While they were chatting, there were footsteps on the stairs behind them.
Uncle Tony.
Twain and Dunn turned at the same time, and then they both stood in amazement.
Shania wore a tight-fitting black dress. The dress hugged closely to Shania’s legs, and the layers of ruffles gradually fanned out from her calves, touching the floor. It made her look like a beautiful black lotus flower. She did not wear any other accessories, just that simple black dress. Standing on the stairs, she looked like the model she was.
I didn’t bring any nice clothes, just this dress that I don’t usually wear. Is this okay, Uncle Tony?
Oh my god … Shania, are you in a runway show? There’s no need to dress like that…
Twain regained his composure.
You’re the one who asked me to wear my most beautiful clothes!
Shania whined.
Well, it’s my fault … I forgot that you’re a model. Honestly, you look good in whatever you wear. Just don’t wear that. You could catch a cold.
Twain apologized quickly.
Shania gave a huff, and then lifted the hem of her dress to run upstairs. Her rapid footsteps were incongruent with her dignified and elegant image.
Twain wiped the sweat off his forehead and turned to see Dunn staring at him till he felt somewhat guilty.
Do I have something on my face?
Dunn looked away.
When Shania appeared again in front of the two men, she had changed out of her dress into a pair of skinny jeans and long boots, a light beige sweater with a red scarf around her neck, and a silver-gray coat, not yet worn.
Well…
Twain thought if he had known earlier, he would not ask her to change clothes. After all that back and forth, she was back to her original appearance that she had worn when he saw Shania at the doorstep, except that she did not have that big bag with her now.
Good! You look nice!
Shania rolled her eyes at Twain and then looked at Dunn.
Dunn also nodded.
Very pretty.
Let’s go, we shouldn’t make the host wait.
Twain wanted to quickly end this somewhat embarrassing situation, so he reminded everyone to set off.
※※※
Wood’s new home was close to the Wilford training base; he ran to get to the training grounds, unlike the star players, who drove. Therefore, Wood’s house was not too far from Twain’s place, and the three of them took a stroll over.
Along the way, Shania was very excited and chatty. Twain tried not to make it obvious that he was only half-listening to her, because he now had another headache: when they arrived at Wood’s place, how was he going to introduce Shania to Wood’s mother, Sophia?
‘This is my friend, Shania.’
What is the relationship between me and Shania? It seems a little too unfamiliar to say we’re friends. So, if we are not friends, then what are we? Relatives? That’s a blatant lie.
As a result, Twain still had not figured out how to introduce Shania by the time they reached Wood’s doorstep.
Wood was surprised to see another person when he opened the door. Twain cleared his throat.
George, this is Judy Shania Jordana. I think you already met in Newcastle?
Wood nodded, then said to Shania,
Hello, Merry Christmas.
Wood was now the Forest team’s big star player, but Shania wasn’t intimidated. She greeted him with a relaxed smile.
Hello Wood, Merry Christmas! You’ll have to give me an autograph later!
In the face of such a lively girl, Wood could not refuse; not to mention, Twain had brought her. He nodded somewhat hesitantly.
Okay, okay.
Twain chuckled on the side, and Wood gave him a glare before stepping aside to let them enter.
Still busy preparing for dinner, Sophia came out of the kitchen, smiling and ready to welcome Twain and Dunn. She was a little surprised to see Shania, but her expression was fleeting, and no one noticed.
On the way here, Twain gave Shania a brief introduction about Sophia, including the process of how they met. of course, he omitted the part about how the two of them almost slept together within five minutes of their meeting. Even though they did not do anything, it was better not to confuse things by speaking about it. Twain simply buried the matter within.
Apart from him and Sophia, it would be best if no one else knew.
Shania was very happy to meet Sophia. Twain’s story, combined with thoughts of her own parents, made her feel very envious of Wood for having a mother like her. Her parents always forced her to do things she didn’t want to do, and Wood’s mother always wanted Wood to do what he loved.
Because of this contrast, Shania’s impression of Sophia was quite favorable. She even bought a shawl as a gift for her along the road there.
Sophia looked at Twain, and then at Shania, who had a bright smile. She smiled and accepted the gift. Then, after a few exchanges of pleasantries, she went back to the kitchen to get busy. Shania offered to help, but Sophia felt that as a guest, Shania should not be helping.
Then, Twain made a suggestion that nobody would feel awkward about.
How about this—Sophia can make us her best Jamaican food, Dunn and I will prepare Chinese food for you. And then…
He looked at Shania.
Shania can also cook pretty well.
But Mr. Twain, you’re all our guests, how can I let my guests …
Twain anticipated Sophia’s words with a smile.
Ma’am, if you think about it that way, that means we’re keeping each other at arm’s length! I think it would be great for everyone to make their best dishes in the kitchen, not to mention festive. Who says we have to follow Christmas traditioins? It’s a holiday. What does it matter, as long as we’re having a good time?
Shania was the first to respond to his view.
That’s right! Uncle Tony is right, I think it’s fun! At my aunt’s place in Newcastle, they always have rules like that, and I don’t like it at all.
Looking at the lovely Shania, Sophia also laughed.
All right, Mr. Twain. I guess having a different kind of Christmas could be nice.
So the five people crowded into the kitchen. Fortunately, Wood and his mother had moved out of the slums. The kitchen in their new house was big enough for five people to be busy in it at the same time. Although it was still slightly crowded, they jostled each other and shouted happily.
Ah! The water’s boiling, Dunn! Quick, put in the meat. Be careful, don’t let it splatter…
As Twain scrambled to instruct Dunn to put the meat into the pot, he also turned to look at Shania, who was watching over a simmering aluminum pot.
Smells good, Shania, what are you making?
Feijoada!
said Shania as she watched after the steaming pot.
What is that?
Delicious food… Unfortunately, there’s no cream or tapioca flour here…
Shania smacked her lips.
Oh, I’m sorry, Shania. I didn’t know we needed to prepare those ingredients…
Sophia hastily apologized as a host who had not adequately prepared.
It’s okay, Aunt Sophia! It’s all Uncle Tony’s fault. If he had said so earlier, we could have gone shopping!
Excuse me, I only thought of this in the spur of the moment. Shania, you should compliment me for thinking quickly on my feet instead.
The meat is going to be overcooked,
Dunn reminded him, watching them chatting happily.
Ah… scoop them out, quickly!
Twain almost grabbed the pot without mitts.
What is this?
Next to him, Wood took the colander to block Twain’s hands.
Thank you… It’s twice-cooked pork! Twain used a ladle to fish out the pork from the pot, and then prepared to slice it.
Pork that is cooked twice?
From the name that Twain had said, Wood had a hard time understanding what this dish was.
Um…
Twain did not know how to translate it properly. The name of the Chinese dish had always been a deeply profound question that had always bothered the local
experts.
He recalled how, in order to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games, a series of specially translated names for the dishes was introduced. When he had read the list online, he had burst into laughter. He had not thought he would be in this position now.
Well, it’s a delicious dish, the name is not important. The key is what’s in it …
Hui Guo Rou.
Twain did not know how to say it, but Dunn used Pinyin to read it out.
Having been to China before and eaten this dish, Shania giggled next to them.
After an hour of cooking, the exquisite dishes of different countries were placed on the table. Twain’s twice-cooked meat did not look too presentable. Wood frowned as he looked at the dark substances.
Is it really okay?
Stop talking so much!
Twain admonished him and said,
The food is meant to be eaten, not to be looked at.
Shania was trying so hard not to laugh that her shoulders shook, making Tang En doubt his excuse. Sophie also bowed her head and smiled politely. Only Dunn did not laugh at Twain. He calmly said,
Let Tony have a bite first.
Shania finally could not help herself. She just leaned over the table and laughed loudly.
Seeing that, Twain coughed and raised his glass.
Ahem! Well… Let’s make a toast to our gathering on this wonderful night. Um, come on, raise your glass. Shania, stop laughing! Laugh again, and you won’t have anything to eat!
Shania looked up for her glass. Because she had laughed so much, her face was as rosy as the wine in the glass.
This is so much fun! I’ll come again next Christmas, and we can all spend it together!
She declared loudly.
Oh, it’s so lovely that you all could come.
It was rare for Sophia to have such a joyous occasion. The cold, bleak days of the past were over.
Wood was naturally happy when his mother was happy.
Dunn looked at the glass in his hand; it reflected five smiling faces, including his own. How long has it been since I’ve seen this look on my face?
I agree with Shania. We’ll be together next Christmas!
Twain nodded and said,
Come on…
he raised his glass.
Merry Christmas!
