Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets
Chapter 65 Drumsticks and Chicken Wings

Chapter 65: Chapter 65 Drumsticks and Chicken Wings

"Xiao Jun, come over here, no matter what, we always think our own children are the best," Tang Yue beckoned to Tang Jun, placing the freshly scooped chicken drumstick, wings, and soup onto the table, saying, "Xiao Jun, this drumstick is for you, you’re at the age where you’re growing."

"Of course, one’s own child is the best," Liu Cuihong chimed in immediately, eyeing the drumstick in her bowl and headed straight for the kitchen.

Elder Mrs. Zhang came out with another drumstick and wings, saying, "Qiangzi, Xiao Min, each of you get a drumstick and wings."

"Grandma, I also want a drumstick," Zhang Min said as she came out and saw the chicken wings in her bowl, her lips pouting. She hopelessly watched the drumstick in Zhang Qiang’s bowl. Grandma always favored boys over girls, if only Auntie’s family hadn’t come, then she might’ve had a share of the drumsticks.

"It’s delicious," Zhang Qiang didn’t care about the rules, grabbing and gnawing at the drumstick immediately.

"Xiao Min, Qiangzi is in his growing phase, you should be fine with the chicken wings," Liu Cuihong spoke directly.

Elder Mrs. Zhang opened her mouth but ended up saying nothing.

"Big sis, you eat the drumstick, and I’ll eat the wings. It’s all the same for growing taller," Tang Jun started eating his wings, taking a bite and saying, "I like eating chicken wings."

Zhang Min’s eyes lit up, immediately setting her sights on that drumstick. The drumstick had more meat compared to the chicken wings, that was for sure.

"Tang Yue, I know you don’t like drumsticks, I’ll swap you for wings," said Zhang Min, ready to reach out and take one.

Tang Xiang didn’t hesitate and took the drumstick away, picked up the chopsticks beside her, and sat down, saying, "Xiao Jun kindly offered it to me, so I really should accept this gesture. Xiao Jun, thank you."

Tang Yue’s smile was bright and her eyes sparkled with light.

Tang Jun was embarrassed by Tang Yue’s sincere thanks.

Zhang Min didn’t get the drumstick, and her gaze fell on her brother Zhang Qiang, who started eating even faster, as if he was afraid that Zhang Min would snatch the drumstick.

While they were siblings too, the relationship between Tang Yue and Tang Jun was clearly much better than that between Zhang Min and Zhang Qiang.

Zhang Min pouted unhappily, and Liu Cuihong said, "Xiao Min, you’re the older sister. Older sisters should let their younger brothers have their way."

"How come they let the younger brother yield to the older sister?" Zhang Min mumbled with her head bowed.

Liu Cuihong didn’t catch what was said clearly and raised her voice a few notches to ask, "What are you muttering about?"

"I didn’t say anything," Zhang Min dared not say any more.

Elder Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, "Alright, the food’s ready, and the dumplings are almost cooked, we can start eating."

"Mom, I’ll get the bowls," Zhang Hualian took the initiative to speak up, the thoughtfulness of her son and daughter moved her. She was happy to see the siblings getting along well, thinking back to when the two siblings would fight like enemies, which had caused Zhang Hualian much distress.

Both children were a piece of herself, and it pained Zhang Hualian to see either hurt.

"I’ll serve the dishes," Zhang Huafeng also went into the kitchen.

Before long, the dining table was laid out with several dishes: golden yellow chicken soup, appetizing braised pork, braised grass carp exuding freshness, vibrant bok choy, stir-fried shredded pork with radishes, and in the center a big bowl of dumplings. The dumpling soup was sprinkled with fragrant green onions; even before eating, the table full of savory and attractive dishes had drawn everyone’s attention.

Several dishes of meat, which were usually not often indulged in at home.

Elder Mrs. Zhang had just sat down when Liu Cuihong had already extended her chopsticks to start picking up dishes, laughing while she said, "Time to eat. Another year has gone by, and all you kids have grown another year older."

Elder Mrs. Zhang looked at her grandchildren and step-grandchildren with satisfaction, thinking that if the old man were still here, he would probably be grinning from ear to ear.

Having a house full of children and grandchildren was exactly what she and her late husband had always hoped for.

During the meal, everyone chatted happily. Tang Yue happened to sit across from Liu Cuihong, who was picking food in an unspeakable manner, as if she wanted to hoard all the meat on the plate for herself and her son, Zhang Qiang.

Tang Yue’s gaze often fell on her grandmother, Elder Mrs. Zhang, thinking that with such a domineering aunt, her uncle always listened to her. If he started his own business, wouldn’t he stand a bit straighter?

Liu Cuihong’s parents butchered pigs for a living and had some money in the family, which is why she was particularly domineering in the Zhang family.

After a lively lunch, Zhang Hualian helped wash the dishes. Taking advantage of the moment Liu Cuihong returned to her room to make new clothes, she handed over the ten yuan she had prepared earlier to Zhang Huafeng and said, "Hua Feng, here’s the money I borrowed from you last time. I’m paying you back."

"Big sis, the New Year’s almost here, keep it for your own use," Zhang Huafeng pushed back, although this time Tang Zhengde had brought many things over, Zhang Huafeng would rather suffer a bit himself than let his sister struggle.

"I still have some, so I can pay you back. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be gone?" Zhang Hualian said, "You see, our breakfast shop we opened in the county is doing okay. We’ve managed to scrape together some money, so I’m paying you back first."

"Alright then." Seeing that she indeed had the money, Zhang Huafeng no longer refused and took the money. After the siblings talked for a while, Zhang Hualian left.

Just as Zhang Huafeng put away the money, Zhang Qiang popped out from the side and said, "Dad, you’ve given money to Auntie again."

Before Zhang Qiang could finish, Zhang Huafeng covered his mouth and said, "Qiangzi, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Dad, this isn’t the first or second time. If you don’t want me to tell mom, give me some hush money," Zhang Qiang efficiently extended his hand towards Zhang Huafeng, clearly this wasn’t the first or second time either.

Zhang Huafeng glared at him and said, "You’re always out for money. Don’t you go to the arcade hall."

Zhang Huafeng handed him 50 cents.

Zhang Qiang looked at it and then continued, "Dad, you always give me 50 cents, that’s too little. It should at least be one yuan."

Zhang Qiang tiptoed to look at Zhang Huafeng, having only just gotten far enough away that he could see it was money without seeing how much it was.

"You wish. You’re lucky to get 50 cents," Zhang Huafeng smacked him and said, "Haven’t you already taken enough money from me on the sly?"

"Dad." Zhang Qiang rubbed his hand where he was smacked and said, "Can’t you be a little lighter?"

"You must not tell your mom about this, you hear me!" Zhang Huafeng warned.

Zhang Qiang pouted, looking at Zhang Huafeng’s pocket, still wanting more money.

Zhang Huafeng gave him another 50 cents, and only then did Zhang Qiang leave happily.

Just as Zhang Qiang stepped out the door, intending to go to the arcade and play a few rounds, one yuan could buy quite a few game coins!

While he was thinking about this, his path was blocked by Tang Yue.

"What do you want?" Zhang Qiang shoved the money into his pocket, puffed out his chest, and glared at Tang Yue, saying, "Good dogs don’t stand in the way!"