Chapter 1464 - 554: Shocked Binotto
England isn’t that big, and the racing-related industry cluster is basically concentrated within a 50-kilometer radius of Silverstone Circuit.
So when Binotto came over, he happened to be not far from Qin Miao’s home.
"That’s perfect timing! Mr. Bi, when you’re done, give me a call, and I’ll pick you up to have a meal at my place. Eating here means we don’t have to worry about outsiders disturbing us."
On the other end of the phone, Binotto hesitated: "Wouldn’t it be inconvenient? I remember your daughter just recently was born."
Qin Miao chuckled: "You’re overthinking it, my child and wife are in the country, right now here in Silverstone it’s just me at home."
"If that’s the case, then I’ll come and bother you later. But no need for you to pick me up, just send me your address, and I’ll come over myself once I’m done here."
"Alright, I’ll send you the address shortly."
...
Knowing that Binotto would be coming over, Qin Miao put down the simulator steering wheel in his hand and drove to a nearby supermarket to buy some groceries.
After all, since Qin Miao is inviting someone over for a meal, it’s important to do things properly.
Having stayed abroad for a long time, Qin Miao has met quite a few Italians and has a thorough understanding of their dietary habits.
Some of them eat spicy food, but most don’t like chili peppers. Additionally, most Italians love tomatoes.
So Qin Miao made scrambled eggs with tomatoes and dry-cut tomatoes sprinkled with sugar.
These are unique ways of eating tomatoes from back home.
In addition, Qin Miao made braised beef brisket with potatoes. There’s nothing special about this dish; Qin Miao simply saw it at the market, felt like eating it, and made it.
Lastly, he made egg fried rice.
Four dishes, plus a bottle of wine from Old Man’s Vineyard, and that about sums up the dinner Qin Miao prepared for the evening.
It’s not that Qin Miao couldn’t make more dishes; there’s not enough time, and making too much food just means leftovers.
At half past five in the afternoon, the doorbell rang at Qin Miao’s house.
Qin Miao went to open the door and looked up to see Binotto standing at his doorstep, sporting curly hair and the familiar black-rimmed glasses, smiling warmly at him.
"Long time no see." The moment they met, Binotto gave Qin Miao a hug.
But beyond that, Binotto refrained from doing anything more, as he knew Qin Miao was Chinese, and in China, intimate gestures like cheek kissing are not common.
After hugging Binotto, Qin Miao released him and stepped aside, saying, "It’s not really been that long, not even half a year.
Come on in."
Shortly, Qin Miao invited Binotto into his home.
After changing shoes, and looking at Qin Miao’s place, which wasn’t too big but full of life, Binotto said in surprise, "I thought someone like you, holding two world championship titles, should have a home that..."
Qin Miao laughed: "Are you trying to say my residence doesn’t really match my status? That I should be living in a large flat with a private swimming pool and a view of all the mountains, or in a place with a particularly good environment?
Or perhaps in a large detached villa or an estate?"
Binotto shook his head: "No, I’m just a bit surprised a young person your age is living in a place so... full of life."
Qin Miao looked around his home; it doesn’t really qualify as "full of life," just has quite a bit of decor.
"Actually, it’s all arranged by my wife; I hardly ever set up the home decor myself," Qin Miao shrugged, "but I have to say, I genuinely like this kind of house. It feels safe to live in and doesn’t seem too empty."
Right after Qin Miao finished speaking, there was a sudden "ding" from the kitchen.
Qin Miao said, "It’s early but fortuitous timing; the meal is ready. Just put your briefcase on the shelf by the door and come taste my cooking. We can talk while we eat."
Binotto obliged, curiously inspecting the decor of Qin Miao’s home as he walked to the dining room.
Seeing the table full of food that looked and smelled delicious, Binotto was quite surprised: "I’ve heard from Leclerc and them before that you can cook, but I didn’t pay much attention since there are so many people who can cook, and not everyone can do it well. But seeing this now, my earlier skepticism of Shire does seem misplaced; just from the look of this dinner, I can tell it’ll taste great."
"Glad you like it, want a drink?" Qin Miao asked after preparing, holding out the bottle of wine from Hamilton Vineyard towards Binotto.
Binotto waved his hand and said, "I won’t drink. My doctor recently told me I shouldn’t drink, and I drove here."
"Doctor? Is your health..."
Binotto waved his hand: "It’s nothing major, just age catching up."
Qin Miao nodded and poured Binotto a cup of chrysanthemum tea that he prepared for himself.
"Perfect timing, the meal’s ready, let’s eat."
He called Binotto over, and the two started eating.
After taking a bite of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, Binotto raised his eyebrow and then started nodding.
"How’s the taste?" Qin Miao asked while eating.
But before asking, Qin Miao already knew the answer in his heart.
"Very good, much better than I imagined," Binotto said while chewing the food, giving a thumbs up.