Daily Life in the 70s
Chapter 307 Eating a Meal

Chapter 307: Chapter 307 Eating a Meal

Speaking of this matter, Shen Yixiang also came over and listened to Shen Yiguang talk about the comrades he was going to invite, as well as some basic information about them. It would be a formal introduction when the time came.

As Yang PeiMin listened, she began jotting down notes. Shen Yiguang glanced at her and asked, "Minmin, what’s this for?"

"Nothing, just that my memory’s been poor lately. I don’t want to risk calling someone the wrong name."

Shen Yiguang took her notebook, "No worries, I can keep track of it for you."

Shen Yixiang looked at them, somewhat puzzled.

Yang PeiMin blinked, while Shen Yiguang was earnest.

Regarding this, Shen Yiguang also made a special trip to Luo Dahua’s house for a visit, to thank her for agreeing to help out. It was also an expression of his gratitude.

Luo Dahua kept saying he was too polite. Not only were the women from the two families close, but Shen Yiguang and Lu Daqi would also chat a bit. Sometimes they’d sit down together for a drink and such, sharing a revolutionary friendship, so the conversation was always easygoing.

Although Yang PeiMin was the hostess, there weren’t many tasks falling into her hands. She merely watched from the side, since Luo Dahua and Shen Yixiang didn’t really need her help.

All she did was think up a couple of innovative dishes. Everyone loved meat, so braised pork and stewed chicken were essential, but Yang PeiMin added soy sauce pork knuckles and roasted mutton to the mix.

Luo Dahua then pulled her aside and said, "That’s way too much meat. Sister-in-law, you’re really generous, but when does anyone invite folks over and serve more than two or three meat dishes...?" She also felt somewhat embarrassed, as such favors would need to be repaid in the future.

Yang PeiMin shook her head with a smile, "It’s not too much. There aren’t many vegetables in winter, and we don’t have fish either. So we have to be creative. If we’re having guests, we should make it look good." In fact, Shen Yiguang had arranged all this, instructing the canteen to bring over five chickens, twenty pounds of pork belly, and four lamb shanks for their household. Vegetables and other sides were kindly offered by Luo Dahua and a few other close friends. All Yang PeiMin did was finalize the recipes.

Seeing her attitude, Luo Dahua couldn’t help but laugh, then glanced at her belly and said with a smile, "Alright, I understand. It must be Shen Ying’s excitement; becoming a father really is different. I misspoke earlier. It’s all as it should be."

Yang PeiMin laughed as well. Thinking about Shen Yiguang’s attitude, it was true. Normally he didn’t show off or boast, but when it came to his child, he was so elated he could hardly contain himself. Probably he had chuckled to himself more times than she knew.

When it came to the number of guests, Luo Dahua, the Red Army wife, and four comrades from Political Commissar Zhou’s group would bring their families. The others were either coming alone or were single. For instance, Gao Hong simply mentioned it to the Cui family man, without really inviting his family or anything. This was because Mr. Cui was still working under Shen Yiguang as a company commander and generally considered to be a decent person. Otherwise, Shen Yiguang wouldn’t have wanted to invite him either, especially since his mother had repeatedly made snide remarks about his wife’s pregnancy. Shen Yiguang had already excluded him from their circle.

They moved other furniture like chairs and sofas into the bedroom, borrowing four square tables to splice together. The space wasn’t large, so it wasn’t possible to arrange for more tables; they had to squeeze together, but everyone understood. Every family was like this. Not counting the kids, there were twenty people. They didn’t mention anything else, just invited everyone to have a simple meal. It was also a way to get to know people, considering he had recently taken a wife.

Shao Hui had been discharged from the hospital and was the same as before, the injury no longer evident, with a gentle smile and graceful behavior. However, Du Juanjuan did not accompany him. Shao Hui explained that she was feeling unwell.

Yang PeiMin knew this was just an excuse. Given the tension between her and Du Juanjuan, it would’ve been surprising if she had come. Of course, even though everyone understood the subtext, they pretended not to know. Yang PeiMin said to Shao Hui, "Later, I’ll pack some food for you to take back to her."

Shao Hui smiled, "No need to trouble yourself, she’s already eaten."

Yang PeiMin nodded and asked no further.

Shao Hui admired the cheerful and graceful Yang PeiMin and silently acknowledged his brother’s good fortune. Thinking of his own wife, he let out a sigh internally. Du Juanjuan outright refused to come when she heard about the meal here, her face falling cold. He thought about his brotherly bond with Shen Yiguang and considered it proper that their families should interact more. His wife could learn a thing or two by spending time with Ah Guang’s wife, learning how to conduct herself. He patiently pleaded with her, but Du Juanjuan lashed out as if mad, spewing insults incessantly. It was absolutely unreasonable!

Shen Yiguang led some of his comrades through the door, and as they were all straightforward fellas, they didn’t bother with any formalities; they just sat down at the table, waiting earnestly for the meal to begin.

The dinner was held in the evening. Yang Peimin and a few others had prepared the dishes early, so they only needed to be heated up when it was about time for everyone to arrive.

Xiao Xu and the other clever ones quickly offered to help carry the dishes and pass the bowls. In a matter of moments, they had taken everything out of the kitchen, divided into bowls and plates. Since the table was large, each dish was split into four or five portions so that everyone could easily reach all the different items.

Shen Yiguang called out to everyone, "Well, it’s a bit embarrassing to say, it’s been quite a while since I got married... and only now have I invited you all over..."

"Indeed, we should celebrate, I heard you’re also preparing to become a dad?"

"Celebrate indeed."

"Good fortune, that was quick."

"Definitely."

Yang Peimin glanced at Shen Yiguang, admiring his spirited demeanor.

"Hey, now that we’re on the subject, why don’t you tell us how you met your wife? How did she agree to marry you?"

Damn, not this again.

Yang Peimin smiled slightly, looking toward Shen Yiguang; she wouldn’t answer, curious to see what he’d say.

"How else could we have met? We met through a matchmaker," Shen Yiguang said with a laugh, casually picking up a piece of chicken thigh and placing it onto Yang Peimin’s plate as he spoke.

This was a blatant display of affection, and the keen-eyed comrades noticed it immediately, setting off a round of noisy cheers and teasing at the table.

The unmarried comrades looked at Shen Yiguang with bright admiring gazes, "Surely it must be that all the girls from Shen camp are charming. Just a casual matchmaking session and you find such a beautiful wife. Why don’t I have such luck? Shen, are you going home for the New Year?"

"What’s up with that?"

"Take me with you, man. If there’s someone suitable, introduce me as well. Then after celebrating the New Year there, I’ll come back with you. Shen, it’s about brotherhood among comrades after all..."

"You sly dog... take me with you..."

"Are you blind? Why go so far? Isn’t Shen’s sister right here? Ask him if he’s considering a brother-in-law?"

"That’s right, why go far afield when a good thing is close at hand..." Five or six unmarried young men looked toward Shen Yixiang, their gazes both subtle and fervent. Some were even grinning at Shen Yiguang with a suggestive smile.

While no one had said it outright, everyone knew what they were suggesting, sneaking glances at Shen Yixiang with mirth. The mood was light and joking, hoping the girl wouldn’t mind.