Chapter 403: Chapter 403: Dumbfounded Chapter 403: Chapter 403: Dumbfounded Mo Xiaoqiang’s eyes bulged with rage as he said, “Me, stingy? I’ve given my entire fortune for him to attend the Academy, and you still call me stingy? Mother, don’t be too biased, okay?”
Hengjian quickly interjected, “Uncle, don’t be angry. Once your nephew makes something of himself, he will support you as if you were his own father.”
By saying this, he was implying that since Mo Xiaoqiang had no sons, if he became old one day, his nephew would take care of him just like a son would.
Mo Xiaoqiang was not the least bit grateful. He knew that Mo Hengjian’s words were just a way to get his uncle to continue funding his education at the Academy. So, he retorted, “I’m not that fortunate. Your father is over there!”
Amidst a racket, they cleared all the dishes on the table.
When the meal was nearly finished, Old Lady Mo actually brought out an empty bowl.
Old Master Mo’s eyes nearly popped out of his head, “Wife, what are you up to?”
“What am I up to? I’m going to fill it with some meat and vegetables to take home.” Saying this, she carried the large bowl in both hands and headed straight for the temporary kitchen next to the ancestral hall.
In the kitchen, several women were busy frying and serving dishes, bustling about energetically.
At this moment, Old Lady Mo came in, holding a large wooden bowl. She glanced at the abundance of food and drink on the floor, her eyes shining. Without a word, she bent down, picked up two chickens and tossed them into her bowl, then grabbed a big pig’s trotter. Only when the bowl could hold no more did she stop.
The women were left staring in astonishment.
“Old Lady Mo, what are you doing?” one of the women couldn’t help but ask.
“Taking some food home to eat. What else?” Old Lady Mo replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“But everyone hasn’t finished eating yet. What if there’s not enough food later?”
“If there’s not enough, let them go home to eat. Why should they eat our family’s good stuff?” Old Lady Mo’s manner was haughty. After speaking, she bent over to pick up the wooden bowl and tried to leave.
“Hey! Old Lady Mo, wait a minute. Do you think Xuexue knows you’re taking so much?” one woman stretched out her hand to stop her, blocking Old Lady Mo’s way.
“I’m her grandmother. Do I need to ask her permission to take a little something?” Old Lady Mo became annoyed at being blocked.
The women surrounded her, each saying, “Without Xuexue’s permission, you can’t take these things away.”
“Exactly, Xuexue entrusted us with the food because she trusts us. If you take away so much all at once, we won’t be able to explain it to her.”
Being told she couldn’t take the items she had grabbed, Old Lady Mo became furious and began to scream at the top of her lungs, “You dead broke wretches, I’m taking my own family’s things. What’s it to you?”
Many villagers were still eating and stopped to watch the commotion.
Madam Xie, with a troubled expression, stood up, walked over to Xuexue, and whispered, “Xuexue, what is your grandmother up to again? Everyone is watching. What should we do?”
Xuexue patted her and said, “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll go and take a look.” Then she stood up, smiled at the crowd, and announced, “Everyone, please continue enjoying your meal. I’ll just see to something.”
The noise from the temporary kitchen was clear for all to see, and everyone understood the situation. They nodded in understanding, “No problem, we are all from the same village. Go ahead with your business.”
Only Shopkeeper Fan was clueless and asked, “What exactly happened?”
The village head raised his glass with a smile and said, “That’s Xuexue’s family matter. It’s not our place to interfere. Come on, Shopkeeper Fan, let’s continue drinking.”
Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Fan also hastily raised his cup, “Right! Let’s continue drinking.”