After stowing the wine, Song Qingquan opened the rear door of the car.
The vehicle was filled with food.
The meat consisted primarily of pork, chicken, and beef. Vacuum-sealed, these cuts could remain fresh for ten to twelve months.
The vegetables included corn, chestnuts, and beans. When frozen, these could be stored for about five months.
"Brother Song, you've really prepared a lot," Lin Chen said with a smile.
Song Qingquan cleared his throat. "Brother Lin, I'm troubling you. Wan'er has been eating daily lately, and her condition has improved somewhat. I hope she recovers soon."
"Mm-hmm," Lin Chen nodded.
The two men carried the remaining provisions upstairs.
Lin Chen quickly got to work. For four people, six dishes would suffice, but each had to be substantial. He tripled the usual portion size for every dish.
Two-thirds of the food could be taken home by Song Qingquan.
"Brother Lin, you're so fast at preparing the ingredients," Song Qingquan marveled from the kitchen doorway. He would have liked to help, but Lin Chen hadn't allowed it, not because he was a guest, but because he might have caused more trouble than assistance.
"Brother Song, do you remember Pan Jia?" Lin Chen asked as he chopped the ingredients.
Song Qingquan nodded. "Of course I remember. You told me she had a grudge against you and warned us not to cooperate with her. We didn't."
"Pan Jia has partnered with the Zheng Family."
"Do you know anything about this?" Lin Chen asked.
Song Qingquan shook his head. "Not really. But the Zheng Family isn't that strong. Even if she's allied with them, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Lin Chen said, "Zheng Qingshan once tried to arrange a marriage between his son, Zheng Xu, and the Xu Family. I think their alliance is problematic."
Song Qingquan pondered for a moment.
"It does seem connected."
"Zheng Qingshan is a cunning old fox, but he didn't consult the Song Family or any of the other major players. Pan Jiafu alone couldn't give him the confidence for such a move."
Lin Chen glanced at Song Qingquan.
"Brother Song, the Zheng Family and I have a bad relationship. Most people don't know this, and Pan Jia probably doesn't either. The Zheng Family might not even be aware of my conflict with her."
"Did they stumble into this alliance by chance, or did someone help connect them?"
Song Qingquan's expression shifted slightly.
After a moment of silence, he said, "Brother Lin, are you suggesting someone within the Song Family helped facilitate this connection?"
"Brother Song, I didn't say anything."
Song Qingquan took a deep breath. "Two days ago, Father told us he wanted to divide the family assets. That way, after he's gone, we won't have any disputes over the inheritance."
"Eldest brother, as the family head, gets the largest share. My second brother and I get smaller shares. I don't have any objections, but my second brother disagrees with this division."
"In the end, we couldn't reach an agreement."
Lin Chen remained silent.
Song Qingquan said in a low voice, "Brother Lin, do you suspect my second brother facilitated the partnership between the Pan Jiafu family and the Zheng Family?"
"My second brother isn't that kind of person."
"He's always treated me well."
"He knows how close we are."
Lin Chen thought to himself, *It seems Old Song didn't tell Song Qingquan what I said. He still thinks his second brother is a good person.*
"Brother Song, maybe I'm just being overly suspicious," Lin Chen said.
Old Song hadn't mentioned it, nor had he told Song Qingquan. Though Lin Chen and Song Qingquan were close, the brothers' relationship appeared cordial on the surface.
Time passed.
The house began to fill with tantalizing aromas.
Lin Chen was using his mythic-level culinary skills.
On the balcony, Song Wan kept swallowing, her appetite whetted by the delicious scents.
"Brother Song, every time I finish a dish, send the leftovers down to the refrigerated truck," Lin Chen said.
He knew Song Qingquan had brought over a refrigerated truck equipped with a vacuum sealer. By taking the dishes down, they could rapidly vacuum-seal and freeze them.
When it was time to eat, they would simply thaw a portion.
"Understood," Song Qingquan nodded.
Running back and forth for each dish would mean multiple trips, but the sooner they were frozen, the longer the dishes would last.
By noon, Song Qingquan had packed away many of the dishes. The remaining ones were served on the table. This time, the presentation wasn't as appealing, but the aroma was even more enticing than usual.
"Brother Song, please try some," Lin Chen said with a smile. "My cooking has improved recently."
"Mmm, I've been eager to try. It smells wonderful," Song Qingquan replied. He picked up a piece of meat and popped it in his mouth, his eyes widening in astonishment. The meat was even more delicious than before.
"Brother Lin, your cooking was already incredible. To think it could still improve!" Song Qingquan exclaimed in disbelief.
Song Wan silently picked up a piece of meat.
After taking a bite, she felt her taste buds had been completely awakened.
She found the dish absolutely delicious.
Before, when Lin Chen was at the legendary level, Song Wan could eat his cooking, but she never found it particularly tasty. This time was completely different.
"Dad, I think I'm back to normal."
"I think I can eat other foods again."
After a few bites, Song Wan said excitedly.
"Really?"
Song Qingquan's expression was even more thrilled than hers.
Song Wan nodded.
"Brother Lin, what's going on?" Song Qingquan turned to Lin Chen and asked.
"Song Wan's feelings are likely genuine," Lin Chen replied. "But my cooking probably only restored her temporarily."
"You can test how long it lasts later."
Song Qingquan said joyfully, "Brother Lin, if one meal keeps her normal for several days, the dishes we take home this time might last three or four months!"
"Hmm." Lin Chen nodded.
"If she can eat and drink normally for three or four months, I estimate Song Wan will be completely cured."
Song Qingquan's eyes reddened.
"Thank you, thank you!"
***
*Beep beep!*
Lin Chen's phone rang as Song Qingquan and the others left.
It was Tianlang calling.
Lin Chen answered. "Mr. Lin, when are you free? I'll arrange a car to pick you up and take you to a specialized shooting range for practice."
"Your firearm permit has been approved."
"But you'll need to pass a shooting proficiency test to receive it."
Lin Chen's eyes lit up.
With a firearm permit, he could legally own a gun. For a man, that was an irresistible temptation.
"Tianlang, can I bring my daughter?" Lin Chen asked.
Tianlang paused, then replied, "That's up to you. The range can be quite noisy, just don't scare Lin Xiaoqian."
"Hmm... she's quite brave," Lin Chen said. "You can send someone over now. I can follow your arranged car in my own vehicle."
Tianlang: "Then head downstairs."
"Just follow our car in your own vehicle."
Before long, Lin Chen and his group arrived at the underground parking garage.
"Mr. Lin, please stay close to us."
"The drive will take about an hour and a half."
A man emerged from a silver van. He was part of the team secretly protecting Lin Chen.
"Understood," Lin Chen replied, taking Lin Xiaoqian with him.
Lin Xiaoqian quickly fell asleep. When she woke, they had already reached the shooting range.
"Mr. Lin, I'm Wang Rui."
"I'll be teaching you marksmanship from now on."
"You should practice for at least two hours every day. The sooner you master this, the sooner I can get back to my real work."
A young man approached Lin Chen.
He wasn't pleased.
Wang Rui was a king-tier soldier, a master marksman. He should have been on a mission, but his superiors had assigned him to teach this *fop* to shoot.
He was certain Lin Chen was just a spoiled brat, and he had little respect for such types.
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)