To satisfy little Kanna wish to eat large pieces of meat, Shi Xiaolei set aside a few pieces from the prepared lamb chops without cutting them all into small cubes.
"Xiaolei, is it like this?"
"Yes, just like that, spread it evenly, and then gently massage..."
Not wanting the little girl to be poked by skewers, Shi Xiaolei didn't let her help with making the meat skewers, but unable to resist her enthusiasm to lend a hand, he could only find another task for her.
Looking at Kanna awkwardly opening her small hands, carefully kneading the lamb chops, her little face dotted with olive oil stains, full of solemnity and seriousness, her mouth constantly making "heave-ho, heave-ho" sounds to encourage herself...
Not only did Shi Xiaolei reveal a smile like a doting father, but Old Liu beside him also had a face full of benevolence.
"Your daughter is so adorable, I'm getting a bit jealous. Brother Shi, how did you raise her? Teach me, will you?"
"The key is that Kanna herself is sensible."
Shi Xiaolei smiled and shook his head.
"I really didn't teach her much, she learned it all on her own."
Just then, 2B came over with a handkerchief to wipe the oil stains off Kanna face.
Seeing the gentle and elegant 2B, and then looking at Kanna, Old Liu sighed again.
"You're so lucky, actually finding a good girl like Sylvia. Not only did you find a good partner, but you also gained such an adorable daughter."
"Ah... when I first came to America, why didn't I encounter such good fortune?"
"Saying that... Old Liu, aren't you afraid your wife will give you a hard time?"
"Am I that kind of person? In our home, I'm the one who calls the shots. Whatever I say, she can only listen... Give me a hard time? Hmph~."
"Yeah right, that's only because your wife went back to China. I don't believe you'd dare say that in front of her."
"I'd say the same in front of her."
"Then why don't you call her?"
"..."
Not expecting Shi Xiaolei to say this, Old Liu paused for a moment, then found an excuse.
"Let's forget about the call, it's already midnight in China, I don't want to get myself scolded."
"See, see, I caught you."
"Uh."
While the two were bantering, Kanna was still earnestly massaging her lamb chops.
Having never cooked before, she didn't know how long to massage.
Worried that she might massage for too long and make the meat less tasty, the little girl looked up at Shi Xiaolei with an adorable expression, interrupting his conversation with Old Liu.
"Xiaolei, Xiaolei, can you check if it's okay now?"
"Hmm."
After glancing at the metal tray in front of Konna and confirming that she had evenly spread all the marinade, Shi Xiaolei gave a generous thumbs up.
"Kanna did a great job, this is perfect."
"Really?"
"Yes, put it in the refrigerator to marinate for another two hours. Umm, let me see, around 5 o'clock, we can start grilling."
"Oh~."
Smiling happily, Kanna jumped off the chair, stood on tiptoe, trying to lift the metal tray with the lamb chops.
"Kanna~."
Seeing this, 2B put down what she was doing and quickly came over to help.
"Be careful."
With 2B help, they carried the tray to the kitchen and placed it in the refrigerator.
Although it was just a small insignificant task, Kanna little face was filled with a sense of accomplishment.
After washing her hands, she pitter-pattered back, climbed onto the chair again, and rested her chin on her hands, watching Shi Xiaolei who was still busy working.
Her bright, clear eyes blinked repeatedly, full of expectation, as if the words "praise me" were written all over her face.
After waiting for a moment without receiving any praise, Kanna felt slightly disappointed and a little unwilling to give up.
As she lowered her gaze, she saw that there were still many pieces of meat that hadn't been skewered.
The little girl eyes lit up as she thought of an idea.
"Xiaolei, Xiaolei, I want to help skewer the meat too~."
As mentioned before, he was worried the little girl might get poked by the skewers.
Shi Xiaolei hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.
"This is quite difficult, Kanna is still too young..."
"But, but... I want to help~."
"Uh."
Feeling a bit uncomfortable due to the little girl disappointment, Shi Xiaolei thought for a moment and had to assign her another task.
"How about this. Kanna, help me call Stark, tell him we have delicious meat at our home, and ask if he wants to join us, okay?"
When he previously borrowed Stark yacht, he didn't stand on ceremony with him at all.
Now, having obtained pure, natural, high-quality lamb meat, he naturally wouldn't forget to share it with him.
Since that period when Stark would drop by the store for no particular reason, Shi Xiaolei had already become friends with him.
And after collaborating to establish a company producing weakened versions of potions, the two were not only friends but also had the added relationship of business partners.
Although he had never founded a company or been a shareholder before, Shi Xiaolei still understood the common sense that "you must maintain good relations with your business partners."
"Mm~."
Having been given a task, the little girl mood immediately improved, and she became lively again.
She jumped off the chair, went to Shi Xiaolei side, took out his phone from his pants pocket, and under his guidance, found Stark private number.
She looked up with her eyes to confirm once more that she hadn't made a mistake, then the little girl extended her chubby finger and tapped the dial button.
"Hey, Rock, what's up?"
With JARVIS help, the call was quickly connected.
"Uncle Stark, it's me, Kanna~."
"Kanna?"
Stark somewhat frivolous tone immediately became more proper, with a touch of doting affection.
"Sweetheart, hello. What can Uncle Stark do for you? Did you finish the chocolate I gave you last time? Wait, Uncle Stark will place an order right now and buy you a few more boxes."
"It's not that."
Holding the phone with both hands, the little girl spoke earnestly and adorably.
"We have delicious meat at our home, Uncle Stark. Do you like to eat meat? Do you want to come to our home and eat together?"
"Meat?"
"Yes, lots and lots, it looks really tasty."
Being a child, she hadn't learned to multitask yet.
Focusing entirely on talking with Stark, the little girl completely failed to notice Old Liu changing expression beside her.
At this moment, Old Liu face was full of surprise and astonishment.
Looking at Shi Xiaolei, Old Liu couldn't help but ask.
"Stark? Is it the Stark I know?"
"Yes, that's the one."
Shi Xiaolei nodded, somewhat surprised as he asked in return.
"He's been coming to my store to eat quite often lately, seven or eight times in total. Didn't you notice?"
"...How would I know?"
Old Liu rolled his eyes impatiently.
"Two months ago, I went to England with your sister-in-law, and it wasn't until a couple of days ago, when your sister-in-law took little Qian back to China to see her grandparents, that I returned alone. Did you forget?"
"Uh."
Only then did Shi Xiaolei remember.
"That's right, it's my poor memory."
"...You not only have a poor memory but also do things carelessly."
Shaking his head, Old Liu pointed out with some frustration.
"It's not easy for us Chinese to make it in America. It's rare to make connections with big shots like Stark, you should at least put in some effort. How can you be so casual, just making a phone call with an attitude of 'come if you want, it's fine if you don't'? Can't you be more courteous when inviting him, show a bit more respect?"
"...Old Liu, you're overthinking it, it's not that serious."
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist?you can read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [[email protected]/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)