Chapter 53: So You Know Each Other
“Have they all gone to rest?” Yang Jiabo asked.
“Yeah. I’ll have to trouble you these next few days. I hadn’t originally invited the Qin siblings or Zhang Yunwei, but when I mentioned it to Brother Ren, Zhang Yunwei happened to be there too. So I casually invited him, and then he brought Qin Ruiwen along. Who knew Qin Rong would tag along as well?” Wei Jing explained, not wanting Yang Jiabo to misunderstand.
“No wonder I kept feeling like your friends weren’t really a close group, they seize every chance to snipe at each other. But with Qin Rong’s personality, it’s hard not to snipe at her.” Yang Jiabo curled his lip, clearly not fond of Qin Rong either. The past few years had gone smoothly for him, and his temper had grown along with his comfort.
“They really aren’t part of our usual group. Chang Jin, Meng Fan, Xu Chen, and Brother Ren - their grandfathers were close friends with my family’s old man. We’ve known each other since childhood. Even though we’re different ages, we get together every year and have a good relationship. Tang Yu is Xu Chen’s cousin. Chang Jin has liked her since they were kids, but Tang Yu’s always been carefree and just sees him as a younger brother. This time, Chang Jin specifically asked me to invite Tang Yu so he could have a chance. He’s afraid if he doesn’t make a move soon, someone else will sweep her away.” Wei Jing carefully explained their relationships to Yang Jiabo.
“What about Zhang Yunwei?” Yang Jiabo asked curiously.
“Zhang Yunwei is a relative of Brother Ren’s family. They asked Brother Ren to look after him. Brother Ren thinks he’s pretty capable, so he keeps him around to train him. They get along well enough. He and Qin Ruiwen are classmates and are quite close.”
“Then how do you know Qin Ruiwen?” Yang Jiabo found their connections baffling.
“You could say we grew up in the same compound. Qin Ruiwen’s father was a subordinate of Brother Ren’s grandfather. After his first wife passed away, he married Qin Ruiwen’s mother, and Qin Ruiwen was born less than a year later. So everyone spread rumors that Qin Ruiwen’s mother was the other woman who schemed her way into the marriage and drove the first wife to her death. Who knows the truth? But well-disciplined kids all distanced themselves from the Qin siblings, intentionally or not. Because of that, both of them grew up with strong personalities - inferiority around those from better families, arrogance toward those beneath them. Though, to be fair, those from better backgrounds tend to be a bit proud themselves, so no one really minds. I haven’t spent much time with them, so I don’t know them well, but they usually conduct themselves decently.”
“Tsk, so they’re finding a sense of superiority in me and getting a little carried away, huh?” Yang Jiabo thought to himself, so they’re fellow sufferers.
“You could say that. Anyway, we’re not close, so don’t worry too much about it.” Wei Jing was concerned Yang Jiabo might feel slighted.
“Got it. They’re just self-important hangers-on. I won’t pay them any mind.”
“What are you preparing for dinner? Please don’t tell me it’s bug skewers again.” Wei Jing was genuinely worried Yang Jiabo might do something like that. When Yang Jiabo was in a mischievous mood, even Yang Jianjun wasn’t safe from his pranks.
“No, aside from what I saved for my dad and Yang Qing, we finished everything at lunch. Did you think bugs are easy to find?”
“Aren’t they? Bee larvae and water dragonflies were prepared in advance, but the grasshoppers, you had someone catch those for you last-minute, right?” Wei Jing had seen right through his little scheme.
Yang Jiabo felt a little embarrassed, but since it was already done and the chef’s seasoning had been good, hadn’t everyone eaten them? He regained his confidence. “It’s not like they tasted bad. Don’t worry, no bugs tonight.”
“Then tell me what you are planning. I have a feeling you’re still up to something.” Wei Jing eyed him suspiciously.
“I had Chef Wang marinate chicken, pork belly, and fish. We also have beef, liver, duck tongue…” Yang Jiabo listed a whole array of ingredients before hesitantly adding, “Oh, and I had someone prepare snake. It’s really good stuff.”
“I knew it.” Wei Jing facepalmed.
“Crispy snake is seriously delicious,” Yang Jiabo insisted.
“You’re really hung up on crispy snake, huh?”
“It left a deep impression.” Yang Jiabo sighed dramatically.
“Fine, do whatever makes you happy.” Wei Jing decided it wasn’t worth interfering over such a small prank.
Yang Jianjun, who had just returned from the orchard, spotted the two and asked, “Jiajia, I heard Wei Jing’s friends have arrived?”
“Yeah, they just had lunch and went to rest,” Yang Jiabo replied.
“Make sure to host them well,” Yang Jianjun instructed.
“I know.”
Yang Jiabo set out a meal for Yang Jianjun, who ate his fill before heading back up the mountain. Last year, Yang Jiabo had built a two-story house by the spring, and Yang Jianjun now spent most of his time there. He truly loved raising poultry and small animals. Even the family’s dogs and cats had been relocated to the mountain.
When Ren Boying and the others woke from their nap, Wei Jing took them out to row boats and fish. Yang Jiabo had to check on the restaurant, so he didn’t join them. But when he arrived, he saw Qin Rong clinging to Wei Jing’s arm, chatting enthusiastically.
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