Chapter 32: Table War

“Xueci, come here.” Shen Zhoudu sat on the carpet, holding a cat teaser wand.

Xueci was eating cat food off to the side and had absolutely no intention of paying attention to its owner.

Shen Zhoudu thought for a moment, then shook the cat teaser wand wildly. The bell hanging from it kept jingling nonstop. Xueci’s ears twitched once, then again, and in the end, it could not resist abandoning the food in front of it and sprinted toward the source of the sound.

The little cat moved like an arrow leaving the bow, but Shen Zhoudu’s eyes were even faster. Just as Xueci’s paws were about to pounce on the feathers, he swiftly moved the teaser wand sideways and placed it in the opposite direction.

Meng Weiyu sat slanted on the sofa, watching the silly cat get played in circles by Shen Zhoudu. It ran back and forth with its eyes wide open in excitement, until finally, exhausted, it stood weakly in place, waving its paws in vain.

“Xueci, come catch it.” Shen Zhoudu watched and found it funny.

The little cat stood in place, doubted its cat life for a moment, and finally turned around, refusing to look back.

“Hey.” Shen Zhoudu smugly stretched out the teaser wand and shook it at the little cat’s back. “Weren’t you throwing a tantrum earlier because you wanted to play with me?”

“Too much is as bad as not enough,” Meng Weiyu judged his behavior.

Hearing this, Shen Zhoudu held the cat teaser wand and waved it at him.

Meng Weiyu was still worried about tomorrow’s family banquet, yet Shen Zhoudu was completely unconcerned and had turned around to tease the cat at home. The more Meng Weiyu watched, the angrier he became. He reached out, about to swat the cat teaser wand away. Unexpectedly, Shen Zhoudu moved faster than him and shifted the wand away.

“…” Meng Weiyu began to feel that something was wrong.

Seeing him miss, Shen Zhoudu revealed a mocking expression. Then he placed the teaser wand in front of him and shook it wickedly. He did not use words; his actions alone were provoking him.

Meng Weiyu showed a disdainful expression, intending to use it to mislead Shen Zhoudu. Then, without moving his gaze, his hand instantly reached for the cat teaser wand.

“Jingle.”

Meng Weiyu’s hand only brushed past the feathers.

“Hahahaha.” Shen Zhoudu was amused. He deliberately shook the cat teaser wand and asked cheerfully, “Still playing? If not, I’m going to take a shower.”

“Who wants to play this boring game with you—” Meng Weiyu stopped halfway through his sentence and reached out to grab the feathers.

“Jingle.”

Shen Zhoudu pressed the teaser wand downward, dodging his hand.

Meng Weiyu instantly stared at his left hand, doubting his life.

Shen Zhoudu stood up from the carpet and hung the cat teaser wand over Meng Weiyu’s head, understanding the principle Meng Weiyu had just taught him. “Too much is as bad as not enough, so the correct method is to stop the game with the cat when it is most addicted to it, right?”

Meng Weiyu finally had a chance to knock the teaser wand off his head.

So annoying.

“I’m going to shower. You should sleep early too, or else you won’t want to get up tomorrow morning.” Shen Zhoudu understood his routine far too well.

“Haha.” Meng Weiyu looked at Shen Zhoudu’s back, which was as carefree as usual, and let out a mocking laugh. Shen Zhoudu really was relaxed. He had no idea at all what a difficult bunch his family members were.

His grandfather had once been a soldier. He was stubborn and quick-tempered. If others did not do as he said, he would easily flare up. By the way, precisely because his grandfather was that stubborn, Meng Weiyu did not think he would accept that his only heir grandson was gay. Back then, his father had an affair and an illegitimate child outside. He originally wanted to discuss it with Grandfather and have him simply accept the fact that he was getting divorced, as well as accept his new family, new wife, and new son.

After Grandfather heard this, he became imposing and fierce. He used the skills he had learned back when he was a soldier and directly beat his son out of the house, deciding that they would never associate until death.

Grandmother was naturally airheaded, so her resistance could basically be ignored.

As for his maternal grandparents, his grandfather was a refined gentleman whose heart was devoted only to the classics and sages, so there really was not much to worry about. The only variable was the true backbone of the Yan family, his grandmother, who still controlled everything even now.

Meng Weiyu would never forget the day his parents decided to divorce. His grandmother ate with him alone, and in a light, casual tone, did something absolutely heartless. “Since your mother did that kind of thing, I no longer have any expectations for her. Your aptitude is not bad. I plan to give everything to you in the future. Just remember, you must never disappoint me.”

That person with a loving face smiled as she placed a piece of pork rib into his bowl.

After the meal ended, Meng Weiyu stood by the window and watched his mother gather her courage and walk into the mansion.

His grandmother received her. About ten minutes later, his mother left.

She returned to their family of three, packed up her things, and announced the failure of her negotiation.

Meng Qinggu and Yan Yu had married in the first place only for an arranged alliance.

Both families’ elders had found the best marriage partners for them, and before that, they had given them the right to refuse. Meng Weiyu’s parents, for the sake of inheriting the family assets, had agreed without hesitation, only to end things in the ugliest way possible. His grandfather and grandmother did not indulge children who acted willfully. After they did something excessive, they directly swept them out of the house.

Based on his grandfather’s and grandmother’s personalities, the fact that he had married a man yet still maintained contact with them, and that they had not taken back all his money and possessions the way they treated his parents, but instead allowed him to manage the company—this was the strange part.

Even if he could speak with a silver tongue, could he really manage to get along with Grandfather and Grandmother while being married to Shen Zhoudu?

Could it be that after getting old, his grandfather and grandmother had finally figured things out and decided that family harmony was more important than family glory?

Meng Weiyu felt that having such a thought was laughably naive.

No matter how worried he was now, tomorrow would still arrive. When the time came, the doubts in his heart would be explained. From the bottom of his heart, he hoped everything Shen Zhoudu said was true. Otherwise, at this age, still arguing with several elderly people would be far too ugly a scene.

He thought so much not because he did not trust Shen Zhoudu, but because he understood too clearly what kind of people his family members were.

Meng Weiyu held his phone and turned it around in his hand. In the end, he got up from the sofa. On his way upstairs, he sent Ning Wu a message:

I’m going to Grandfather’s house with Shen Zhoudu tomorrow. Grandmother and the others will also be there.

After entering his room and closing the door, Meng Weiyu turned around and immediately received a message from Ning Wu.

Ning Wu: Hahahaha, then you two will have another scene to make.

Meng Weiyu: …

He knew it. Shen Zhoudu was a big liar!!!

Early the next morning, when Shen Zhoudu came out of his room, he discovered that Meng Weiyu had actually gotten up even earlier than him today.

He was sitting on the sofa, watching television while knocking an egg. Hearing footsteps, Meng Weiyu turned his head and glanced at him with a bored expression. His eyes were hollow, as if he were looking at a dead man.

“Young Master Shen, your coffee.” When Uncle Wang saw him come out, he quickly brought him a cup of coffee.

“Thanks.” Shen Zhoudu took the coffee and drank a sip without any caution. Usually, his food and drink were all handled properly by others, which was why he was careless and had repeatedly been severely injured by the utterly service-lacking Meng Weiyu.

He carried the coffee and walked to Meng Weiyu’s side, explaining to him, “I’ve already had someone prepare the visiting gifts. If you don’t have any other problems, we’ll leave in half an hour.”

“No problem.” Meng Weiyu knocked the egg in his hand viciously. “What problem could I possibly have?”

After last night’s harsh interrogation of Ning Wu and various attempts to probe him for information, he was now more curious about how Shen Zhoudu planned to bring the current him into this dragon’s lair and tiger’s den.

Actually…

Meng Weiyu simply felt that Shen Zhoudu only needed to honestly explain the current situation to him, then lower his posture and beg him for help. He felt that he was very likely to stand on Shen Zhoudu’s side.

Since someone like me chose to marry you, then I must have had my own thoughts. Under normal circumstances, I would definitely be willing to protect you.

But you are unwilling to share your troubles with me.

Thinking of this, Meng Weiyu’s expression grew even darker. What was originally just an ordinary chewing motion looked, when done by him, like a murderer eating human flesh.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. In the end, he thought indifferently: Then I’ll just see what extraordinary ability you have. Since you won’t speak now, even if you cry and beg me later, I won’t pay attention to you.

Meng Weiyu finished the last bite of egg.

Shen Zhoudu glanced at him, seemingly not noticing the change in Meng Weiyu’s mood, and said slowly, “The eggshell fell.”

Meng Weiyu’s movements paused. Then, with a stubborn expression, he went to pick up the eggshell, as if he were not picking it up because of Shen Zhoudu’s reminder, but because he had voluntarily decided to do so.

“What’s wrong?” Why are you taking your anger out on an egg?

Seeing his reaction, Shen Zhoudu found it funny, but he did not dare continue asking. Because recently, the only person Meng Weiyu had been in contact with every day was one person. As for who had made him angry, the answer was obvious without saying.

It was just that Shen Zhoudu thought left and right, confused. He had only met Meng Weiyu for a few minutes today and had not had any chance at all to anger him. If he absolutely had to think of a reason, then maybe it was because he stepped out of the room with his left foot first, or because he drank coffee early in the morning and the smell offended Meng Weiyu.

Before figuring things out, he could not casually make a move.

Thinking this, Shen Zhoudu turned sideways, originally intending to probe some information from Meng Weiyu’s mouth.

“Clatter.”

Meng Weiyu suddenly stood up.

The light source beside Shen Zhoudu was blocked. He raised his head. From this angle, Meng Weiyu was against the light, so Shen Zhoudu could not see the expression on his face clearly.

“Drink slowly.” Meng Weiyu casually patted Shen Zhoudu’s shoulder, then walked toward the little cat sleeping in the cat bed.

Xueci lay in the cat bed, its pink paw pads kneading the soft blanket.

It sure was comfortable.

Meng Weiyu reached out and deliberately held its paw, preventing it from pressing down.

“Meow?” Xueci woke up and looked at Meng Weiyu sleepily.

“You’re awake? Then let’s play.” Meng Weiyu wickedly pinched the little cat’s paw pad.

“Meow~” Xueci closed its eyes again.

“Don’t harass Xueci.” Shen Zhoudu finished the last sip of coffee.

“I’m harassing it, so what?” Was it only allowed for this little cat to cling to his door early in the morning and meow nonstop, waking him up? Could he not use the same method against it?

“Too childish,” Shen Zhoudu said.

Meng Weiyu turned his head and glared at him.

“Don’t harass the little cat. Come harass me instead.” Shen Zhoudu offered a practical and sincere suggestion.

Meng Weiyu: “…”

“Meow meow meow.” Xueci was still woken up. It climbed down from the cat bed in a daze, then lay at Meng Weiyu’s feet, yawned, and closed its eyes again.

Meng Weiyu could only pick it up and walk toward Shen Zhoudu.

“How did I make you unhappy?” Shen Zhoudu asked bluntly. He understood the current situation; with Meng Weiyu, beating around the bush was useless.

Hearing this, Meng Weiyu raised the corners of his mouth. His black eyes also curved, revealing a bright smile that took no effort. He said, “Where am I unhappy? Look, I’m even smiling.”

Shen Zhoudu was so frightened by his expression that he did not dare speak.

The two of them maintained this awkward atmosphere. Even after they went out and sat together in the enclosed car, there was no sign of improvement.

After sitting in the car for twenty minutes, Shen Zhoudu finally decided to muster up his courage and ask Meng Weiyu what was wrong today. When he turned his head, he saw Meng Weiyu propping up his chin, boredly looking at the scenery outside the window.

In the past, Meng Weiyu liked looking out the window when riding in a car. Shen Zhoudu had once asked him curiously why.

Meng Weiyu had smiled and explained to his husband.

First, he was lamenting that time passed so quickly and was reluctant for the day to end.

Second, he hated the other person in the car and did not want to look at his face.

It was morning now, not the time period when Meng Weiyu would become sentimental over spring and autumn. Therefore, it meant he hated him.

Shen Zhoudu looked at Meng Weiyu’s reflection on the glass window and sighed for no reason.

The current Meng Weiyu seemed to need no special reason to find him annoying.

After another period of driving, the car finally arrived at the seaside villa.

The Meng family’s tradition was to have lots of money and do big things. Several important residences were absurdly huge. When the gatekeeping servants discovered that the visitor was Meng Weiyu, they directly opened the gate and let the car drive in.

Lin Xiao drove the car skillfully through a long winding road, then stopped directly in front of one of the villas.

Meng Weiyu opened the car door and got out directly.

Shen Zhoudu followed him out. While Lin Xiao ran to the trunk to get the things, Shen Zhoudu looked at the villa in front of him, could not help sighing, and pushed up his glasses.

“What are you sighing about?” Meng Weiyu suddenly asked.

This was the final chance Meng Weiyu gave Shen Zhoudu to be honest.

“Nothing.” Shen Zhoudu lowered his head and closed the car door. “Maybe the ride was too long. It was a bit tiring.”

“Hehe.”

The two of them walked forward from the left and right sides at the same time, gathered in one place, and went inside.

“Xiao Yu!” The first person to see them enter was an elegant and intellectual woman with graying hair pinned up, wearing a qipao. When she saw Meng Weiyu and Shen Zhoudu, she revealed a happy smile, then slowly walked toward them.

“Grandma.” Meng Weiyu called out obediently and, meeting her hands, hugged her.

“It’s good to see that you’re all right. When I suddenly received the news that you had been in a car accident, I was so scared I almost cried. I originally wanted to go see you immediately, but then I heard that you needed rest. The old man was afraid that if I went, I would cry, and then you would feel even worse.” Fang Yingyao truly doted on this only grandson. Thinking of the car accident he had experienced before, her tone gradually became choked.

“Grandma, Xiao Yu is fine now.” Shen Zhoudu patted her shoulder from the side, worried that she would become emotional.

“Xiao Zhou, you’ve worked hard taking care of him during this time.” Fang Yingyao turned around and hugged Shen Zhoudu, then let go and wiped her tears.

“If he can’t even do that much, then there’s no need for him to be married to Xiao Yu.” A stern and cold voice sounded. Meng Weiyu’s grandfather, Meng Yichuan, shook the newspaper in his hand forcefully and folded it closed. When he saw Shen Zhoudu’s face, the chill on his face deepened.

“Xiao Yu, come over and let Grandmother look at you.” Sitting there was another woman with a face full of smiles. Although Yan Xiangxiang was old, she still had the habit of dyeing her hair and wore a classic black-and-white dress. There was a smile on her face, but the emotion in her eyes was cold.

Meng Weiyu walked straight past Shen Zhoudu and came to Yan Xiangxiang’s side.

Seeing Meng Weiyu’s movement, Yan Xiangxiang revealed a thoughtful expression, smiled, and wrapped an arm around Meng Weiyu’s shoulders.

“It’s good that you’re fine.” The person sitting beside Yan Xiangxiang, Meng Weiyu’s maternal grandfather Nan Jin, was not very good at expressing his feelings through language, so he could only gently pat Meng Weiyu’s back.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, Grandpa, Grandma, these are the gifts we brought,” Shen Zhoudu said.

“Take them,” Meng Yichuan said.

Soon, servants came over and took the things from Lin Xiao’s hands.

“Lin Xiao, go rest,” Meng Yichuan said, clearly planning to settle family matters internally.

Lin Xiao smiled helplessly. Then, as he left, he exchanged a look with Shen Zhoudu. The approximate meaning was: Contact me when you’re ready to run.

Shen Zhoudu remained expressionless and pretended that he had not communicated with Lin Xiao at all, letting him leave from his side.

“Didn’t I tell you to come earlier?” Meng Yichuan unhappily set down the newspaper. Because he had frowned for many years, there were obvious lines between his brows, making him look like someone with a bad temper. “It’s almost lunchtime.”

“Sorry.” Shen Zhoudu was the typical sort of person whose mouth said one thing while his heart thought another. Even if the two were completely inconsistent, it did not prevent them from running at the same time. “Today is a holiday. There was traffic.”

“Is that so?” Yan Xiangxiang smiled as she stroked Meng Weiyu’s hair, trying to verify the truth from another person present.

“There have been a lot of cars on the road recently.” Meng Weiyu neither lied nor told the truth.

Yan Xiangxiang smiled without speaking.

“Enough, enough. Let’s eat first.” Fang Yingyao happily walked toward the dining table. “I’ll have Xiao Cai hurry and serve the dishes. Xiao Yu and Xiao Zhou, sit down quickly. Today I had people prepare all the dishes you two like.”

“How nice.” Yan Xiangxiang stood up with a smile. Nan Jin saw this and casually supported her.

Only then did Meng Weiyu notice that the current Yan Xiangxiang, his smiling tiger of a grandmother, was no longer as nimble on her feet as she was in his memories.

“Let’s go.” Yan Xiangxiang held Meng Weiyu’s arm with her other hand.

Everyone present had their own thoughts and did their own thing. Shen Zhoudu fell behind at the very end and pushed up his glasses. Just as he was slightly distracted, Meng Weiyu, who was chatting with Yan Xiangxiang, turned back and glanced at him.

Meng Weiyu’s thought was: See? Not taking his family seriously is such a stupid thing to do.

When Shen Zhoudu met Meng Weiyu’s gaze, the corners of his mouth rose slightly, and he smiled.

Because they were eating at the Meng residence, Meng Yichuan naturally sat at the host’s seat. On one side sat his wife, and on the other side were naturally Meng Weiyu and Shen Zhoudu. Yan Xiangxiang and Nan Jin sat at the end.

At this point, even someone visiting this family for the first time would almost notice one thing: Meng Weiyu’s paternal grandparents and maternal grandparents basically had not spoken to each other at all, because their relationship was also bad.

Meng Weiyu felt a headache coming on. Back when his parents had not yet divorced, the family met once a year, and every single time, the atmosphere was tense and hostile. After his parents divorced, his grandfather and grandmother both breathed a sigh of relief and separately said the same thing to him: Finally, I don’t have to see that annoying ghost anymore.

“We called you here today because we were worried about Xiao Yu, but there’s also something else we want to ask you.” Meng Yichuan let them pick up their chopsticks. “Let’s eat while we talk. We’re at home, so relax a little.”

Meng Weiyu glanced to the side.

Shen Zhoudu picked up his chopsticks and served him food.

The corner of Meng Weiyu’s mouth twitched. He really could discover in every aspect of daily life that this man was very cunning.

“Eat, eat. Xiao Yu, eat more.” Fang Yingyao kept serving Meng Weiyu food across the table. Seeing that Meng Weiyu’s bowl was about to become full, she then began serving Shen Zhoudu food. While busily doing this, she spoke. “I’m saying, after getting married, conflicts easily happen. If there’s anything, you have to say it. If you two can’t solve it, there are still Grandfather, Grandmother, Grandpa, and Grandma. You’re still young. Don’t act too impulsively.”

“Ahem, Yingyao, eat your own food.” Meng Yichuan interrupted her, desperately hinting for her to sit properly.

Hearing her partner’s words, Fang Yingyao thought for a moment, divided the two big chicken drumsticks on the table between Meng Weiyu and Shen Zhoudu, and only then sat back down.

“I won’t beat around the bush.” Meng Yichuan was laying the groundwork.

“And this still doesn’t count as beating around the bush?” Yan Xiangxiang mocked him.

Meng Yichuan: “…”

As expected, he really hated this woman.

“Xiao Yu, do you want to divorce Little Shen?” Yan Xiangxiang went straight to the point.

“Cough.” Meng Weiyu choked.

Seeing this, the servant beside them immediately poured a glass of water and brought it over.

Shen Zhoudu smoothly took the cup and handed it to Meng Weiyu.

Meng Weiyu held a handkerchief over his mouth and waved at Shen Zhoudu, indicating that he did not need to drink water yet.

“What is going on?” Shen Zhoudu asked despite clearly knowing.

This person’s mental fortitude was truly extraordinary.

“Hmph.” Meng Yichuan hated this kind of smooth-tongued person the most. “Is there anyone who doesn’t know by now that Xiao Yu wants a divorce?”

Meng Weiyu guiltily picked up the cup beside him and drank a sip of water.

“I knew long ago that you two wouldn’t last.” Meng Yichuan fired the first shot, revealing an expression that said it was just as he expected.

“With feelings, when things are good, they’re very good. When they aren’t, you split apart instantly. You can’t force it.” Yan Xiangxiang seemed to be comforting them, but in reality, she was adding fuel to the fire.

“I told you back then to calm down and not rush into marriage, but no one was willing to listen.” Meng Yichuan recalled Meng Weiyu’s rebelliousness from back then, and anger rose in his heart.

“What you did back then wasn’t telling the children to calm down. You were directly beating the mandarin ducks apart.” Nan Jin spoke slowly, but he was not polite at all.

“That’s because I had foresight!” Meng Yichuan snorted coldly.

“Don’t be like this. We still haven’t heard the children explain properly. What if it’s a misunderstanding?” Fang Yingyao was caught in the middle, trying hard to act as peacemaker.

Shen Zhoudu picked up the conversation and expressed his stance firmly. “I won’t divorce.”

“Hmph. Then you speak.” Meng Yichuan named Meng Weiyu. Marriage was a matter between two people, but divorce could be a matter of one person. The news had been released by Meng Weiyu. If he insisted on it, then even if the other person was unwilling, it would not stop the next steps.

“Grandfather, are you… supporting my divorce?” Meng Weiyu asked back. He needed a little time to recover. He had almost choked to death just now.

Hearing this, Meng Yichuan suddenly closed his mouth and began to think.

Yan Xiangxiang smiled as she watched the annoying old man sitting opposite her.

After Meng Yichuan finished thinking, he opened his mouth. His tone, rarely, softened as he decisively said, “I don’t really support it.”

Meng Weiyu: “…”

This answer shocked him greatly.

Yan Xiangxiang’s expression froze.

“Sigh, when people are young, it’s easy to quarrel, especially when they’ve just gotten together and are still adjusting to each other.” Meng Yichuan suddenly revealed a tender expression and looked toward his wife beside him. “When I was young, I often argued with Yingyao too, over all kinds of things, like work, raising children, housework—there was all of that. We truly loved each other, but marriage is just that troublesome. Trivial matters need adjustment. Once you adjust and keep adjusting, things get better. Look, the two of us are both old now, and our relationship is still so good. That proves the previous matters weren’t really problems at all. What matters most is communication.”

Fang Yingyao nodded, agreeing with her partner’s words.

“Young people these days make a fuss about divorce whenever they disagree.” Meng Yichuan suddenly became earnest and persuasive. “If you truly don’t like each other, then divorce can’t be helped. We all know that. But if you can still get along after adjusting, then don’t be too impulsive.”

“Grandfather, the sky is about to change.” Meng Weiyu had never imagined he could hear this kind of thing from Meng Yichuan’s mouth.

Meng Yichuan stretched out his hand, stopping Meng Weiyu from speaking so he would not refute him.

Shen Zhoudu served Meng Yichuan food from the side.

Meng Yichuan revealed a disgusted face, then reluctantly nodded.

“That’s not how it should be said,” Yan Xiangxiang joined in.

Meng Yichuan looked at his old enemy.

“If you can’t get along, then you can’t get along. That is the truth we all understand.” Yan Xiangxiang moved her chopsticks aside and looked at them with a smile. “The more time you waste, the more you’ll hate looking at each other. Everyone here is an adult. There’s no need to force yourselves to live together. What adjustment? The more you adjust, the less compatible you become. When you two got married before, I already thought there were a lot of problems. Being able to last five years is already very impressive. While you’re still young, why not split up quickly and find better partners? I already have a few people I think are quite good. Divorce early, and you can meet them early.”

“You damn old woman, who asked you to butt in?” Meng Yichuan directly opened his mouth and cursed.

“You half-dead old man, this has nothing to do with you.” Yan Xiangxiang originally thought that this time, the two of them should be on the same side. She had not expected this damned old man to betray them halfway through. It truly made her furious.

“Who are you cursing?” Meng Yichuan slammed the table.

“Whoever spoke about me is who I’m cursing.” Yan Xiangxiang slammed the table too.

“Don’t be like this. We’re eating.” Fang Yingyao held her partner’s hand.

“Xiangxiang…” Nan Jin sighed, knowing that he could not persuade her.

“I must have been blind back then to become in-laws with someone like this!” Meng Yichuan flung his hand.

“You were blind back then, and your sight still hasn’t recovered now.” Yan Xiangxiang said to him, “Xiao Yu clearly can choose a better life. You clearly know this truth too. Now that you’re old, why are you suddenly taking the route of family happiness? It’s too funny.”

“You stinking woman!”

“Vulgar old fossil.”

As the two of them traded insults back and forth, Meng Weiyu quickly ate and elbowed Shen Zhoudu, hinting for him to eat faster.

Shen Zhoudu had not yet interpreted the information Meng Weiyu was giving him when, in the next instant, no one knew who moved first—the dining table was overturned.

Meng Weiyu timely took away both of their rice bowls and breathed a sigh of relief after preserving their lunch.

His grandfather and grandmother were still as formidable as ever, while he remained far-sighted as always.

From the past until now, he had always been someone who could eat his fill.