The banquet, naturally, had nothing to do with Cheng Hao. He had slipped away with Su Miaomiao that day.
Taking advantage of the cooler morning, the two had breakfast and then went to find Cao Lisong.
They were ready to continue discussing the details of modifying the carriage.
At first, the Cheng family head didn't know. When the banquet began, he was happily welcoming the Chi family with his two concubines and servants. It was only when the Chi family head inquired that he was stunned. Upon asking Ji Bo and learning that the young couple had gone out, he was so angry his hands trembled, but he ultimately held back.
He said with a smile, "This child just can't sit still. He said there was a problem with business and went to handle it himself. So be it, so be it. We won't bother with him, we'll eat our meal! I had someone buy fresh fish today. I heard Brother Chi likes fish, so you must have a good taste of it!"
The Cheng family head's lungs were about to explode with anger, but he still wore a warm smile on his face.
The Chi family head was about the same age as the Cheng family head but appeared more reserved. Seeing this, he remained unperturbed, smiled, and nodded, then followed them to take their seats.
The Cheng family head saw that the other party wasn't angry, which was already a great relief. He immediately became even more solicitous, calling for the servants to serve the dishes, and asked his own clansmen Cheng Kaichun and Cheng Fengtai to accompany him. This way, it wouldn't seem too lonely.
Cheng Kaichun and Cheng Fengtai could carry on a conversation, whereas brothers like Cheng Dazhuang and Cheng Dali were not suitable for such occasions.
They themselves disliked such gatherings, so they never participated. They didn't feel looked down upon by the Cheng family head either. Instead, they sat at their own table, calmly enjoying the delicacies served by the Cheng family head that day.
Cheng Xiaoxi was also there, along with Cheng Xiaotian and the other children at the same table.
Under the care of Cheng Dazhuang and Cheng Dali, the brothers also diligently removed fish bones for the children, leaving the fish meat on their plates.
Cheng Xiaoxi, sitting with the children, was also treated like one. He bit the end of his chopsticks and whispered curiously, "Look at him, who would have thought he could be so fawning?"
The Cheng family head was very concerned with his reputation and always maintained a high and mighty demeanor in the courtyard. He never mingled with them or ate at the same table, as if staying with them any longer would rub off some of his poverty.
Cheng Xiaotian's height had recently shot up due to good food, nutrition, and regular exercise, so it was not surprising. He was almost as tall as Cheng Xiaoxi. Hearing this, he chewed meat with bulging cheeks and then said, "Isn't that right? It just goes to show, people are truly strange."
The other children nodded while gnawing on meat, looking somewhat bewildered.
Cheng Dazhuang and Cheng Dali, worried that the Cheng family head might overhear the children's gossip, said, "Alright, no talking while eating. If your mothers see you, and you get scolded, don't blame us for not warning you." "That's right, eat up, eat up! There are extra dishes today! Eat more!"
The two sturdy men took care of the children admirably. Cai Shi and Xi Shi were very busy. They usually worked next door. Today, to entertain guests, they were specifically asked to come back and cook. As soon as they finished the meal, they had to return to the adjacent workshop to continue cooking.
They were very busy.
The children were entrusted to the care of Cheng Dazhuang and his brother, which was quite customary.
The children were now familiar with them and were laughing and playing, not afraid of the two brothers. However, they obediently continued to eat, their mouths slick with oil. The brothers even had to find handkerchiefs for them, keeping them very busy.
Cheng Xiaohua, a bit of a gossip, asked curiously while wiping her hands with a handkerchief, "Dazhuang ge and Dali ge are so good, why don't they have wives?"
The other children were also very curious, as in their eyes, people their age should already have wives, but they didn't.
Children speak their minds without reservation.
Cheng Dazhuang and Cheng Dali didn't mind and laughed, "Wasn't it because we were poor before? We didn't have money to marry wives! Alright, you little rascals, why so many questions all day long?"
Cheng Xiaoxi also chuckled, and then became a little sad. Fortunately, their lives had improved, and recently, many aunties and grandmothers from Shanao Village had taken a liking to the brothers and wanted to arrange marriages for them. It was the brothers who were too shy.
Cheng Xiaotian immediately asked curiously, "Then why didn't you agree when those aunties and grandmothers wanted to arrange marriages for you the other day?"
Cheng Xiaohua nodded in agreement, "Xiao Ya jie really likes Dazhuang ge."
As expected.
Although this child was very curious, his words weren't completely random.
There were clearly signs.
Cheng Dazhuang almost choked on his food. His face turned bright red. "Ahem, don't talk nonsense. What do you children know?"
The children were all astonished by Cheng Xiaohua's words and stared at Cheng Dazhuang.
Cheng Xiaoxi was shocked and exclaimed, "Really? Xiao Ya jie really likes Dazhuang ge? I knew it, she often sends things to Dazhuang ge! Hey, no, Xiao Ya jie is such a good person, why are you avoiding her, Dazhuang ge? She's such a good person! Her skills are no worse than Xiaotian's mother's! You're so lucky! What's there to be shy about!"
The children all started teasing.
Cheng Dazhuang only begged for mercy and quickly asked his brother to help him say a few words.
Cheng Dali, however, just smiled and watched the show.