Li Xiaojiang, Li Xiaotao, and the other kids had eyes only for the meat broth, desperate to get a taste. They couldn't think of anything else, nor did they care to.
"Got it, Third Uncle, we'll just drink the broth."
"Yeah, yeah, we won't fight over Little Sister's pig's tail."
"Dad, I want some broth too."
Li Xiangdong placed the enamel mug on the small dining table and said, "No fighting. One sip each, take turns, got it?"
"Got it!"
"We know, Third Uncle!"
"I'm the oldest, I go first."
Li Xiangdong watched his nephews and nieces scramble for the broth with a sly grin. Smirking, he returned to the main table and opened the other mug, revealing it was filled to the brim with pork head meat and offal.
The gazes of Grandpa, Grandma, Li's parents, and his brothers and sisters-in-law were all drawn to the meat in the mug.
"Whoa! Third Son, where'd you get all this meat? Did you rob the meat factory?"
Big Brother Li Weiguo was stunned by the amount of meat, the savory aroma making his throat bob involuntarily.
The family's monthly meat ration was barely enough for the kids to have a couple of bites. The adults might get a hint of flavor, but eating a proper piece of meat was a rare luxury.
Li Xiangdong rolled his eyes. "Big Brother, what are you talking about? You think the meat factory has this little meat?"
Big Brother Li, caught by his wife's sharp glance, shut his mouth awkwardly and swallowed hard, saying nothing more.
Li's father, chewing on a steamed cornbread bun, nearly choked when he saw the mug full of meat. Taking the water handed to him by Li's mother, he sipped twice and, suppressing a cough, demanded, "Third Son, tell me where this meat came from!"
Li Xiangdong shot his father an exasperated look. "Azhe and his dad are back, so a few of us went to visit them. This meat was pre-ordered by Binzi from a restaurant. Don't worry, it's not stolen or robbed. Your son's not that low-class."
Hearing his third son's words, Li's father flushed slightly but doubled down. "When did I say you stole or robbed it? Can't a father ask a question?"
"What kind of father asks like that? You're just hoping your son's up to no good."
Grandma Li scolded her son-in-law with clear dissatisfaction, then turned to her grandson. "So why'd you bring the meat back? We don't take food when we're guests at someone's house."
Grandpa Li chimed in, "The father and son have had a tough time these years. It's not easy for them to come back in one piece. This meat should've been left for them to nourish themselves."
Li Xiangdong explained, "Don't worry, Grandpa, Grandma, we saved plenty. Binzi ordered a whole pig's head and a full set of offal. There's so much meat it wouldn't keep in this weather, so we split some to bring back for you all to try."
Li's second sister-in-law was shocked by her brother-in-law's words. "My goodness, a whole pig's head and a full set of offal? You guys went all out! Our family couldn't eat that much meat in a year!"
"What are you yammering about? Is this meat ours?"
Li's mother shot her second daughter-in-law a displeased look, then turned to Li Xiangdong. "Binzi's being real generous this time. Isn't his wife about to give birth? Let me know when it happens; I'll go visit and bring some eggs for her."
Among Li Xiangdong's childhood friends, Li's mother liked Qian Bin the most. It wasn't that she was snobbish—Azhe's father was a university teacher, and she still didn't care much for Azhe.
In these times, anyone with a proper job was a good kid in the eyes of the older generation.
Li Xiangdong nodded. "Got it."
He carried the mug to his grandparents, carefully picking out some tender pork head meat and placing a couple of pieces in front of each. "Try it. Binzi stewed this meat till it's melt-in-your-mouth."
"Let the kids eat it. Your grandma and I are too old for meat."
Grandpa Li noticed his great-grandkids gathering around, eyeing the meat eagerly. He took the mug from Li Xiangdong and pushed it toward Li's mother.
"Everyone try some. The rest goes to the kids—let them have their fill."
"Great-Grandpa's the best!"
The kids were thrilled.
"Best at what? Get back to your broth!"
Li Xiangdong had expected this. Luckily, he'd already served his grandparents a couple of pieces. The old couple, knowing their age, wouldn't give away the food in their own bowls to the kids.
Li's parents, his brothers, sisters-in-law, and his wife each took a piece with their chopsticks.
Li's father loved pig liver the most, finding it the most flavorful. He took a piece, chewing slowly, reluctant to swallow.
Unlike Second Brother Li, who popped a piece of pork head meat in his mouth, chewed twice, and swallowed it down.
Each adult took one piece and stopped, leaving plenty to be placed on the kids' table for them to share.
Suddenly, Li Xiaotao cried out, nearly in tears, "Big Brother, Xiaobo, come quick! Xiaohai drank all the broth! I didn't even get a sip!"
Hearing her son causing trouble again, Zhou Yuqin stormed over, scooped up Li Xiaohai, and gave his bottom a few hard smacks.
Li Xiaohai, giggling and unfazed, was delighted by the mug of broth he'd downed. Clutching the empty mug, he licked the bits of meat stuck inside with his tongue.
Li's first and second sisters-in-law hurried over to stop Zhou Yuqin. The second sister-in-law said, "Don't hit him. What's wrong with the kid drinking some broth? Besides, Third Brother brought it back."
The first sister-in-law went straight to Li Xiaotao and gave him a light smack on the back of his head.
"What are you howling about? The meat's right here for you. Are we stopping you from eating? Act up again, and you're out—no food for you. Your share goes to your younger siblings!"
Li Xiangdong didn't mind the family's noisy squabble. In his past life, after losing his wife, it had been a long time since he'd felt this kind of family atmosphere.
He sat on his wife's stool, reached over, and took his daughter from his mother's arms. "Xiaoqi, is it good? Is the pig's tail yummy?"
"Dad… eat…"
Li Xiaozhu, thinking her dad wanted a bite, generously offered him the pig's tail.
"Dad's not eating. You eat. My girl's so sweet."
Li Xiangdong kissed his daughter's greasy little cheek.
Li Xiaozhu was overjoyed, holding the pig's tail and bouncing in her dad's arms.
"Mom, grab me some grain coupons. We steamed a batch of cornbread buns at Azhe's place."
That's how it was these days—every household's grain was rationed, so visiting or hosting meant bringing your own grain coupons.
Li's mother pulled a handkerchief from her pocket, unfolded it, and took out a few grain coupons. "How many do you need?"