Chapter 22: Li Xiaozhu Eats Pig Tail

Li Xiaojiang and Li Xiaotao, along with the others, had nothing in their eyes but the rich meat broth; all they wanted was to drink it as quickly as possible. They couldn’t think of anything else or care about anything else.

“Got it, Third Uncle, we just want to drink the broth.”

“Yeah, yeah, we won’t fight with our little sister over the pig’s tail.”

“Dad, I want some broth too.”

Li Xiangdong picked up the tea jar and placed it on the small dining table. “Don’t fight. Everyone takes turns having a sip, got it?”

“Got it.”

“Yes, Third Uncle!”

“I’m the eldest brother, I get the first sip.”

Li Xiangdong watched his nephews and nieces greedily competing for the broth with a mischievous smile. Feeling pleased, he returned to the big dining table and opened another tea jar filled more than halfway with stewed pork head meat and offal.

Grandpa and Grandma, Li’s parents, and the older siblings and their spouses—all their gazes were drawn to the jar full of meat.

“Wow! Third Brother, where did you get so much meat? Did you rob the meat factory?”

Eldest brother Li Weiguo was astonished to see so much meat, and the aroma made his Adam’s apple bob up and down involuntarily.

The monthly meat ration at home was never enough for the children to even have a few bites. The adults could only savor a little bit of meaty smell now and then. Having a proper mouthful of meat was a rare luxury.

Li Xiangdong said dryly, “Big Brother, what are you talking about? That’s all the meat the factory has?”

Li Weiguo fell silent after his wife shot him a sharp glance, swallowing his words and saliva quietly.

Li’s father was chewing on a steamed bun made of mixed wheat flour when he suddenly saw the jar full of meat and choked, coughing harshly.

After taking a couple of sips of water handed by Li’s mother, he managed to suppress the cough and asked, “Third Brother, tell me where this meat came from!”

Li Xiangdong glared at his father in exasperation. “A Zhe and his dad came back. We went to visit them, and Binzi pre-ordered this meat from the restaurant. Don’t worry, it wasn’t stolen or snatched. I wouldn’t stoop to such a low act.”

Hearing his third son’s words, Li’s father blushed but stubbornly said, “When did I ever say you stole or snatched? Am I not allowed to ask?”

“There’s no need for a father to ask like that. You just don’t hope well for your own son.”

Old Mrs. Li scolded her husband disapprovingly, then looked at her obedient grandson and said, “Then why did you bring back the meat? When visiting guests, we shouldn’t do things like this.”

Old Mr. Li chimed in, “The Shi father and son have suffered a lot over the years. It’s not easy for them to come back in one piece. This meat should be saved for them to strengthen their health.”

Li Xiangdong explained, “Don’t worry, Grandpa and Grandma. We saved some for them. Binzi reserved a whole big pig’s head and a full set of offal. There’s so much meat we can’t finish it all, and in this weather, it won’t keep. We divided it up and brought some back for you to try.”

Second Sister-in-law was shocked by the younger brother-in-law’s words. “Oh my goodness, a whole pig’s head and a whole set of offal! You guys really went all out. Our family can’t eat this much meat in a year!”

“Why are you babbling? Is this meat ours?”

Li’s mother shot a disapproving glance at the second sister-in-law, then said to Li Xiangdong, “Binzi is really generous this time. Is his wife about to give birth? Remember to let me know when the time comes; I’ll go see her and bring some eggs.”

Among Li Xiangdong’s childhood friends, his mother favored Qian Bin the most—not because she was snobbish, but because A Zhe’s father was a university professor, yet his mother didn’t treat A Zhe well.

In these times, whoever had a proper job was considered a good kid by the elders.

Li Xiangdong nodded. “Okay, I got it.”

He picked up the tea jar and went over to his grandparents, carefully selecting the soft, tender pieces of pork head meat and serving two pieces each to Grandpa and Grandma. “Try this. Binzi cooked the meat until it’s falling apart.”

“Let the children eat. We’re too old to eat meat now.”

Old Mr. Li looked at the several great-grandchildren who had gathered nearby, eagerly watching. He took the tea jar from Li Xiangdong and pushed it toward Li’s mother.

“You all taste it. The rest will be divided among the children. Let them eat more.”

“Great-grandpa is so kind!”

The children were overjoyed.

“What’s so great about it? Go back and drink your broth!”

Li Xiangdong knew this would happen, so he had already served two pieces of meat to Grandpa and Grandma. The elderly couple, aware of their age, wouldn’t share their own portions with the children.

Li’s parents, older siblings, and his wife each took a bite.

Li’s father was most proud of the pig’s liver; he thought it was the tastiest. He took a piece, slowly chewed it, reluctant to swallow.

Unlike Second Brother, who popped a piece of pork head meat into his mouth and swallowed it after just a couple of bites.

Each person ate one piece and stopped. There was still plenty left, which they placed on the small dining table for the children to share.

At this moment, Li Xiaotao suddenly cried out in a choked voice, “Big Brother, Xiaobo, come look! Xiaohai drank all the meat broth. I haven’t had a single sip!”

Zhou Yuqin, hearing her son cause trouble again, angrily went over, pulled Li Xiaohai into her arms, and smacked his bottom several times.

Li Xiaohai laughed mischievously, not crying at all. The entire jar of broth had made him happy. He held tightly onto the empty tea jar, licking the leftover meat bits inside with his tongue.

Li Da Sao and Li Er Sao hurried over to restrain Zhou Yuqin. Li Er Sao comforted her, “Stop hitting him. What’s wrong with the child drinking some broth? Besides, it was brought by Third Brother.”

Li Da Sao then slapped Li Xiaotao on the back of the head.

“Why are you crying? We brought the meat for you all. Does that mean you’re not allowed to eat? If you cause trouble again, go stand outside and don’t eat. Give your meat to your younger brother and sister!”

Li Xiangdong watched the family’s noisy squabble without paying much attention. Since his wife passed away in his previous life, he hadn’t felt this kind of family atmosphere for a long time.

He sat down in his wife’s chair, reached out, and took the daughter from Li’s mother’s arms. “Xiao Qi, is it tasty? Does the pig’s tail smell good?”

“Dad... eat...”

Li Xiaozhu thought her father wanted to eat, so generously offered the pig’s tail she was holding.

“Dad won’t eat it; you eat it. My daughter’s so good.”

Li Xiangdong kissed his daughter’s chubby little face.

Li Xiaozhu was delighted, holding the pig’s tail, bouncing happily in her father’s arms.

“Mom, give me some food coupons. We steamed a pot of mixed wheat flour buns at A Zhe’s place.”

Nowadays, every household’s grain ration was supplied according to a fixed quota. When visiting relatives or going out as guests, you had to bring food coupons with you.

Li’s mother took a handkerchief from her pocket, unfolded it, and pulled out several food coupons, asking, “How many do you need?”