Chapter 49: A Grand Welcome

The Qi family lived not far from Second Uncle Gu’s house. Not long after, a man’s voice could be heard from the outer room, “Old Gu, I heard you want to treat me to some drinks? What’s the occasion—why are you so happy today? It’s neither festival nor holiday, what made you think of drinking?”

Qi Changwen strode in and saw Gu Chengyong and his family. “So it’s Dayong here! I was wondering why your second uncle would so generously invite me for drinks. Turns out I’m benefiting from Dayong’s return.” Qi Changwen was on close terms with Second Uncle Gu and made his jest intentionally, “Old Gu, you miser, if not for your beloved nephew’s return, you’d never be so lavish as to treat me!”

Gu Chengyong quickly stood up. “Uncle Qi, I’ve just returned today and haven’t had time to visit your home yet.”

Qi Changwen waved his hand. “No matter. You’ve just come back, and everyone’s busy. Whenever you have time, just drop by my house for a chat.” As he spoke, Qi Changwen sat comfortably on the kang, acting as if he were at home.

Gu Chengyong had his wife and children greet Qi Changwen, and then Second Uncle Gu spoke, “Old Qi, you see those two—the mother and child are Dayong’s wife’s cousin and her son. This eldest niece from the Miao family is extraordinary, she’s a physician. They want to settle in our village, staying in my old house. We asked you over to discuss letting them stay.”

Qi Changwen, upon hearing that Miao Suwen was a physician, glanced at her several times. Seeing her gentle and serene manner, he nodded approvingly, “That’s wonderful. Around here, aside from the town, there’s no physician, and often you can’t even find one. If the eldest niece is willing to stay, everyone would be delighted. It’s no big deal, especially with Old Brother Gu as a guarantor. What’s there to worry about?”

Thus, matters concerning Miao Suwen and her son were resolved easily. Everyone was pleased, sitting together, chatting and laughing as time slipped by.

Qi Changwen and Second Uncle Gu then inquired about the reason for Dayong’s return. Gu Chengyong couldn’t mention Wen Tao, so he simply said he’d clashed with some people above and was squeezed out. Besides, after years away from home, he missed his family, so he brought them back, fulfilling the saying of fallen leaves returning to their roots.

“That’s right, Dayong. No matter what, a person must return to their homeland. It’s hard to leave your native soil, not something easily abandoned. Dayong, you’ve gained much experience over the years—well done. Staying in the village to farm isn’t bad either. Our village, with its clear mountains and waters, is a fine place to retire,” Qi Changwen said, nodding.

Even though Qi Changwen had heard some rumors, he was not one for idle gossip like some women. Whether Gu Chengyong had fared well or ill outside was none of anyone’s concern. As long as he didn’t cause trouble in the village, everything would be fine.

Everyone enjoyed their lively conversation, and time passed quickly. Unbeknownst to them, the food in the kitchen was ready. Madam Huang led her three daughters-in-law to set the tables, bringing out dishes one by one.

“Oh my, Old Gu, this is a grand feast! You’ve stewed chicken, and there’s so much meat—goodness, you truly went all out for your nephew,” Qi Changwen remarked upon seeing the spread.

On the table were stewed chicken with mushrooms, pork with vermicelli, meat stir-fried with black fungus, pork with dried string beans, scrambled eggs, and celery salad—six dishes in all, most generously portioned with meat. Clearly, the pork Chengyong brought was nearly all used.

Jiaoyan glanced at the dishes and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. This second grandmother’s way of living was entirely different from her own grandmother’s. On their first day returning, her family’s dishes had been so meager, as if loath to let anyone eat. The plates were shallow, gone in a few bites, and despite Father bringing home plenty of meat and cooked food, Grandmother didn’t want to share, storing it all away.

Look at Second Grandmother—not only did she use most of the meat Father sent, but also slaughtered a chicken. Even the scrambled eggs were served in a larger plate, heaped full.

People really are different, Jiaoyan thought. No wonder Father insisted on visiting Second Grandfather; clearly, their relationship was good.

Madam Huang, with her daughters-in-law, finished setting the food, and everyone sat down to eat. Second Uncle Gu had three sons and one daughter—the daughter, Gu Xiuying, was married and living in the county. The sons were Gu Chengjia, Gu Chengxiang, and Gu Chengde. Gu Chengjia had two sons and a daughter; Gu Chengxiang likewise, and Gu Chengde had two sons. Altogether, fifteen family members—a sizable household.

With Gu Chengyong’s family and Qi Changwen included, three tables were set in the house. Everyone gathered round, chatting and laughing as they began to eat. Gu Chengyong and Qi Changwen took their seats on the kang. Second Uncle Gu had his son open the wine Chengyong brought, and the men toasted and drank heartily.

Madam Huang and her daughters-in-law dined with Madam Feng and Miao Suwen. Huang was all smiles, constantly serving Feng and Miao. “It’s just early spring, there’s not much to eat. Nephew’s wife and eldest niece, make do for today. When summer comes and the garden is full, Auntie will cook something delicious and invite you over again.”

Feng smiled, “Second Aunt, if your cooking isn’t considered good, whose is? Honestly, you shouldn’t have slaughtered a chicken; keeping it for eggs would be better. It’s a shame to kill it.”

Huang waved her hand, “Oh, it’s nothing. We raise forty or fifty chickens; eating one or two is no big deal. Now that you’ve returned, never mind chickens—even pork would be fine.”

Jiaoyan was amused by Huang’s words and couldn’t hold back a laugh. Huang glanced at her and praised, “This girl is so pretty. Look at those dimples when she smiles—so lovely. Nephew’s wife is beautiful, and each child is more precious than the last.”

“Mother, you don’t know—when I met this little one on the road today, she was so sweet and well-spoken. Second Cousin has raised some wonderful children. Just look at them, they have the bearing of city gentry, not at all like village kids,” said Liu, Chengxiang’s wife—the woman Jiaoyan and her siblings had met earlier.

“Second Sister-in-law is right. Cousin’s children truly are different; even their table manners aren’t like our rough boys,” added Zhao, Chengde’s wife.

With everyone praising the children, Madam Feng became embarrassed. “You flatter them; they’re just children, nothing special.”

The atmosphere at the table was warm. Second Uncle Gu’s children ate neatly, not picky, taking only what was before them. Wenxiu and his siblings ate heartily—the dishes suited their tastes, not too salty, so the children ate plenty.

Jiaoyan found it odd—why was Second Grandmother’s food normal, while Grandmother’s was so salty? Both were Gu family, yet the difference was striking.

Madam Huang, seeing the children eat happily, smiled, “I love seeing the children so lively and healthy. Look at them—so robust and genuine.” As she spoke, she served Feng and Miao more food.

“You’ve come from the south, so you prefer lighter flavors. Our family does too. Today, I used even less salt, guessing it’d suit you. Seeing the children, I think I got it right. As for your mother-in-law, I can’t say a word about her. The tastier the food, the more salt she dumps in, as if she wants everyone to take one bite and stop.”

“Doesn’t she know salt costs money? I really don’t understand her thinking. Nephew’s wife, just bring the children here for meals; I doubt they’ll get used to the food over there,” said Huang, understanding well after years as sisters-in-law with Li.

“When I had my third child, your mother-in-law helped during my confinement. She put so much salt in the pig’s feet and chicken soup. How could I eat salty food while recovering? As a result, I barely got a bite.”

“If not for my own mother noticing and scolding her, forbidding her from handling my meals, who knows what would’ve happened. When I had my daughter, my sisters came to help, and they didn’t dare let her near the kitchen.”

Huang was talkative; once she started, she didn’t stop. “Not just me—your other sisters-in-law suffered too. Their families sent food to help with milk, and she’d dump in salt, so the new mothers couldn’t eat it, and took it for her husband and daughter.”

With Huang’s words, everyone understood why the sisters-in-law were at odds from the start. Jiaoyan shook her head—a stepmother like Li was truly something else. What trouble would arise now that they’d returned?

Feng, hearing all this and recalling what she’d seen and heard at the Gu household, felt even more apprehensive.

Just then, Madam Huang leaned close and whispered, “I heard you brought back quite a lot. Keep your trunks locked. That mother-in-law loves rummaging through her daughters-in-law’s things. If she sees anything good, she’ll find a way to take it. You’ve just returned—I fear you might suffer. Remember this.”