Chapter 89: The Family Banquet

Chapter 89: The Family Banquet

Rong Kai and Rong Bo, eager to play peacemakers, hurried to their mother Huang Yun and said, “Mom, Guocheng is our guest. How could we let our guest feel slighted?” After speaking, the two turned to Rong Shaoting to plead on their mother’s behalf. “Grandpa, please don’t be angry. What Mom just said was unintentional.”

Given it was New Year’s, Rong Shaoting didn’t wish to spoil the festive atmosphere. He picked up his chopsticks and reached across to place food into Wang Guocheng’s bowl, who sat beside him. “Guocheng, have a taste. These dishes were specially made by Xiaoyao’s mother today. Make sure you eat plenty!”

Wang Guocheng held his bowl out respectfully for Rong Shaoting to serve him. “Thank you, Grandpa!”

Watching Rong Shaoting serve Wang Guocheng, Fan Xiaoyao pouted and moved her own bowl in front of her grandfather. “Grandpa, you’re playing favorites. You help him, but you don’t serve me.”

Rong Shaoting smiled at Fan Xiaoyao, pinching her nose fondly. “You really are a handful. Guocheng is our honored guest, so of course I have to take good care of him. As for you, don’t complain. Guocheng is here in Kangcheng because of you, so you should help him with food later—understand?”

Even as he spoke, Rong Shaoting still placed some food into Fan Xiaoyao’s bowl.

Huang Yun, watching from the side, couldn’t help but grumble, “Dad, you’re too partial. They’re all your grandchildren—why do you only serve Xiaoyao and Guocheng? Xiaokai, Xiaobo, Xiaoying, and Xiaoxia are your grandchildren too.”

Although her words were true, the Rong family was still headed by Rong Shaoting. At her repeated questioning, he slammed the table and barked, “Huang Yun, are you here to celebrate the New Year, or just to quarrel with this old man?”

Rong Jinhua, seeing Rong Shaoting had truly lost his temper, quickly tried to smooth things over. “Dad, don’t be angry. Xiaoyun just speaks her mind—she doesn’t know how to be tactful. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Startled by Rong Shaoting’s outburst, Huang Yun hurriedly poured tea for him, her head lowered in contrition. “Dad, I’m sorry. I was talking nonsense earlier—please don’t be upset. Jin Hua and I are truly here to celebrate as a family. I never meant to argue or cause trouble.”

Seeing Huang Yun admit her mistake, Rong Shaoting decided not to pursue the matter further.

Taking up his cup, Rong Shaoting looked earnestly at Rong Kai, Rong Bo, Xiaoxia, Xiaoying, and Fan Xiaoyao. “You are all my grandchildren. Each one of you is precious to me—I have never played favorites or treated anyone differently. The reason I’m attentive to Guocheng today is simply because it’s his first New Year in our home. As our guest, he deserves some extra care…”

Before he could finish, Rong Bo, the eldest of the grandchildren, interjected. “Grandpa, we understand. You don’t need to explain. We remember all your kindness and hold it close to our hearts.”

Rong Kai quickly echoed his brother’s words. “Thank you, Grandpa. We are the seven of Rong family and should care for one another.”

Wang Xiaoxia and Wang Xiaoying, the sisters, chimed in as well. “Grandpa, Second Brother is right. We’re the seven of the Rong family—there’s no jealousy between us, only mutual support.”

Rong Kai winked at Fan Xiaoyao, signaling her to speak too. Seeing the others had all voiced their feelings, Fan Xiaoyao rose, tea cup in hand, and addressed Rong Shaoting. “Grandpa, thank you for looking after Guocheng. I feel so lucky to have the world’s best grandfather, the best cousins, and the best sisters.”

Rong Yinfeng watched Fan Xiaoyao with a smile, teasing, “Don’t forget, you also have the world’s best aunt!”

Fan Xiaoyao stood, respectfully saluting everyone at the table with her tea cup. “I am grateful to have the best family in the world—Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt, Third Aunt, Third Uncle, Big Cousin, Second Cousin, Big Sister, Second Sister—and of course, thanks to Little Uncle, Little Aunt, and my two younger brothers Xiaoyang and Xiaoyu, who aren’t home yet.”

As she spoke, Rong Fenghua entered with Wu Jing and Rong Xiaoyu. “What’s this, Xiaoyao? Are you holding a gratitude ceremony? If you want to thank your uncle, at least wait until I’m present.”

With that, Rong Fenghua took Wu Jing’s hand and sat at the table, greeting everyone in turn. “Dad, Mom, Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister, Second Brother-in-law, Third Sister, Third Brother-in-law, Xiaobo, Xiaokai, Xiaoxia, Xiaoying, Xiaoyao—looks like we made it just in time!”

Seeing Rong Xiaoyu struggling with a suitcase in one hand and a bag in the other, Rong Shaoting’s heart ached. “Xiaoyu, put your luggage in the living room for now. After dinner, I’ll have Xiaokai and Xiaobo help you carry it upstairs.”

Rong Fenghua and Wu Jing sat down to eat, while Rong Xiaoyu shook his head helplessly and said, “Grandpa, it’s fine. I’ll just put my things in my room and be right back to eat.”

With that, he dragged his bags off to the guest room, already used to being overlooked by his parents. Sometimes, he even doubted whether he was their own child.

Wang Guocheng and Rong Kai immediately got up to help Rong Xiaoyu with his luggage, one on each side. Seeing this, Rong Shaoting couldn’t help but feel gratified. “Xiaoyu’s really growing up—he’s learning to share his parents’ burdens.”

His words, carrying more than one meaning, made Wu Jing blush. Only she knew how much she wished she could help her good son with his luggage. But Rong Fenghua had stopped her, insisting that since Xiaoyu was in middle school now, practically a young man, he should learn independence.

When Rong Kai and Wang Guocheng returned after helping Rong Xiaoyu with his belongings, Rong Shaoting had already poured them each a cup of aged liquor. “This is a vintage wine I’ve kept for years. Here, a cup for each of you. Xiaoyu is still underage, so he’ll have to wait.”

Rong Xiaoyu had hoped to sneak a taste of the vintage wine, but was gently refused because of his age. He sat sulking, which Wu Jing immediately noticed. She leaned over and coaxed, “Just a little longer, son. When you turn eighteen, you’ll be able to join in.”

Rong Fenghua shot Wu Jing a stern look. “Not even at eighteen. Students have no business drinking!”