299: Go to Niu De's house for dinner

Liu Xiaolin waved at "welcoming the wind": "Okay, let's help if we can."

After speaking, the two got into the car and returned to Wanderer Aerospace Headquarters.

"Time passed so fast today. It was really interesting," Hong Tongtong said enthusiastically.

"Today's schedule was too packed. Let's sleep in tomorrow, go see Explorer II in the afternoon, then visit Shen Zhiyong, and then we can head back to Kunhe City," Liu Xiaolin began planning tomorrow's itinerary.

"Ah? We still have to rush back tomorrow? So soon?" Hong Tongtong said with a hint of reluctance, "I really like our Wanderer Aerospace Headquarters. It's so nice here, without the hustle and bustle of a big city."

"We still have to go back to Kunhe City. There are a lot of things to be busy with there. After we finish everything there, we can come back and stay for a while. Anyway, we have dorms wherever we are," Liu Xiaolin said with a smile.

"Alright, shall we go have dinner now?" Hong Tongtong was hungry again after the afternoon's activities.

"Let's go, let's go eat dinner," Liu Xiaolin naturally doted on his girlfriend.

The two parked the car downstairs from the dorm building and walked towards the cafeteria building.

On the way, they met Niu De: "Engineer Niu, are you also going to the cafeteria for dinner?"

"No, I'm going home tonight. I miss the food my wife cooks," Niu De said.

"Is your home in the family quarters?" Hong Tongtong asked curiously.

"Yes, my home is in the family quarters. Usually, my wife and children also come to the cafeteria to eat, but on weekends, she'll cook some home-style dishes herself. After all, eating at the cafeteria every day, no matter how delicious, you get tired of it eventually," Niu De said with a smile.

Niu De was in his forties, witty and humorous. Since starting work at Wanderer Aerospace Headquarters, he had brought his family over as well. The main reason was that the conditions here were excellent in all aspects. The company provided shuttle buses for the children's schooling, so the adults didn't have to worry at all. This greatly resolved the employees' concerns.

"That's great. Then you go home. Xiaolin and I will keep eating at the cafeteria," Hong Tongtong said with a smile.

"How about you come to my place for dinner? The food isn't as fancy as the cafeteria's, but the home-style flavor is also quite good," Niu De extended an invitation.

"That's not very good. We both eat a lot. If Sister-in-law hasn't prepared that much food, it would be awkward for us," Liu Xiaolin quickly waved his hand and said.

"It's fine, making a few more home-style dishes only takes a few minutes!" Niu De continued his enthusiastic invitation, "I can call right now and ask what we're eating today and if there's enough for you."

After speaking, without waiting for Liu Xiaolin and Hong Tongtong to reply, he immediately made the call: "Hanhan, what are we eating tonight?"

Niu De's wife, Zhang Zihan, replied, "Tonight we're eating fennel and pork dumplings. I put in a lot of lean meat."

"I love dumplings with this filling. I plan to bring General Manager Liu and his girlfriend home to eat dumplings. I wonder if there's enough?" Niu De asked directly.

"Yes, there's enough. I made a lot and was planning to freeze some for next time, but if they come, I don't need to freeze them; I'll just cook them all," Zhang Zihan said.

"Alright, we'll get a few cold dishes from the cafeteria later and bring them home. We can also have a few drinks," Niu De suggested.

"Then Xiaolin and I will go up and get a few dishes and buy two bottles of red wine. You can go back first and help Sister-in-law make dumplings," Hong Tongtong immediately said.

"Just go get the dishes. We have red wine at home. The company gives out a lot of red wine every year," Niu De said.

The benefits at Wanderer Aerospace Headquarters were truly exceptional. Employees and their families could eat whatever they wanted in the cafeteria, and the benefits given out during the New Year and other festivals included everything available in supermarkets.

Liu Xiaolin took Hong Tongtong to the cafeteria to pack a few dishes and then headed straight to Niu De's home.

"Please come in, come in," Niu De hadn't even locked the door. Hearing the sound, he let the two in.

Zhang Zihan also came out to welcome them: "Welcome!"

Hong Tongtong looked at Zhang Zihan and praised with a smile, "Sister-in-law is so beautiful, you look like an eighteen-year-old girl."

"Tongtong, you have such a sweet mouth. I'm already thirty-six. How could I look eighteen?" Zhang Zihan was so happy she couldn't stop smiling.

"Don't just stand there talking, come in and sit down," Niu De reminded them.

Their child Niu Xiaoniu was already in the fifth grade and looked almost as tall as Hong Tongtong: "Hello, Sister. Hello, Brother."

Liu Xiaolin and Hong Tongtong had bought a lot of snacks on the way and carried them over. Seeing the child, they quickly handed the snacks over: "These are snacks Brother and Sister bought for you. Take them."

Niu Xiaoniu looked at her Dad and Mom and only took the snacks after seeing them both nod: "Thank you, Brother and Sister."

"Don't mention it. We're still going to eat your family's dumplings," Liu Xiaolin said cheerfully.

Zhang Zihan helped Hong Tongtong plate and arrange the dishes they brought: "We all really like eating these dishes. They're great."

"Haha, everyone likes these dishes," Hong Tongtong said with a smile.

They packed sweet and sour pork ribs, fish-flavored shredded pork, and hand-torn cabbage, all very delicious dishes.

A moment later, Niu De brought the cooked dumplings to the table: "Here they come, the dumplings are here."

Everyone started eating with great enthusiasm.

"The fennel dumplings Sister-in-law made are too delicious. It's been a long time since I've had such tasty dumplings," Hong Tongtong praised while eating.

"If they're good, eat more," Zhang Zihan said with a smile.

"I opened a bottle of red wine. Let's each have a small glass. The child can't drink," Niu De said, taking out a bottle of '98 Lafite.

"Okay, anyway, we don't need to rush tonight. If we drink too much, we can just go back to the dorm to sleep. Give me a big glass," Hong Tongtong said very readily.

Everyone had a big glass of red wine, eating simple dishes and chewing on homemade dumplings. Everyone ate and drank happily and to their heart's content.

"Thank you Engineer Niu and Sister-in-law for your warm hospitality. I'd like to toast you two," Hong Tongtong said, raising her wine glass.

"No need for toasts, let's all just have a drink together," Niu De said with a smile.

"Exactly, there are no outsiders here. No need for those formal toasts. Just drink more if you're happy," Zhang Zihan also said.

"Then let's drink a toast to the health of Engineer Niu and Sister-in-law!" Liu Xiaolin changed his wording.

"Thank you, thank you. I must drink this glass," Niu De drained his glass happily.

The four of them drank glass after glass, quickly finishing a bottle of red wine. The dishes on the table were also almost finished.

"You two sit there and rest for a bit, chat. I'll go clean up the dishes," Niu De was really showing off today.

"How about I clean up the dishes instead?" Zhang Zihan said, feeling uneasy.

"No way. You just stay with General Manager Liu and Tongtong. I can handle cleaning up after the meal," Niu De pressed his wife down on the sofa, not letting her go into the kitchen to help.