Wealthy Beauty in the 60s
Chapter 107 - 106 The Reunion Dinner That Wasn’t

Chapter 107: Chapter 106 The Reunion Dinner That Wasn’t

Xia Baoguo had his share of dissatisfaction with his elder brother; if only the elder brother weren’t so useless, could his sister-in-law have such a hold over him?

Xia Jianguo wasn’t foolish, and with a sheepish smile, he said, "Mom, all these years it’s been Xiao Lan’s fault. Don’t worry, I’ll speak to her about it."

"Dinner is ready." Wang Jinying announced as she walked out.

"Xiangzi and Yanzi haven’t come back yet. Wait a bit longer; the elder sister-in-law went to look for them," Xia Baoguo said.

Xia Weiguo glanced at the sky, his brow slightly furrowed, but he remained silent.

Old Man Xia and Mrs. Xia didn’t make any comments. It was now five in the afternoon, and everyone had been waiting, but after more than half an hour, neither Zhao Xiaolan nor Xiangzi nor Yanzi was anywhere to be seen.

As six o’clock loomed and the sun began to set, darkness slowly descended. Although it wasn’t fully dark yet, nightfall was merely a moment away.

"Jianguo, go see what’s the matter. Are they coming back for dinner or not?" Old Man Xia’s voice already bore hints of anger.

This wait was too much for Xia Jianguo to bear; mounting his bicycle, he hurried off to his mother-in-law’s home. In truth, Zhao Xiaolan’s maternal home wasn’t far—just a twenty-minute bike ride away.

When Xia Jianguo arrived at his mother-in-law’s house, he found Zhao Xiaolan and the children sitting at the table, having dinner, which made him angry at the moment.

"Jianguo, you’re here. Come sit down and have some dinner," Mrs. Zhao said with a smile, inviting her son-in-law to join them.

"Mom, we haven’t had dinner at home yet. Everybody’s waiting for Xiangzi and Yanzi to return," Xia Jianguo said, not taking a seat and giving Zhao Xiaolan significant looks. But Zhao Xiaolan completely ignored him, acting as if she hadn’t seen him.

Xia Jianguo was in a hurry, feeling very dissatisfied with Zhao Xiaolan in his heart.

"Jianguo, look, Xiangzi and Yanzi have already eaten. Why don’t you wait for them to finish and then go back together?" Mrs. Zhao said, expressing her difficulty in the matter.

Zhao Xiaolan’s elder brother said, "Jianguo, take a seat. It’s not often that we get to have a drink together," he said, giving his wife a knowing look.

Zhao Xiaolan’s sister-in-law quickly added, "Yeah, Jianguo, please sit. Your elder brother has been talking about you all morning."

"Elder brother, I need to go back. My parents and younger siblings are all waiting," Xia Jianguo said.

"Jianguo, Xiao Lan just felt aggrieved at your place. What’s going on?" Mr. Zhao put down his chopsticks and looked at Xia Jianguo sternly, "When you asked to marry Xiao Lan, do you remember what you said? And now you’ve let Xiao Lan be bullied in your family, even by the younger generation. I gave my daughter to you; Xiao Lan has borne you children all these years. Is this how you repay her?"

Zhao Xiaolan was at her parents’ house, sharing the grievances she’d faced at her in-laws’, which is why she was being kept to have dinner there.

"Dad, it’s not like that..." Xia Jianguo hadn’t finished speaking when he was interrupted again, "Whatever the case, you can’t allow Xiao Lan to be bullied by the younger ones in your family. If you can’t protect her, then there’s no need to bring her and the children back. Our Zhao family can support them."

"Dad..." Zhao Xiaolan’s eyes widened; she hadn’t wanted to separate from Xia Jianguo.

"Dad," Xia Jianguo became stern as well, "Xiao Lan is the elder daughter-in-law, and it’s Chinese New Year’s Eve. If she doesn’t return with the children to have dinner, she can’t justify it."

"I’m not saying Xiao Lan can’t go back with you; just finish this meal before you leave," Mr. Zhao said, thinking about his daughter who had been wronged, not willing to let her return to her in-laws’ house like this, and also to show the Xia family that their Zhao family could keep their children.

"Dad, sit down and eat, Aunt Wenjuan made delicious dishes." Xia Yan said.

"Yeah, Dad, Aunt Wenjuan’s cooking is much tastier than Grandma’s. Wait for me to finish eating before you leave," Xia Xiang also spoke up, urging Xia Jianguo to sit down.

Zhao Xiaolan’s eldest brother and sister-in-law had been married for many years without having children. Whose issue it was remained unknown. Therefore, the Zhao family’s parents cherished Xia Xiang and Xia Yan, their two grandchildren from outside the family, very dearly.

Zhao Xiaolan was already close to her parental home and often brought her children back with her. Her eldest brother and sister-in-law, without children of their own, were very fond of Zhao Xiaolan’s children, having watched them grow up. If the Xia family was willing, they had even thought about formally adopting them.

In the end, with the Zhao family all pitching in and with Xia Xiang and Xia Yan speaking up, Xia Jianguo was eventually persuaded to stay at the Zhao family’s home for dinner.

On the Xia family’s side, Old Man Xia’s anger reached a boiling point, and Mrs. Xia sighed continuously.

Xia Baoguo and Xia Weiguo had grim faces, and Wang Jinying and Li Wenjuan, as daughters-in-law, didn’t dare to speak up, but they felt that Zhao Xiaolan had really gone too far this time.

The younger members of the Xia family didn’t dare to make a sound, but they harbored some dissatisfaction toward Xia Xiang and Xia Yan.

"Let’s eat." At six-thirty, Old Man Xia simply spoke up, not waiting any longer.

Xia Xiao brought out the reheated dishes to the table again. She could only add spring water to the dishes, unsure of any benefit, but hoping it might be somewhat healthier.

However, once everyone tasted the food, they recognized Xia Xiao’s culinary skills.

"Xiaoxiao indeed has this talent," Old Man Xia nodded in satisfaction, feeling comforted by the meal, his earlier frustration dissipating somewhat.

Xia Baoguo and Wang Jinying both looked at Xia Xiao with newfound respect; her cooking skills alone were enough to qualify her.

The praise of his daughter brightened the faces of Xia Weiguo and Li Wenjuan, and the younger family members enjoyed their meal heartily.

Xia Wei and Xia Kang both smiled at Xia Xiao as they ate, leaving Xia Xiao speechless, realizing both were also food lovers.

After the meal, Old Man Xia declared, "Stay here tonight. We’ll visit your mother-in-law’s house on the second day of the new year. From now on, everyone should come back to the old house for the Lunar New Year. After the new year, let the eldest son’s family move out. I, the old man, cannot swallow this affront."

By then, Mrs. Xia also remained silent, deeply disappointed in her eldest son. Zhao Xiaolan hadn’t come back, but couldn’t her son have returned? Moreover, no matter what, as the eldest son and daughter-in-law, they should have come back for dinner on New Year’s Eve, instead of eating at the maternal home. Both Old Man Xia and Mrs. Xia felt very uncomfortable in their hearts.

Xia Baoguo and Xia Weiguo voiced their agreement. At this moment, they would go along with whatever Old Man Xia and Mrs. Xia said. They were both elderly and in poor health, which also worried them.

Xia Baoguo and Xia Weiguo wanted to persuade, but didn’t know how. The eldest son’s family had upset everyone, and their behavior today had been truly excessive.

Xia Jianguo knew everyone was waiting and yet had not returned. How could the family be happy?

So, when Xia Jianguo’s family returned at eight-thirty in the evening, they had already braced themselves to face a scolding from Old Man Xia and Mrs. Xia.

But upon seeing that Xia Baoguo’s and Xia Weiguo’s families were still there, their expressions froze. In previous years during the New Year, everyone would stay at the old house for a few days. But as the children grew in number and space became insufficient, Xia Baoguo’s and Xia Weiguo’s families would just come for the family reunion dinner and then return to their own homes.

The next day, they would come back again for one day before leaving. On the second day of the new year, they’d go to the mother-in-law’s place; on the third day, they would visit the homes of brothers and sisters, going door to door to relatives. Then they’d start getting busy with their own work again. It was only during the holidays that they had time to visit the old house to see the elders, being busy with work at other times.