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Chapter 87 – The Big Reunion Dinner
Since Su Danhong did not have to go to the kitchen to help out, she took care of the children well. The other mothers did not have to worry about anything at all.
In the kitchen, Ji Mudan muttered, “Third sister-in-law is becoming more and more like the daughter of a landlord. I heard that in her house third brother-in-law cooks for her. She takes care of the child all day, like she is carrying a golden egg!”
Isn’t it just a son? Most of the family don’t have sons like me. She really has it good with her life. She’s spoiled by her man like that and gave birth to a son on her first baby!
Feng Fangfang laughed when she heard that. “That’s third brother-in-law’s family matter. Let’s not get involved too much. It has nothing to do with the work here. There’s so many of us working that we will get this done in on time.”
“Eldest sister-in-law, you’re actually trying to be a good person. Who doesn’t know that Hou Wazi has gotten a lot of things from her? And now you’re standing with her!” Ji Yunyun coldly accused her.
Feng Fangfang gave a mocking smirk. “Yunyun, it’s not me as your eldest sister-in-law who likes to talk to you about this. You have to change your temper. What do you mean by that about her? Danhong is your third sister-in-law. How come you don’t even follow the rules for this? When you are living at home, family will love you and not tell you off. But you are not young now. When your future husband’s family says that your temper is impossible to change, then I’m afraid the reputation of the old Ji family will be destroyed by you.”
“What did you say?” Ji Yunyun immediately retorted angrily.
The color in Feng Fangfang’s face also faded. “I’m your eldest sister-in-law, so I have the seniority to say a word or two to you. You’re studying at a professional college, so it’s kind of outrageous. Today is New Year’s Eve, so I won’t say anymore to you. Youngest sister-in-law, you can go do whatever you want!”
Ji Yunyun was fuming.
Yun Lili said, “Eldest sister-in-law, those words were a bit excessive.”
“I’m not as good as a city person like you, fourth sister-in-law. But, if Hou Wazi dares to marry a young lady like that in the future, I’m sure I won’t do anything to help them,” Feng Fangfang said with a giggle.
Yun Lili cleared her throat.
Ji Mudan said, “Fourth sister-in-law, don’t mind those things. Moreover, youngest sister-in-law won’t be marrying a country bumpkin. With her diploma, she will definitely marry a city person.”
Feng Fangfang became upset.
What does she mean by that? That Hou Wazi is also a country bumpkin? She says it’s okay for Ji Yunyun, but not okay for my son.
Hou Wazi has good grades, and he will definitely go to college in the future.
However, she did not say this, but she kept what Ji Mudan said in mind.
Mother Ji was silent as she watched the discord between her daughter and the daughters-in-law. She finally made a sound and said, “We only have a reunion dinner once a year. Can’t you be peaceful for once?
They were all grown ups, and she did not want to control them. They were also uncontrollable and each of them had their own opinions.
The elder members of the family just wanted to spend a quiet New Year. When the celebration was over, everyone would go back to living their own lives and no one would get in each other’s way.
Truthfully, the old couple was more open-minded than the other family members.
As soon as their sons were married, they were immediately separated from the main family to live on their own. It did not cause a mess at all.
You had to know, there were still many families in the village who still lived together under the same roof. It was true that there would be a small quarrel for three days and a big quarrel for five days, and there was never any peace.
Comparatively speaking, the Ji Family would gather for the New Year. But at other times, they each did their own thing.
Once Mother Ji spoke, everyone stopped talking even though they had their own opinions.
Even Ji Yunyun did not want to be scolded on such a day, so she helped to prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner.
This year’s New Year’s Eve dinner was as bountiful as last year.
Lao Da’s family brought a plate of ribs, Lao Er’s family brought a bowl of stewed eggs. Ji Jianyun and Su Danhong brought more things, including Su Danhong’s cured bacon, fried fish balls, and other meat dishes.
Yun Lili brought nothing this year.
She did this because she said she still had to pay off the loan and there really wasn’t any money to spend. Moreover, things in the city were also very expensive. Even if she wanted to buy something, she could only buy one or two roast ducks or so.
As for the roast duck, to tell the truth, it was optional to bring!
In addition to the things brought by her son’s families, Mother Ji cooked a big fish and stewed pig feet and mushrooms. The other dishes were also very delicious.
According to the rules of the old Ji family, the meal on this day must be fulfilling and that everyone would be happy with it.
These steaming hot and aromatic dishes would be served on the big table soon. Hou Wazi, Xiaozhen, Xiaoyu, and even Yan’er’s eyes were big and shining looking at it.
“Time to eat.” Father Ji looked around at his family on this festive occasion with satisfaction. He had five children. Except for his youngest daughter who was still in school, his sons were married and settled down. His life so far was pretty good.
“Jianyun, go and pour a cup for father. Today, you and your brothers should have a good drink with him,” Su Danhong said with a smile.
Ji Mudan’s lips twitched, while Yun Lili stayed silent. She was not happy with how she seemed inferior when she was a wife from the city. It was hard to say anything now.
Ji Jianyun smiled. He opened the bottle and filled up a cup for Father Ji. He then asked Mother Ji, “Do you want a drink, mother?”
“Pour me some,” Mother Ji replied with a smile.
Ji Jianyun poured some for her, and for his brothers too.
The entire family was together. They began to eat, talk, and have fun at the reunion dinner.
“These fried fish balls are delicious!” Hou Wazi declared.
“Yeah! Delicious!” Xiaozhen and Xiaoyu nodded.
Yan’er pointed at the fish balls and went “Ah-ah” to have her mother give her some. She was still a little young and couldn’t speak.
Su Danhong smiled and said, “You should eat more. If you like it and your third uncle makes it in the future, I’ll let you try some.”
“Okay!” The three kids were very happy.
“What does younger brother want to eat? Third aunt, help him. I saw that he is hungry,” Xiaoyu said.
“Younger brother is too young to eat. He is still drinking milk powder,” Xiaozhen explained.
“Yes, when he grows up, he will eat this. By then, you can take him out to play,” Su Danhong said and smiled.
Both sisters agreed.
Xiao Renren couldn’t eat solids. During the reunion dinner this year he was held in his father’s arms. He was with his grandparents, uncles and aunts, as well as his brothers and sisters. Last year, he was not born yet.
Su Danhong was full very quickly.  She took her son, which allowed Ji Jianyun to accompany his father and brothers to drink a cup.
Tonight was New Year’s Eve. Thus, Father Ji did not go to the mountain again. It was fine if he went to take a look early tomorrow morning. He had been home these days, so he ate and drank as much as he could. If they get drunk, then they’ll have some sober soup later.
Although there was still some conflict on everyone’s mind before the meal, they all drank happily and their wives did not look as upset as before.