HLM -Chapter 1264 How Many Newcomers, Really

Wang Bo adjusted the filling, and Father Bo looked on, saying, “Pour a bit more oil. If this has too little fat, it won’t taste right.”

Wang Bo added some olive oil—healthy and it paired well with the sausage flavor.

Mother Bo took out the cleaned sausage casings, ready to stuff them. She said, “Watch carefully. The glutinous rice and pig’s blood should be exactly half and half, evenly mixed. If it’s uneven, it won’t be edible.”

Wang Bo rolled his eyes. “I know. I remember back in middle school, one year my dad was drunk while stuffing rice sausages. After steaming, the rice and blood separated, and the places with just rice were as hard as rocks.”

Father Bo frowned. “Why bring up old stories? I was drunk back then!”

Mother Bo snapped, “You knew you were drunk and still messed it up! The family was struggling back then, and we were finally trying to improve our meals, and you ruined it.”

Father Bo retorted, “Oh, so you’ve never messed up? Two years ago, when Xiao Bo was in elementary school, I told you to fill the casing about eighty percent full, and you stuffed it to the brim. What happened next? When we lifted the lid, it looked like a slaughterhouse in there—bits of casing everywhere, and the rice stuck to the pig blood into a solid mess!”

Wang Bo was startled. “I remember now! I was in fifth grade, right? One time I came home and had a bowl of pig blood rice.”

Mother Bo said nothing, just shot Father Bo a fierce glare.

Father Bo ignored her, stirred the meat mixture, and shook his head. “No, olive oil is too thin. Use lard—pork back fat.”

Wang Bo avoided using back fat because it required heating first, though he admitted that in many Chinese dishes, pork fat adds better flavor.

He went to the kitchen to warm some pork back fat, stirred it in evenly, and Mother Bo began stuffing the sausages.

With so many people to feed, they made a lot—two huge bowls. Wang Bo tried a piece and estimated that just these sausages weighed at least a hundred and eighty pounds.

“That’s plenty,” he said in awe.

Father Bo nodded. “You guys eat a lot. I estimate Atulu could eat five or six pounds by himself. If we made fewer, we’d only get one meal out of it.”

The two of them went to steam the rice sausages. Wang Bo called out to Atulu, “Come over for dinner tonight, and bring the whole crew.”

Atulu was thrilled. “Boss, what delicious thing did you make this time?”

Wang Bo said, “Right, I almost forgot. These are rice sausages with pig blood. Tell them—anyone who doesn’t eat pig blood shouldn’t come.”

Atulu scoffed. “Damn it, these people are spoiled. They won’t eat pig blood? Pig blood is delicious and healthy! Boss, can I bring my wife?”

“Sure, but have her eat some bread first.”

Rice sausages could be eaten straight after steaming, dipped in sauces, or made into soup rice. Wang Bo’s hometown mainly preferred the first two methods; the third is a Korean-style way.

Father Bo and Mother Bo kept the food simple, using minimal seasoning, relying on the flavors of pork, lard, and pig blood to carry the taste.

By dinner, the villa was buzzing. Uncle Bing and his son, Anderson, Atulu and his wife, Kidd and Elizabeth, and others had arrived.

Bowan and Cici arrived last. Cici explained, “Sorry, Patrick’s leg had an issue, so I stayed home to take care of him for a bit.”

Patrick was her pet—a strong Scottish Shepherd.

Wang Bo asked, “Is your child okay?”

Bowan’s face went pale. “Who the hell leaked this secret? Cici, I told you to keep it private. How did it get out?”

The Cowgirl scowled. “Use your brain, you idiot! Boss was talking about Patrick!”

Hearing this, everyone gasped. Cousins groaned, “Damn it, does this mean I have no chance at all? Cici, when did you get pregnant?”

Cici gave a wry smile. “Fine, seems the secret’s out. I only found out recently. Don’t look at me like that—it’s been only ten days!”

Wang Bo said, “That’s a good thing. Why keep it secret?”

Cici sighed. “If you knew the reason, you wouldn’t be happy.”

Wang Bo said, “It’s fine. Just tell us.”

Cici said, “I hate premarital pregnancy. Bowan and I are planning a wedding soon. We wanted to wait to tell you about the baby until after we got married.”

Wang Bo said, “That’s normal. Why would I be unhappy?”

Cici said, “But you and Eva aren’t married yet.”

Wang Bo was indignant. “Who says? Our marriage certificate is already dusty! We’ve long been married!”

Bowan blinked. “Right, marriage certificate… damn, I forgot. As long as you have the certificate, you’re married, wedding ceremony doesn’t matter.”

Cici said, “Then get the certificate tomorrow!”

Suddenly, there were two soon-to-be mothers here.

Wang Bo looked at Charlie. “Your partner isn’t pregnant yet?”

Charlie laughed awkwardly. “Uh, my precautions are always solid.”

Wang Bo said, “Then hurry up. Our three kids will probably be born around the same time. Imagine how interesting that will be!”

Eva added, “Even if the kids aren’t born at the same time, we can have the wedding together, right?”

Kidd chimed in, “If we have a wedding, can we add Elizabeth and me?”

Elizabeth, playing with a puppy, frowned. “When did I agree to marry you?”

Kidd turned, “I can kneel and propose now.”

Uncle Bing and his son cheered, “Propose! Propose! Double-kneel proposal!”

Kidd’s legs were already starting to buckle.

Elizabeth sighed. “You’re such an idiot. Don’t kneel—I’m not falling for that. But a wedding for four people does sound interesting.”

Juan raised his hand. “Don’t forget me. Roselie and I are serious too, and we’re also discussing marriage.”

Hani was ecstatic. “Great! Five couples! I can’t wait to see this!”

Uncle Bing asked, “Do you want to join too? We all know you have a good relationship with Mrs. Vanessa.”

Little Hani looked at his father, eyes wide.

Hani suddenly became flustered. “Don’t say that… don’t say anything.”

Wang Bo snapped his fingers at Little Hani. “You’re almost an adult, buddy. You know what adults do in these situations, right?”

Little Hani lowered his head. “I know. Once I’m grown, it’s not considered running away. If I really go somewhere, he can’t stop me anymore.”