Chapter 65 - 065 Ugly Behaviour at the Dining Table
Chapter 65: Chapter 065: Ugly Behaviour at the Dining Table
Chapter 65 -065: Ugly Behaviour at the Dining Table
Upon hearing these words, Bai Ruozhu’s face darkened.
This Wang Family really knew how to seize an opportunity to belittle the second family of the Bai’s.
In front of guests, they described her father as illiterate.
As fiercely protective as Bai Ruozhu was, how could she tolerate this?
“Look at what my aunt has said.
Indeed, my brothers benefited greatly from our grandfather’s initiation into education.
However, what my father usually teaches us concerns the principles of being a person.
Otherwise, how could we walk on the right path and conduct ourselves honestly?
This is irrelevant to whether or not one has been to school.
In this village, there are many illiterate households, but there are also many decent families.” Bai Ruozhu said, her face carrying a smile, her voice soft.
Her words flowed effortlessly as if she was not rebutting her aunt, but merely discussing a simple fact.
In this situation, she must respect the difference in seniority.
It was inappropriate for Bai Ruozhu to argue directly with the elder Wang before the guests.
“Of course, my father also received his early education from my grandfather.
Although he does not have the same academic abilities as uncle, he is not entirely illiterate.
When my father teaches us, he always says that these are what grandfather taught.” Bai Ruozhu added with a smile.
The Wang Family had some cunning ways.
First, they brought out the old master of the Bai Family, then degraded Bai Yihong, if Bai Ruozhu and her family were in a hurry to defend Bai Yihong, it could potentially sound like they were criticizing their grandfather for his upbringing of Er Lang.
Regrettably, Bai Ruozhu didn’t fall for their trap.
She responded in a manner that both defended her father and honoured her grandfather, without leaving any room for criticism.
At this moment, Bai Zehao called Er Lang over for a meal.
The two of them heard Bai Ruozhu’s words very clearly and secretly nodded in agreement.
Even Er Lang, who usually overanalyzes things, looked at Bai Ruozhu with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
The Wang Family heard Bai Ruozhu emphasized the words “scholar”, and they were so infuriated that their teeth chattered noisily.
Yet they ultimately bore it due to the guests present, especially those who had come bearing cartloads of gifts, they forced themselves to swallow their anger.
Zhang Liliang immediately followed up with a light-hearted comment, saying: “Just by observing your children, one can see that Bai indeed understands more than I do.
I have never read a book in my life and should learn more from Bai in the future.”
Bai Zepei shot a quick glance at Zhang Liliang.
He had been studying in the house, not serving the guests, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t aware of what was happening.
At that moment, he found himself fond of Zhang Liliang.
He first entered the room to pay respects to Old Lady Bai, greeted the guests, then took his seat.
Meanwhile, the Wang Family was still stewing, seeing Er Lang’s detached manner, and unwillingness to engage with her, they sourly said: “Er Lang, you have become so engrossed in your studies that you don’t even recognize people anymore.
Isn’t it so?
Do you even neglect your aunt?
Can you really pass the rural examination by studying so obsessively?”
Lin Pingr couldn’t stand it anymore.
Initially, she didn’t want to argue with the Wang Family because of the presence of the guests.
But she didn’t expect them to insult her son like that.
“What is my sister-in-law implying?
Whether he can pass or not, we’ll know after the rural examination, won’t we?”
The Wang Family wanted to say something else, but the old lady from the side subtly nudged them with her elbow.
Only then did the Wang Family remember the main purpose of the day and swallow their words.
Bai Yihong gave an apologetic smile to Zhang Liliang, saying, “Since everyone has arrived, let’s start eating.
Zhang, please don’t be shy, make yourself at home.”
He then directly served Zhang Liliang a chopstick full of Braised Pork with Sour Vegetables, which Zhang Liliang had brought along himself.
The Old Lady watched as two large pieces of meat were taken away.
Her heart pained seeing such choice pieces of meat being taken off the plate.
There was a limited amount to begin with, and she counted them all and there were total Twelve pieces.
On thinking this, Old Lady Bai immediately became sullen.
Thinking that her second son wasn’t worth her affection – when she didn’t pay him any attention, she missed out on everything, unlike others who knew to serve her meat.
As everyone began to eat, Old Lady Bai’s eyes turned fierce.
She began to fiercely serve up the meat into her own bowl, taking three large pieces of Braised Pork with Sour Vegetables in one serving.
Then she began hastily stuffing her mouth full of meat, leaving no time for rice, as if she were afraid that the meat would disappear if she ate too slowly.
Originally, those who were still serving themselves were stunned by her actions.
Mainly because she was eating so quickly, her mouth made loud smacking noises.
It was truly a gruesome sight.
Bai Ruozhu’s mouth twitched.
Her grandmother had married her scholarly grandfather who valued propriety, and yet she still hadn’t absorbed any of his refined manners even after decades together.
Looking at her behaviour, the Zhang family members didn’t dare to continue eating, afraid of upsetting her if they consumed too much.
Zhang Liliang simply finished the food in his bowl and started drinking with Bai Yihong.
Rongrong sat next to Bai Ruozhu, her big eyes sneakily darting towards the Braised Pork with Sour Vegetables, yet she did not extend her chopsticks.
Even though the Zhangs loved their daughter dearly, they rarely served her meat dishes.
Plus, the dish Bai Ruozhu had prepared was especially delicious.
It would be strange if Rongrong wasn’t tempted.
However, being the well-behaved child she was, she observed that her parents had yet to make a move and, despite her desire to eat, she restrained herself from reaching out.
Bai Ruozhu silently sighed, intending to get a piece of meat for Rongrong.
But the moment she caught hold of a piece with her chopsticks, it was taken by the Old Lady.
“Ruozhu, you’re nearing labor.
Don’t eat such greasy foods.
Be careful, it might be difficult to digest.” Old Lady Bai said with a wide greasy grin, her teeth covered in oil and soy sauce stains.
She spoke with her mouth full, making her words incomprehensible.
It even allowed everyone to get a glimpse of the food in her mouth.
A feeling of nausea washed over Bai Ruozhu, who then loosened her grip on the chopsticks.
“You eat it, Grandma.”
Thinking that Bai Ruozhu was no longer interested in the piece, Old Lady Bai was exuberant as the meat piece went over to her side.
Before she had even celebrated for long, Bai Ruozhu grabbed another piece, which upset the old lady.
She desired to reprimand Bai Ruozhu, however, she then saw Bai Ruozhu placing the meat in Rongrong’s bowl.
Bai Ruozhu didn’t feel like feeding Rongrong the piece Old Lady Bai had touched with her chopsticks.
Hence, she quickly scraped out another chunk, not bothering to contend with the old lady.
“Sister, I-I won’t eat,” Rongrong said quietly, after hastily glancing at Old Lady Bai.
Bai Ruozhu gently patted Rongrong’s head.
“You’re still growing, so you should eat something good.
Eat it now and don’t disobey your sister’s orders.”
Saying this, she reached out her chopsticks towards another dish, grabbing Chinese sausage off that place and putting it in Rongrong’s bowl.
Sniffing, Rongrong clearly felt Bai Ruozhu’s kindness towards her.
She nodded, keeping her head down as she started eating.
Old Lady Bai was feeling extremely displeased.
People were saying they didn’t want to eat and yet Bai Ruozhu still served them more food.
Wasn’t that just because they have money and she is keen to fawn on them?
Bai Ruozhu was unaware of her grandmother’s thoughts, and even if she did know, she would have dismissed them out of hand.
She signaled her mother, who also began serving Rongrong’s mother dishes, ensuring the guests were not slighted, regardless of Old Lady Bai’s embarrassing behaviour.
The Wang Family also completely ignored the guests, only caring for themselves as they helped themselves to more meat.
However, they were conscious of their appearance, as they usually liked to be well-dressed, so they weren’t as scary as Old Lady Bai.
Even so, their disgruntled expression made them seem as though they were owed a lot of money by the meal they were eating, which made others uncomfortable to look at them.
Bai Ruozhu sighed, thinking to herself that a good meal was ruined by these two people.