Xiao An picked up one of the papers and saw that the test results showed a 60% blood relationship. His eyes lit up with an unusual light.
"This is?"
"This is a comparison of your and your grandfather's DNA. He's in Beijing, and your great-grandfather is still waiting for your father to come back. Xiao An, do you still remember your father?" Bai Junbai stared straight at him, as if he could find clues in this.
"I don't remember anything." Because he had never met his biological father, who said he had died in an accident.
Bai Junbai was somewhat disappointed, but he quickly put aside his complicated feelings and said, "It's okay if you don't remember. You'll remember eventually. Xiao An, your great-grandfather is getting old. He always thinks about your father and you. Come back to Beijing with your uncle."
His tone carried a hint of pleading. Bai Junbai had never lowered himself like this before; he was only doing this for the sake of Old Master Bai.
Silence followed, then a long silence. No one spoke, waiting for Xiao An to sort out his thoughts and hopefully make a decision.
Bai Junbai was a little anxious, but he didn't show it. Lin Xiazhu sat next to Xiao An, quietly keeping him company, just like he used to keep her company, without putting pressure on him and respecting his choices.
However, she still hoped that Xiao An would return to the capital. The Bai family was so well-off, and being in the capital would be a great help to Xiao An's future development.
Waiting can be incredibly frustrating, and Bai Junbo was almost about to explode in silence when someone came to call Lin Xiazhu, "Xiaozhu, sit down at the table, hurry up, don't keep people waiting."
Their custom is to set off a string of firecrackers after three dishes have been served to remind everyone that the banquet has officially begun, and to set off firecrackers again to remind everyone that the banquet has ended.
Outsiders would know how long the banquet lasted and how many dishes were served at each table. The elderly people had little entertainment all day, so they just sat on the door frame and chatted about trivial matters.
"Eat first, we can talk about it after we've eaten." Lin Xiazhu took Xiao An's hand and gently squeezed his hand as a comforting gesture.
Xiao An's lips curled up slightly, and a warm feeling washed over her.
"Have your bodyguard come with me over there. I'll bring him some dishes." This was said to Bai Junbai.
Following Lin Xiazhu was Bodyguard Two; Bodyguard One had slacked off because the sun was too strong outside.
The guests had already sat down at the table. When Lin Xiazhu and Xiao An arrived, Lin Shanfu was just coming down from upstairs (because there wasn't enough room for so many tables downstairs, tables were placed on the second and third floors).
"Xiaozhu, where have you been? Come with me quickly. We've saved a table for you in the room near the kitchen."
There wasn't enough room for everyone to sit, so family members could sit in the kitchen. But today, Xiao An's relatives came and even brought a big red envelope, so how could we neglect them?
"No need for all that trouble, setting up a separate table." Lin Xiazhu only realized after entering the room that there was only one round table.
“Yes, Xiaozhu’s family gave us 600 yuan, which shocked me. We must treat them well,” Lin Shanfu said seriously. “I just glanced at them, and Xiao An’s relative seems to be someone important.”
"So what?" Lin Xiazhu asked helplessly.
Lin Shanfu gave him a look that said, "You're still too young." He continued, "We can't hold Xiao An back. We'll definitely need to keep in touch in the future, and we can't let people look down on the Lin family."
"You've been thinking quite a bit," Lin Xiazhu said with a smile. "Uncle, they're from the capital."
Lin Shanfu: "..." Then there's no way we can visit each other as relatives, it's too far. It might be possible if we lived in the provincial capital.
"So how did Xiao An end up in our county town and get into a car accident?"
"Uncle, let's eat first. I know just as much as you do." Lin Xiazhu went to the kitchen and got a large bamboo basket, then put the dishes on the table into the basket.
"The dishes aren't all served yet, go to the kitchen and get a few more." Knowing that Bai Junbai wasn't coming to eat, Lin Shanfu didn't mind. He didn't know him anyway, and the only reason Bai Junbai was coming was because of Xiao An.
Finally, they packed over a dozen dishes, along with a pot of Shaoxing wine, a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor), a bottle of beer, and two packs of Double Happiness cigarettes. When the bodyguard reached the door, Aunt Zhao Yinxiu chased after him again.
They forced a bag of fried rice cakes and a bag of popcorn and candy into the bodyguard's hand. The popcorn was made from millet and was packed in a bag with the candy.
The bodyguard, who had never experienced such a scene before, was a little at a loss and looked at Lin Xiazhu with sweat pouring down his face.
"Take these, they're all local specialties... delicious." They're local specialties, I guess, although she doesn't really like fried rice cakes, and she guesses Bai Junbai would find them too greasy.
"Xiaozhu, you and Xiao'an go and keep his uncle company. Don't let people think we're not hospitable; we need to treat him well." Zhao Yinxiu pushed Lin Xiazhu out the door again.
Okay, then she'll go eat with Bai Junbai. It's so hot for a banquet, the food won't keep for long, it'll all be spoiled by tomorrow.
"Aunt, after you finish speaking, why don't you ask your relatives and friends to pack up the leftovers and take them home? Otherwise, it's such a waste," Lin Xiazhu suggested tentatively.
It's not common to pack food to take home these days. People in rural areas are very frugal, and they keep leftovers for their own consumption. So, it's normal to hold banquets in winter, and it's really rare to hold banquets in summer.
"That's the only way. We can't let all this good food go bad and be fed to the pigs." Zhao Yinxiu made the decision quite readily, but her expression remained rather unpleasant.
“Your brother Hai Zi has really grown up. I can’t control him anymore. He graduated from a technical school and opened his own car repair shop. I’m not bragging, your brother is a capable man.”
Zhao Yinxiu complained because she was dissatisfied with her daughter-in-law, Ding Xiang, who had only graduated from junior high school and had worked away from home for two years. Her family was so poor that Ding Xiang was not a good match for her son except for being pretty.
“Her parents are honest and hardworking people who do nothing but farm. They live in an adobe house and have only daughters. What if it’s hereditary and they can’t give our Lin family a grandson in the future?”
Lin Xiazhu's face darkened, and she said in a calm tone, "Auntie, you look down on families that only have daughters. We used to farm in Linjia Village a few years ago. If you act like this, you'll be looking down on yourself too."
“My mother also gave birth to four daughters. Does that mean the eldest and second wives don’t need to have any contact anymore? I can tell from your voice that you look down on my mother and the four of us sisters from the bottom of your heart, Aunt.”
Zhao Yinxiu: "..." She really didn't think much of it, but the second branch of the family developed too fast. They not only built two buildings in the town, but also two buildings in the county town.
The clothing store was thriving, and she heard it was making a lot of money, which made her extremely jealous.
Fortunately, after her son graduated from technical school, he opened a car repair shop in the county town, and the business has grown bigger and bigger. He has even recruited four apprentices. This year, his family also bought land in the county town to build a house, so they haven't fallen too far behind.
Her family's Shanfu also repeatedly warned her not to cause trouble, especially not to offend the second wife's family, as the second wife's four daughters would have a bright future.
She disagreed with this, but dared not disobey her husband's wishes, and could only try to get along peacefully.
"No, that's not true. Auntie misspoke. Xiaozhu, don't take it to heart. Auntie isn't very educated, and her speech is a bit rustic. Don't take it to heart." Zhao Yinxiu was both flexible and adaptable.
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