Chapter Seven: The Eater’s Spirit, the Soul of the Feast!

“All right, as if eating an apple could keep you from talking!” Chen Liang was at his wits’ end.

Ever since their uncle-niece relationship had evolved into a friendship and Chen Hong had picked up all of Chen Liang’s cheeky ways, she had become his living nightmare! Relying on her youth, she took every opportunity to tease him, and whenever they were together, she always had the upper hand.

“Hmph! I just knew, Second Uncle, that you didn’t have good intentions coming to pick me up from school!” As soon as she finished her apple, Chen Hong’s little mouth started up again without pause.

She began by complaining about their relationship. Second Uncle, I’m your dearest little niece! How can you treat a child this way? Making her be your wingman to chase after her own kindergarten teacher—don’t you have a conscience?

She chattered on all the way to the house, and only when they arrived did Chen Hong finally hop off her special spot, her little legs pumping as she raced inside, eager to complain.

“Grandma! Grandma!” Even before she entered, her voice rang out. She latched onto Grandma Chen’s leg with practiced ease. “Grandma, listen! Second Uncle overstepped today—he wanted me to help him pursue my kindergarten teacher!”

What? Chen’s mother, who hadn’t been paying much attention to her granddaughter, instantly perked up, all fatigue from work forgotten. It was as if she’d been injected with energy; she scooped her granddaughter into her arms.

“My precious, tell Grandma exactly what happened!”

Truly, the human heart is ever hungry for gossip—age, gender, none of it matters! The craving for a juicy story is universal.

When Chen Liang finally strolled back after chatting with neighbors at the gate, he was met by his mother’s shining eyes, her age-lined face alight with curiosity as she fixed her gaze on him.

Hearing only her granddaughter’s version wasn’t enough; now that the main character had returned, she ignored Chen Hong’s resentful little glances and hurriedly grabbed Chen Liang’s hand.

“Son, is it true? You’ve set your sights on Miss Xiaoyu?”

If worry lines could actually be drawn, Chen Liang’s forehead would be covered in them. “Mom! Nothing’s happened yet, why are you in such a hurry?”

He shot a warning look at little Chen Hong. Well! So you’re a little traitor, daring to betray the cause!

But Chen Hong was not to be outdone. She glared right back. Serves you right! That’s what you get for not speaking up for me this morning—this is your just reward!

Hmph! Since you’re such a leaky, black-hearted little coat, don’t expect to play with me anymore. And don’t think you’ll get any of my treats, either!

Ah! No! My dearest Second Uncle, please give me another chance. I promise never to do it again!

Hmph! We’ll see how you behave from now on. If it happens again, I’ll make sure to keep my word!

Indeed, with a little foodie, you have to hit where it hurts. Now that Chen Liang had a supermarket at his back, he was brimming with confidence.

Their silent exchange of glances had only made Chen’s mother more anxious.

How could she not be? Her second son had always been presentable, the family was well-off—surely his marriage wouldn’t be harder than her firstborn’s.

After all, Chen Liang’s elder brother had managed to marry the most sought-after beauty in all of old Beijing, making their mother beam with pride for ages.

Then came the time for her second son, that blockhead, to start matchmaking. By rights, he was even better looking than his elder brother, with a sturdy build and a prominent nose. Sure, he had no job, but that was just the state of society at the time. It wasn’t a big issue! His father, Chen Dashan, was one of the few eighth-level workers in the Red Star Steel Plant; a job for his son would be easy to arrange.

In those days, matchmakers nearly wore out the family’s doorstep.

But!

That “but” meant trouble with Chen the Blockhead. As the saying goes, you can choose the wrong name but never the wrong nickname—and Chen the Blockhead was truly a blockhead! He simply had no interest in women.

In his eyes, nothing was as fun as wrestling. Women were all delicate and could be made to cry with a single punch!

Well! What else could you expect from someone called Chen the Blockhead?

His mother lowered her standards again and again—from wanting a good match in looks, family, and temperament, to just a good family, to finally just good looks, and in the end, as long as she was a woman! And all this in less than two years.

It weighed on her heart and showed on her face. Worrying about her second son’s marriage even brought on early menopause, making her snap at his father for no reason.

Sending him to learn wrestling had backfired—now her son didn’t even want a girlfriend!

Chen’s father was anxious too, often tugging at his own hair until, well before middle age, he ended up with a receding hairline!

Now, her second son’s marriage had become a true heartache for both parents. But suddenly, as if joy had fallen from the sky, her foolish son had finally come to his senses and taken an interest in women. How could she not seize this opportunity to make up for all her past worries?

When she saw Chen Liang and his niece exchanging secret glances, she promptly blocked Chen Liang’s line of sight.

“Son, tell your mother—what are you really thinking?”

Under the weight of his mother’s death stare, Chen Liang dropped the telepathic act and answered honestly, “What else could it be? I just like her, that’s all.”

“Mom! After dinner, go ask around about this Miss Xiaoyu. I really do like her!”

He shook his mother’s hand, acting spoiled. “Mom, you have to help me! Whether I can get married depends on you!”

It’s often said that the youngest son and first grandson are a grandmother’s treasures. Chen Liang’s act of affection immediately awakened his mother’s nurturing instincts.

“Don’t worry, son. Your mother will definitely help you marry Miss Xiaoyu!”

With that, she went to prepare dinner, but as soon as she entered the kitchen, she was startled by a slab of thick, ten-pound pork belly hanging from the stove.

Hearing the commotion and thinking she’d found a cockroach or something, Chen Liang hurried over with Chen Hong, only to see his mother staring, dumbfounded, at the pork.

“Son, where did this come from?”

“Oh, I thought something happened. Just that?” Chen Liang said nonchalantly. “Mom, I made a little money lately, so I bought some good food to improve our meals. I’m sick of eating cornbread and pickles every day!”

As he spoke, he lifted the wooden lid off the rice jar and opened the flour sack to show her.