As expected, when dinner was about to start, the third family showed up neatly, just in time for dinner. No one wanted to cause any trouble during the New Year, so no one paid any attention to them.
"Meng Xiao, Meng Cheng, Meng Hao, the three of you go set off the firecrackers. Come back and we'll have dinner."
The old man waved his hand, and not long after the three of them left, a burst of firecrackers rang out from the doorway. Second Aunt Meng pulled Shen Qingli into the house. Seeing Shen Qingli's questioning look, she explained, "Don't scare the baby, otherwise it will be easy to startle after it's born, and it will be difficult for you to take care of it if it cries. The smell of firecrackers is not pleasant either."
Shen Qingli nodded. Second Aunt also meant well, and she could still tell the difference between good words and bad words.
The family waited until the firecrackers were over before taking their seats. Uncle Lin and Aunt Zhang had no family, so naturally they would celebrate the New Year with them. By the time Uncle Lin finished his work, there was just one more stool left at the table. Shen Jiayao also arrived late from the bathroom. Meng Hao looked at Uncle Lin, turned around, and beckoned her over. Shen Jiayao sat down without hesitation.
Everyone looked around but didn't find any extra stools.
Meng Xiao stood up and said, "Uncle Lin, please sit here with me first."
"Xiao Ge'er, please sit down. I'll eat while standing." Uncle Lin waved his hand. Xiao Ge'er was kind-hearted, so how could he really let Xiao Ge'er give up his seat even if he had the intention?
"Yes, big brother, you sit down. Uncle Lin can just stand and eat with a bowl." Meng Hao said indifferently.
In his opinion, Uncle Lin was just the driver for the old man, and why did Aunt Zhang come to the table to eat with them?
"Why don't you eat while standing?" Meng Xiao immediately glared at him.
"Why should I eat standing up? I am a member of this family, and Uncle Lin is a..." He was interrupted by Mr. Meng who yelled at him to stop and slammed the table.
"If you say that again, get out and eat!" Old Master Meng was furious! As long as their family was present, no one could have a happy meal in peace!
Meng Hao didn't dare say anything. Wu Zhaodi lowered her head and rolled her eyes at the old man, secretly criticizing him: "This old fool only knows how to bully Meng Hao. Isn't Meng Hao his grandson? Lin Feng is just a driver. What's wrong with eating while standing? He hasn't even been allowed to eat in the kitchen yet!"
"Uncle Lin, please sit with Meng Xiao. We have a stool in our room. Meng Xiao can just go get it and sit over there." As soon as Shen Qingli said this, Meng Xiao immediately walked over and pulled Uncle Lin to the seat. Uncle Lin couldn't refuse.
The old man waited until Meng Xiao returned before he started eating. Everyone picked up their food and started eating faster. "Qingli, I knew it was you who cooked the dish the moment I tasted it. Didn't I tell you not to work? You're being disobedient, little girl," the old man said in a kind but feigned anger.
"Grandpa, I really didn't do any work! Aunt Zhang prepared the dishes, Second Aunt cut the meat, and I was just in charge of cooking. It was pretty easy. Everyone can testify to that."
The old man enjoyed the way Shen Qingli used to act like a spoiled child to younger and older people.
"Okay, okay, as long as you're not tired. Eat more. You're too thin." The old man used the serving chopsticks on the table to pick up two chicken legs for Shen Qingli and put them on the plate.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
The second wife's family didn't feel any pain in the heart, but everyone in the third wife was very upset. A chicken only has two legs, and he gave them all to her. The old man was so biased! His own grandson and granddaughter didn't even get this kind of treatment.
"It's true that a mother's status depends on her son, and she's not afraid of being overwhelmed."
Wu Zhaodi muttered quietly, her voice barely heard by anyone but Meng Jianye and Shen Jiayao, who were standing beside her. Meng Jianye pinched her lightly under the table as a warning.
Shen Jiayao seemed to be lost in thought, with an ambiguous expression, and no one knew what she was thinking.
"Dad, your son offers you a toast. Happy New Year. I wish you good health and happiness in the new year." Meng Jianjun stood up, and Meng Xiao, Shen Qingli, and Ye Qiu also stood up and expressed their New Year greetings.
"Haha good. Dad did it!"
The old man drank it all in one gulp. He had no hobbies in his life, just a little wine. His family couldn't persuade him, so they simply gave up. As long as the old man was happy, that was all that mattered. Besides, this was the medicinal wine Shen Qingli had given him, a good thing. They had already drunk it at noon, and it made them feel warm all over. Not only did they not feel uncomfortable, but they also felt comfortable and energetic.
The eldest brother said that after the old man had something to fill his stomach, the second and third wives also wished the old man a happy new year.
The old man is so happy! When people reach old age, isn’t it all about having a prosperous and harmonious family?
He cleared his throat and everyone quieted down.
"I, Meng Dahai, have had no special abilities in my life. I've fought all my life and neglected to discipline you. I know I'm an incompetent father. Whether you resent me or respect me, it doesn't matter!
but! "
The old man pointed at the table and paused, "I only have one request for you! No matter when, whether you are in a high position or in rags, you must love your country!
In our Meng family, generations of people have dedicated their lives to serving the country! Some of you have never been to the battlefield, so you don't know how hard it is to achieve peace today, and how much lives and blood have been shed!
No matter what time it is, I hope you will not forget your roots! Even if you become so insignificant that you can't make any contribution to the country in the future, you must never do anything that betrays the country or harms the country!
Have you remembered them all?
"Remember!" everyone said in unison.
This scene happens every year in the Meng family. The old man may not wish them a happy new year, but every year when everyone gets together, he will solemnly explain it!
"Let's eat." He turned his head and suppressed the moisture in the corners of his eyes.
It was difficult! Really difficult! In those years, it was difficult for the country! It was difficult for the soldiers! It was difficult for the people!
He is lucky that he can sit here and have New Year's Eve dinner with his children and grandchildren today, but the faces of those old friends will forever remain in the memory of the continuous artillery fire, bloody ruins, and the inhumane massacre of Japanese pirates!
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