Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

38: Chapter 38 War on the Dining Table 38: Chapter 38 War on the Dining Table She bent over to pick up the cabbage, vermicelli, and fried pork from the table and brought it to An Shuchao, using her chopsticks to push half of it towards him, “Dad, eat more, you need strength to do more work!

When eating at home, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about!”

An Shuchao saw his daughter’s concern for him and did not say much, just nodded his head and started eating quickly.

Bai Jianshe saw the bowl being taken away and was immediately displeased, “An Hao!

Everyone is eating, and you’ve scooped away all the veggies, how are we supposed to eat?”

An Hao smiled gently, “Isn’t this what I learned from uncle and auntie?

If I don’t pick it up, I’m afraid I won’t get anything to eat!

After all, our family isn’t well off, and my dad is too shy to say anything.

But as his daughter, I can’t let my dad go hungry!”

Having said that, she didn’t put the bowl down and instead scooped half of the meaty part for An Ping, “An Ping, eat more.

Study well after the New Year!”

“Mm-hmm, thank you, sister!” His face beamed with joy as he looked at his bowl full of meat, grinning from ear to ear.

As there was not much meat left in the bowl, Bai Jianshe became anxious, his eyes fixated on it, waiting for An Hao to put the bowl down.

The moment she did, he was ready to grab it and take it for himself.

But An Hao didn’t put the bowl down at all, pouring the remaining dish into her own bowl instead.

“Hey, An Hao, what do you mean by this?” Bai Jianshe slammed down his chopsticks and glared at An Hao, “We are guests in your house, is this how you treat your guests?”

Upon hearing this, An Shuchao was taken aback.

Seeing her husband’s displeased expression, Bai Xue hurriedly tried to smooth things over, “Jianshe, what are you saying?

You’re an elder after all, why squabble with a child?”

Niu Cuihua always stood by her husband’s side.

Seeing him upset, she joined the conversation, “Sister, it seems your family doesn’t welcome us here!

If you don’t, we’ll leave right now and see what the villagers have to say!”

Bai Xue cared a lot about her reputation.

She felt stifled upon hearing Niu Cuihua’s words but replied, “Cuihua, when have I ever mistreated you when you’ve come over?”

Niu Cuihua grinned, “I know my sister wouldn’t mistreat us.

Sister, we don’t have enough food, could you fry a couple of eggs for us?”

Bai Xue thought about the few eggs they had at home and felt a pang in her heart, “Cuihua, there are only two eggs left.”

“Then go fry them,” Bai Jianshe chimed in as well.

Bai Yanjiao wouldn’t have it, “Uncle, every time you come here, you pillage like a bandit entering a village.

Can’t you leave us some rations?”

Bai Jianshe’s eyebrows knitted together in anger, “What kind of talk is that?

Are these your words or your parents’?”

“Go on, just fry them!” An Shuchao said helplessly.

Faced with such a mother-in-law and brother-in-law, what could he do?

“No way!” An Hao slammed her chopsticks down, “What do you mean there’s no food?

Aren’t the radishes and peanuts food?

You come here, and we treat you well, but on normal days, we only have pancakes with pickles!

People should be grateful.

If you want to leave, then go; the sooner, the better!”

Bai Jianshe stiffened his neck, “What are you saying?

Telling us to leave?

On what grounds?

Have I eaten your food?

Or have I drunk your drinks?”

“This food and drink you’re having is earned by me!” An Hao crossed her arms, her eyes sharp as knives, “If you’re a guest, you should act like one.

With an attitude like yours, I’d be glad to see you leave, and I wouldn’t be afraid to say it out loud!”

Bai Jianshe was firmly put in his place by An Hao’s retort.

Indeed, An Hao’s family was known as one of the impoverished households in the village.

Everyone knew that when they came over, they were treated generously with good food and drinks.

Even if this story was told, nobody would think badly of An Hao’s family; they would only find his behavior excessive.

The old lady had been half-closing her eyes, watching the drama for a long time before she finally spoke slowly, “Enough!

There’s plenty to eat, now everyone just shut up and eat properly!

Good girl, don’t be like them!

Your uncle doesn’t know any better, just be patient with him!”

Bai Jianshe did not like what the old lady said and was about to retort when she glared at him with both eyes, causing him to swallow his words.