"Mother, why are you dilly-dallying?" Sanni called out again, "Let’s hurry up and deliver this meat; Auntie Xinghua’s pot has been stewed and served..." However, as her gaze followed that of Xun Hui, she saw Yang Peili walking over with his hands clasped behind his back, which made her frown involuntarily.
"That..." Xun Hui tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"Hurry up, mother." Sanni despised the people of the old Yang Family home, so even though Yang Peili was an elder, she had no intention of addressing him, let alone that their relationship had been severed, turning him into a stranger. Therefore, she kept urging Xun Hui on as she did not want her mother to have any contact with the people of the old Yang Family home.
"Alright." Xun Hui opened her mouth as if to speak, looking at Yang Peili, but ultimately the word "father" failed to leave her lips. She picked up a basin of freshly cut raw meat and turned to walk away.
Yang Peili had not intended to come here, but the atmosphere at home was so stifling. Not even his grandson becoming a Scholar had brought him any joy, especially with his wife and daughter-in-law’s incessant quarrels adding to his irritability, forcing him to step out for a breath of fresh air, leading him unwittingly to this place.
He had actually been standing at a distance for quite some time, and had witnessed the commotion of Wang Hehua’s pregnancy, as well as the respect everyone showed to his eldest granddaughter. It made him feel particularly uncomfortable inside; how had this wooden granddaughter become like this?
Of course, what made him even more uncomfortable was the current state of the old Yang Family home.
Watching Xun Hui, his feelings were complicated. She used to be within his control, always bowing her head, but now, she was surrounded by people and speaking to them...
He had not planned to approach, but the meat smelled so good, and it had been a long time since he had enjoyed meat to his fill. Unconsciously, he had walked over, only to find that his granddaughter acted as if she hadn’t seen him, and his daughter-in-law did the same, which made him feel both embarrassed and angry; yet, he did not know where to direct his frustration.
Some villagers saw him and began to tease.
"Uncle Peili, came for the meat, huh? It smells delicious..."
"Old brother, come sit over here. Your granddaughter is really capable, our village is going to get rich following Xinxin..."
"Lord Uncle, should I get you a stool? The meat on this table was just served..."
Yang Peili looked at the people around him with an awkward attempt at a smile but did not know what to say.
Meanwhile, Xun Hui had approached Yang Ruxin, "Xinxin, your grandpa... he..."
Yang Ruxin looked up at Xun Hui, "My grandfather passed away a long time ago." She had never met her grandparents in modern society, so Yang Peili and his wife didn’t count for much.
Xun Hui’s facial expression became somewhat unpleasant, yet she dared not say anything.
"This place is for welcoming the villagers; as long as they come, I will entertain them." Yang Ruxin spoke indifferently. She had seen Yang Peili a long time ago but chose to ignore him, "And you, there’s no need for you to busy yourself, sit down and have something to eat."
Xun Hui remained standing.
Yang Ruxin frowned but didn’t address her again, simply turning to take her seat; if she wished to stand, then stand she might.
"Xinxin..." However, Xun Hui was still somewhat unwilling to let it go.
"If you want to eat, eat; if not, go back. If you’re suggesting that I should attend to the people from the old Yang Family home, you might as well save your breath and spare me the irritation," Yang Ruxin snapped angrily, slamming her hand on the table, "If you feel uncomfortable, then return to your old Yang Family home and be their slave..."