, tears involuntarily began to fall.
Yelena embraced Gao Yang, then gently stroked his back, softly comforting him, while Cui Bo sighed and said solemnly, “Auntie told me to give you a message.
She said everything is going well at home with Uncle, now that they have the money you sent, it’s enough for their retirement.
Knowing that you’re doing well abroad gives them peace of mind.
They said you shouldn’t worry about them and definitely should not come home.
Things are good as they are now.
Brother Yang, I’m relaying this through my mom, and it might not be the exact words, but the sentiment is definitely correct.”
Which parents in the world don’t miss their children, which parents don’t want their children to come home?
But for Gao Yang’s safety, his parents would rather he never return home.
Gao Yang pulled himself together and said with a forced smile, “Rabbit, Jinfang has finally met with his old comrades-in-arms; they’re together now.
Plus, you never know, Jinfang and I might have a chance to go home.
Lately, it’s just been one piece of good news after another.
Let’s go, Frey’s mom and girlfriend are here, in this very building.
Let’s go find them now and celebrate.
Yeah, let’s have zhajiang noodles.
I’ll tell you, my mom’s handmade noodles are the best, you know?
We can’t have those today, but I’ll let you taste the zhajiang sauce my mom made.”
After finishing, Gao Yang shook the jar in his hand at Yelena and said with a smile, “Let’s go, now we even have a gift for Frey’s family.”
Cui Bo clapped his hands and said loudly, “All you talk about is eating noodles, but can you roll them out?
Don’t tell me you plan on using ready-made Italian pasta for the zhajiang noodles?”
Gao Yang paused, saying, “Right, there’s nobody here who can make our noodles.”
Cui Bo pointed at his own nose with a proud look and said, “Me, I can!
Don’t forget, I’ve worked as a chef before.
We’ll just go to the supermarket to buy some flour, a few cucumbers to go with it.
What else does your family usually eat with zhajiang noodles?
Let’s go together and get whatever we’re used to.”
Overjoyed, Gao Yang dragged Yelena and Rabbit to a nearby convenience store for some shopping, then had Yelena lead the way to knock on Frey’s door.
Cui Bo’s sudden appearance inevitably led to a round of questions and greetings.
After a brief exchange, Gao Yang said to Mrs.
John Smith, “Congratulations on your new home.
In keeping with Huaxia’s customs, I’ve brought a small gift.”
Joy is something to be shared with everyone.
Gao Yang handed the jar to Mrs.
John Smith, who, curious, asked, “Thank you for your gift, may I ask what it is?”
With a contented look, Gao Yang replied, “It’s food, made by my mom.
Huaxia zhajiang noodles, well, the zhajiang for the noodles.”
At Gao Yang’s words, everyone’s expressions changed.
Frey, knowing what the dark contents of the jar meant to Gao Yang, quickly grabbed the jar from his mother’s hands, surprised, he said, “Boss, this is made by your mom!”
Glolov, too, looked at Cui Bo with surprise and said, “Rabbit, you went to Gao’s home?”
Gao Yang nodded with a smile, replying, “That’s right, Rabbit went to my place.
My parents are doing very well.
Today, with everyone here, I invite you all to taste my mother’s cooking.”
Glolov stepped forward, enveloped Gao Yang in a strong embrace, then gently patted his back, while Frey, with a serious face, said, “Boss, thank you.
This is indeed a precious gift.”
Bruce also hugged Gao Yang tightly and said solemnly, “Boss, I understand how you feel, but everything will get better.
Right now, I offer you my most sincere congratulations.”
Cui Bo clapped his hands and declared, “Guys, today, you’re going to have an authentic taste of Huaxia zhajiang noodles, and what’s important is, it’s the flavor of Brother Yang’s home.” (To be continued.
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