Besides, who shows up to thank someone empty-handed?
Jiang Zhou also felt a bit awkward. With a sheepish smile, he said, "Brother, my uncle's funeral procession is tomorrow morning."
"Ah, got it." Zhao Youcai immediately understood Jiang Zhou was referring to the funeral procession. "Your sister-in-law and I will be there first thing in the morning," he said.
"Okay." Jiang Zhou nodded, then added, "Tomorrow morning is too early, and you all have to work. So I'll just arrange for a simple bite to eat then. After that's done, I'll set up a few tables in my uncle's courtyard for the evening. Brother, your whole family should come. My aunt said she wants to properly thank you all."
"Ah, alright then," said Zhao Youcai. "We'll head over early to help you guys out."
This was just a polite offer, but hearing Zhao Youcai say it, Jiang Zhou replied, "No need, Brother. I'll come to your home to get you when it's time."
As soon as Jiang Zhou said this, Wang Meilan's eyes lit up.
When a family held an event, they would notify people in advance. Those who were on good terms with the family would then go on their own. This was the custom.
Moreover, whether it was a joyous occasion or a somber one, whenever there was an event, the host family was always swamped with work.
And Jiang Zhou, as the only one in the Jiang family who could be its public face, had even more reason to stay home and entertain the guests.
Most importantly, both families lived in the same village, just a short walk from each other. It wasn't like anyone could get lost, so was it really necessary for him to personally come and escort them?
But to the village folk, this was a sign of immense respect.
The Village Chief, Zhao Guofeng, didn't receive such treatment. Not even Zhou Chunming, the esteemed head of the Forest Farm, had ever been afforded such an honor.
Now, this honor had fallen to Wang Meilan. Having grown more and more vain over the past year, she felt a sweetness in her heart, as if it were coated in honey.
But Zhao Youcai wasn't thinking along those lines. He asked Jiang Zhou, "Brother, how many tables are you planning to set up?"
"My aunt said that she and my uncle lived in this village their whole lives. We'll host anyone who comes to see him off, be they friends or family."
"Whoa!" Zhao Youcai was taken aback. "Won't that be at least ten tables?"
"That might not be enough," Jiang Zhou said with a wry smile. "My aunt told me to prepare for twenty tables. I still have to go borrow more tables and stools in a bit."
In those days, when attending a banquet, it was common for a whole family to go together after presenting a single gift. For example, all five members of Zhao Jun's family would be attending tomorrow.
"Brother!" Zhao Youcai suppressed his excitement and said to Jiang Zhou, "Then let me handle the cooking for you! Coincidentally, there's no special banquet at the farm tomorrow. After I finish making the communal lunch, I can come back and help you out!"
As the head cook of the Forest Farm, Zhao Youcai was always in high demand. Whenever a Forest Farm employee had a wedding or funeral, they would invite him to be the head cook and give him a little something for his trouble.
The Jiang family was putting on a twenty-table feast. It would be a huge amount of work, and they certainly wouldn't short-change Zhao Youcai for it.
"Brother, that won't do at all." Jiang Zhou shook his head. "You are benefactors to our Jiang family. Tomorrow, your whole family must sit at the main table with the matriarch. How could I possibly ask you to cook?"
The moment Zhao Youcai heard this, his eager heart plummeted.
...
After seeing Jiang Zhou off, a beaming Wang Meilan clapped Zhao Youcai on the shoulder and said, "Let's go home. I'll make some hand-cut noodles for you and the boys."
Zhao Youcai didn't say a word, just walked into the courtyard with his head down. Seeing him like this, Wang Meilan frowned. "What's wrong with you? Why are you so listless and downcast? Our son is becoming more and more successful, and our family's life is getting better and better, yet you seem to have less energy every day. That won't do! You should learn from me. Look how cheerful I am all day."
When Wang Meilan finished and Zhao Youcai still hadn't said a word, she felt her good mood evaporate. She snapped irritably, "Fine, I'm done with you. I've realized that if anything needs doing in this family from now on, we'll have to rely on my son. As for you, if you can't hack it, then just let our son be the head of the house. You can do what they say and just retire to the sidelines!"
"What the hell? Him, the head of the house?" Zhao Youcai could no longer contain his grief and indignation. He growled in a low voice, "I'm only forty-five! What do you mean, 'retire to the sidelines'?!"