Chapter 7: The Younger Generation of the Li Family

“Xiaojiang.”
“Li Xiaojiang!”
At critical moments, one still has to rely on the eldest nephew.

“What’s wrong, Third Uncle?”
“Third Uncle, I’m here.”
“Third Uncle...”
“Dad.”

As soon as he called out, they all came running over—foreheads drenched in sweat, faces darkened with grime.

“Let’s keep it down, don’t disturb your great-grandfather and great-grandmother’s rest.”
“Come on, Xiaojiang, help Third Uncle move the table. You all step back a bit, be careful not to bump into it.”

Li Xiaotao, who had followed along, spoke up, “Third Uncle, let me do it. You rest.”
“Are you sure? This table’s pretty heavy.”
“I can manage it. Third Uncle, I’ve moved this table before.”

Li Xiaotao flexed his biceps as he spoke.
Li Xiangdong nodded, “Alright, you and your big brother lift one side.”

Apart from his wife and two kids, everyone in the family had urban household registration and a monthly grain quota, so they never lacked food. The children might not eat well, but they were never hungry.

Especially this second nephew, Li Xiaotao—who knows what he eats—at eleven, he looked stronger than his uncle. He was just a bit slow-witted, but otherwise quite healthy.

“Third Uncle, where should we move the table?”
“To the side of the sink first.”

After years of use as a dining table, the accumulated grime on the surface needed cleaning. Since it would be placed inside for personal use later, it had to be thoroughly cleaned.

As for the idea that rosewood shouldn’t be wiped with water—well, this table had been used as a dining table for over a decade. One more wash wouldn’t hurt.

With all the noise, his mother and sisters-in-law must have heard, even his wife came out to take a look.

They said nothing afterward. Such disorderly antics were typical of Li Xiangdong; they had long stopped wasting breath on it.

After placing the table, Li Xiangdong returned to the west wing.

Pushing open the door, he saw Zhou Yuqin sitting by the kang bed, gently fanning with a palm leaf fan, shooing mosquitoes from their daughter, who was sleeping on the bed.

Seeing her husband enter, she asked softly, “Why are you wiping the dining table?”
“I’m cleaning it to swap with the table inside the house. I’ll explain everything tonight, not now.”

Zhou Yuqin nodded. She wasn’t unreasonable; if her husband said he’d explain later, she wouldn’t pry.

But then she noticed him pulling an egg from his pocket. After cracking it slightly, he began peeling it. She immediately understood—the egg had to be a secret gift from Grandma. She’d seen this many times before.

After peeling the egg, Li Xiangdong walked to the coal stove used for winter heating inside the room.

First, he set the warm water bottle on the floor, then lifted the iron lid on the stove, tossed the eggshells inside, and replaced the lid.

Perfect. No need to toss eggshells into the alley anymore—complete disposal without a trace.

Holding the smooth, white egg, he offered it to his wife, “Eat it. Grandma gave it.”
“I don’t want it. You eat it yourself.”
“Then I won’t eat it either. Save it for our daughter. When she wakes, soak it in warm water.”

Li Xiangdong glanced at the enamel basin, confirmed it was empty, and placed the egg inside.

Zhou Yuqin was surprised. Usually, he ate the eggs right away and never mentioned saving any for their daughter. Had he changed?

As she pondered this, Li Xiangdong pulled out a wad of cash from another pocket.

Surprised, she said, “Where did you get this money? Could it be from Grandpa and Grandma? Those old folks really spoil you.”

She worried he might squander the money, so she reached out, “Give it to me.”

Li Xiangdong sighed, “I just counted it. I can give it to you, but can I keep one yuan?”

Zhou Yuqin nodded firmly, “Okay.”

He took out one yuan for himself and handed over the remaining twenty-nine yuan obediently.

“I’m going out to wipe the table.”

Li Xiangdong grabbed two ragged cloths, stepped outside to the sink, turned on the tap, dampened the cloths, and began scrubbing the table carefully.

The children gathered around him, curious.

“Third Uncle, what are you doing?”
“Wiping the table, can’t you see?”
“Third Uncle, why are you wiping the table?”
“The table’s dirty, so I’m wiping it. What’s the big deal?”

After wiping the surface, he planned to clean the underside and the carved corners, dust trapped in the crevices.

Squatting down, he immediately spotted dried mucus smeared on the back of the table.

He stood up, glaring at his nephews, asking, “Who smeared snot on the back of the table?”

Every reachable spot on the backside was smeared with dried mucus, which disgusted him greatly.

“Not me.”
“Third Uncle, not me.”
“Neither me.”

None of the nephews admitted it.

Li Xiangdong first called over his two nieces—girls wouldn’t do such a filthy thing.

Then he kicked his son’s backside, sending Li Xiaohai aside—he was too short to reach the table legs, definitely not the culprit.

Facing the three nephews with flushed faces, Li Xiangdong said, “You three go clean off the snot.”

“I won’t! It wasn’t me!”

Li Xiaojiang stubbornly denied it, like a mule refusing to admit guilt. Mainly, this was embarrassing and would tarnish his image among younger siblings.

Li Xiaotao betrayed him, “Big brother, you’re the one. I’ve seen you do it several times. How can you deny it?”

“Li Xiaotao, do you want a beating?!”

Li Xiaojiang was furious. Were it not for Li Xiangdong standing nearby, he might have thrown a punch.

“You still can’t beat me; I’m not afraid of you.”

Li Xiaotao waved his fists, unafraid of his older brother’s threats. They’d fought before; who knows who would come out on top.

Not trusting Li Xiangdong to believe him, he sought a witness. “Xiaobo, didn’t you see Big Brother smear snot on the table?”

Li Xiaobo hung his head silently. Among the four boys, he and Li Xiaohai were the youngest and most beaten, usually just a pushover no one dared pick on.

Besides, he also smeared snot on the table.

Li Xiaojiang was furious at his own brother, “Li Xiaotao, you idiot, shut up!”

“I’m not an idiot; Mom says I’m just honest and straightforward.”

“Third Uncle, Mom also said my big brother is cunning. You have to believe me—it was definitely him!”

Li Xiaotao jabbered on, oblivious to Li Xiaojiang’s reddening eyes full of rage.

Li Xiangdong, growing impatient, said, “Enough. Stop arguing. Whoever did it, go clean it right now.”

Li Xiaojiang stood rooted, breathing heavily like a toad.

Seeing his big brother not move, Li Xiaotao crossed his arms and glared, refusing to budge.

Li Xiaobo lifted one foot but set it down again, afraid to move without backup lest he be double-teamed.

“I can’t control you all, huh?”

The situation was upside down—no one even heeded Third Uncle’s words. Li Xiangdong began wielding the money baton.

“Xiaomei, Xiaolan, you two help Third Uncle wipe the table. Later, I’ll buy you ice cream, the creamy kind!”

“Yes, Third Uncle!”
“Thank you, Third Uncle!”

The two sisters were thrilled. They hadn’t expected such a windfall. Though the task was dirty, it wasn’t hard, and Third Uncle promised creamy ice cream.

They were eager. The best they’d had so far was a creamy popsicle; never real creamy ice cream because it was too expensive and adults were reluctant to buy it.

Hearing about creamy ice cream, Li Xiaobo gave in first.
“Third Uncle, I won’t put snot on the table again.”
“Mm.”

Li Xiangdong nodded perfunctorily.

Seeing his plan failing, Li Xiaobo took two steps forward, looking pitiful as he said, “Third Uncle, I want creamy ice cream too. I’ve never had it.”

Li Xiangdong looked at the small nephew, his expression full of pity.

“Alright, you’re in. But you only get a popsicle. Only kids who behave get creamy ice cream. If you want some, behave from now on.”

Work deserves reward; otherwise, the team would be unmanageable.

Hearing he could have a popsicle, Li Xiaobo was delighted—a cold treat on a hot day was refreshing enough to endure any punishment!

“Thanks, Third Uncle! You’re the best!”

“Hehe, Third Uncle, I want some too.”

Li Xiaotao grinned foolishly, scratching his shiny oily head as he came closer.

Li Xiangdong pushed him away, disgusted.
“You want some? Get away. Don’t you care about the dirt? Can’t you wash your head? It’s so oily you could fry food with it.”

“Third Uncle, how can you say that? I helped you move the table just now—it was heavy!”

Li Xiaotao looked incredulous, feeling his uncle was unfair to him.

“Uh...”

The second nephew had a point Li Xiangdong couldn’t refute.

“Well, you’re in too. Even though you helped, your earlier behavior upset me. As punishment, you get a creamy popsicle.”

Hearing about the creamy popsicle, Li Xiaotao grinned broadly, “Third Uncle, I’m not picky. I love creamy popsicles.”

Li Xiaojiang looked at his brother, almost blurting out “idiot.”

Seeing his uncle’s playful gaze, he hesitated but didn’t say it—kept up his big brother demeanor.

Not wanting to engage with a stubborn nephew, Li Xiangdong ignored him; no point in pushing.

“Dad.”

Li Xiaohai came over, hugging his father’s leg, looking up and saying, “Dad, what about me?”

Li Xiangdong smiled, “What about you? You want some crap too? Stand behind Dad’s butt; Dad will save one for you.”

Li Xiaohai was growing a bit sensible. Hearing the laughter of his siblings and not getting ice cream made him feel left out.

His lips curled down, eyes reddened, tears started to fall.

Seeing him about to cry, Li Xiangdong quickly covered his mouth, not wanting to summon his mother or wife Zhou Yuqin.

“Are you mocking your old man? Crying just like that? Fine, I’ll buy you some, alright?”

“Hehe.”

Hearing the promise of creamy ice cream, Li Xiaohai stopped crying, sniffling happily. Suddenly, yellow snot sprayed onto Li Xiangdong’s hand.

“Damn it…”