As early as possible in the morning, the borrowed bowls and dishes were ready, and that afternoon, the invited kinfolk and older aunties helped wash and prepare them.
This time around, the Xie Family was hosting a lantern-adding ceremony for both Xiao Ba and Xiao Jiu, so the number of guests was quite large, especially since Xie Jinggang had been doing well in town, and many colleagues knew he had another boy. They had asked about the lantern ceremony for his child early on and said they would come to celebrate with drinks.
When calculated, the total number of tables needed for the feast on the sixth day of the new year was at least twenty.
In the context of the 1980s, it really was a grand feast.
There was no choice; just the Xie Family alone accounted for three tables, and then the extended family and the same clan took up another seven or eight tables [these were usually attended by the whole family, which is why there were so many].
Yan Jinsu also accounted for nearly two tables, and both the Zhang and Li Families said in advance that their whole families would come. The Li Family was also bringing the Chen family, and two tables might not be enough.
Xie Jingchen’s comrades in the area were not few and, for security reasons, Xie Jingchen also invited three tables.
Just like that, there were already more than ten tables, and the relatives and colleagues of Xie Jinggang and his wife hadn’t been counted yet...
So, while it seemed like a lot of tables, the invitations were actually quite limited when spread out.
Fortunately, these people didn’t all arrive at once. In the countryside, weddings are catered to guests as they arrive, and the Xie Family only needed to prepare twenty tables and chairs.
On such a joyful occasion as the lantern-adding ceremony, and with Xie Tiesheng being a village official with good standing in the village, even if just one person from each family came the count was there.
It has to be said that the Xie Family was a large clan, and although they prepared many dishes, they were not short on talented cooks.
In the countryside, a wedding feast typically includes three meals.
Yes, that’s right, three meals. Rural people do everything in a similar way, a meal is served before the main banquet, and regardless of ability, an informal meal is usually offered.
For those with better means, the meal includes meats and vegetables, and even if not, the dishes are rich in oil. As it’s a gesture of inviting people, there has to be an informal meal before the main one.
If there are leftover dishes after the feast, close relatives might stay and eat another meal before returning the borrowed tables, chairs, and dishes to the village committee...
Thus, even though the sixth day has not arrived, on the fifth day, relatives from the same clan have already voluntarily come to help.
The dishes for the main banquet were decided early in the morning by the whole family. Xie Jingchen had already prepared the necessary goods as calculated by Mr. Xie.
This included salt, oil, soy sauce, vinegar, rice, sugar, cigarettes, liquor, water, paper, etc., all prepared before the new year.
This afternoon, before five o’clock, the Xie Family started with four tables, offering an informal meal first to the relatives who had come to work.
Yan Jinsu was constantly watched by Zhou Xiuhua, who refused her offer to help, until Wang Chunmei noticed her discomfort.
Yan Jinsu did not grow up in the village but she was very perceptive. From time to time, she would overhear the older aunties behind her back calling her too ’delicate’ and just sitting there waiting to eat—
Upon hearing this, Yan Jinsu felt annoyed and almost retorted: Damn, did I eat your family’s rice!
If it had been just about her, she might not have been so angry, but they kept bringing up her husband, saying Xie’s second son married a lazy wife...
Hearing this, Yan Jinsu couldn’t help but get angry!
Damn, when mom single-handedly faced off against a group of wild wolves in the village before, why didn’t you mention that even once? Just feeling sour inside, huh!!
Xie Jingchen was held back by the elderly men, his spiritual power solely focused on his wife. Hearing such remarks, his brows furrowed tightly. But with these gossiping women, even if you confront them, they might suffer now but will spread more rumors in the village later.
Better to endure it for now. Gossiping women exist everywhere. Moreover, since they are all women from the same household, it wouldn’t look good to make everyone lose face.
Yan Jinsu knew this reason all too well, which is why she was upset yet still holding it back.
Wang Chunmei, who grew up in the village, immediately understood upon seeing Third Sister-in-law’s displeased expression. She definitely heard those old ladies gossiping while working by the well.
Her eyes shifted, and she went back to the kitchen, grabbed some garlic bulbs, and came to Yan Jinsu’s side, gently comforting her in a low voice:
"Third Sister-in-law, don’t listen to their nonsense. They are just idle and bored. If it bothers you, just peel some garlic."
After recognizing Zhou Xiuhua as her godmother, Wang Chunmei started calling Yan Jinsu ’Third Sister-in-law’ just like Xie Jingzi.
"Alright." Yan Jinsu cheered up, appreciating the cleverness of the young girl.
"Mhm, Third Sister-in-law, don’t be annoyed. In a bit, I’ll bring Xiaojiu and Xiao Shi over. Having the kids around, those women won’t dare to talk nonsense!" Wang Chunmei, with high emotional intelligence, knew how to restore some reputation for Yan Jinsu.
Last time, she improvised by switching to big bowls for Yan Jinsu’s polished rice. Clearly a detail-oriented, thoughtful young aunty.
Yan Jinsu actually quite liked this little aunty’s disposition.
Who hasn’t gone through some rebellious phase? What’s most important is that a person knows what they want and can discern what’s achievable.
Shortly after, Wang Chunmei led the playful Brother Xiao Si and a few children over, surrounding the gossiped-about Second Aunt.
Xiao Si had grown up a bit and had listened to some harsh words by the wellside, led there by Wang Chunmei. If not for Wang Chunmei holding him back, Xiao Si would have charged forward.
Thus, afterward, Xiao Si kept several young ones close around their Second Aunt, determined to shield her from any foul language.
Yan Jinsu’s heart softened seeing the kids’ affection for her; how could she not be moved? Fortunately, Wang Chunmei kept it measured and didn’t let Xiaoqi hear it, otherwise, it could have caused a real commotion.
For Xiaoqi, nobody is allowed to say a bad word about her Second Aunt. Even once when her grandma unintentionally said something, forbidding Yan Jinsu from bending over, Xiaoqi got really upset.
This left Zhou Xiuhua both crying and laughing; although Yan Jinsu didn’t remember, she could still feel Xiaoqi’s attachment to her.
These old ladies had no idea that their quiet gossip was overheard by Yan Jinsu, Xie Jingchen, and others, prompting the younger Xie family members to glare at them.
Still, Yan Jinsu advised against being disrespectful to the elders, which helped Xiao Si hold back his frustration, spending the night sullenly, unable to even eat dinner.
Xiaoqi and the other youngsters didn’t know about the drama by the well. Seeing Brother Xiao Si’s sudden biting of his lip and glaring toward the well, they were puzzled.
If not for Yan Jinsu’s vigilant eye, Xiao Si might have found an excuse to join the men upfront. He couldn’t speak directly to the elders, but he was smart enough to know how to make those old women pay!
Hmm, he’d just share what he heard in front of Second Uncle, perfectly positioned by the husbands of those gossiping old women. Pretending to be naive, blurting out their words would surely be his revenge—