As Wang Qiqi saw everyone had arrived, she signaled the waiter to bring out the food. The servers had already prepared everything, just waiting for Qiqi's go-ahead. In no time, most of the dishes were on the table, though the stir-fries hadn't all arrived at once—partially because there simply wasn't enough space left on the table.

Li Cui eyed the spread, raising an eyebrow. "The food this year really can't compare to when Big Brother and Sister-in-law were here." The quality was lacking. In the past, her sister-in-law always arranged banquets at the grander hotels; the standard was entirely different, complete with delicacies like Australian lobster. This time, not only was it held right near their homes, but the food itself was so poor.

Wang Damei was taken aback that her sister-in-law’s commentary was as sharp as ever. Did she really think so highly of herself? What if Wang Qiqi hadn't hosted this New Year's Eve dinner at all?

"It seems Auntie's dinner invitations this year will be of a higher caliber," Wang Qiqi replied, unruffled, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "I just wonder when Auntie's family plans to treat us."

Hmph, trying to call me stingy, Qiqi thought, but look at her own family. When do they ever host? Even during the Lunar New Year, they are always dining at relatives' houses. From before the New Year until the fifteenth day of the first month, Wang Dagui’s family never hosts a single gathering. Qiqi shot back without restraint.

Li Cui was choked silent. When would she ever host? Lunar New Year was when everything was expensive; she’d have to be insane to invite them over for a meal then. Besides, the gifts they brought when visiting—just apples and oranges, trivial things—when would she ever recoup the cost? Li Cui, thick-skinned, managed a smile, hoping to deflect.

Wang Qiqi finally understood: every concession only made Li Cui think she was easy to bully. "What a pity. I truly thought Auntie would host a proper dinner, something nice for us to eat. Alas, such a disappointment."

Song Yao burst out laughing from the side. "Qiqi, don't bother wishing! Everyone knows our Auntie is the most frugal person around. Don't expect her to treat anyone during the Spring Festival." Song Yao held no favorable opinion of Li Cui; every time she saw her, it was just boasting about herself. Hmph, look at what kind of person she is—only capable of taking advantage of others, and nothing more.

Although Song Yao’s words were the truth, she was still a junior. Wang Damei shot her daughter a look. "Eat your meal. Qiqi, when do you go back to school?"

"I have to be back for classes on the fifth day of the New Year," Wang Qiqi answered, looking respectfully at Wang Damei—a sign of proper deference.

Wang Damei hummed an acknowledgement. After a moment's thought, she said, "Come over to your Aunt’s house for dinner on the second day. Dagui, you all should come too." Traditionally, the second day was when they visited the youngest brother's home, a return to the maternal side. But now that the youngest brother was gone, and Qiqi was a senior facing the college entrance exams, coming here even for a meal meant she brought her books. On the second day, she wouldn't be preparing a huge spread, especially not after Li Cui's complaints today.

As for Wang Dagui’s family, Wang Damei scoffed inwardly. Expecting them to host was harder than waiting for a pie to fall from the sky. If Li Cui had truly intended to host, she would have spoken up already. But did she say anything about inviting them?

When Wang Dagui heard his sister suggest dinner at her place on the second day, he recalled something his elder brother used to say: the second day was the day for the wife's family visit, and since their parents were gone, the brothers were the wife's family now. Logically, with the elder brother gone, he should be inviting his sister’s family over. Wang Dagui paused, about to suggest hosting the meal at his place.

Li Cui noticed the subtle shift in her husband’s expression and quickly cut in before he could speak. "That sounds wonderful, Big Sister. I’ll be sure to arrive early that day and help you out." Are you kidding me? she thought. How could I let that fool Wang Dagui suggest inviting Big Sister over? Inviting them for a whole day would cost at least three to five hundred yuan, and no one would send over vegetables or drinks—we’d have to buy everything ourselves. He must be out of his mind to suggest that.

Wang Damei hadn't really calculated the cost; she was just making a suggestion. But she hadn't expected her younger brother to be aware of the tradition and try to speak up, only for his wife to be so blunt. Going along with that, she thought, what was the big deal if they hosted? Wouldn't she, as the sister, give their daughter, Xiaorui, a generous red envelope? Fine, if she was going to act that way, so would Wang Damei. The thought of giving her brother five hundred yuan in supermarket vouchers privately now vanished. It would be better to spend it herself than give it to that ungrateful creature. She recalled how kind her brother had been to them when he was alive, but how had they repaid him? They still bullied his orphaned child. "No need. Yaoyao will be home that day, so your Auntie and I will manage."

Song Yao sighed softly. It looked like she was going to be the manual labor that day. Sigh. Her own family could have hosted a banquet outside like Qiqi, which would have been much simpler. But Song Yao knew her mother would never be that generous; even with money, she'd behave the same way. Alas.

Li Cui managed a strained smile. She knew her comment had displeased her sister-in-law, but making her happy meant draining her own wallet, so she preferred her sister-in-law to be unhappy. She wasn't asking for anything from that side of the family anyway. Last time, she and Big Sister had supposedly agreed to cooperate, but hadn't Big Sister ultimately turned around and sold them out?

The atmosphere immediately grew cool. Li Cui forced food into her mouth. On the way over, she had briefed Dagui and Wang Rui: eat as much as possible now. Since no one was treating them to dinner that night, they would have to eat at home. Considering the expenses and the fact they would eat well at noon, the evening meal would be very simple—nothing like the satisfying feasts of previous New Years.

As she ate, Li Cui’s eyes darted around, and she did spot something. Big Sister’s two children and that girl Wang Qiqi seemed extremely familiar with each other, chatting and laughing together. In contrast, Wang Rui sat off to the side, completely ignored by everyone.

Li Cui knew the Song Yao siblings disliked interacting with Wang Rui because they disliked her. But wasn't this behavior a bit excessive? Li Cui was the type who believed if she wasn't happy, no one else would be either. "Yaoyao, you'll be another year older after the New Year. Have you found a boyfriend yet? If not, I can introduce you to someone."

Wang Qiqi’s smile vanished. Although she hadn't met Song Yao's boyfriend in this lifetime yet, she vaguely remembered that when Song Yao introduced her boyfriend to her aunt and uncle, their reaction was the same as in her previous life: strong opposition to their daughter marrying such an unambitious man.

Just as Wang Qiqi expected, as soon as Li Cui spoke, the smile on Wang Damei's face completely collapsed. She stared coldly at Li Cui. "Eat your food. If you don't talk, no one will think you’re mute." She was already losing sleep worrying about Yaoyao’s boyfriend situation with Old Song; why did Li Cui have to bring up the sore subject?

Song Yao was also in a terrible mood. She had finally gathered the courage that one day to bring her boyfriend home to meet her parents, only to see their faces instantly fall in front of him, not even bothering to hide that they thought he wasn't good enough for her. For the past few days, Song Yao had been essentially grounded by her parents, only allowed out for work. If Qiqi hadn't treated them today, Song Yao truly wouldn't have wanted to come. For the sake of her love, she was determined to fight her mother and absolutely would not back down.

But now, Li Cui had shattered this brief peace. "How were Xiaorui’s grades on the final exams? After spending over twenty thousand yuan and securing so much 'sponsorship' to get into such a good school, she must achieve excellent results to justify her parents' efforts." Hmph, as a junior, it’s improper to comment on elders, Qiqi thought, but as an older cousin, showing concern for my cousin's grades is perfectly natural.

Wang Qiqi secretly rejoiced. None of them were easy to deal with; they all had their flaws. Although this meal cost quite a bit, and she witnessed some drama, Wang Qiqi felt the ticket price was a little too high.

The counterattack was swift. Li Cui certainly wouldn't disclose her daughter's grades, especially since they would inevitably ask about her class and year rankings—that would be too embarrassing. Thinking that her humiliation stemmed from her daughter, Li Cui looked less favorably upon Wang Rui. However, Li Cui was also slightly confused. She thought she was just asking out of kindness about Song Yao's dating life, so why did her sister-in-law and her husband look so displeased? And why did that girl Song Yao bring up her daughter’s grades? Was there something she didn't know?

"Eat, eat," Wang Qiqi said. Although she wanted the drama to continue, as the host, she couldn't exactly stop eating. Moreover, Wang Dagui and his family had actually brought pots over, clearly intending to take leftovers home. If they ate too little at the table, it meant more food would go home with them. "There's so much food; it would be a waste not to eat it."

Song Yao had been so angry she didn't want to eat. If Qiqi hadn't been looking at her with concern, Song Yao would have stormed out. She had almost said she couldn't eat, but then she noticed several pots tucked away in a corner of the private room. She considered that her family hadn't brought any, and Qiqi was alone and didn't like eating leftovers. The only person who brought containers was Li Cui. The thought that if she didn't eat, Li Cui would unjustly benefit from the untouched food, made Song Yao grab her chopsticks. Regardless of whether she liked the dishes, she certainly wouldn't let the expensive ones go to waste. In short, Song Yao ate with great gusto.

Song Ziwen was also displeased when his Second Aunt brought up his sister’s relationship. They had been in a cold war for ages because of that man. It was only just beginning to relax, and now this idiot had to bring it up. Seeing his sister eating happily, he swallowed his anger. Plus, he had woken up late that morning and skipped breakfast, so Song Ziwen also ate with zeal. Wang Damei and her husband were relieved to see their son and daughter enjoying their meal, especially since their daughter hadn't walked out.

Wang Damei turned and saw Wang Dagui pulling Song Wenbo to drink. She snapped, "Enough, Dagui! Your brother-in-law has many banquets since New Year's Day; stop pressuring him to drink. If you want a drink, drink it yourself. Qiqi ordered excellent food today; Wenbo, eat more dishes."

Li Cui watched with a pang in her heart as the five of them attacked the food with incredible speed. Wherever chopsticks passed, there were few dishes left, and what remained weren't the good ones. That fish, in particular, had been sampled by others—not just a single bite, but chunks taken from different sections, leaving the whole fish looking completely unappetizing.

"Did you see Second Uncle’s face? I feel much better now," Song Yao said as she ate, keeping an eye on Li Cui’s expression. Seeing someone's face look so strange filled her with delight, and she didn't hesitate to dive back in. All the good, expensive items were now squarely in her line of fire.

Wang Damei’s family ate without restraint. Wang Qiqi thought to herself, I’m the one paying, why should I be polite about eating the food I ordered? Li Cui was distraught as many of the dishes she had her eye on were being eaten down to scraps by them.

Happy Dragon Boat Festival

For more novels, visit storyread.net.