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In celebration of the joyous relocation and to express gratitude to the villagers who had helped with the construction of his house, Zhu Yongwu invited Jiang Youcheng and Jiang Youfu’s families to prepare a big pot of stew and invited the people of the village to come and eat.
Pork slices, Chinese cabbage, potatoes, golden-brown fried tofu, vermicelli, along with the most abundant and tender garlic shoots of the spring season, were all cooked in a large pot with a bit of lard added for flavor.
The longer the stew simmered, the richer its flavor became, especially when cooked from the morning until noon, where the meaty flavors had permeated every vegetable, making each dish incredibly fragrant.
Such a stew needed at least two bowls to feel truly satisfying.
However, those who came for the meal knew that Zhu Yongwu, as a single father settling in Jiang Family Village, had faced difficulties constructing his house and making donations to the ancestral hall, depleting much of his savings. Therefore, they all scooped once, ensuring not to take too much, and even pushed their bowls aside, saying, “That’s enough, that’s enough. We can’t eat so much, it would be a waste…”
Some felt embarrassed to eat the flatbread from Zhu Yongwu’s family, only bringing their own and soaking it in the flavorful broth, enhancing its taste.
Rural folks were not particular about dining arrangements, whether they sat at a table or stood, or squatted. They gathered in twos and threes, chatting and eating the stew heartily.
Observing this lively scene, Zhu Yongwu’s smile grew even wider.
Clang!
Zhang shi vigorously tossed her ladle into the water barrel, fuming, “This stew smells so fragrant, the aroma has wafted from the village all the way here. How much meat and lard did they put in?”
“Li Zheng even mentioned that Zhu Yongwu and his son are outsiders, unfamiliar with the area. He asked those who could help in the village to assist. What a load of nonsense! They built a three-room house as soon as they arrived. With the amount of oil used in the cooking, it’s clear they’re well off. Why would they need our help?”
“Jiang Youcheng always looks for opportunities outside, partnering with those unknown people for business. Why doesn’t he team up with his own brother for something? He’s just throwing money around outside!”
The more Zhang shi spoke, the angrier she became.
Who wouldn’t be angry? When Zhu Yongwu’s family built their house, it was Jiang Youcheng who coordinated and called for help, gathering several skilled workers in the village, except for their family.
It’s like they’re openly showing contempt for us. Fine, building a house is merely a labor-for-meals job, too tiring and not worth it. If they won’t call on their family, they won’t be called on. When it comes to building and firing the kiln, that’s a legitimate paying job. Since they’re giving away money, why not let their family earn some?
Not only did they not call on them, but when she asked Jiang Chunhe to find Jiang Youcheng to help with the kiln, he was told they had enough help and sent Jiang Chunhe back.
It’s infuriating! Zhang shi was so furious she wanted to smash the wooden bucket in her hand that had just been repaired to pieces!
“Mom, what’s for lunch?” Jiang Chunhe came back with a hoe on his back and shouted as soon as he entered the yard, “Been busy all morning, I’m starving.”
Jiang Chunhe was feeling irritated too.
He suffered greatly when the roof collapsed. His body and face were covered in injuries, his arm was broken, and worst of all, his face was scarred, with a large cut at the corner of his mouth.
After just a few months of recovery, he was back to working in the fields, under close watch to prevent slacking off.
It’s infuriating!
It’s not like he’s the only male in the house; there’s also Jiang Chunbao.
Even if Jiang Chunbao is attending private school, he’s old enough to carry his weight. With so much money spent on him, if he doesn’t work, why should everything fall on the eldest brother’s shoulders?
The thought made Jiang Chunhe anxious, and he tossed the hoe to the side with a loud clang.
Seeing this, Wu shi, fearing that the head of the family who had just entered the yard would be angry, quickly picked it up and quietly told Jiang Chunhe, “Mom said we don’t have to cook.”
“Not cook?” Jiang Chunhe was surprised. “Why?”
Zhang shi approached and handed a bowl to Jiang Chunhe. “Go to Zhu Yongwu’s house and eat. The stew is so fragrant, you can smell it in our yard.”
It sure smelled good. As Jiang Chunhe walked back from the fields, even before reaching the village, he caught a whiff of the rich meaty aroma. It instantly stirred his appetite, making his mouth water uncontrollably.
The more he smelled it, the hungrier he felt. So when he got home, he couldn’t wait to ask about the meal. Their own meals were never extravagant, but they were always satisfying. Even if it was just sweet potato pancakes, the savory aroma of the stew could surely complement it, right?
But now, there was no meal at home, and his mother wanted him to go to Zhu Yongwu’s house to eat the stew.
“Mom, we didn’t help them build their house. Is it appropriate for us to go over there with bowls to eat?” Jiang Chunhe questioned hesitantly.
It didn’t seem quite right.
Wu shi whispered softly.
“What’s not appropriate about it?” Zhang shi glared at Wu shi. “Zhu Yongwu settling in Jiang Family Village is his good fortune. He’s benefited from the entire village. Today, he’s hosting a meal for the village with the stew. It’s his good luck!”
“For us to go eat the stew at his house is a sign of respect for them. Just because we didn’t help build their house, does that mean we can’t go? Is he going to chase us away?”
He definitely won’t chase us away.
After all, they were part of the village community, and even if they felt upset, they wouldn’t do something that looked so bad on the surface.
The key issue, however, was that they hadn’t helped build the house, and going to eat from their warm stove didn’t sit right…
Wu shi felt somewhat embarrassed.
But she was well aware of her mother-in-law’s temperament. Whatever Zhang shi said, as a daughter-in-law, she couldn’t argue back.
Moreover, if they didn’t go to eat, they’d go hungry at lunchtime. While she could bear hunger, she had children to consider…
Wu shi fell silent, withdrawing to the side.
Jiang Chunhe looked at the large bowl in his hand, larger than his face, and hesitantly glanced at Zhang shi. “Mom, I don’t want to go…”
Zhang shi was surprised by Jiang Chunhe’s words, her eyes widening. “Why? You don’t want to eat the stew? We haven’t had much meat lately. Why are you being difficult?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to eat, it’s just…,” Jiang Chunhe looked troubled, “Mom, don’t you think our luck has been a bit off lately?”