Amidst the lively laughter, Shuzhen walked into the room with a smile: "Come on, come on, set the table and get the bowls. Let’s eat and chat!"
Upon hearing this, Lianshan, Lian En, Chenchen, and Lian Xi quickly moved into action.
Some grabbed the tables, while others brought over the stools.
They moved with efficiency and coordination, so much so that anyone could see at a glance that none were novices.
Watching this, Wu Liguo was astounded: "It’s been years since I’ve seen you, and niece-in-law Lianshan, you’ve not only remained as diligent as ever but also taught Lian En and the others to be hardworking too!"
Often teased for always hovering around the kitchen for his wife, Lianshan replied calmly with a smile: "Uncle Wu praises us, the kids are just dutiful and particularly considerate of Shuzhen’s hard work both at home and work. Not only can Lian En and the others handle simple chores, but the Liu brothers, Liu Wu, and his siblings, also aren’t too shabby. Especially my eldest nephew, he’s not only handy with setting tables and washing dishes, but he’s also quite impressive in the kitchen!"
Originally intending to tease him a bit about how a real man shouldn’t always be confined to the kitchen, Wu Liguo quickly and naturally changed his tone: "Really, my grandson is that capable? Impressive, he’s a good kid, both successful and filial."
Embarrassed by the compliment, Liu Wu laughed: "It’s just cooking porridge, stewing rice, mixing some salad, frying some vegetables—hardly worth calling culinary skills. It’s just my uncle complimenting me. You shouldn’t believe it, Grandpa. Otherwise, when I cook later, you’ll see my actual level. Compared to my mom and aunt, I’m really far behind."
"You’re really modest, child. That’s already quite good! For a young man to have such filial piety is truly commendable." After all, the kitchen isn’t a man’s battlefield.
Wu Liguo complained silently in his heart, but considering his son-in-law’s good habit of occasionally cooking for his daughter, he refrained from voicing it.
But words unspoken don’t mean intentions aren’t clear, do they?
The older gentleman, having lived through past eras, still holds somewhat traditional views.
In his eyes, men should provide and create good living conditions for their wives and children, while women should manage the household and take care of everyone, which is the normal mode of a good marriage.
Of course, if a son-in-law can actively help with household chores while carrying family responsibilities,
As a father-in-law, he would be pleased to see it.
Over the years, Wu Liguo has grown quite accustomed to his father-in-law’s double standards.
A beloved, talented daughter married to a rural divorced man?
It’s like casting pearls before swine, but since she accepted him as her son-in-law, Liu Shouren is exceedingly grateful for his father-in-law’s tolerance.
After all, he is now a father to a daughter himself.
At least when lying awake at night, thinking about it, he realizes he could never be as open-minded and forgiving as his father-in-law.
If his precious daughter absolutely had to marry someone, he’d certainly be picky, like conducting a beauty pageant with a long list of criteria and requirements, sticking to the principle of quality over quantity.
Of course, Liu Shouren, lost in thought, didn’t realize there’s such a saying as: ’A grown daughter eventually goes her own way!’
A daughter’s affections are never determined by her father’s perspective.
There were a total of thirty-six people, young and old.
In the living room, there were two round tables, each seating ten. Wu Liguo, Old Yang, Feng Ju, the Liu brothers, the Lian brothers, Ning Jianshe, along with two guards accompanying Wu Liguo, sat at one table.
Shuzhen, along with her sisters and sister-in-law, plus Jiajia, Xinzhi, Xinyue, Xinqing, and the little baby, took the other table.
The remaining group of young boys was in Shuzhen and Lianshan’s bedroom, where two kang tables were set up side by side.
The larger one-meter-square kang tables combined easily accommodated all sixteen of the boys.
Before she even needed to instruct, Lian En and Chenchen in unison told her to quickly go eat, assuring her that they could add dishes and look after the little ones.
Their thoughtfulness was truly enviable to Lian Yue: "Saozi really knows how to educate children, seeing how accomplished and filial Lian En and Chenchen are, it makes one envious."
"Indeed, they are all outstanding in both character and learning. It makes one too envious to even feel competitive envy," Qiu Fang added with a smile, offering repeated compliments.
"I know you’re modest, but excessive modesty is arrogance!
You can’t do that; obviously, Ningning, Kangkang, Xiao’an, Jiezi, Jiajia, and Xiao Rui are all smart and lovable.
Yet you mothers humble yourselves unduly, just showering our playful monkeys with constant praise.
Such preferential treatment will make my nephews and nieces feel unloved," Shuzhen teased, placing a rib in Jiajia’s bowl: "Come, my dear niece, your mom’s too busy envying others to spoil her own beloved, but I will. See if my cooking has declined. I remember you always loved my braised ribs, not sure if your taste has changed now."
"It hasn’t, Auntie. Even when I’m in Beijing, I always miss this flavor. Unfortunately, my mom and aunt can’t match your culinary skills." Lian Jia smiled as she gnawed on the rib placed in her bowl by Shuzhen, just as familiar and close as ever, without a hint of distance despite the long absence.
In the two years since she last returned, she was already a teenage girl when she left.
They kept in touch frequently via phone and letters, and her parents often recounted how Aunt decisively took out two hundred yuan and fifty pounds of national food stamps to save her big brother’s life.
The three siblings, constantly reminded to be filial to their uncle and aunt and to love their younger cousins, truly regarded them as another set of parents.
And indeed, their uncle and aunt were genuinely good to their family.
When the family returned from Beijing before, the home was warm, bright, and clean.
With all necessities—fuel, rice, oil, salt, and fresh vegetables—thoroughly prepared.
Even bedding and change of clothes were ready.
The amount is spent by their uncle and aunt, aside; it was this thoughtful care that moved the entire family.
Jiajia remembered her own mom was moved to tears, saying how Aunt as a sister-in-law was no less than any mother-in-law, more attentive than even her own mother.
Thinking of her money-conscious grandmother, who adored her as long as she had money and ignored her when she didn’t, Jiajia strongly agreed with her mom’s sentiments.
Closeness in relationships is never determined merely by blood relation.