Just as Wang Yongzhu was discussing with Old Granny Zhang, they decided that in addition to the thin porridge and salted vegetables in the morning, each person should also get two steamed buns. Otherwise, with just a bit of porridge in their stomachs, a little work would make them pee everything away. What would be left for them to muster the strength to work?
Old Granny Zhang knew how to do the math too. Although adding steamed buns in the morning meant extra expenses, finishing the work a few days earlier would save quite a bit in wages.
What’s the value of a steamed bun? The wheat and sorghum were from their own home, it just meant using a bit more effort and firewood.
Therefore, she readily agreed.
Originally, it was to save money that they decided to eat steamed buns in the morning, but the people who came to help didn’t know that. They all thought the Old Wang Family was really reliable and generous. They even provided steamed buns in the morning. Soon, everyone was praising the Wang Family for their generosity and kindness, enhancing their reputation immensely.
Before the basin was served, Sun Laoer was the first to act.
He fished out a large bowl and chopsticks from the basket where the utensils were kept and ran to the basin to pour himself a full bowl of thin porridge. He slurped along the rim of the bowl while peeking into the kitchen.
Sun Shitou was busy too, grabbing two bowls and dishing out a bowl of porridge for himself and his wife. He scraped the remaining bit of salted vegetables from the neighboring basin into their bowls, stirring with chopsticks before both he and his wife started eating eagerly.
The women helping in the courtyard were amazed. They had never seen this before, where the son and grandson and his wife started eating before the elders had even picked up their bowls.
But Old Lady Sun seemed accustomed to it. Not only did she not reprimand Sun Laoer and Sun Shitou, but she also called out affectionately, "Eat slowly, don’t choke!"
After saying that, she turned to Sun Daming and Wang Yongzhen with a stepmother’s expression, "Eldest Brother, what are you standing there for? This is your maternal home, are you waiting for me to serve you food? Have you become so proud after returning to your mother’s house that you don’t even wait on your mother-in-law?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Daming pushed Wang Yongzhen, "What are you staring at? Go serve food to your mother and me! Today we’re here to help your family, and you should be quick—"
Wang Yongzhen, with her head lowered and biting her lip, stepped forward and scooped a bowl of thin porridge for Old Lady Sun and Sun Daming. That left only a little at the bottom of the basin. Before she had a chance to serve herself, Sun Laoer, who had already slurped down his own bowl, pushed his bowl towards Wang Yongzhen, "Sister-in-law, give me a refill! I didn’t eat this morning, and I’m starving!"
Wang Yongzhen hesitated for a moment before pouring the remaining porridge into Sun Laoer’s bowl.
Sun Laoer took the bowl and started eating again without uttering a word of thanks.
Sun Shitou and his wife had finished eating too and came over to see the basins now clean. Pouting, they slammed their bowls onto the table, "That’s all? How is that enough? Wasn’t it said that the Wang Family is now well off, and they provide enough food for the helpers to be full? How come we are still half-starved when we come?"
Meanwhile, the women helping out were busy steaming the steamed buns. The steamer was already hissing, and the unique aroma of the wheat in the buns spread throughout the courtyard.
The eyes of Shitou’s Wife lit up, and she tugged at Sun Shitou’s clothes, giving him a glance towards the steamer. They both moved closer to the steamer, and while the maid was not paying attention, reached to lift the lid of the steamer.
"Smack—" A thin piece of firewood struck his hand, causing Sun Shitou to grimace and cry out in pain.
Old Lady Sun, startled, dropped her bowl and rushed over to grab Sun Shitou’s wrist to inspect it, only to see a red mark on the back of his hand.
Her eyes immediately slanted in anger as she pointed at Wang Yongzhu, who stood beside them holding some kindling, a smirk on her face. Just as she was about to curse out, "You—", she seemed to remember something, forcing the harsh words back down, though her expression remained unpleased.
"In-law, why is your little girl still acting like a child, hitting others at the drop of a hat? Look how she’s hit Shitou’s hand—Even if we’re elders, you can’t just hit someone without any reason, right? After all, we are guests. Even if we’re not invited to sit at the main table and offered tea, this isn’t how you should treat guests, is it?"
"Pah! What kind of guests are you? So what if my daughter hit someone? Isn’t Shitou her nephew, and so, can’t she hit him? The way you all have no shame, not getting the hint, showing no manners at all! It’s good enough that you have some porridge and pickles to eat, what more do you want? You want meat from our house? Look at how the Sun Family raises their children; such grown-up walking into other people’s courtyards, reaching their hands where they shouldn’t! If he ruins my steamed buns with his untamed hands, watch me grab a knife to chop his—"
Old Granny Zhang had been simmering with anger just looking at the Sun Family’s behavior.
The thought of Old Lady Sun daring to drag her daughter into this, wasn’t it just asking for trouble?
The women helping out also jumped in fright. How could the Sun Family lack such manners, not knowing that you can’t uncover the steamer in the middle of cooking the buns? Even if they were cooked, you should let them sit for a bit, shouldn’t you?
With such clumsiness, what if they ruined a whole steamer of buns?
If it were their own children causing such a disaster, they would have been pulled over and given a good thrashing by now.
But considering this was the Wang Family’s grandson, they couldn’t really say much. After muttering a few words, they watched carefully from the side, fearing further disruption from the Sun Family.
In the Sun Family, aside from Sun Laoer, Shitou was the one Old Lady Sun favored most. He had never suffered such an indignity, especially from Wang Yongzhu, a girl, which made it even more unbearable. His eyes bulged with anger as he glared at Wang Yongzhu, cursing under his breath and itching to charge at her.
"Wang Yongzhu you this—" His anger was cut short by a pinch from his wife from behind, causing him to bite his tongue in pain.
After Shitou’s Wife whispered something in his ear, Sun Shitou reluctantly reined in his anger and unwillingly stepped aside.
Wang Yongzhu, with keen senses, had overheard the conversation.
What Shitou’s Wife had said was, "Are you foolish or what? If we offend them now, how will we get any welcoming gift? Besides, it’s almost time for lunch, and I see there’s meat and fish, which is better than what we have during our New Year celebration. Why fight over money and food? If you’re upset, just eat more meat later."
Feeling a mix of amusement and disbelief, she leaned toward Old Granny Zhang and whispered, "I reckon they’ve heard that our family treats those who help us to good meals and even pays them. They probably brought Shitou over for a welcoming gift, and also to mooch some good food and money."
Upon hearing this, Old Granny Zhang spat, "Tsch! A family with no shame, crowding around like flies when there’s something to gain and unable to be driven away..."
Before she could finish, Old Lady Sun, having been muttered to by Shitou’s Wife, reluctantly managed a smile, "Let’s forget about it. We’re all family here, no need to be so formal. Alright, Eldest Brother, Sun Laoer, Eldest Brother’s Wife, Shitou, hurry over to the new house to help out. Shitou’s Wife and I will stay and lend a hand here."
Incredibly, she took it upon herself to assign tasks.