Chapter 333 - 330: Grandma Li’s Birthday (2)

Chapter 333: Chapter 330: Grandma Li’s Birthday (2)

"That’s good. As long as you’re doing well, that’s what matters. Back when you got married, your big brother and I were truly swamped. We couldn’t even be here for your visit home after the wedding. Although we heard from family that you were doing great, your big brother and I couldn’t rest easy until we heard it from you directly," Zhou Lian said with a sigh, gently patting Li Fen’s hand.

Li Fen pursed her lips into a smile and said a bit bashfully, "Sister-in-law, you don’t need to worry about us. Eldest Sister, Second Sister, Sister Gui... we’re all doing very well. When we got married, you and Big Brother paved the way for us. Our in-laws are all smart people; no one would make things difficult for no reason. Our brothers-in-law and my husband are all wonderful. Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. Besides, Big Brother guided us later on, and we’ve all made a good amount of money. Life is very good for all of us now!"

"That’s good to hear. Back then, circumstances were what they were, so your big brother and I were helpless. By the time things improved, you girls were already of marriageable age. The younger ones now have all managed to seize their opportunities, but your big brother and I always worry that the distance and the growing disparities might affect the bonds between you all. We always hope you can remain as close as you were in childhood," Zhou Lian smiled and said to Li Fen. ’After all, people worry not about having too little, but about unfairness. The human heart is the most unpredictable thing of all!’

Understanding the meaning behind Zhou Lian’s words, Li Fen shook her head and said softly, "Sister-in-law, you and Big Brother have already done more than enough. We sisters all understood what Big Brother did when he came back that time. We’ve talked about it since. No one is to blame for the situation; it was the environment, and moreover, a matter of individual character. You just need to look at Li Guo and Li Cui to see that."

"It’s good that you all see it so clearly. So much in life depends on one’s own efforts. Alright, as long as you’re all doing well, your big brother and I can be at ease. Let’s go out, the banquet is about to start!" Hearing Li Fen’s words, Zhou Lian nodded, gratified, and said with a smile.

Zhou Lian smiled as she looked at the five tables set up in the courtyard. Since it was an overcast day, they could eat outside. ’Today is Grandma Li’s birthday, and even the heavens are cooperating. An overcast sky in the middle of summer, and a cool breeze too. If not for this, cramming so many people into a house with no air conditioning would have been absolute misery!’

Before long, everyone had been seated. Looking over the seating arrangement, Zhou Lian couldn’t help but purse her lips, suppressing a mischievous smile. ’Nicely done. It had to be the handiwork of Li Bao, Li Guo, and Li Bo. Those three are completely devoted to their big brother!’

’It was almost laughable when she thought about it. None of Li Xiu’s own younger siblings genuinely cared for him as their big brother. Yet, his cousins from the first and third branches of the family treated him as if he were their own, each one fiercely protective of him. Perhaps it was a case of losing the sesame seeds only to pick up a watermelon.’

At the main table sat Grandma Li. Seated beside her in order were Uncle Li, Aunt Li, Uncle Li, and Aunt Li. On her other side were Li Xiu, Zhou Lian, Li Bao, Wang Xiaojuan, and Li Bo. A three-tiered cake sat in the middle of the table, adorned with exceptionally eye-catching and lifelike longevity peaches.

Li Guo brought out a knife and other utensils, ready for Grandma Li to cut the cake. Following modern tradition, they lit the candles, she made a wish, and then they all blew out the candles together. Grandma Li wasn’t sure how to cut the cake, so Li Xiu stood up, guided her hand, and made the first slice. That first piece of cake was then placed on the plate in front of Grandma Li.

Li Guo, ever observant, took the knife and began cutting and distributing slices, starting with the main table. Although there were many guests, the large, three-tiered cake was more than enough for everyone. Once the cake was finished, the banquet began. Li Xiu and Li Bao had clearly put a great deal of effort into Grandma Li’s birthday. After all, they were the eldest sons of the second and third branches, respectively. The eldest son of the first branch, Li Bo, was still young, so his responsibilities had been temporarily taken on by his two older cousins.

Every table was laden with chicken, duck, fish, and all kinds of meat. The eighteen courses were a feast for the eyes and the palate, and there was an abundance of cigarettes, liquor, and other beverages. The family’s six sons-in-law, from two generations, all gave a mental thumbs-up as they surveyed the lavish spread. Among the eight male cousins of the Li family’s three branches, every single one—except for Li Hua and his three brothers from the second branch—was a man of exceptional caliber. To say nothing of Li Xiu and Li Bao, Li Guo was currently studying at the country’s best and most renowned university. And Li Bo, the only son of the first branch, was already showing brilliant promise at a young age, with a presence that was reminiscent of his eldest cousin, Li Xiu.

Several of the guests couldn’t help glancing toward the corner where the members of the second branch were sitting. Li Xin’s husband, in particular, took one look at his distinguished eldest brother-in-law, Li Xiu, at the main table and cursed inwardly. ’There isn’t a single sharp person in this entire second branch. The only one with any sense is the one they’ve all managed to alienate completely. Do my second brother-in-law, my three younger brothers-in-law, and even my own wife have rocks for brains? Are they really from the same parents as their eldest brother?’

The feast lasted for two or three hours, and by all accounts, a good time was had by hosts and guests alike. No matter how foolish Li Hua and his brothers were, they wouldn’t dare cause a scene at an event like this. Setting aside Li Xiu and Li Bao, if anyone had dared to make trouble today, both Uncle Li from the first branch and Uncle Li from the third branch would have started throwing punches themselves.

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhou Lian and Wang Xiaojuan asked the five married sisters to stay behind while everyone else headed home. The Li family sons-in-law all dutifully followed their respective in-laws back to the homes of the first and third branches. However, Li Xin’s husband, holding his child, didn’t move from his spot next to the Li family’s uncle-in-law. For one, he didn’t get along with his wife’s brothers from the second branch. Secondly, his mother-in-law hadn’t attended, and it wasn’t as if he was fond of her anyway, so he just stayed put.

Sister Fang led a few bodyguards in quickly tidying up the disheveled courtyard. She then invited Grandma Li, the family’s paternal aunt and uncle-in-law, and Li Xin’s husband to sit under the grape arbor. After brewing some tea, she served it to them along with a large platter laden with candy, pastries, and fruit. As she turned to leave, she pressed a handful of candy into the hand of Li Xin’s son.

Glancing at the sky, Sister Fang had one of the bodyguards take Nuonuo and Yanyan out for a stroll. She and the rest of her team then got to work on the major cleanup. The temporary stove in the courtyard had to be dismantled, piles of trash needed to be cleared away, and the kitchen was a complete wreck.

Seeing that Li Xiu was a little tipsy, Zhou Lian asked Wang Xiaojuan to lead the others to the study first. She then gently helped Li Xiu to the bedroom and said softly, "You’ve had a bit too much to drink. You should rest for a while. Jin Chen, would you like me to get you some sobering soup?"

"No, I’m fine. I didn’t drink that much, I’m just happy. Don’t worry about me, Bao’er," Li Xiu said softly, lying on the bed and gently taking her hand. That small amount of alcohol wasn’t nearly enough to make him drunk; he was simply in high spirits today.

Gently patting his hand, Zhou Lian whispered, "Alright then. You rest here in the room, Jin Chen. I’m going to go check on everyone in the study, okay?"

"Will you come back quickly and keep me company, then?" Li Xiu asked, looking at her with deep affection in a rare, cajoling tone.

Seeing him like this, Zhou Lian’s heart completely melted. She leaned down to kiss his forehead and said gently, "Okay. I’ll be back in just a little while."

Watching her leave, Li Xiu broke into a goofy smile. He touched his forehead where she had kissed him and gently closed his eyes. ’It’s true,’ he thought with a sigh, ’it’s not the wine that intoxicates you, but your own happiness. It was just a little bit of alcohol, yet it’s somehow made my head spin.’