Year 1979: Eating meat with my wife and children

Mr. Li slapped away his third son's outstretched hand, and seeing his nonchalant attitude, said irritably, "Go ask your mother for it, I don't have any on me."

"Dongzi is here to take care of important business, not to go out and spend money recklessly. What's wrong with giving him some?"

Grandma Li was very dissatisfied, staring intently at Mr. Li.

Mr. Li felt uneasy under his mother's gaze. "Mother, I really don't have any. Don't you know? It's been so many years. Since I got married, when have I ever had any money or ration coupons? My salary is all in Dongzi's mother's hands."

Seeing her husband's pathetic state, Old Mrs. Li felt that her son was too disappointing. It was one thing for his wife to control him when he was young, but now that he was over fifty years old, he was still being manipulated by his wife.

"You good-for-nothing, you're so old and you can't even keep your own wife in check."

Mr. Li complained, "How can you blame me? Wasn't my daughter-in-law the one you chose for me?"

Li's mother entered the house with a freshly washed aluminum lunchbox and happened to hear what Li's father said. She slammed the lunchbox on the table with a 'bang'.

She walked up to Li's father and immediately started yelling, "What are you saying, you old fool? What's wrong with me as your daughter-in-law? Is there anything I've done that doesn't suit your taste?"

Mr. Li hurriedly explained, "What you're saying is completely irrelevant. That's not what I meant. Don't misunderstand."

"If it doesn't mean that, then what does it mean? I heard your tone clearly just now, don't try to fool me!"

When Li's father and mother were arguing, none of Li Xiangdong's three brothers said a word to mediate; the younger generation was already used to it.

You know your own parents best. Mr. and Mrs. Li have been arguing their whole lives, and none of their arguments have been any less intense than this one.

They all knew that Li's mother had a temper that flared up quickly but subsided just as fast.

Only Li's father, caught off guard, sat on pins and needles. He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say, looking completely embarrassed.

His face turned from dark to red, then back to dark again, but he didn't say anything. He just snorted, then got up and went back to his room without even eating.

Li Xiangdong felt sorry for his father, but he didn't feel sorry for him.

His father certainly won't go hungry; this isn't the first time. His older brother always remembers to bring food for his father when he goes to work.

"You should say less in the future."

Old Man Li said something to Old Woman Li, and Old Woman Li shut up and didn't say anything. She knew that she had caused trouble for her son this time.

After tidying up the aluminum lunchbox that she had slammed on the table, Li's mother said, "Dad, Mom, I didn't mean anything by what happened earlier. Please don't take it to heart. You know what kind of temper I have. When I heard him talking about me behind my back, I just couldn't help but say a few words to him."

Grandma Li didn't speak, but Grandpa Li chuckled and said, "It's alright, it's alright. Your mother and I didn't mind. But it's always good for a family to be together in harmony. If we can avoid arguing, we should."

At this moment, Li Xiaozhu, standing in Zhou Yuqin's arms, braced her hands on the table. Far from being frightened, she opened her mouth, revealing a few small teeth, and slammed her hand on the table, shouting fiercely, "Hit..."

"Milk...hit"

Upon hearing Li Xiaozhu's words, Li's mother immediately smiled, her expression completely different from before.

She walked over and sat down next to Zhou Yuqin, reaching out to touch the little tuft of hair on Li Xiaozhu's head.

"My little Qi knows how to care for her grandma. She's so young, yet she already speaks up for her grandma."

After a minor incident, the atmosphere in the room immediately relaxed, and the children at the small dining table started chattering again.

Li Xiangdong sidled up to his mother and said ingratiatingly, "Could you give me some money and tickets? I need them when I eat out if I can't make it back for lunch."

Li's mother took out a handkerchief and asked, "How much do you want?"

Li Xiangdong said with a smile, "Just give me whatever you think is appropriate. If it's too much or too little, do you think I'd criticize you like my father did?"

Li's mother rolled her eyes at him. "Li Laosan, are you looking for trouble?"

Li Xiangdong explained, "No, that can't be. I'm speaking on your behalf, didn't you realize?"

"I honestly didn't recognize that! Here, now finish your meal and get out of here!"

Li's mother took out a few banknotes, stuffed them into her third son's hand, and then ignored him. She hadn't even finished her breakfast yet.

No one spoke, and breakfast was quickly finished.

Before leaving, Brother Li took two cornbread buns from the winnowing basket. Mother Li glanced at her eldest son but didn't say anything. Despite their argument, she certainly wouldn't let her husband go to work hungry.

Li Xiangdong went back to his room, changed his clothes, put all the prepared items into his satchel, and planned to go to his mother to ask for the household registration book.

When he came out of the house, he saw his grandfather pacing around in the yard. Knowing that his grandfather was waiting for him, he went straight over.

Old Li asked, "Is what your mother gave you enough? If not, I'll get you some more."

Li Xiangdong glanced at the main room and, seeing that no one was there, said in a low voice, "It's enough. My mother would never let me go hungry. She's all bark and no bite. Please don't get angry about this, Grandma and I."

Old Li shook his head. "No way. After all these decades, do you think your grandma and I don't know your mother's temper? Don't worry about it. Just go and report for duty and get your job settled as soon as possible."

Li Xiangdong nodded, "I understand, Grandpa. I'll go find my mother and ask for the household registration book right away."