Father Li swatted away his third son's outstretched hand, annoyed at his carefree attitude. "Go ask your mother. I don't have any money."
"Dongzi's going to handle important business, not to squander it. What's wrong with giving him a bit?" Grandma Li said, glaring at Father Li.
Father Li squirmed under his mother's stare. "Mother, I really don't have any. You know how it is—how many years has it been? Ever since I got married, my wages have all gone to Dongzi's mom."
Grandma Li looked at her son's spineless demeanor, frustrated that he was so unassertive. It was one thing when he was young and his wife controlled everything, but now, in his fifties, he was still under her thumb.
"You useless thing! At your age, you still can't stand up to your own wife."
Father Li grumbled, "How's that my fault? You're the one who picked her for me back then."
Mother Li, carrying the freshly washed aluminum lunchbox, walked in just in time to hear Father Li's words. She slammed the lunchbox onto the table with a 'bang'.
Storming up to Father Li, she let loose. "What's that, you old fool? What's wrong with me as a wife? Where did I fall short? You better give me a clear explanation today, or you won't have a moment's peace from now on!"
Father Li scrambled to explain. "That's not what I meant! You're misunderstanding me!"
"Not what you meant? I heard your tone loud and clear. Don't try to weasel out of this!"
Everyone in the room froze at Mother Li's outburst. Li Xiangdong and the younger generation saw her face darken, and not one dared to speak up.
Li Xiangdong quietly scooted his chair back, nibbling on his cornbread while nudging Zhou Yuqin, signaling her to stay out of it.
Father Li and Mother Li had been bickering their whole lives—none of their spats were quieter than this one.
Watching the scene, Li Xiangdong wasn't worried at all. He was practically eating popcorn, enjoying the show.
Grandpa Li, seeing his daughter-in-law looking ready to devour his son, spoke up. "Enough. The kids are watching you two instead of eating. Whatever it is, settle it in private."
Mother Li didn't care. "Let them watch! Good chance for them to see what kind of man their grandpa is!"
Grandma Li softened her tone. "Alright, this old lady will apologize and back down. I'm old and muddled. Stop saying things that don't sound good."
"I didn't mean it like that, Mother. You're the elder—how could I ask you to apologize? If you scold me, I won't take it to heart. I'm your daughter-in-law, after all."
"I just want to know from your son—what did I do wrong? I'll make sure to fix it!"
Every word from Mother Li was a soft jab, leaving Grandma Li speechless.
Father Li was on pins and needles, feeling utterly cursed!
Caught between his parents and his wife, he opened his mouth but couldn't find words, looking torn.
"Speak! You were so chatty earlier! I slave away for this family every day, and I still don't get any credit."
"Since I was young and joined your Li family, I've worked like a donkey at the mill. Decades later, what do I get for it? Tell me!"
Father Li's face went from dark to red and back again, but he stayed silent, letting out a 'hmph' before storming off to his room without finishing his meal.
Li Xiangdong felt a bit sorry for his dad, but not too much.
His dad wouldn't go hungry—this wasn't the first time. His eldest brother would bring him food when he went to work.
"You should talk less," Grandpa Li said to Grandma Li.
She closed her mouth, knowing she'd caused trouble for her son this time.
Mother Li picked up the lunchbox she'd slammed on the table and said, "Dad, Mother, I didn't mean anything against you two. Don't take it to heart. You know my temper—when I heard him badmouthing me, I couldn't help but give him a piece of my mind."
Grandma Li stayed silent. Grandpa Li chuckled. "No worries, we didn't take it personally. But a family should get along peacefully. If you can avoid arguing, don't."
At that moment, Li Xiaozhu, standing in Zhou Yuqin's arms with her hands on the table, wasn't scared at all. Instead, she showed her few tiny teeth, fiercely banging the table. "Hit…"
"Grandma… hit…"
Mother Li's face broke into a smile at Li Xiaozhu's words, a complete shift from her earlier scowl.
She sat next to Zhou Yuqin, patting Li Xiaozhu's little topknot. "My Xiaoqi knows how to stick up for Grandma, even at such a young age."
The minor storm passed, and the room's atmosphere lightened. The kids at the small table started chattering again.
Li Xiangdong sidled up to his mother, buttering her up. "Mother, can you give me some money and coupons? If I can't make it back for lunch, I'll need them to eat out."
Mother Li pulled out a handkerchief. "How much?"
Li Xiangdong grinned. "Whatever you give is fine. More or less, I'm not like Dad, complaining about you, right?"
Mother Li shot him a look. "Third Son, you looking for trouble?"
Li Xiangdong backpedaled. "No way! I'm on your side, Mother. Didn't you hear?"
"Didn't hear a thing! Take this and get lost after breakfast!"
Mother Li handed him a few bills and coupons, then ignored him to finish her meal.
With no one talking, breakfast wrapped up quickly.
Before leaving, Eldest Brother grabbed two cornbreads from the basket. Mother Li glanced at him but said nothing. Argument or not, she wouldn't let her husband go to work hungry.
Li Xiangdong went to change, packed his prepared documents into a cloth bag, and planned to get the household booklet from his mother.
Seeing his grandpa pacing in the courtyard, clearly waiting for him, he walked over.
Grandpa Li asked, "Was what your mom gave you enough? If not, I'll get you more."
Li Xiangdong glanced at the empty main house and lowered his voice. "It's enough. Mother wouldn't let me go hungry. She's all bark and no bite. You and Grandma shouldn't get upset over this."
Grandpa Li shook his head. "We won't. After decades, we know your mom's temper. Don't worry about it. Focus on reporting to work and getting everything settled."
Li Xiangdong nodded. "Got it, Grandpa. I'm off to get the household booklet from Mother."