Chapter 211: Lamb and Radish Soup, Awakening the Whole Courtyard

At half past five in the morning, Lu Qingshan quietly got out of bed.

Outside the window it was still dark, and occasionally a few rooster crows came from afar.

He pushed open the door, and the air in the courtyard carried the chill of an autumn night.

The kitchen was quiet, even the nanny Li Jie was still asleep.

Lu Qingshan rolled up his sleeves and began preparing today's breakfast.

This was something he and Qingjun had planned the day before: before heading to Hong Kong Island, he wanted to make a meal for the whole family.

The lamb and radish soup needed time to simmer, so he first cut the lamb into chunks and put it in the pot.

"Second Brother, why are you up so early?"

Lu Qingjun walked out of the room rubbing his eyes, his hair a mess.

"Lazybones, hurry over and help."

Lu Qingshan said irritably, holding a kitchen knife.

"Making breakfast for over ten family members, do you want to wear me out?"

While Qingjun complained, he quickly got to work kneading the dough.

The two brothers busied themselves in the kitchen, and the clatter of pots and pans rang especially loud in the early morning.

"I'll help!"

Lu Xiaoyu appeared at the kitchen doorway at some point, her eyes still a bit sleepy.

"Xiaoyu, you're up this early too?"

Lu Qingshan was a little surprised; his sister was usually the family's sleepyhead.

"Hearing you two bustling in the kitchen, I couldn't stay asleep."

Lu Xiaoyu rolled up her sleeves, ready to join in making breakfast.

"You handle the scallion pancakes, and Qingjun will fry the eggs."

Lu Qingshan assigned the tasks, and he himself focused on tending the lamb soup.

The three siblings worked together smoothly in the kitchen, occasionally joking with each other.

"Qingshan, what are you making?"

Li Jie was drawn by the aroma and hurried into the kitchen.

"Li Jie, sorry to wake you."

Lu Qingshan said apologetically.

"It's fine, it's fine, I'll help."

Li Jie saw the "battle scene" in the kitchen and immediately joined in.

With Li Jie's help, efficiency noticeably improved.

The aroma of the lamb and radish soup began to spread throughout the courtyard.

Lu Xiaoyu's scallion pancakes turned golden, but her face was covered in flour and her hands were greasy.

"Xiaoyu, are you cooking or just playing with flour?"

Qingjun looked at his sister's state and couldn't help laughing.

"Look at yourself, you've burned the eggs!"

Xiaoyu seemed unwilling to back down and fired back.

"I did it on purpose; the caramel color is more fragrant!"

Qingjun shamelessly defended himself.

The laughter from the kitchen gradually woke everyone in the courtyard.

Wang Guilan and Lu Hua walked into the kitchen and were stunned by the sight before them.

"What's going on?"

Wang Guilan looked at the busy children, her eyes full of affection.

"Mom, we're making breakfast for the whole family."

Lu Qingshan explained while stirring the soup pot.

"You kids are really thoughtful."

Lu Hua laughed so hard he couldn't close his mouth.

Just then, Xiao Xue's voice came from the back yard: "Dad, I need to pee!"

Lin Yue'e carried Xiao Xue over as well, and seeing so many people in the kitchen, Xiao Xue widened her eyes in curiosity.

"Meat soup! It smells so good!"

Xiao Xue said in her cute, childish voice.

"Xiao Xue, the lamb soup Dad made for you will be ready soon."

Lu Qingshan said gently to his daughter.

"I need to go to the toilet to pee first, then I'll drink the soup."

Xiao Xue announced this seriously, making everyone burst out laughing.

Lu Hong and Zhang Jianhua were also drawn by the aroma, and the kitchen became extraordinarily lively.

"Qingshan, your cooking skills keep getting better."

Lu Hong praised her brother.

"It's all thanks to Yue E's good teaching."

Lu Qingshan said modestly.

"Oh please, when have I ever taught you how to make lamb and radish soup?"

Lin Yue'e, standing beside him, exposed her husband's lie.

"That's my extraordinary talent."

Lu Qingshan, thick‑skinned, said.

"Second brother, your face skin is really getting thicker."

Lu Qingjun teased from the side.

"Qingjun, your egg is really burnt."

Lu Qingshan immediately countered.

"My timing is perfect!"

Lu Qingjun hurriedly saved face.

At that moment, Jin Hu, smelling the aroma, ran over and circled around Lu Qingshan.

"Jin Hu, you also want to eat lamb soup?"

Lu Qingshan patted Jin Hu's head.

Woof woof!

Jin Hu wagged his tail and barked twice.

"I'll set aside some meat for you later."

Lu Qingshan promised.

Finally, with everyone's joint effort, the lavish breakfast was ready.

The lamb and radish soup was white as snow, its aroma filling the nose.

The fried eggs were a bit burnt, but plentiful.

The scallion pancake was golden and tempting; with the home's pickles, it was a perfect match.

The whole family sat around in the living room, enjoying this rare warm moment.

Lu Xiaoyu, you still have flour on your face.

Wang Guilan smiled and wiped her daughter's face.

"I think she looks like a little flower cat now."

Lu Qingyuan teased from the side.

"Hahaha!"

Everyone laughed at Lu Xiaoyu's appearance.

Xiao Xue also laughed with the adults, though she didn't know what was funny.

Jin Hu lay at Lu Qingshan's feet, occasionally looking up at his master.

"Qing Shan, this soup is truly delicious."

Lu Hua took a sip of the soup and nodded with satisfaction.

"Dad, have more; this lamb nourishes the body."

Lu Qingshan scooped a few pieces of lamb into his father's bowl.

"I'll add some radish for Xiao Xue."

Wang Guilan looked at her granddaughter affectionately.

"Grandma, I still want soup, lots of meat."

Xiao Xue lifted the small bowl.

"Alright, Grandma will serve you."

Wang Guilan immediately stood up.

In this warm atmosphere, Lu Qingshan gave Lu Qingjun a meaningful glance.

Lu Qingjun instantly understood, set down his bowl and chopsticks, and stood up.

"Everyone, I have something to announce."

Lu Qingjun cleared his throat.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him.

"I made this breakfast for everyone today because tomorrow my second brother and I will set off for Hong Kong Island."

As soon as Lu Qingjun finished speaking, the living room fell silent.

"Going to Hong Kong Island?"

Wang Guilan asked with some worry.

"Yes, there are some important matters that need to be handled."

Lu Qingshan took over the conversation.

"Everyone, wait for the good news of our triumphant return!"

Lu Qingjun's voice carried Confidence.

"Then you all be careful."

Lu Hong said concernedly.

"Second brother, the situation over at Hong Kong Island is complicated; you must watch your safety."

Lu Qingyuan also voiced his concerns.

"Don't worry, we're just going to handle business; there won't be any danger."

Lu Qingshan comforted his family.

"The food over at Hong Kong Island is different from ours; don't get an upset stomach."

Wang Guilan remembered something and hurriedly reminded them.

"Mom, don't worry, we'll take good care of ourselves."

Lu Qingshan smiled and said.

"By the way, when we get back, second sister will also have returned to work at the research institute."

Lu Qingshan continued.

"Then, let's have Qing He come back too; we'll take the most complete family portrait together!"

The suggestion immediately received everyone's response.

"Great! We've never taken a family portrait before!"

Lu Xiaoyu clapped excitedly.

"Then we'll wait for you to return."

Anticipation sparkled in Wang Guilan's eyes.

"Xiao Xue, wait for dad to come back and buy you Hong Kong Island candy."

Lu Qingshan lifted his daughter in his arms.

"Dad, you have to come back quickly."

Xiao Xue said anxiously.

"It will."

Lu Qingshan gave his daughter a light kiss on the cheek.

"Second brother, you aren't going to Hong Kong Island this time to get rich, are you?"

Lu Xiaoyu asked, blinking her eyes.

"Xiaoyu, you little girl, want to know everything."

Lu Qingshan pinched his sister's nose.

"I'm just curious."

Lu Xiaoyu cooed.

"We'll tell you when we get back."

Lu Qingshan pretended to be mysterious.

The breakfast ended in a warm yet reluctant atmosphere.

Everyone's heart was full of anticipation, waiting for Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingjun to return.