By the ti he rushed ho, lunch at ho had already started; they didn't wait for him to co back to eat together.
This was the dining rule in their house: if you can't make it back in ti, unless it's a special occasion like New Year's, there's no reason to let the whole family wait for you alone.
Even Chen Feng, the son, was treated this way, and so was Chen Dayong, the father; if he arrived late on a regular day, the family didn't have the habit of waiting for him to start eating.
Fortunately, everyone had just started eating, so Chen Feng wouldn't have to eat leftovers, and he could still enjoy hot food.
"You're really busy, not staying ho as soon as you return. Hurry and get so food. Don't say you've already eaten."
His mother, Zhao Xiaolan, made this remark to Chen Feng before not nagging him further.
"Of course, I haven't eaten. Even if I had, with mom's cooking being this delicious, I could eat three more bowls of rice."
Chen Feng grinned and flattered her, earning a roll of the eyes from his mom, and imdiately went over to fetch a bowl and chopsticks to serve himself.
There was an empty spot beside Wu ngting, and Chen Feng naturally sat down by her side.
His brother and sister-in-law were sitting opposite, with their two kids beside them, all eating their als with serious expressions.
His two little nieces were well-behaved at alti, not causing trouble, and they fed themselves.
Chen Feng had just taken a bite of rice when he heard his mom ask, "Little Ting is going back to Xiu Zhou this afternoon, aren't you going with her?"
Chen Feng nodded, "Well, I want to stay a couple more days at ho to spend ti with you and Dad."
Zhao Xiaolan felt pleased hearing her son's words, but still said, "How will you spend ti with ? Why don't you accompany for a supermarket inspection at Yue Lou this afternoon, and tomorrow, go with to Fushan Temple to offer incense and fulfill a vow?"
Chen Feng imdiately agreed without hesitation, "Sure. I'll do as you say."
Originally, he planned to stay ho and spend a couple of days with his parents before leaving, so it wasn't just an excuse. After all, adding up all the ti over the year, he barely spent a month with his parents, so he couldn't really say he was being that dutiful.
Luckily, he had an older brother who could help accompany their parents and fulfill filial duties.
But since he was already back, and had nothing pressing to attend to, he felt it was right to spend a few more days with his parents here at ho.
Seeing her youngest son agree, Zhao Xiaolan finally showed a smile and said with a laugh, "Now that's more like it."
At this mont, Chen Rui spoke up, "Mom, you can fulfill your vow, but there's no need to give too much money. Just showing your intent is enough. Those monks are as wealthy as can be; there's really no need to give too much."
Zhao Xiaolan imdiately frowned and said, "What do you know? I'm giving this money for the gilding of Buddha; last year at the end of the year, I made a vow to Buddha to bless my two sons with prosperous businesses, and indeed, you two are doing well now. So, of course, I must fulfill my promise."
Chen Rui frowned and asked, "Last ti, you already gave five thousand yuan; how much are you planning to give this ti?"
Zhao Xiaolan glared at him and said, "That's none of your business. It's not like I'm spending your money."
Chen Rui was rendered speechless by her words and could only turn to Chen Feng, "Ah Feng, you're a university graduate; tell mom. Even if our family is making so money now, we can't waste it like this. Donating to these temples is like giving the money to those monks, who are all wealthier than us. Do they need our money? We'd be better off using it for good deeds, like supporting impoverished students in mountainous areas."
Chen Feng agreed with his older brother's words, but knowing their mom's stubbornness, he smiled and said, "Mom, what Bro said makes so sense. In na, the money is donated to the temple and for the gilding of Buddha, but it actually goes into the monks' pockets. You know how these monks are nowadays, and it's really not worth giving them money for nothing. Of course, since you've promised Buddha when making your wish, that's different. When you made your wish, did you say how much incense money you would offer?"
Zhao Xiaolan could take in Chen Feng's words; she was sowhat superstitious but certainly not foolish, unlike those truly muddled superstitious old ladies. She also had a clear idea of the monks' real behavior nowadays.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Zhao Xiaolan smiled and said, "Not much; I pledged… twenty thousand at the ti."
Chen Rui was not happy upon hearing this and exclaid, "Mom, you're too generous. Last year, it was five thousand already, now another twenty thousand. If all the faithful were as generous as you, the monks in the temple would be millionaires!"
"Enough. Mine's considered little. I know several others who donate over a hundred thousand in incense money to Fushan Temple every year," Zhao Xiaolan said, sowhat displeased.
Chen Rui exclaid, "They really have money to burn. They must not be very bright."
Zhao Xiaolan retorted, "What do you know? They may be wealthy indeed, but donating so much incense money yearly ensures Buddha watches over their families for peace, prosperity, and smooth sailing through adversities. It's very effective; otherwise, why would so many people donate, if it wasn't?"
Chen Rui wanted to argue further, but Chen Feng interrupted, saying, "Alright. Since mom already made her vow, fulfilling it for Buddha is only right. Twenty thousand isn't too much; promises should be kept."
After saying this, Chen Feng turned to his mom and added, "Mom, after this vow, don't make any more promises to Buddha. Our family is in a good place now; we can't hog all the good fortunes to ourselves. Let's not trouble Buddha any further."
Zhao Xiaolan felt a bit guilty and quickly nodded, "Alright, alright, I'm only doing this for you two boys, wanting Buddha to bless you two with more earnings. There won't be another ti."
Seeing his mom say this, although Chen Rui was still sowhat upset, he couldn't say much further.
After that, they didn't speak much more. Chen Rui and his wife finished eating first and left with their two children, followed by Chen Dayong.
As soon as they left, Chen Feng reminded his mom, "Mom, Dad's going out to play mahjong every day like this isn't good; if he keeps sitting for so long, he might end up with sothing like a herniated disc. I think it'd be better to find sothing for Dad to do; there should be odd jobs at the supermarket, right? Perfect for him to help out, occasionally moving or delivering goods with Uncle. Uncle shouldn't just be resting either."
"Yes, you're right. He's gotten addicted to playing mahjong now. He goes out early and cos back late, ca ho past midnight a few tis. If this keeps up, his health won't hold up. I'll talk to him when he cos back tonight and have him help at the supermarket."
Once Chen Feng heard his mom say that, he felt reassured. His dad, Chen Dayong, had been managed by his mom for most of his life; under her thumb, there's little room for waywardness.
After finishing his al, Zhao Xiaolan and Wu ngting worked together to clean up the dishes. Originally, Wu ngting offered to wash the dishes, but Zhao Xiaolan refused, telling her to go chat with Chen Feng in the back room since she was leaving for Xiu Zhou in the afternoon.
Neither of them opposed or felt shy; after all, they'd been living together for quite so ti.
And so, they both went to the back room, closed the door, and sat next to each other on the bed.
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