Chapter 5: The Shrimp Were Out of Reach
Chapter 5: The Shrimp Were Out of Reach
Jiang Xia was unaware that the original protagonist had refused to eat with the family after her first day of marriage, preferring to have her meals delivered to her room by Zhou Chenglei.
Lacking the original protagonist’s memories was a hassle, but Jiang Xia’s past experiences had taught her to remain calm and smile through any situation.
Facing the curious gazes of the family, Jiang Xia asked with a casual smile, “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing, come and sit down for dinner,” Zhou’s father said.
Zhou Chenglei pulled a bamboo chair from the corner and added it to the table, and everyone shifted to make room for her.
Zhou Chenglei gestured for Jiang Xia to sit first.
Jiang Xia realized that there hadn’t been a place set for her, likely because the original protagonist had always eaten separately. She calmly took a seat next to Zhou Zhou.
Zhou Chenglei sat down beside her and glanced at the pickled vegetables and greens on the table.
Zhou Zhou timidly called out, “Aunt Xia.”
Jiang Xia smiled and gently patted her head. “Good girl, Zhou Zhou.”
Zhou Zhou stiffened, not daring to move. She was a bit afraid of this aunt, having seen her slap her uncle before.
Noticing her fear, Jiang Xia withdrew her hand.
The Zhou family’s dining table was a long one made by joining two low-legged octagonal tables. At the moment, there were eleven people seated: the six members of the main household, Zhou’s parents, Zhou Zhou (the orphan from the third household), Jiang Xia, and Zhou Chenglei.
Zhou Chenglei’s older brother and sister-in-law worked in town and usually stayed there, so they didn’t join the family for meals. Zhou Chenglei also had an older sister who was married, which left them with eleven people for dinner.
Jiang Xia glanced at the dishes on the table: flower crabs, shrimp, a mixed fish stew, greens, pickled vegetables, and a seaweed egg drop soup.
The Zhou family’s meals were indeed as delicious as described in the novel. Living in a small fishing village close to the sea, the Zhou family owned a fishing boat. Zhou’s father, along with his sons Chengxin and Chenglei, would go out to sea at around three or four in the morning, ensuring that the family’s meals were never short of seafood.
Zhou’s father called out, “Let’s eat,” and as soon as he finished speaking, the four brothers from the main household immediately reached for the shrimp, each picking the largest ones.
In a moment, the largest shrimp were gone, and the dish looked half-empty.
Tian Caihua cursed under her breath but didn’t say anything more. She grabbed a handful of shrimp for herself and then picked the largest mudfish from the mixed fish stew to give to her sons.
Why should they let others have the best parts?
In front of Jiang Xia were only greens and pickled vegetables, with a large bowl of egg drop soup in the middle, making it difficult for her to reach the other dishes. It was clear that she wasn’t particularly welcome.
Jiang Xia picked up her chopsticks and calmly took a bite of the greens.
At that moment, a large, peeled shrimp was placed in her bowl.
Jiang Xia looked at Zhou Chenglei and smiled. “Thank you.”
Zhou Chenglei didn’t look at her. He picked the largest mudfish from the stew, removed the bones, and placed the fish meat on her plate. “Be careful; there might still be some bones.”
She had choked on a fish bone during her first meal at the Zhou family, so he always made sure to remove the bones from the fish he brought to her room.
Jiang Xia felt a bit embarrassed and thanked him again, telling him to eat himself and not worry about her.
Zhou Chenglei picked another shrimp, peeled it, and placed it in her bowl.
The shrimp were out of reach, and she couldn’t get to them.
Zhou’s mother glanced at her youngest son and sighed. She regretted moving the shrimp dish, as her son wouldn’t get any either.
Zhou’s father ate silently, as if he knew nothing of what was happening.
Tian Caihua rolled her eyes. Her son had been eating fish without needing the bones removed since he was four. How pampered and fussy!
They were about to get a divorce; why was he still being so nice to her?
Jiang Xia looked at the empty shrimp dish.
The saying "Young boys can eat their fathers into poverty" isn't without reason.
During the meal, the four brothers, Zong Yao, ate as if they were in a race. They didn't even bother to peel the shrimp, quickly devouring the entire dish.
Jiang Xia noticed that Zhou Zhou, sitting beside her, hadn't managed to get any food. She placed a shrimp on Zhou Zhou's plate.
Zhou Zhou seemed surprised, turning to look at Jiang Xia and whispering, "Thank you, Auntie."
Jiang Xia smiled and gave him half of the fish on her plate.
Zhou Zhou, timidly, said, "Thank you, Auntie. You should eat more yourself. I can eat fish and spit out the bones; I'm not afraid of them."
He didn't understand why Auntie was being so gentle today; it was a bit scary.
Zhou's mother also peeled a shrimp and picked a goby fish for Zhou Zhou. The goby had fewer bones and a delicious taste, which Zhou Zhou loved.
She told Jiang Xia, "Xia, just eat your own share. Zhou Zhou can eat fish on his own, no need to worry about him."
Today, this daughter-in-law seemed a bit more normal, with a smile on her face, unlike her usual demeanor of acting as if the world owed her money.
Unfortunately, she wasn't usually like this.
She couldn't be kept around!
Jiang Xia nodded and continued eating.
It had to be said, the wild seafood was exceptionally fresh and delicious.
The shrimp meat was chewy and sweet.
The goby fish had a firm texture and a rich flavor.
The flower crab was also incredibly sweet.
It was clear that these seafood dishes were simply steamed or boiled with just a bit of salt, but they were all very tasty.
The other dishes were quickly finished by Zhou Hai and his brothers. No one ate the flower crab, as they found it too troublesome and lacking in meat. However, Jiang Xia loved crab.
Zhou Chenglei noticed her preference and started peeling it for her.
Tian Caihua, seeing Zhou Chenglei peeling shrimp and crab for Jiang Xia, couldn't help but say to Zhou Chengxin, "Look how well our fourth brother takes care of his wife. I've been married to you for so long, and I've never seen you peel shrimp or crab for me."
Zhou Chengxin replied irritably, "Didn't you say that flower crabs aren't worth much and have no meat, and you don't like them? People in the village throw them away when they find them; only Zhou Zhou likes them."
She ate the shrimp with the shells on, saying that peeling them was a waste of time and would mean eating fewer. So, her son was just like her!
Zhou Zhou: "."
He liked it because he couldn't compete with his brothers for the other dishes, and only the flower crab was left untouched due to the trouble.
Tian Caihua: "."
She had married a block of wood!
Just seeing him made her angry!
Zhou Chengxin, having finished his meal, walked away.
Jiang Xia was surprised that flower crabs weren't valued here; in modern times, they were more expensive than some fish.
Zhou Chenglei didn't say anything, quietly picking out the meat from the remaining crabs for Jiang Xia and his niece.
By the time everyone had finished eating and left the table, Zhou Chenglei was still peeling crabs for her and Zhou Zhou.
Zhou's parents had already left after finishing their meal.
Tian Caihua, seeing Jiang Xia enjoying her meal, also tried a crab but quickly lost patience. She ate the shrimp with the shells on, standing up and taking the opportunity to say, "Fourth Sister-in-Law, you eat the slowest. After you finish, you can wash the dishes!"
Since she could get out of bed and eat, why shouldn't she do the housework?
"Alright," Jiang Xia didn't argue. Since someone else had cooked the meal, it was only fair that she wash the dishes.
Tian Caihua, seeing that Jiang Xia was reasonable, couldn't help but push further, assigning her more tasks: "Tomorrow, Father and the others will go out to sea around four in the morning. Remember to get up at three to prepare breakfast and the lunch they'll take with them. I've been doing it for the past few days."
Since they were all daughters-in-law in the Zhou family, the housework should be shared.
Why should Jiang Xia do nothing while she worked herself to the bone, serving the entire family and even her?
(End of Chapter)
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