Chapter 57: Hospitality

Zhang Lan felt a bit proud of the praise for her children, but she had to maintain a humble demeanor. Wang Qian watched her mother’s awkward expression and found it amusing.

As it was approaching noon, Wang Qian went inside to start a fire. She wasn’t skilled at cooking, but she could help out a little. Zhang Lan had already plucked the wild chicken early in the morning and washed the seafood. By the time the women stopped working and came to help with the cooking, it was almost time for lunch. Cooking with just one pot was not enough, but Zhu Qiyu didn’t show up at all.

An older woman who came to help suggested, “Zhang Lan, why don’t you cook here, and use our big pot to make pancakes and soup? We have two stoves, so it won’t affect our cooking.”

Zhang Lan had no choice but to trouble the older woman. After preparing the cornmeal, she carried it over in a basin. “Auntie, why don’t you let Uncle and the children come over to eat? It’ll be livelier with more people.”

The old lady smiled and said, “Zhang Lan, I appreciate your kindness, but I know your family’s situation. Don’t worry about making it lively. When your family is better off, you won’t need to invite us. We won’t be polite either. Hurry back and prepare a few dishes. I’ll take care of things here.”

The old lady sent Zhang Lan back, knowing that their family was busy that day, so she didn’t want to delay them.

Meanwhile, the men had finished digging the foundation trench and were laying the foundation stones. Wang Zhenhe glanced at the sun’s height and realized it was almost noon. He figured everyone would be hungry by now.

“Let’s take a break, brothers. We’ll go back for lunch later,” he said. The men who came to help were mostly relatives or good people from the village, and they didn’t slack off while working. They treated the work as if it were their own.

“Zhenhe, at this rate, your house will be up in no time,” his cousin Wang Zhenli remarked.

His cousin’s other brother, Wang Zhenyi, added, “Younger brother, you’ll soon have a house. Look around, who else is living in huts? Your family is doing well. The children won’t suffer in the summer.”

The eldest brother, Wang Zhenhai, looked at the sky and suggested, “Younger brother, should we go back for lunch? Everyone’s hungry, and it’s better to eat early and get back to work.”

Wang Zhenhe nodded with a smile. “Let’s all go and have lunch. Today, you’ll get to taste my wife’s cooking. We don’t usually get a chance to treat everyone to a meal. It’s a good opportunity for us brothers to eat together. If the food isn’t good, I hope you’ll bear with us.”

Wang Zhenhe wasn’t sure how the food at home would turn out, but he felt uneasy about not being able to offer the best to his guests. However, given his family’s circumstances, he had no choice.

“Brother, there’s no need to be polite. We’re all from the same village. We know what your family is like. As long as you and your wife are doing your best to feed us, we won’t ask for more. Everyone agrees, right?” Teng Yongfa said as he walked.

“Yes, Zhenhe, we don’t ask for much, as long as we’re full,” the others chimed in.

Xiaoxiang and Mingcheng returned from school, sweating profusely. They happened to see Teng Yongfa and Wang Zhenhe together. “Dad, aren’t you coming home for lunch?” Xiaoxiang asked.

Teng Yongfa wiped the sweat off his son and said, “No, I’m eating at Mingcheng’s house. You go back and have your meal. Later, you can go to school with Mingcheng. Study hard. Your father can barely read. You have to make me proud.”

Teng Yunxiang made a face at his father and ran into the yard. Mingcheng and his younger siblings followed Wang Zhenhe back home. (Teng Yunxiang is the real name, “xiaoxiang is his nickname)

Knowing that there were helpers at home that day, the children had also collected some dry branches to use as fuel.

Teng Yongfa expressed some envy. “Zhenhe, your children are so thoughtful. Even after school, they’re collecting firewood for the house. It’s not the same with our child. I wish he could be as considerate as yours.”

The children of the Wang family made the helpers envious. “Your children are all good. Children will grow up and become sensible. Although  sometimes, it’s also good for children to be children,” one of the helpers remarked.

Although Wang Zhenhe was pleased with his children’s intelligence and thoughtfulness, he also felt a pang of sadness. Their early maturity was a result of their family’s circumstances, and it made him feel that they were being forced to grow up too soon. It was a form of parental neglect, in a way.

As they chatted, the group soon arrived home. The men could smell the delicious aroma from a distance, a mix of meat and the fresh scent of seafood. “Zhenhe, what’s cooking at your place? It smells so good. I’m sure your wife’s cooking is excellent,” someone remarked.

As everyone gathered in the small house, the tantalizing aroma in the air made even the men salivate.

“Wife, is the food ready? Everyone is hungry. By the way, Dad and Xiaodi haven’t returned from laying bricks. Remember to save some for them,” Wang Zhenhe said. (Xiaodi means Younger Brother)

When they entered the room, they saw that the food was already laid out on the kang, and it not only included meat but also seafood. The men started joking around, “Brother, this isn’t just an ordinary meal. Even at a wedding banquet, the food isn’t as good as yours.”

 Teng Yongfa laughed and said, “Old Wang, your food is exceptional. I can tell that in the future, if you need help, just call out. With food like this, everyone will be fighting to help you. It might even lead to some headbutting.”

The men ate heartily, as they planned to continue working after lunch. Zhang Lan borrowed an extra table from her older aunt to host the women who had come to help. The children squatted by the stove to eat, but the women insisted that they join them at the table.

“Grandma, Second Grandma, please eat. We’re fine eating here. We have to go to school later,” Zhang Lan’s children said, declining the offer to sit at the table.

“Let’s all eat together. It’s rare for us to gather and share a meal. After the house is built, I’ll invite everyone to have a meal in the new house,” Zhang Lan said with a smile.

Wang Zhi, who hadn’t been seen all day, suddenly appeared during the meal, holding a pair of chopsticks and a bowl.

“Sister-in-law, I’m here to join in the fun. I hope you don’t mind,” she said. Although the others had reservations about her, they managed to maintain a polite demeanor. “Sister-in-law, please sit down and eat,” Zhang Lan warmly invited her to sit.

As everyone started eating, they couldn’t help but praise the delicious meal that Zhang Lan had prepared. Although they were helping out for free, in a village, everyone had their own share of big events and small matters. Today, you help me, and tomorrow, it might be the other way around. Mutual assistance not only created a lively atmosphere but also fostered neighborly goodwill.

The sight of Wang Zhi’s behavior startled the people at the table. Her eating habits didn’t seem fitting for a young lady. She filled her plate with chicken without considering whether others had eaten, and she continued to add more to her bowl.

While others remained silent, Han Cui couldn’t overlook it. “Younger sister, what are you doing? If you want to eat, just eat. Why are you hoarding the food?” Han Cui had hoped to save some food to take home for her children, but seeing her younger sister’s actions dashed her hopes.

Wang Zhi didn’t even look up, continuing to pick at the food on the table. “Second sister-in-law, I’m saving this for our mother. I hope you don’t mind,” she said.

Han Cui pursed her lips and replied, “Younger sister, we have no objections to you saving it for our mother. It’s important to respect our elders. I wouldn’t dare to object.”

Han Cui was too tired to engage with someone so foolish. No one at the table paid any attention to Wang Zhi’s rude behavior. When they finished eating and their bowls were full, Wang Zhi got up and left without helping to clean up.

Wang Qian watched and thought to herself that her younger aunt might not be as clever as she thought. At most, she was just trying to be clever. If word got out that she was lazy and didn’t help out, she wondered if any man would want to marry her in the future.

“Mom, we’re done. I’ll take my siblings to school now,” Mingcheng said as he led his younger siblings out, leaving Wang Qian alone at home. After everyone finished eating and was preparing to clean up, Wang Deshan and his son hurriedly returned.

The old man was covered in dust, likely from carrying bricks. Zhang Lan quickly brought water for him to wash up, while Wang Zenguo was completely clean, not looking like he had been working at all.

“Dad, you must be tired today. Go and have your meal,” Zhang Lan said as she set aside the food she had saved for the two of them on the kang table.

Wang Qian helped wash the dishes and then went to loosen up.

“Uncle, are you tired today?” she asked as she handed him the chopsticks.

“Not at all. I was just watching the cart,” he replied.

Mother and daughter finally understood why the old man was covered in dirt while his son was clean. It was clear that he was a good son. Even Zhang Lan shook her head in resignation.

At the dining table, Wang Zenguo’s eating habits were no different from Wang Zhi’s. Several women who were helping to clean up couldn’t help but shake their heads as they continued their work. Meanwhile, the men had already started working outside.

After picking the chicken clean from his plate, Wang Zenguo called out, “Sister-in-law, is there any more meat? It’s not enough.”

The old man, looking at his irresponsible son, tapped him with the chopsticks. “You brat, your third brother’s family is already treating us with chicken. If there’s no meat, eat the other dishes. There’s salted fish and soup. It will definitely fill you up,” the old man muttered, feeling frustrated with his son’s lack of restrain and ambition.

The third son and his wife were already doing their best. The meal they provided that day was already quite good. Seeing his youngest son being so picky made him very displeased.

“Quickly eat. What’s the problem? Just eat your meal. One person eating for two will soon turn you into a glutton,” Wang Deshan scolded. However, Wang Zenguo didn’t take the reprimand seriously. He continued to eat as he pleased, picking out the best parts and leaving the rest for his father. After finishing his meal, he left, as the bricks had already been laid, and there was nothing else for him to do.

Wang Qian observed carefully and thought to herself that if she had a son like him, she would have beaten him to death. He was so picky, and no girl would want to marry him if he continued to behave this way.