Mother Li, played for a fool by her grandson, smacked Li Xiaotao's back in frustration.
"Are you clever or just plain dumb? Think I'm blind? Didn't you drink it yourself? Two ladles—that's all you get, no more!"
Li Xiaotao didn't flinch from the smack, staring at the small iron bowl that held the egg water. "Grandma, how's there nothing left?"
"There's never anything left!"
Mother Li knew exactly how much water was needed for egg water each day—just enough, no more, no less. Older kids got two ladles, younger ones got one.
His plan foiled, Li Xiaotao scratched his head and sat down, turning his gaze to his eldest brother, Li Xiaojiang.
Li Xiaojiang shut him down immediately. "Don't look at me. I don't even have enough for myself."
Not daring to mess with his two sisters—knowing he'd get a beating if they cried—and skipping Li Xiaohai due to his connection with Third Uncle, Li Xiaotao leaned toward Li Xiaobo.
"Hey, Little Five, can't finish yours? Let Second Brother have a sip or two."
'Spit.'
Li Xiaobo spat into his own bowl.
Bullied by his older brothers since childhood, he didn't dare refuse outright, fearing a beating later.
Pretending not to hear, he asked blankly, "What'd you say, Xiaotao?"
Li Xiangdong burst out laughing at his two nephews' antics.
Mother Li grabbed chopsticks, walked over, and tapped Li Xiaobo's head. "That's disgusting! Spit in your bowl again, and I'll have your mom slap you silly!"
Her eyes scanned the four grandsons at the small table. "All four of you, eat properly. Anyone acts up again, no egg water starting tomorrow!"
"Grandma, I'm behaving," Li Xiaohai said, tilting his head innocently.
"Hmph."
Mother Li nodded halfheartedly. Though her youngest grandson hadn't been back in the city long and was the smallest of the bunch, she knew Li Xiaohai was no angel—just like her Third Son, full of sly tricks.
Li Xiangdong sat at the big table, chuckling at the kids' pre-meal performance while sipping his corn porridge.
The family was used to it—meals weren't complete without the kids stirring up some chaos.
Li Xiaobo spitting into his bowl was just too much, though, or Mother Li wouldn't have bothered disciplining them.
"Third Son, when you registered your household transfer, you took photos, right? Don't forget to bring them for your work registration, along with your job introduction letter and household booklet."
Father Li spoke up, worried his third son might botch such a good job opportunity.
If he didn't have to work this morning, he'd go with him to handle the onboarding himself!
Li Xiangdong set down his bowl. "Got it, Dad. The photos and letter are ready in my room. I'll grab the household booklet from Mother after breakfast."
Grandpa Li chimed in, "Dongzi, eat fast. Clean yourself up after—you can't be late on your first day reporting."
Grandma Li wasn't pleased hearing her husband's words.
"What's the rush? Dongzi's eating! It's not far to the train station. Even an old lady like me can walk there in twenty minutes. It's barely what time—think Dongzi's gonna be late?"
Li Xiangdong grinned, watching his grandparents bicker, eating at his own pace.
"Mother, don't make lunch for me today. It's my first day, and I don't know what's going on. There's a lot of paperwork, so I doubt I'll make it back by noon."
"Why come back for lunch? You think it's your dad's little coal shop with less than ten people? The train station's a proper state-owned enterprise—they've got a cafeteria."
Mother Li suddenly slapped her thigh and stood. "Almost forgot to get you a lunchbox, or you won't even have anything to eat with."
She didn't bother finishing her meal, heading inside to grab an aluminum lunchbox to wash in the courtyard.
Grandma Li reminded her, "Don't forget chopsticks."
Mother Li shouted back from the courtyard, "Got it! Think I'd forget that? You're too old to be worrying about this stuff."
"He's my own grandson. If I don't worry about Dongzi, who else am I supposed to care about?"
Grandma Li felt uneasy hearing her daughter-in-law's words.
Normally, she ignored whatever Mother Li said or did, staying out of it. But when it came to Li Xiangdong, she took everything to heart.
The family was used to it and pretended not to hear Grandma Li's comment.
Second Brother swallowed his cornbread. "Dongzi, make sure to carry a couple of good cigarette packs. They come in handy for business outside. Got any? If not, I'll grab you two."
"Need you to remind him? Third Son already swiped my good smokes! Speaking of, Second Son, you're generous this time. Even I, your dad, haven't smoked those fancy ones."
Father Li was still sore about his third son's knack for "borrowing" things.
"Heh, well, Dad, I'll get you a couple packs later."
Second Brother laughed awkwardly. It wasn't that he didn't share his good smokes with his dad—Father Li usually turned his nose up at them.
Little did he know, his dad's drawer was down to eight-cent production cigarettes!
"Dongzi, that outfit won't do. Your eldest brother has a white shirt. I'll grab it for you to try. If it fits, wear it to report today."
"Exactly, Dongzi," Eldest Sister-in-Law added. "That white shirt's barely been worn—looks brand new."
Eldest Brother and his wife weren't stingy. Knowing their Third Brother was starting at the train station—a job that brought pride to the family—lending a shirt was no big deal.
Li Xiangdong declined politely. "No need, Big Brother, Sister-in-Law. I prepared my clothes yesterday."
Second Sister-in-Law laughed. "Third Brother, you've got clothes ready, but don't forget to carry some money and coupons. Don't show up all neat with your lunchbox at the cafeteria, only to find you've got no cash or tickets to pay for food—that'd be a laugh. If you're short, ask Dad for some. Pay him back when you get your wages."
Li Xiangdong thought his second sister-in-law made a great point!
He didn't have a cent on him and was wondering how to ask his parents for money. His second sister-in-law had just built him the perfect ladder.
Suddenly, he felt Zhou Yuqin nudge his leg under the table.
He knew his wife was warning him not to ask for money—they weren't so broke they couldn't afford a meal. Yesterday, his grandparents gave them thirty yuan. He'd spent one, but Zhou Yuqin still had the rest.
Still, he had big plans for that money and didn't intend to use it.
He reached under the table, pressing Zhou Yuqin's leg, then looked at Father Li, rubbing his fingers together with his other hand.
"Dad, give what you can. I won't complain if it's little."