There was also a bowl of fried tofu, with the tofu fried until both sides were golden brown and then sprinkled with chopped green onions, looking very appetizing.
They also stir-fried a large bowl of scallion scrambled eggs and some green vegetables, and steamed a pot of white rice mixed with corn grits.
The table was packed with food.
Song Chongjin was about to invite Yang Zongbao to take the seat of honor, but Yang Zongbao just waved his hand, not taking a seat. He stood by the table, waiting for Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu to wash their hands and come over.
Just as they were about to sit down, they saw a big group of Wang Family Brothers coming in, and everyone looked over at once.
Old Granny Zhang’s face darkened. She knew her debt-collecting ghosts all too well. They always had a dog’s nose, keen for the scent coming from the neighbor’s pot. Clearly, they were here to sponge a meal!
She plopped her chopsticks onto the table and bluntly said, "What are you all doing here? It’s this late, why aren’t you back in your own houses eating? There’s no food for you here!"
Wang Yongfu and Wang Yongping felt their faces flush with embarrassment.
But Wang Yonggui, with a big smile, stepped forward, "With so many delicious dishes, Mom, you should care a bit about your sons too. Let us have a taste. We’ve been eating plain food for one or two months now, our mouths have gone completely bland. Since you’ve made such good food, you can’t just favor your daughter and son-in-law, can you——"
As he spoke, he reached out to grab a piece of fish, golden with a reddish tint.
"Whack——" Old Granny Zhang struck his hand with a chopstick, making him draw back in pain.
"Mom, don’t be so biased! We are still mourning! And you’re sneakily making tasty food to nourish our sister and brother-in-law, but your sons need nourishment too——" Wang Yonggui said with a cheeky smile.
"Bullshit! Open your damn eyes and look! This food is for entertaining honored guests. When did I say it’s for your sister and brother-in-law? All you see is meat, and you don’t even look at the dishes in front of them! Aren’t you supposed to be mourning? Mourning, while sneaking into the backyard to catch your old mom and sister off guard, is it?" Old Granny Zhang slapped the table, her presence imposing.
It was only then that Wang Yonggui and the others noticed the somewhat awkwardly standing Yang Zongbao beside the seat of honor.
"Mom? Who’s this?" Wang Yongfu stepped forward to mediate, also curious about this man who seemed to be about the same age as him and was being treated as an honored guest.
"This is your uncle!" Old Granny Zhang dropped a bombshell.
The Wang brothers stared at each other in shock.
Since they were kids, they knew their mom had severed ties with her family and had no family left. How could there be an uncle?
Where did he crawl out from?
"Uncle? How come we’ve never seen him before? And how is he so young?" Wang Yonggui was the first to voice his doubts, first shooting suspicious glances at Old Granny Zhang and then at Yang Zongbao, unable to help but speculate. Could it be that after their father passed away, their mom had other ideas?
The few twists and turns inside her son’s gut, Old Granny Zhang could see through immediately.
The moment Wang Yonggui raised his eyes, she could tell that her Laosan was thinking astray.
She immediately clarified, "Of course, he’s your uncle! Naturally, you haven’t seen him. He’s my sworn brother! Back when I had just given birth to Laosi, I went to the river to wash diapers and almost fell in. It was your uncle who happened to pass by and pulled me up! I was grateful and took him as sworn brother. Later, he traveled far, and we lost touch. It’s only by chance, meeting your sister and brother-in-law, that we could meet again! He’s your mother’s savior, so show some respect!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Yongfu’s expression changed. Being the eldest, he had some memory of those events.
Indeed, after Laosi was born, there was a time when their mother went to the river to wash diapers and came back late. After her return, she had a big argument with their dad.
Afterward, their dad seemed a bit guilty, and it was around then when their mom began to take charge of the household.
So that’s how it went!
Whether this uncle was sworn or blood-related, just for saving their mother’s life, as children, they should not neglect him.
Immediately, Wang Yongfu led his two sons to pay respects to Yang Zongbao, addressing him as uncle, with Jinhoo and Jindou calling him granduncle from behind.
Wang Yongping decided to kneel without further words and gave Yang Zongbao three solid kowtows.
Seeing his two brothers recognizing the uncle, Wang Yonggui rubbed his nose. Not thinking it a disgrace, he squeezed out a smile, addressing him warmly, "Since uncle is here, we as nephews should properly accompany you——"
With that, he moved to sit down.
Wang Yongfu also hesitated a bit. As the eldest son, he felt that this sworn uncle was still an uncle. Nowadays, maternal uncles were as significant as heaven.
Especially with their dad gone, and an uncle appearing, it would be remiss of them as nephews not to share a meal with him.
However, seeing his mother’s look, like she wished to chase them all out of sight, he could not help but feel torn.
Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin quickly made room, bringing over chairs for the three brothers to sit down.
Seeing her carefully prepared table of dishes about to benefit the three debt-collecting ghosts, Old Granny Zhang felt particularly upset.
But she also knew that if Yang Zongbao was to be treated as a relative, it would be more proper if the three sons acknowledged him.
Although she didn’t think much of it, for Yang Zongbao’s sake, she had to endure.
With a stern face, she added bowls and chopsticks, and introduced to Yang Zongbao, "These are my three unprofitable sons! The Eldest Brother, Laosan, and Laosi! There’s still an unworthy animal in our family, the one who caused the death of my husband! I’ll tell you about it later! Though these three sons of mine are useless and can’t compare to my daughter and son-in-law, at least they’re obedient and honest. So, if you need anything in the future, just instruct them!"
Yang Zongbao dared not respond, only waving his hand.
Wang Yonggui, sharp-eyed, noticed Yang Zongbao only waving and not speaking, suddenly blurted out, "Why isn’t uncle saying anything? Could he be mute?"
Yang Zongbao’s hand paused, his face remaining calm, but a shadow crossed his eyes.
No sooner had Wang Yonggui spoken, than he received several death stares.
Especially from his own mother, who hit him with a shoe sole immediately.
"I’ll beat you to death, you blabbermouth! Can’t you speak properly? If you can’t, keep your mouth shut!"
Wang Yongping and Wang Yongfu also gave disapproving looks to Wang Yonggui.
Dodging and begging for mercy, Wang Yonggui said, "Mom, I was wrong! Ouch, I really know I was wrong, I just blurted it out! Look at this mouth of mine! Mom, stop hitting me, be careful with your hands. How about I hit myself instead?"
Old Granny Zhang paused, and Wang Yonggui dramatically slapped himself twice, saying, "Mouth, mouth! Why are you so cheap? Always talking nonsense! Do you get it now? Have you learned your lesson?"
This comedic act managed to ease the tension in the air.