Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Going Head-to-head
"What dish is that? It smells so good, I could smell it from far away," Uncle Hui said as soon as he entered the kitchen, his voice loud.
"Yes, indeed. I could smell it as soon as I left the main room," Auntie Hui chimed in from beside him.
"Mmm, Jiaojiao is getting better and better at cooking," Big Brother Feng Xi said with a laugh, giving her a thumbs up.
"Heh, this is my first time eating the Feng family’s little sister’s cooking. It smells good; I bet it tastes even better," Zhang Yijiang said, speaking more than he usually did.
"Hehe, then please try the tofu feast I made tonight and see how it tastes," she said, sitting next to her brother, her face flushed with embarrassment from the praise.
"Then we won’t be shy," Jiaojiao said while helping herself to the food and bringing it to her mouth. She swallowed quickly, slurping to cool the hot food, and kept saying how delicious it was.
The meal was eaten amidst soft laughter and conversation.
Feng Youcai arrived at his big brother’s house, looking furious, with his youngest son in tow. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he called out unpleasantly, "Big Brother, are you home?"
Upon hearing the voice and seeing it was his second uncle, Feng Da’s face turned the color of an eggplant, knowing that nothing good would come from the visit, but he still stepped forward to greet him, "Second Uncle, why have you come so late? If it’s something urgent, just say the word, and we would have come to you."
Feng Youcai glanced at Feng Da with narrowed eyes and let out a heavy snort before walking past him into the house.
Feng Da, touching the back of his head, wondered who had upset Second Uncle this time, but he shook his head and followed him indoors.
"Youcai is here. What is so urgent that couldn’t be sent as a message by the child? Why come all the way here in the dark?" Feng Youfa asked his second brother with confusion.
"Big Brother, don’t pretend to be confused when you clearly understand. You know that I have cut ties with Feng Xi and Jiaojiao, so why did you still go and plant their rice? Isn’t that a slap in my face?" Feng Youcai angrily asked his big brother.
"How could you say that, Second Uncle? Who doesn’t want to live a better life? Just because you choose not to plant, does that mean others shouldn’t either? That makes no sense," Feng Youfa’s wife, Luo, replied to Feng Youcai.
"You women should keep out of men’s business; when we are talking, there’s no place for you to chime in. Go do whatever you’re supposed to do," Feng Youcai retorted, glaring at his sister-in-law Luo.
"Youcai, have you lost your mind? That’s your sister-in-law you’re talking to. Do you even have any respect for me, your big brother?" Feng Youfa said and slammed his hand on the table.
"Big Uncle, don’t be mad. My dad is just confused from the anger caused by those two brats, Feng Xi and Jiaojiao. He didn’t mean to offend you," Feng Santian interjected, trying to explain for his father.
"Big Brother, it was anger that got the best of me; I feel like I’ve lost face," Feng Youcai said, wiping his face with one hand and then hanging his head in deep sighs.
"Alright, you know what’s going on in your own house. Let’s not talk about it here. So, you came this late just because of the rice planting?" Feng Youfa asked sharply, cutting to the heart of the matter.
"Yes, Big Brother, are you not going against me by doing this?" Feng Youcai said, looking at his elder brother.
"What do you mean, ’going against you’? I have to think about my children’s future, don’t I? Do you want us to continue living a half-dead life? Ok, I’ve already made my decision to plant it. It’s getting late; let Santian help you home," Feng Youfa said dismissively.
"Big Brother, you, third brother, and fourth brother should really think it over," Feng Youcai said as a last-ditch effort to persuade them.
"Have you been to see the third and the fourth?" Feng Youfa asked hurriedly, sensing there was an implication in Feng Youcai’s words.
"I did. They said the same thing as you did, both have decided to plant," Feng Youcai said weakly, revealing the decision his younger brothers had made.
"Hmm, I understand. You can go back now," Feng Youfa waved his hand dismissively and said no more.
Feeling helpless, Feng Youcai walked back. Neither his eldest brother nor his younger brothers were on his side. This was all Feng Xi and Feng Xuxu’s fault. They would have to pay a dreadful price, making his brothers regret not heeding his advice and insisting on opposing him. A malevolent idea began to take root.
The next day, before dawn, everyone in the family got up early. Just after washing up, there was a knocking at the door, and Auntie Zhang hurried to see who it was.
"Ha ha, Sister Wang, we’ve all come," the first to enter the courtyard was Feng Xiquan’s wife, Feng Liu, who said with a laugh. She was followed by several women of similar age, all smiling at Zhang Wang who was opening the door.
"Ah, Sister Liu, Sister Zheng, Older Sister Jiang, and even the village chief’s wife have come! Please, come in," Auntie Zhang opened the door wider to let everyone in.
"Hehe, Sister Wang, I came without an invitation. Hope I’m not bothering you," the village chief’s wife, Feng Shen, said with a chuckle, smiling at Zhang Wang.
"What are you talking about? I couldn’t be happier; how could I be bothered?" Auntie Zhang moved forward to take Feng Shen’s hand, gently chiding her. How could she not understand the village chief’s kind intentions? He was there to support her, fearing that some might come to cause trouble.
"Ha ha, Sister Wang, I’ve brought my big mouth here, just order me around for any task," Jiang Family’s wife bantered about herself.
"Sister Jiang, you’re always so cheerful. If anyone calls you a big mouth again, watch me go give them a piece of my mind," Auntie Zhang said half-jokingly, half-seriously.
"Exactly, whoever dares to say it again won’t get off lightly," Feng Liu spat to one side in agreement.
"Oh, everyone’s here—I guess I’ve come at the right time," the embroidering sister stepped into the courtyard to find the group chatting merrily.
"Eh, Embroidering Sister, you’re here too?" Jiang Family’s wife asked in surprise.
"My man and I came to deliver vegetables. I came on ahead while my child’s father (Feng Zhi) is behind, carrying the vegetables. He’ll be here shortly," said the embroidering sister. Just as she finished speaking, they heard the sound of heavy footsteps nearing the entrance.
The chattering group quickly went forward to take over Feng Zhi’s carrying pole, with people dividing into two groups, heading towards the well with the vegetable baskets. Feng Xuxu brought out the pre-prepared washing basins from the kitchen to the wellside. The women, without any supervision, began picking and washing the vegetables, chatting and laughing as they worked; they did not find it tiring, rather, they were quite efficient, finishing the task as they chatted and laughed.
"Big Brother Zhang, I’ve brought the meat," Zhang Hui heard the butcher Rong coming and rushed out of the courtyard to help push his cart inside.
"Yo, Butcher Rong, you’re up early," Jiang Family’s wife teased Rong as he pushed the cart, while she continued her work.
"That’s right, I got up early to slaughter the pig. Look at this meat, how fresh it is," he declared, slapping the pork with a smack.
"Ha ha, who doesn’t know your pork is the best in all the nearby villages? Otherwise, I wouldn’t have insisted on your pork," Zhang Hui laughed heartily, patting Rong on the shoulder.
"Of course, my meat must be the freshest. The common folk can eat it with peace of mind, and so can I," Rong assured, thumping his chest.
