Chapter 73: Are You Sure You Won't Eat?

“Dad, I want to learn shoemaking from Liu Xing,” Kang Hu said with a sheepish grin to Kang Fuchuan. As long as he mastered the craft, he believed he’d never have to worry about making a living; at the very least, he wouldn’t be idling away at home, eating through their savings.

“Useless! Don’t even think about it.”

Kang Fuchuan pulled Kang Hu out of the main room. Liu Xing just smiled without saying anything. After all, now that his uncle's peculiar illness had been cured, it was only logical that Kang Hu would be expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a teacher. Though Kang Hu had dropped out of school, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to return to his studies.

So, what Kang Hu wanted to do was not really up to him.

Yet, although his uncle looked down on the shoemaking trade, Liu Xing couldn't entirely agree. Still, he said nothing more. Everyone has their own path; you can’t force someone’s hand.

He would prove himself the day he made a fortune from the shoemaker’s trade. When that time came, he’d let his uncle see his worth with new eyes. Of course, he also understood his uncle’s mindset: “All trades are inferior, only scholarship is noble.” In a teacher’s eyes, a child who couldn’t excel academically was destined for failure.

Thinking of this, Liu Xing smiled and, after tidying up the sandals on the floor, walked out of the main room.

Seeing there were more guests for dinner than usual, Liu Dazhao called for Liu Ye to move the dining table out to the open space outside. Guazi and Little Dot came to help, carrying out the long bench from inside and placing it beside the table.

Before long, Liu Dongju brought out a large bowl of twice-cooked pork and set it on the table. Kang Hu couldn’t help but drool, but afraid of his father’s scolding, he turned his face away.

In contrast, Guazi was much bolder. She took out her little bowl and chopsticks, climbed onto the table, snatched a few pieces of pork, and as she passed Kang Hu, she picked up an extra piece and handed it to him, “Here, open up! My family’s meat is the best!”

At her words, Kang Hu lowered his head and swallowed the meat in one gulp. The rich, savory flavor nearly made him swallow his tongue as well.

“Auntie, I want some meat too!” Little Dot clung to Guazi’s arm.

“There’s plenty for everyone.” Seeing her father pretend not to notice, Guazi quickly picked up a piece of pork and popped it into Little Dot’s mouth.

“What are you two up to?” Liu Dongju came out carrying a pot of taro and braised ribs. Seeing Guazi and Little Dot feasting, he couldn’t help but laugh, but he said nothing more. After all, Little Dot was his daughter—he wouldn’t embarrass her any further.

Liu Qiuyuan emerged from the kitchen with a large pot of stewed chicken. Seeing Kang Fuchuan lingering nearby, gazing at the scenery, he teased, “I can practically hear your stomach growling—come, sit down! No need for formality at my brother’s house.”

“Hahaha, yes, yes! Let’s all sit and eat,” Liu Dazhao said. Knowing Kang Fuchuan was still recuperating, he didn’t pour him any wine, instead taking a sip himself.

This made Kang Fuchuan a little annoyed, “Brother, what’s this about? Drinking without inviting me—do you look down on me?”

“With your health, you can’t drink yet. Hold off for now,” Liu Qiuyuan shot him a stern look. On this matter, she would not budge.

“All right, all right! No wine for me, but at least let me have some chicken soup.” Kang Fuchuan sighed, ladled himself a bowl, and called Kang Hu to the table.

As for Liu Ziran, Liu Ye, and Liu Xing, they needed no invitation, already digging in.

Guazi and Little Dot’s bowls were piled high with drumsticks and chicken meat, so no one worried about them.

Just as the family was finishing up, the sound of a bicycle bell rang from the village road.

Liu Xing turned and saw his third uncle, Liu Dazhu, riding a heavy black bicycle. He quickly got up to greet him, “Uncle, have you eaten yet? If not, come join us.”

Liu Dazhu was tall, lanky, and looked full of energy. Hearing Liu Xing’s invitation, he chuckled, “I already ate at the construction site. I’m here today to speak with your father about something important.”

“Are you sure you won’t eat?” Kang Fuchuan waved the half-finished pork in front of him.

“Oh please, if he doesn’t want our pork, that just means more for us. What’s there to show off?” Liu Dazhao teased.

At that, Liu Dazhu parked his bike and walked straight to the table. Seeing the spread, his eyes widened in astonishment, “Brother, what’s the occasion? This is a feast fit for New Year’s!”

“My goodness—stewed chicken and ribs too? Isn’t this a bit extravagant?” Liu Dazhu rolled up his sleeves, ignored any stares, and poured himself a full glass of baijiu.

He was just about to take a sip when Kang Fuchuan stopped him, “Third brother, didn’t you just say you already ate? Drinking on a full stomach is wasteful, you know!”

“That was just being polite—didn’t you realize?” Liu Dazhu had no intention of being formal with Kang Fuchuan or anyone else in the family. After a satisfied sip of baijiu, he suddenly jumped up in shock, “Fuchuan, your illness—are you cured?”

“You’re only noticing now?” Kang Fuchuan retorted.

“Who cured you?” Liu Dazhu scanned him up and down, as if he’d seen a ghost.

He vividly remembered visiting last month—Kang Fuchuan had looked so frail, a gust of wind could have knocked him over. Now, here he was, joking and full of life. It was simply unbelievable.

“It was a doctor Liu Xing introduced,” Kang Fuchuan replied, not giving specifics.

“That’s impossible!” Liu Dazhu was dumbfounded.

“Oh, that’s enough questions,” Liu Dazhao said, placing a piece of pork in his bowl. “Tell us, why are you back from the construction site today?”

“Yes, why have you come home?” Kang Fuchuan echoed. Usually, Liu Dazhu only came home every month or two, so his sudden return so soon was unusual.

“I’m here to deliver a message,” Liu Dazhu said, setting down his chopsticks, his expression turning serious. “Big sister came to see me today. She said her husband Changsheng is in the hospital, and none of us brothers have visited. She gave me a scolding. I figured something must be wrong, so I came home.”

“Actually, I went to your wife about this three days ago, but she said she wouldn’t go, and didn’t want to visit Liu Changsheng in the hospital either,” Liu Dazhao said, scratching his head.

“What? You knew about brother-in-law’s trouble three days ago?” Liu Dazhu looked at him in surprise.

“It’s a long story. Ma Lei, who’s about to start at Hengshui Distillery, told Liu Xing, and that’s how we heard. But let’s not get sidetracked—how do you plan to handle this?” Liu Dazhao picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of ribs. “Just tell us your plan.”

“Of course I’ll go to the hospital to see brother-in-law! Are you coming?” Liu Dazhu asked.

“I’m not, but I can give ten yuan,” Liu Dazhao replied.

Zhou Qiuxiang, sitting nearby, didn’t object. She didn’t want to make things difficult for her husband.

“I won’t go either, and I have no money to give,” Kang Fuchuan said with a smile.

Liu Qiuyuan didn’t object either; in fact, she thought it was the right thing to do. When Fuchuan was bedridden, big sister’s family had never visited, let alone offered help. If she still went out of her way for them now, what was the point of pride?

“In that case, what about fifth and eighth brothers?” Liu Dazhu asked.

Kang Fuchuan didn’t answer.

Liu Dazhao frowned, “You’ll have to ask them yourself. When I went, fifth brother said he has no big sister anymore, and would rather starve than ask for her help. As for eighth brother, he said to ask our mother—which is as good as saying nothing.”

Liu Dazhu fell silent. He never imagined that the siblings would end up like this. Of course, he knew the real culprit wasn’t the country siblings, but rather big sister herself—she simply didn’t know how to treat people. For instance, when she called on him, she could have given him some face. Instead, she scolded him in front of all his coworkers. If he told his wife about it, their marriage would be in trouble.

After all, people need their dignity. She was the eldest, yes, but all the siblings had their own families now. If she gave them no respect, what was the point of keeping in touch?

Liu Dazhao understood his third brother’s feelings, but still handed him ten yuan from Zhou Qiuxiang, “Come on, eat up. Once you’re finished, go see fifth and eighth brothers. I don’t want to get involved in the rest—if you wonder why, you should understand.”

“I understand.” Liu Dazhu picked up his bowl and chopsticks and buried himself in his food.

With all the pork and ribs, he ate three big bowls before pocketing the money and heading out.

Seeing that night had fallen, Kang Fuchuan got up and said to Liu Dazhao, “Brother, my family should be going now. Thank your wife for cooking such a wonderful meal. When our finances improve, I’ll have you all over for dinner.”

“Don’t make it sound like I’m hoping for a meal at your place,” Liu Dazhao couldn’t help but say.

Kang Fuchuan just laughed, said no more, and left with Liu Qiuyuan and Kang Hu, heading toward Daohua Village. Though still thin, he walked with a steady stride.

Liu Dazhao watched them go, letting out a sigh of relief. Whether it was Kang Fuchuan or Liu Changsheng, he hoped they would both do well. After all, they were family, and if anything happened to them, he would feel terrible.

But as for his big sister...

She really was a headache.

...

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Many thanks to reader 20180223142900795 for the five-hundred-point tip. Wishing everyone a happy National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival. Please don’t forget to vote for recommendations!