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“Besides, Third Brother, stop bringing up my studies. Didn’t Mom and Dad let you study? You just couldn’t get into it. You were either second to last or last!” Wang Yue said. “Oh, right, you were second to last because the last-place student was absent. Otherwise, your academic performance was quite stable!” Li Xingguo added.
Wang Yue’s lips curled into a dismissive smile. So stupid, yet he always criticizes others! Li Xing’an’s face flushed crimson under his Older Brother’s words. “But I didn’t cost the family any money!” “You’d have to pass the exams to cost the family money!” Wang Yue didn’t bother arguing with him.
“Grandpa and Grandma, what do you want to eat tonight?” The focus now was on the elders when Wang Yu suddenly asked. Wang Yue felt relieved when she heard that because didn’t want to deal with her annoying brother-in-law. If it weren’t for the elders, she wouldn’t even let him in the door!
The Old Man smacked his lips. “How about we go eat hot pot? I heard from an old man in the courtyard that it’s incredibly fragrant. I’ve never had it in my life!” Wang Yu forcefully smiled and thought Old man, do you know how much hot pot costs? You just open your mouth to eat, as if your going to ascend to heaven after eating!
In her heart, she cursed the old man to the deepest levels of hell, but her face shifted between white and red. “Grandpa, if you want to eat it, we’ll go!” Wang Yu squeezed these words out through gritted teeth.
“I knew my eldest granddaughter-in-law is the best! We’re really enjoying ourselves! I’ll have plenty to brag about when we get back!” The Old Man grinned, showing his few remaining teeth, not forgetting to provide emotional value to this proud peacock.
Wang Yu gritted her teeth and glared fiercely at Li Xingguo. Li Xingguo smiled, comforting his wife. When Li Xing’an heard about hot pot, his eyes lit up. He had never eaten it before. He Meina had hinted several times that the mutton there was delicious! Unfortunately, he was strapped for cash and couldn’t afford it.
The Old woman heard they were going out to eat and quickly hobbled into the room, putting on a thick padded coat. She also helped the Old Man put on his padded coat and shoes. Li Xingguo and his wife had just entered the room, their clothes still not off, when they immediately left.
Li Xing’an followed close behind them downstairs. Wang Yu pulled Li Xingguo’s arm and gave him a wink. Li Xingguo glanced at Li Xing’an, who was eagerly following them behind, and nodded.
They left the family courtyard and prepared to take the bus. Li Xingguo said to Li Xing’an, “Third Brother, you go back. It’ll be dark soon, and the road will be difficult to walk.”
Li Xing’an was stunned. “Big Brother, I’m not going back. I’ll go with you!” Wang Yue rolled her eyes. “Third Brother, don’t come. Go home quickly. Mom and Dad should be off work by now. You’re not a child anymore. Help out with some housework.”
“I can do chores anytime. My top priority today is to keep Grandpa and Grandma company.” Li Xing’an saw that his Old Brother and Sister-in-law didn’t want to take him to eat hot pot. But it was hot pot! No matter what, he had to eat it today. He had never eaten it in his life.
“Grandpa and Grandma don’t need you. Your Big Sister-in-law and I will keep them company! You go home and eat,” Li Xingguo refused again. “Keeping Grandpa and Grandma company is more important than going home,” Li Xing’an shamelessly snuggled up to Old Master Zhao.
Wang Yu ground her teeth. “Third Brother, are you going to treat Grandpa and Grandma to hot pot?” “You’re joking. I don’t have the money! I’m relying on you and Big Brother!” Li Xing’an shamelessly replied.
Wang Yu angrily glared at her shameless third brother-in-law. If he insisted on going today, then no one would go. Li Xingguo pushed his glasses up. “Third Brother, don’t be so stubborn. Go home quickly. When you have money, you can come keep Grandpa and Grandma company!”
“No, if you don’t take me today, then neither of you go,” Li Xing’an was determined to follow. The Old Man heard they weren’t going and wasn’t happy.
“Third Brother, you ate a large bowl of noodles and six eggs at your Big Brother’s place this afternoon. You’re still full, aren’t you? Don’t make trouble. Go home quickly!” Wang Yue heard he ate six of her eggs and stared at Li Xing’an with venomous eyes.
Li Xingguo’s expression also darkened. Who eats six eggs in one meal?! He’s treating them like fools! “You’ve already eaten so much, don’t follow us!” The Old Woman was also afraid that Li Xing’an would ruin their hot pot dinner and quickly urged him to go back.
“That was this afternoon. I’m hungry now!” Li Xing’an refused to give up. “Get lost! You’re ruining my meal; I’ll beat you to death!” The Old Man glared with wide eyes. His grandson had become so thick-skinned, he had to drive him away before this meal turned sour!
It was hard-earned money for his eldest grandson and that peacock! Once they passed this village, there would be no more hot pot! Li Xing’an looked at the Old Man with a pitiful expression. “Grandpa, I want to eat hot pot too!”
“If you want to eat, earn it yourself! Why are you crying poor in front of us? Your Big Brother is supposed to honor us; have you ever heard that you need to honor your brother too?” The Old Man’s face was fierce. Li Xing’an shrank back. “Big Brother, you’re just one mouthful away from sharing with your brother!”
“You’ve already eaten six eggs and a large bowl of noodles; what more do you want?” Li Xingguo frowned. “I want to eat hot pot!” Li Xing’an stubbornly said.
“Go home! No one is eating!” Wang Yu was getting angry. She was already worried about the money and didn’t want to go, and now with Li Xing’an causing trouble, she was even less inclined to go.
“You little brat, if you ruin my hot pot meal, I’ll have your father break your legs! Get lost!” The Old Man was really getting angry. Li Xing’an’s eyes turned red. “Grandpa, I’ve never eaten hot pot before. Can’t I just go with you once?”
“If you want to eat, earn it yourself! Stop trying to take advantage of us! You’re a grown man, don’t you have any shame? Let’s go, ignore him! Don’t follow us!” The Old Man warned Li Xing’an once more.
Li Xing’an watched the four figures get further away in the cold wind, no one even glancing back at him. A tear rolled down his cheek. He had never felt so frustrated. Although his family didn’t often eat meat, whenever they did, it was always focused on him. His parents had never treated him this way.
They say that grandparents dote on their grandchildren, but he couldn’t see even a hint of that with his grandparents. Seeing Li Xing’an didn’t follow, The Old Man finally felt relieved. That brat almost made him miss out on hot pot!
In a few days, his eldest granddaughter-in-law would notice they hadn’t returned and would be furious if they had gone out for hot pot. She might even sweep them out the door! After a few bus stops, they arrived at the hot pot restaurant.
This hot pot restaurant had been around for over a hundred years and had never gone under, even during the country’s most difficult times. The restaurant was bustling with people, including many foreigners.
It was the first time for the Old Man and Old Woman to dine at such a nice restaurant, and their eyes were wide with amazement! Seeing foreigners was even more fascinating; those foreigners looked completely different from them!
They had to see it well; they could brag about it when they got back to the village! Li Xingguo and Wang Yu had only been here once last year for their wedding anniversary. The prices here were high, and their salaries didn’t allow for frequent visits.
The waiter led them to their seats and handed the menu to the Old Man, who looked like the elder. The waiter naturally passed the menu to him.
“Grandpa, let me order!” Li Xingguo reached out to take the menu. “I’ll take a look first; I can read!” The Old Man said as he looked at the menu, plates of meat made his mouth water uncontrollably.
“This one, this one, and this one too, and this.” The Old Man pointed at the dishes on the menu while the waiter took notes.
Wang Yu kicked Li Xingguo under the table. And thought How much was this going to cost? A plate of meat here could cost seven or eight yuan! The old man had already ordered over ten dishes! Wang Yu thought they should just order a couple of plates of meat, then get some vegetables, tofu, and vermicelli for a simple meal.