Li Xiangdong's family enjoyed a satisfying meal of meat buns, with big, contented smiles on everyone's faces.
Li Jiabao ate until his belly was round and full, and kept burping. While burping, he wished to his parents, "I wish I could eat like this every day."
“It’s fine to eat like this once in a while, but to eat like this every day! If you eat like this every day, the rice and flour bins will be empty in no time. If you have no food to eat, you’ll have to go begging!” Zhao Sufang scolded.
"Jiabao, eat less, but know more. Look at the way you eat, wolfing it down. If people see you like this, they'll laugh at you for being unruly and ill-mannered! Your parents haven't raised you well!"
Li Jin frowned and scolded Li Jiabao. He had been holding back for a whole meal and was practically bursting with pent-up frustration.
Li Wanshi prided herself on coming from a wealthy family, and she was particular about the rules of conduct in her actions and behavior. So even though the Li Jin family was eating sorghum cakes every day, they still had to follow the rules of eating.
For example, children are not allowed to eat before their parents start eating, nor are they allowed to turn over the bottom of the plate. They are not allowed to smack their lips while eating, nor are they allowed to pick up food three times in a row. They cannot pick up food by scrambling over the edge, or spill soup and water onto the table. There are many such rules.
Li Jin's children grew up under such strict education, so even when meat buns were in front of them, and they were all drooling with envy, there was no rush to eat them. They waited until Li Jin took the first bite before each of them took the bun closest to them, without rummaging through them or being picky.
There was only one Li Jiabao. Because he was the youngest son, and he was good-looking, he was good at flattery. From Li Wanshi and Li Qingshan to Li Jin and Zhao Sufang, they all doted on him. The rules of eating didn't really apply to him.
So just now, Li Jiabao was the only one at the whole table, eating a big bun in one hand and holding two more big buns in the other.
Li Jin couldn't stand it, but he never scolded his child while eating, so he could only glare at him. However, Li Jiabao was eating his delicious steamed buns and didn't notice that his father's eyes were practically rolling to the sky.
Actually, there's a reason behind the rule of not scolding children at the dinner table. Families who used to raise their children meticulously did this, to avoid causing indigestion in the children.
“Dad, I have to keep two big steamed buns in my hand at all times. I’m doing this for you! Think about it, what will you eat if my second brother and the others eat all the buns? I’m doing this so that you can have enough to eat!” Li Jiabao’s daughter was reasonable and very filial.
"Hmph! Don't try to fool me. If you're this pathetic at mealtimes again, I'll give you a good beating."
Li Jin was indeed fooled by his youngest son's words, raising the object high only to lower it gently.
Li Jiabao knew that his father was alright as soon as he saw him, so he quickly went over and massaged his father's shoulders.
Li Xiangdong simply couldn't bear to look at this sycophantic brat. In the years that followed, Li Jiabao's verbal skills improved even more. If he needed someone, he would definitely flatter them until they were completely obedient. If he no longer needed them, he would turn his back on them.
After enjoying a delicious meal, the Li family experienced an unprecedented atmosphere of harmony, peace, and happiness.
Lying on the wooden bed with a single straw mat, listening to Li Jiabao's soft snoring, Li Xiangdong started to have all sorts of thoughts again. He wondered who Uncle Yan would introduce him to tomorrow, how much his precious treasure could sell for, and whether it would be safe for him to keep it since he was still just a child.
Just as he was thinking about whether to have an adult accompany him, Li Xiangdong rejected the idea. He couldn't tell anyone about the large sum of money he had.
Li Xiangdong was so excited that he tossed and turned all night and couldn't fall asleep. He finally drifted off to sleep when the rooster crowed three times and the sky began to lighten.
As soon as there was any movement inside the house, Li Xiangdong immediately woke up, rubbed his face to wake himself up, got dressed, and went to the main room.
Li Jin and Zhao Sufang, along with Li Zhen, were having breakfast when they saw Li Xiangdong get up. Li Jin was surprised and asked, "Why are you up so early?!"
Li Jin and Zhao Sufang never wake their children unless there is something urgent to do. They believe that children need to sleep in order to grow tall.
"I have something important to do today."
Li Xiangdong didn't eat; he was in a hurry to clean up.
The family watched in bewilderment as he washed his face and hair with clean water, rubbed his face with his sister Li Zhen's Gala oil, and then happily carried a basket of grass on his back and strode out of the house.
When Li Xiangdong arrived at Factory Director Yan's house, he saw that the gate was closed, so he knew that Uncle Yan and his wife had not gotten up yet.
Li Xiangdong carefully circled around Director Yan's house several times, memorizing all the roads and directions. He then touched the sharp little axe belonging to Director Yan that was tucked into his waistband, feeling much more at ease.
It wasn't that he was being petty, but he didn't trust Uncle Yan and Aunt Guimei. What if the visitors tricked all three of them? He always wanted to be fully prepared.
"Xiang Dong? Why didn't you knock before you came?"
As Huang Guimei, carrying a basket and preparing to go out to buy groceries, opened the door, she saw Li Xiangdong sitting at the door.
"Auntie, I'm too early. I was afraid that knocking on the door would disturb you and Uncle's rest."
Li Xiangdong stood up and patted the dirt off his clothes.
“You child, you’re being too polite. How old are your uncle and I? We’re not sleeping anymore, we’ve been up for ages.”
Huang Guimei was no longer in a hurry to buy groceries, and instead tenderly pulled Li Xiangdong into the yard.
The poor child didn't know what time he arrived, so he just sat on the steps and waited.
Perhaps because she had no children and because Li Xiangdong had saved her life once, Huang Guimei genuinely liked him.
"Why didn't you bring Xiao Yanzi along?" Huang Guimei looked around and, not seeing her younger sister, asked Li Xiangdong reproachfully.
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