Chapter 70: Daydreaming

The Qiao family’s housewarming feast had two tables.

One set of tables and chairs was borrowed from the Gao family.

The food was good fish, meat, tofu, and eggs.

The village secretary brought his two grandsons, Qiao Jincheng brought a child, Liu Haimou brought his youngest son, and Aunt Niu brought a child all boys.

Times were hard; although people weren’t starving, meat was a luxury.

Gifts in Gaoshi Village weren’t extravagant.  Even for someone as well-off as the village secretary, it was usually just 80 or 100 cents.

Aunt Niu, whose best friend was Yang Mei, the biological mother of Qiao Youfu’s brothers, only brought 20 eggs, which was considered a generous gift.

The Gao family brought produce from their fields a pumpkin, some eggplants, and vegetables.

People didn’t bring their whole families to feasts.  Usually, one representative would attend.

The worst-case scenario was still some meat.  Elders often brought a favorite grandchild, who would stand by and eat without taking a seat.

“Village secretary, Uncle, come in,” Qiao Youcai greeted them with a smile.

Aunt Niu helped serve the food, her voice booming, “Daya cooked today’s dishes.  She’s a great cook, almost as good as a master chef!”

The children followed their elders, their eyes fixed on the food, swallowing their saliva.

Qiao Youfu brought out a bottle of local bottled baijiu.

This baijiu cost 1.75 kuai a bottle.  For a farming family, this was a high-class and prestigious drink to offer guests.

The village secretary, Old Man Cheng, and others’ eyes lit up when they saw the baijiu.

The food was served, and everyone sat down. Qiao Jiangxin told the children to get bowls and serve themselves, taking a bowl of specially reserved dishes to Liu Xinyan.

Qiao Jincheng looked around and asked Qiao Youcai, “Didn’t you call your father?”

In the older generation’s eyes, regardless of their conflicts, they were still a family.  Elders should be present at such important events.

Before Qiao Youcai could answer, Qiao Jiangxin replied, “Uncle, you’re asking about Grandpa? Shouldn’t a biological son come to his son’s housewarming party?

Besides, we moved from our old house. Don’t they know?

If Grandpa didn’t come, he didn’t want to. Grandpa and Grandma weren’t happy about us building the house.  If they don’t want to come, why should we make them uncomfortable?”

Aunt Niu served her grandson food, saying to Qiao Jincheng, “It’s best to separate if you can’t get along.  What’s happened?  Are you expecting filial piety from them?

Didn’t Lei Honghua bury things in the foundation?  She almost…”

Aunt Niu stopped short, but everyone understood.

“Since you’ve separated, live your own lives. If they can’t move later, you can give Jianhua and Jianguo some grain each month.

Don’t get involved otherwise.”

Aunt Niu gave her grandson’s bowl to the waiting child and continued, “You don’t need to invite them. I guarantee that if Youfu’s brothers invite them, Lei Honghua will act up again.

She’ll always try to control you and run the household.

Who here was invited by Youfu and Youcai?”

Didn’t everyone come willingly? Even outsiders know to come to a housewarming party.  They’re the elders; why would you need to invite them?

After what Lei Honghua did, even if she came, she’d be thrown out!”

Qiao Jiangxin wanted to hug Aunt Niu.  These words perfectly expressed the Qiao family’s feelings.

Aunt Niu had said what the Qiao family couldn’t.

The village secretary and Qiao Jincheng remained silent.

Liu Haimou quickly smoothed things over, “Let’s eat!”

Before Qiao Jiangxin entered, the dog heard the noise and ran out.

Liu Xinyan came out to receive the food, “You’re so busy, and you still thought of me.  Great! I don’t have to cook.”

Gu Yunzhou was studying a blueprint at the table.

Qiao Jiangxin knelt down to pet the golden retriever, “Lick-dog, don’t worry. I’ll bring you bones later.”

Gu Yunzhou looked up at Qiao Jiangxin, his voice gentle, “It has a name. It’s called Xiaoyu.”

Gu Yunzhou raised his hand, “Xiaoyu, come here.”

The golden retriever trotted over.

This was the first time Qiao Jiangxin heard Gu Yunzhou speak. He was thin, pale, and his lips were pale.

“Xiaoyu? Like the small fish you eat?”

Gu Yunzhou looked away from Xiaoyu, not answering, but saying, “Thank you for the food.”

Qiao Jiangxin replied politely, “You’re welcome.”

She waved to Xiaoyu, “Lick-dog, go!”

Turning around, she muttered, “Why would you name a dog Xiaoyu?”

Gu Yunzhou paused petting the dog. He also thought Xiaoyu wasn’t a good name, but the dog was already called Xiaoyu when he got it.

Meanwhile, Lei Honghua wasn’t cooking; she was waiting for Qiao Youfu’s brothers to invite them.

It was almost lunchtime, but there was no sign of them.

Qiao Jiuwang lost his patience and yelled at Lei Honghua, “What are you still doing? Aren’t you hungry?”

Lei Honghua’s face was also unhappy.  She looked towards the door.  She and Qiao Jiuwang were elders, after all.

Even if they didn’t come to invite them, they should at least bring a dish, right?

For a housewarming party, this was disrespectful.

“We’ll cook later. You won’t starve,” Lei Honghua retorted.

Qiao Jianguo was already hungry. Hearing his mother, he yelled, “I’m hungry!  Are you waiting for those ingrates to invite you to eat?

Don’t be ridiculous!  They wouldn’t invite you; you’d rather they eat shit.

Hurry up and cook! Stop daydreaming! You’ve forgotten what happened!”

Qiao Jiuwang was furious, “Shut your mouth!”

Qiao Jianguo fell silent but muttered, “Fine.  You don’t want to be reminded of what happened. You’re waiting for them to invite you to eat! Why don’t you ask Third Uncle?

You’re the elder; you’re Third Uncle’s older brother.

Go to his house and see if he’ll beat you up.”