Chapter 377: Night Before the Birthday

That night as Adrian and his family were discussing on what they are about to do tomorrow since it is the day that Adrian finally becomes an adult. In society's eyes but not from his mother's eyes because all mothers view their children as babies regardless of their real age.

A private plane arrived at an airport just two hours away from Adrian's house. Out came a lavish looking old man dressed in the finest suits handcrafted by the most expensive Italian Seamstress. This was none other than Adrian's grandfather, Gerard.

He would have arrived early, but he became too busy picking up a present for his grandson's 18th birthday that would be tomorrow. He made sure to pick up souvenirs from the countries that Adrian had already visited once.

He even bought Adrian a gift that is so limited edition that it only had one copy of it in the world. For Gerard, the happiness of his cute grandson that would now learn that he has the most awesome grandfather in the world.

"Bernard, have all the gifts be wrapped before morning tomorrow. Also have the limousine prepared for tomorrow. Has my son booked some sort of theme park or any establishment for the big event tomorrow?" Gerard asked as he wanted to arrive before his grandson leaves his house.

"The sources tell us that no one in the name of Richard Dubois has rented any establishment for this day. It is highly likely that a party would be held at their house due to your daughter-in-law buying party stuff and two carts full of food." Bernard replied.

"I see then that is good. Prepare the gift for my daughter also. Since she is the wife of my son, then that automatically makes her my daughter." Gerard announced as five servants are loading up the gifts in a delivery truck that they already rented beforehand.

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Meanwhile at Adrian's house….

The family is now prepping for their tradition when someone is about to celebrate a birthday the next day and that is making Lumpia of Fried Spring Rolls. It is basically a spring roll that is deep fried in oil and we all know that anything deep fried is bound to be good.

The procedure for making Lumpia is rather quite easy. You must have your preferred choice of ground protein which can be pork, beef or chicken depending on the cook, but Adrian's family always uses ground pork.

Diced carrots, diced bell peppers, diced onion and diced garlic are then added to the ground pork. An egg is then added as a binding agent along with a tablespoon of flour so that the meat juices do not make the rice paper soggy.

Each family has their own recipe on how to tackle Lumpia, but Adrian's family uses five spice, chicken bouillon powder and a sprinkle of sesame oil to make the party snack taste divine. The mixture is then mixed thoroughly until it becomes paste like. Add salt and pepper to adjust the taste after frying some of the meat to test the flavor.

After the meat and vegetable mixture has been adjusted, you then use one spoonful of the meat mixture and put it on the rice paper. You then roll the rice paper until you make the finished version of the spring roll. Deep fry the spring roll until it is golden brown, and the rice paper becomes crispy.

(Author's Note: I became hungry just by writing this. Sorry if you feel the same. Picture of the said party snack: https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/lumpiang-shanghai-4-1.jpg)

"Uhh! My hands have become numb just by rolling this. I may have rolled a fifty of them already." Adrian grumbled but his hands still kept on rolling the Lumpia.

"You always complain about that every time we make this spring rolls. I have rolled doubled the amount you have made, and do you see me complaining?" Mina asked Adrian.

"Its just the process of making them is so labor intensive if it is this much but it is always the first to be cleared on the table. Mom, can you leave some inside the fridge? I want to know that I will still have some left even if I do not eat much during the celebration." Adrian stated.

"I got you my little baby boy. Mother has got you covered. You are not the only one in this family that likes this stuff. Your dad goes crazy for this stuff and always grumbles whenever he gets left with nothing. He basically inhales this stuff even though he is so bad at making this." Maria, Adrian's mother, stated while teasing her husband.

"It is not my fault that these things are too darn good. So, can I already fry some so we can taste them. You know…Quality Control. We ought to check the food before we serve it the guests." Richard stated as his eyes glowed like a hawk upon seeing his rolled spring rolls.

"You better fry the ones you made dad. They do not look ready for the party tomorrow. They look sloppy while mine looks like the ones that you serve in five-star restaurants." Adrian teased. But in reality, he is helping his father get the deed done. Even he wants a taste of this delicious morsel.

"You are right. The ten that I initially rolled looks like someone stepped on them. We should sacrifice this ten in order to see if they taste good." Richard stated with anticipation. He even swallowed a couple of times indicating that he was already salivating.

(Author's note: I am already salivating. Remember to tell me not to write about food on an empty stomach.)

"Just fry the darn things already. We both know that you two are just too eager to eat the spring rolls." Maria stated which made her husband immediately turn on the stove. It seems he has already prepared the oil a bit earlier as if he expected this to happen.

"The oil is not yet in the right temperature, dad. I have seen this on a cooking show that the oil must come to temperature or the skin will not be crispy." Adrian stated.

"Is it the show where the chef is always badmouthing the cooks if they cook it raw." Richard asked with keen interest.

"It seems great mind think alike. I always watch that show because it is interesting. It seems his great grandfather also had that attitude back when he was a chef." Adrian replied.

"Those two are at it again." Mina exhaustedly stated.

"Leave them be. They go crazy about their favorite food." Maria replied with an exhausted smile as she always sees this scene when they make spring rolls.