Wang Mei was also very enthusiastic. There was none of the usual friction between sisters-in-law. After all, the two families lived far apart and didn’t share a daily life, sparing them from the common squabbles over trivial matters. Moreover, Da Sheng’s parents were kind people. When the grandparents were alive, they often sent money over. Whenever Sun Youguo’s family faced any hardship, they would extend a helping hand, lending money without hesitation. As a result, their relationship was naturally very good.
"What guests? We’re all family. Don’t talk like strangers," Madam Xie said, rolling up her sleeves and getting to work.
"I have a clumsy way of speaking, I misspoke," Wang Mei quickly admitted.
"Is Da Sheng here too?" she asked.
"Yes, he’s out front chatting with the men," Madam Xie said.
"We really owe Da Sheng a lot. Otherwise, Da Cheng would still be idling away in the countryside," Wang Mei’s gratitude came from the bottom of her heart. "His uncle went all around the neighborhood collecting wild eels just for him. Da Sheng loves to eat them when he visits."
"Indeed, you can’t get those in the city. His uncle is very thoughtful," Madam Xie said with a smile. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novｅlfire.net
"That’s nothing. As long as Da Sheng likes it, we’d pluck the stars from the sky for him."
Her son was able to get back on his feet all thanks to his cousin. To a country woman like her, this was a debt as great as being given a new life. Naturally, she was wholeheartedly devoted to her benefactor.
At lunch, Sun Dasheng could feel the warmth of his uncle’s family. The mountain of food piled in his bowl was clear proof.
"Uncle, Auntie, please eat. Stop piling food into my bowl. I won’t be able to finish all this," Sun Dasheng said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"Eat more. If you can’t finish it, just leave it. It’s fine."
"You can’t easily find a wild catch this fresh in the city. You’re at your uncle’s house, there’s no need to be so polite."
His uncle happily raised his glass to offer a toast.
"It may not be proper for an elder to toast someone younger, but I must toast you today.
"Da Sheng, we owe Da Cheng’s change completely to you. We’ve all seen how much he’s transformed.
"I won’t say any more. Everything is in this drink."
With that, he drained his glass.
"Youguo, what are you doing? You’re going to embarrass the boy," Sun Youzhi chided.
But the beaming smile on his face betrayed his true feelings.
Sun Youguo knew his older brother was only chiding him for show, not truly criticizing him, so he just grinned and said, "It won’t happen again!"
"Da Sheng, you should toast your uncle, too," Sun Youzhi said. "He’s always stayed in the village, so you haven’t spent much time together, but he has been a great asset to the Old Sun family.
"Your grandparents were lucky to have him at home taking care of them. Our side of the family contributed money, but money can’t replace true filial piety.
"I still feel I failed them. On my behalf, toast your uncle and thank him for his years of dedication."
The sincerity in Sun Youzhi’s words was palpable, and Sun Dasheng felt it deeply.
He stood up and raised his glass. "Uncle, you are the hero of our family. This is for you."
After drinking the toast with his nephew, Sun Youguo’s face was flushed, and his eyes had grown a little red.
All his years of silent dedication hadn’t been for nothing. His older brother had never said such sentimental things before, but that didn’t mean he had forgotten everything his younger brother had done. This sudden acknowledgment made it difficult for him to hold back his emotions.
"Today is a day for a happy reunion. Why bring up sad things?" Madam Xie said, quickly changing the subject when she noticed the shift in atmosphere. "That’s the thing about Old Sun, he just has no tact."
"It’s a new year, and both our boys are doing well. We elders should be happy."
"Come on, let’s all raise our glasses. Here’s to the boys having an even better future!"
Wang Mei hurriedly followed her sister-in-law’s lead.
"My sister-in-law is right," Wang Mei chimed in. "All we want is for the children to have good lives. That’s what makes us elders happy."