Chapter 108: The Mother-In-Law's Astonishment
Chapter 108: The Mother-In-Law’s Astonishment
Poxin Village.
After breakfast, Zhang’s mother, with an envious look from her husband, led her sons and daughters-in-law on a brisk walk toward her son-in-law’s home. When visiting a married daughter, it’s usually the mother who leads the group, while the father stays behind. If the grandmother is still alive, she can also go.
Ever since the relatives who accompanied her daughter to her wedding three days ago returned and raved about the delicious food at the banquet, Zhang’s mother had been eagerly looking forward to this visit. She wanted to taste the food that her relatives had praised so highly and see if it was as good as they said.
She was also curious about her daughter’s new home. Her family and many relatives had already seen it, but she, as the mother, had not. She was eager to see the beautiful brick and tile house that everyone had spoken so highly of.
Zhang’s mother wasn’t the only one looking forward to the visit. Her four sons and their wives were equally excited, especially about the three seafood dishes that had left them craving more.
After walking for over three hours, as they neared her daughter’s new home, Zhang’s eldest son, Zhang Shouguo, finally spoke up, “I wonder how Ping has been these past three days. I hope she’s adjusting well to life at the Dengs’.”
Zhang’s eldest daughter-in-law glanced at him and said, “Why wouldn’t she be? She’s eating well and living comfortably at the Dengs’. What’s there to worry about?”
Zhang’s second daughter-in-law added, “That’s right, Big Brother. You don’t need to worry. Ping is definitely living a life of luxury at the Dengs’.”
Zhang Shoumin chimed in, “I’m not worried about her food or living conditions. The Dengs are a reputable family, and everyone can see that. I’m more concerned that Ping might miss her family too much. She cried when we told her we were leaving on her wedding day.”
Zhang’s mother replied, “Crying is very normal. When the wedding party leaves, nine out of ten brides cry. Your eldest daughter-in-law and your wife both cried when they saw their relatives off after their weddings.”
Zhang’s eldest daughter-in-law remembered those moments and sighed, “It’s different when you’re leaving with family. You don’t feel the full weight of it until everyone has gone, and you realize that the home you grew up in is no longer yours. That’s when the tears really come.”
The family continued their conversation as they walked, and soon they arrived at the entrance of Yayue Village. Just a hundred meters from the village entrance, they reached a small river. Looking to the right from the riverbank, they could see a row of grand brick and tile houses about forty to fifty meters ahead. Despite having heard about them countless times, Zhang’s mother was still amazed when she saw them with her own eyes.
A single brick and tile house might be impressive, but it wouldn’t be as stunning as a row of five or six such houses. The scale and grandeur were truly breathtaking.
Thinking about her daughter living in such a beautiful home, Zhang’s mother couldn’t help but marvel at her daughter’s good fortune.
As the Zhang family approached the river, Deng Yun and Zhang Xiuping, who had been eagerly waiting, quickly came forward to greet them.
“Mom, Big Brother and Big Sister-in-Law, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-Law, Xiaojun and Xiaoshan, you’re here!”
“Xiuping, Yun!”
“Ping, Brother-in-Law!”
“Sister, Sister-in-Law!”
Seeing Zhang Xiuping, who looked radiant and happy, Zhang’s mother and the others knew that she had been well taken care of during her first three days at her new home. They were all relieved and put their minds at ease.
Deng Shirong, who had been busy in the kitchen, came out to greet them when he learned that his mother-in-law had arrived. “Mother-in-Law, please sit down and have some tea. I’ll finish the last three seafood dishes, and then we can eat!”
Zhang’s mother politely said, “Father-in-Law, thank you for your hard work!”
“There’s no hard work in this. It’s my pleasure.”
Deng Shirong smiled and waved his hand, then turned to his eldest son and said, "Yuntao, this is your mother-in-law's first visit to our home. Show her around properly."
After his eldest son nodded in agreement, Deng Shirong exchanged a few more pleasantries before returning to the kitchen to continue his preparations.
Deng Shirong was well aware of the customs of the time. Three days ago, he had prepared in advance for the wedding banquet, storing dishes like meatballs, egg rolls, and sweet lotus roots, which took a long time to prepare, in his system space. He also stored some of the ingredients for the three seafood dishes.
If it weren't for the fear of not being able to explain, he would have stored the other finished dishes as well.
Early that morning, Deng Shirong retrieved the ingredients for the three seafood dishes and the already prepared meatballs, egg rolls, and sweet lotus roots from his space. When his eldest daughter asked, he easily found an excuse to gloss over the matter.
While Deng Shirong was busy in the kitchen, Deng Yuntao was showing his mother-in-law around their house.
Even though she had been mentally prepared, Zhang's mother was still awestruck when she stepped inside and saw the house. It was like standing on the Great Wall for the first time after only seeing it in photos or videos—no matter how many times you see it, the real thing is always more impressive.
As Zhang's mother toured the house with her son, her daughters-in-law, Zhang Dacao and Zhang Ercao, pulled the youngest daughter-in-law aside to chat about private matters.
At noon, the Deng family sat down for lunch on time.
The menu was identical to the one from the wedding banquet. The four Zhang brothers and their wives couldn't help but swallow their saliva when they saw the dishes. No wonder, the food from that day had been so delicious that they had never forgotten the taste. The anticipation of having it again was through the roof!
Even Zhang's mother, who hadn't tasted the food before, felt her heart fill with excitement as she looked at the table full of beautifully prepared dishes. Over the past three days, she had heard her children and their spouses praise the food endlessly.
Once everyone was seated, Deng Shirong made a few courteous remarks and then invited everyone to start eating.
All the chopsticks immediately gravitated towards the three seafood dishes, especially the steamed mudworms, which were the most popular.
After tasting each of the three seafood dishes, Zhang's mother finally understood why her children and their spouses had been raving about them for three whole days. The taste was simply the best she had ever experienced!
Apart from the three delicious seafood dishes, Zhang's mother also tried the other dishes, and each one was a culinary masterpiece. Compared to these dishes, she felt that her own cooking was like swill. It was a complete waste of the ingredients.
No wonder, when her father-in-law had stayed for dinner at their house, he had only drunk two bowls of chicken soup and barely touched the other dishes. At the time, she had thought he was being polite and didn't want to eat too much, leaving more for them.
But now, Zhang's mother had a strong feeling that her father-in-law hadn't eaten much because her cooking was terrible, and the food she prepared was probably not to his taste. That was why he hadn't eaten more.
The thought made her face flush with embarrassment.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
