The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 273 Wu Family Father and Son

Chapter 273: Chapter 273 Wu Family Father and Son

Song Chongjin hurriedly took it with both hands and thanked her, "Thank you, Dame!"

Old Granny Zhang waved her hand, not wanting to talk to him.

Only after Song Chongjin had left did Old Granny Zhang couldn’t help but complain, "There aren’t many jars of that meat sauce left, they are all to be reserved for your old aunts to nourish their health. You’d better not bring that Song lad back again. Each time he comes, I lose a jar of meat sauce. How can I afford it? Do you hear me?"

Especially the last sentence, she glared at Wang Yongping who still had no clue what was going on.

Wang Yongping, having been wronged without even knowing why, felt very unjust; it wasn’t him who invited the Song family brothers over, was it?

But if Mother said so, then it must be so! He stood up gloomily and made a promise.

Wang Yongzhu was snickering on the side.

Outside the wall, Song Chongjin who had deliberately paused for a moment heard Old Granny Zhang’s words, his gaze turned to the jar of meat sauce in his hand, was it for Wang Yongzhu to eat?

He returned home with the jar of meat sauce bobbing in his hand. To his surprise, Mother Song had not yet gone to bed—she was sitting up, eating by the light of an oil lamp.

The relationship between mother and son at the Song Family had grown increasingly estranged since the time Song Chongjin had threatened Mother Song.

Mother Song prepared food only for herself. After eating, she either huddled in the room and didn’t come out or left the house early to go to her parental home, avoiding any interactions with Song Chongjin.

As if unaware of Mother Song’s avoidance, Song Chongjin only ensured there was enough food left for her in the kitchen hut. He didn’t say much else.

This was the first time mother and son had faced each other since that threatening incident.

Mother Song was taken aback. She had gotten up early that day and hadn’t seen a trace of Song Chongjin. His room was locked, and these days, it was common for Song Chongjin to be away from home for days at a time; she had gotten used to it.

She had assumed that today would be another day without him returning.

Now, seeing her son back, she put down her chopsticks, wanting to say something but not knowing how to begin.

After a long pause, she finally asked, "Have you eaten?"

On the table was a plate of pickles, a bowl of porridge, and a dish of green vegetables.

Song Chongjin scanned the table and frowned. "Is the food I’m leaving you not enough? Or didn’t I give you meat?" Not to mention anything else, the food he left for Mother Song was more than enough for an adult man; wild game was frequent in the household, and even when he sold game, he always remembered to leave a rabbit or a wild chicken for her to nourish her health.

Seeing the meager meal on Mother Song’s table—porridge so clear that the grains at the bottom of the bowl were visible, and boiled vegetables without a speck of oil—was pitiful.

Mother Song quickly shook her head, "Enough, enough! It’s enough for me! I’ve had a bad stomach these days, so I’m eating something light!" No sooner had she finished speaking than her stomach emitted a gurgling sound.

Mother Song’s face turned first red, then white, as she nervously looked at Song Chongjin.

Song Chongjin watched her calmly for a moment before placing the small clay jar on the table. "Eat some of this, meat sauce!"

When he opened the seal of the clay jar, a salty aroma mixed with the smell of meat wafted out, making Mother Song’s stomach growl even more.

Mother Song, her face flushed, sat down awkwardly, scooped up a chopstick full of the meat sauce, and put it in her mouth. After a pause, she couldn’t help but extend her chopsticks toward the meat sauce again.

The meat sauce contained chili peppers and was a bit spicy. Mother Song, who had been drinking medicine and eating bland food for years, suddenly found her mouth and stomach burning after only a few bites. She hurriedly drank a few sips of the clear porridge to cool it down.

Seeing Mother Song sweating at the nose from the heat, Song Chongjin reached out to take the clay jar and seal it.

Mother Song panicked, "Chongjin, what are you doing?"

Song Chongjin stopped, "I see that Mother can’t handle spicy food, so I’m putting it away!"

"I can’t eat it, so I can give it to you—" The rest of his words faded under the sudden gaze of Song Chongjin.

It took a moment before he stumbled over his words, "Actually, actually this is quite tasty, Mother likes it too, so why don’t you keep it? Mother can have a little every day..."

Song Chongjin methodically sealed the earthen jar and then said, "Mother’s health isn’t good, and she needs to take medicine. Eating this, it’s too spicy; it’s not suitable. It was thoughtless of your son. This son should eat it himself, lest Mother’s stomach can’t handle it after eating this!"

After finishing, he tucked the earthen jar into his own arms and nodded to Mother Song, "Mother should go to sleep early."

Then he turned and went back to his room.

Mother Song watched Song Chongjin’s retreating figure with a steady gaze, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes...

※※※

The next day, bright and early, Wang Yongzhu took the silver note and went to town with Wang Yongping and the others.

First, they headed to the restaurant, where Shopkeeper Wu, upon seeing Wang Yongzhu, smiled, "What a coincidence! I was just about to send someone to pass a message to you. I’ve found out who wants to buy your family’s land. I’ve also asked someone to talk to them, and they want to meet with your family members before making a decision. Your arrival is timely, saving us from further delay!"

He then conveyed the information he had learned, which was similar to what Song Chongjin had said.

Wang Yongzhu naturally expressed her gratitude.

After reserving a table at the restaurant first, they asked Shopkeeper Wu to invite Wu Zhongbao and Old Man Wu to join them for a banquet at the restaurant at noon.

Shopkeeper Wu instructed the kitchen to prepare their specialty dishes today and, at the same time, sent someone to invite the Wu family father and son.

The Wu family father and son were forthright people and arrived without much delay.

Shopkeeper Wu, downstairs, ushered the Wu family father and son up to the elegant private room upon seeing them.

Wang Yongzhu, hearing the commotion, immediately went to the stairway to meet them.

The Wu family father and son, upon seeing the Wang family members, especially the leading Wang Yongzhu, appeared slightly startled.

Wang Yongzhu pretended not to notice and greeted the two men with a smile, bowing first.

Old Man Wu was about fifty years old, slightly plump, dressed in a brownish purple brocade robe with patterned clusters, which made him look even more rotund and corpulent.

Wu Zhongbao was about thirty years old, tall and sturdy, with dark skin, and eyebrows that seemed ready to take flight from his face. Despite being clothed in a blue scholar’s robe, he lacked the air of a scholar and instead resembled a military man to the core.

Especially when he frowned and narrowed his eyes, he could easily make the children cry within a mile radius.

Even Jindou and Jinhu, the two half-grown boys, couldn’t help but gulp when they saw Wu Zhongbao.

After guiding them into the private room and seating the guests and hosts, the shop assistant quickly served tea.

Shopkeeper Wu introduced everyone, and Wang Yongzhu led Wang Yongping, Jindou, and Jinhu in greeting Old Man Wu, addressing him as "Uncle."

After exchanging only a few pleasantries, Wang Yongzhu signaled for the dishes to be served, while also apologizing in case they did not meet the Wu family father and son’s tastes, asking for their indulgence.

Her manners were exceedingly polite and gracious.

The dishes were served promptly, featuring the restaurant’s most expensive menu. Chicken, duck, fish, meat—the usual favorites were present, not to mention the dried wolf meat, a familiarity to Wang Yongzhu, which also made its way to the table.

Old Man Wu’s stern face relaxed slightly at the sight of the dried wolf meat, teasing Shopkeeper Wu with a touch of dissatisfaction, "What a sly fellow you are, Wu. Just a few days ago I was at your restaurant wanting to eat dried wolf meat, and you told me it was gone. How come it’s available today? Are you looking down on me, or are you afraid I can’t afford it?"