Zhang Zhaocai shook his head vigorously and said, "Mother, this is too immoral, we can't do it!"
Besides, what he likes is Bella Bell, not Yindou.
Tang Shi looked at him angrily, twisted Zhang Zhaocai's ear hard, and said, "You stubborn donkey, why are you so thick-headed! If you don't quickly get close to the Yuan family, the two of us mother and son will starve to death!"
"No matter what, I won't do this!" Zhang Zhaocai said stubbornly, sticking out his neck.
Tang Shi looked at him angrily, twisted Zhang Zhaocai's ear hard, and said, "You stubborn donkey, why are you so thick-headed! If you don't quickly hook up with the Yuan family, the two of us mother and son will starve to death!"
Zhang Zhaocai frowned, lay down on the torn quilt, covered his head, and said, "I don't care, whoever wants to marry her can, but I won't do it!"
Tang Shi was furious at her son's firm attitude and cursed him a stubborn donkey, but she had no choice. This matter required Zhang Zhaocai's cooperation. If he refused, Tang Shi couldn't possibly tie them up herself.
"Sigh, why so foolish." Tang Shi rubbed her growling hungry stomach, guessed that Qin Sanniang had almost finished eating, and wanted to scavenge some leftovers. But when she looked, there really were only leftovers: two plates of soup and half a piece of bread.
Tang Shi had no choice but to take the little food into the wood shed and called Zhang Zhaocai to get up and eat.
Seeing the small amount of food, Zhang Zhaocai said, "Mother, how come there's so little? This isn't even enough to fill my stomach, let alone for two people!"
Tang Shi grimaced and said, "What else can we do? That shrew and your father only left us this much. There's no more."
As she spoke, Tang Shi broke the half piece of bread, giving the bigger piece to Zhang Zhaocai and keeping the smaller piece for herself.
They dipped the bread in the vegetable soup. Zhang Zhaocai was starving, swallowed the bread in one bite, and before tasting anything, it was gone.
Tang Shi wasn't doing any better. The mother and son each held a plate and licked the soup clean, their stomachs growling loudly.
Zhang Zhaocai hugged his stomach and lay down on the quilt, closing his eyes. All he could see were delicious foods in his mind.
Being hungry is really painful. Will we have to endure hunger like this forever...
Zhang Zhaocai suddenly felt a wave of despair, endured the burning sensation in his stomach, and drifted into a hazy sleep.
The next day, Su Li's home was decorated with lanterns and red cloth everywhere, lively and festive.
Everyone got up early, dressed in festive colors, and began preparing for the full moon banquet.
Wu Caiwei had just finished her confinement period, looking charming and elegant in a lotus-colored long dress. She glanced around, wanting to help in the kitchen, but was stopped by Zhang Mu and Su Li together.
Zhang Mu said, "My dear wife, you just finished your confinement, why are you working so hard? Just rest well!"
Su Li said, "Oh, there are so many people at home, we don't need you! You just be the young mistress of the Zhang family!"
Wu Caiwei smiled and said, "You guys are turning me into a useless person. I feel suffocated staying in the room during my confinement. Let me go to the front hall to entertain everyone. It's not hard work, and don't stop me!"
Su Li laughed and said, "You're good at entertaining guests, fine, go ahead. I'll call Fourth Aunt to help take care of Little Chou Chou."