The last ti I ca back to the old house was about eight or nine months ago, when I stood by Qi Fenglian. Returning to the in-laws now feels like a lifeti ago.
For the banquet to celebrate Qi Jianguo getting into college, many round tables have already been borrowed and stacked in the yard, along with long benches and baskets filled with big bowls and chopsticks.
In the countryside, this is how banquets are set up. They are mostly held at ho for the liveliness, and more importantly, to save money, as hosting at ho costs much less than at a big restaurant.
This is why whenever there’s a happy event, most families borrow bowls, chopsticks, and plates from each household, just like the Qi family is doing now.
"Dad, Mom, we’re back!" Qi Fenglian called out.
Father Qi and the others ca out of the main room, and upon seeing Cheng Su and the group, their faces imdiately lit up with smiles.
Mother Qi glanced behind them and asked, "Taiguo didn’t co back with you?"
"He’s on a mission and hasn’t returned yet!" Cheng Su replied, and then greeted Father Qi.
Mother Qi pursed her lips but brightened up at the sight of the things Cheng Su was carrying.
"Co on in, you must be tired," Father Qi said, smiling as he took the items from Qi Fenglian and the others.
The group walked into the main room, and Qi Fengping ca out of a side room, yawning. She looked a bit stunned to see them.
"Big sister." She first called out to Qi Fenglian, then, sowhat reluctantly looking at Cheng Su, she said, "Sister-in-law!"
Cheng Su was startled when she saw Qi Fengping, wondering how she had grown so round in just eight or nine months.
Her hair was a bit ssy, her face resembling a bun, her body plump, her waist hardly visible, and her chest quite full.
Yet her plumpness didn’t seem youthful but gave her the mature look of a young matron.
Qi Fengping caught Cheng Su’s gaze and knew what she was thinking, furiously glaring back at her.
Cheng Su quickly averted her eyes, catching a glimpse of her own furrowed brows.
Qi Fenglian, on the other hand, seeing her roundness, directly asked, "Fengping, when I ca back last month, you weren’t this chubby. How did you grow like this in just one month?"
A round face and a round body, like a pregnant lady.
"Don’t ntion her. This lazy girl does nothing but eat and sleep all day, eating two big bowls of rice per al and still claiming to be hungry. How can she not get fat?" Mother Qi complained about her younger daughter, "Ask her to do so work, and she’s lazier than a snake, unwilling to move, so lazy she could fly to the sky!"
Qi Fengping, a bit embarrassed and annoyed, retorted, "Mom, why do you talk like that? Eating two bowls of rice can’t harm anyone. I’m going through a growth spurt, so of course, I’m eating a lot!"
"Little sister-in-law, typically during growth spurts, you’re around Xiao Yun’s age. You’re eighteen; you should be settling down, not really growing anymore!" Cheng Su reminded her with a smile.
"You think you know everything. Who says you stop growing at eighteen?" Qi Fengping countered, "Besides, I’m not eating your food, so why do you care how fat I am?"
Alright, I have said too much.
Cheng Su didn’t argue back, she turned to Father Qi and said, "Dad, I’ll go put the luggage in the room first."
"Go ahead, go ahead!" Father Qi waved with a cheerful smile.
Cheng Su took the luggage and walked out of the main room, and as she turned a corner, she heard Father Qi scolding Qi Fenglian: "Why argue back with what your sister-in-law says? Show so respect."
"Dad, I’m your daughter. Whose side are you on? I know you all think I eat too much, didn’t get into college, didn’t make you proud. Fine, I won’t co out and embarrass myself anymore."
Then ca the sound of a door slamming, and Cheng Su shook her head.
User Comments
0 comments from readers