Chapter 43: The Xu Family in Qingshui Town

Chapter 43: The Xu Family in Qingshui Town

Ding Yiqiang was also known for being stubborn. The more you ignored him, the more he persisted. He picked up a plate of thousand-layer pastries and sat down next to Xu Zeping. "Sweet and delicious thousand-layer pastries, are you sure you don't want some?"

His bulky frame startled Xu Zeping so much that his hand shook, nearly dropping his chopsticks on the ground. Fortunately, he reacted quickly, clamping them between his legs with both knees.

Hearing Ding Yiqiang's tempting voice, Xu Zeping steadied himself, relieved that Ding Yiqiang wasn't there to fight. If it were a fight, even five of him wouldn't stand a chance against Ding Yiqiang, considering his height and weight.

At least 1.75 meters tall and weighing 160 pounds, Ding Yiqiang was intimidating in an era where ninety percent of the population struggled to get enough food.

Xu Zeping secretly glanced at Xu Zeli across from him. His elder brother was well-developed for his age; at twelve, he was already 1.65 meters tall, but still shorter than Ding Yiqiang.

Xu Zeli noticed his youngest brother's glance and assumed he wanted the pastry. "Zeping, calling your older brother isn't shameful, especially since Ding classmate is older."

Xu Zeping hastily shook his head and explained, "Elder brother, children should eat fewer sweets, or they'll get cavities like Ding brother, who has a missing tooth!"

Xu Zeping had seen this by chance when Ding Yiqiang leaned down to tempt him. On the left side of his upper jaw, one tooth was black, and another had a large hole.

Seeing the child's innocent expression, Ding Yiqiang turned red, unable to utter a word.

Ding Yiqiang had always been a glutton, especially for sweets. His mother's dowry included a pastry shop, which only fueled his addiction.

Whenever new pastries appeared, he would be the first to eat until he was stuffed!

If he didn't eat enough, he would sneak out at night to steal pastries from the shop. Even if caught by his father and punished, he never changed his habit.

Despite beatings and scoldings, he couldn't break this habit, so his parents eventually gave up.

His father ran a security escort service and had to personally oversee deliveries, while his mother managed the pastry shop. They had no time to watch over him. His grandparents believed that a well-fed grandson would grow strong and take over the family business.

Ding Yiqiang eventually broke his sweet tooth habit due to those two cavities.

Anyone who has had cavities knows how excruciating the pain can be.

When he was ten, his face swelled like a bun, and he rolled on the ground in agony. Thinking about it now, it was embarrassing.

Xu Zeli watched Ding Yiqiang's face turn red and then black, almost choking on a piece of fish. He swallowed hard and sternly said, "Zeping, don't mock Ding classmate; it's impolite."

"Okay." Xu Zeping put down his chopsticks, turned his head, and politely apologized to Ding Yiqiang, "Brother Ding, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mocked you. Please forgive me."

Ding Yiqiang, with words stuck in his throat, could only wave his hand and say, "It's okay, it's my own fault for being greedy."

With that, Ding Yiqiang hurriedly grabbed his food box and ran off, embarrassed.

The two brothers exchanged glances, their smiles lingering.

Xu Zerou sat in the courtyard, embroidering a handkerchief. Upon closer inspection, one could see patterns on both sides: lotus flowers on one side and cranes on the other.

This rare double-sided embroidery technique was taught to her by Madam Jiang, who learned it from her old master.

Now, Madam Jiang decided to pass on this unique skill to Xu Zerou...

Thinking about it, Madam Jiang sighed. She never imagined that her old master's exclusive technique would end up in the hands of an outsider.

Her old master was a second wife, and the heartless old lady feared she might bear a child, which would be detrimental...

Fortunately, the young master was filial and took care of her old master's later years.

But thinking about the hardships her old master endured trying to bear a child, Madam Jiang felt heartbroken... remembering the moment her old master died, knowing the truth.

Madam Jiang shuddered, knowing her old master died with unfulfilled wishes.

Had it not been for her old master's last wish for her safety, she might have become a pile of bones.

From afar, Xu Zerou heard laughter and looked up to see her eldest brother and youngest brother walking through the corridor, chatting happily. She wondered aloud, "Is the sun rising from the west today?"

Isn't her eldest brother usually cold towards the youngest?

"Zeping, did you have fun today?"

Xu Zeping tilted his head at his sister's sweet voice. "Yes, I had fun."

"Having fun with your brother? You don't usually smile like that."

Xu Zeping scratched his head, smiling innocently. "Brotherhood, Sister, you wouldn't understand."

Xu Zeli observed Xu Zerou's expression and saw that she seemed normal, knowing Ji Xiang hadn't revealed his injured hand.

He was pleased. Good.

Taking advantage of the siblings' conversation, he slipped back to Donggen courtyard, carrying his book box and pondering a plan. He decided to have Da Hu bring dinner from Xiheyuan.

For the time being, he would avoid showing his face, citing the need to focus on writing essays for the upcoming examination as an excuse to dine in his courtyard, saving time and effort.

Xu Tangshi walked out of the flower hall and called out loudly, "Wash your hands, it's time for dinner."

Xu Zeping loved these family dinners, full of warmth and joy.

Recalling the past, such moments were rare.

Often, when it grew dark, his stepfather was still at the construction site.

He and his mother would quickly finish a meal together, barely managing.

After Minxue was born, dinners became more like chores, as her frail health often kept them in the hospital for weeks...

After entering society, he often ate alone.

Looking at the steaming dinner, Xu Zeping's face was filled with a smile: "Mom, it's bone and potato soup~ It's just right for Axiang to rest his hand!"

Xu Zeli was still racking his brains for a solution, unaware that his good little brother had let slip about his injured hand.