Chapter 322 - 318: Stunned on the Spot
"Mom, don’t worry! Even if there’s not a single person inside, we’ll hold back our laughter."
Leng Qiushou felt a little smug as he mentioned this.
When he had hosted his own party, he’d had five full tables. The courtyard was bustling with people.
In this regard, he was much better than Leng Yuan.
For years, he’d had a hang-up he just couldn’t get over.
When they were young, he was lively and active, while Leng Yuan was quiet as a mouse. But their grandfather had only favored Leng Yuan, keeping him by his side and personally taking care of him out of all the grandsons.
At that time, Leng Qiushou and the others were old enough to remember, and they were upset about it for days.
As he got older, the matter was buried deep in his heart.
But every time he had a chance to one-up Leng Yuan, he couldn’t help but remember it.
He felt his grandfather had misjudged back then.
’I’m clearly better than Leng Yuan.’
’Just look at my popularity.’
’How could Leng Yuan possibly compare?’
After mentally preparing themselves, the group walked toward Leng Yuan’s courtyard. From a distance, they saw the main gate was wide open.
They froze for a moment.
Then it hit them.
’Leng Yuan is hosting a party today, so of course the gate would be open.’
’But there’s definitely no one here.’
Third Aunt Leng walked up to the entrance and remarked,
"He must be swamped with hosting today. We’d better do a lot of work when we get inside."
With that, the group walked in, only to see a courtyard full of people.
Aunt Leng was speechless.
Third Aunt Leng was, too.
The crowd in the courtyard turned, stunned to see the people standing at the gate.
Chen JianShe was the first to call out to Leng Yuan.
"Brother Leng, some people from the Leng Family are here."
Aunt Leng and Third Aunt Leng were completely dumbstruck, frozen on the spot.
They took a closer look.
Chen JianShe’s entire family, the Zhao family, the brigade leader’s family, and even the village chief and his two sons were there. Besides them, there was also Uncle Chen’s large family...
All these people gathered together, adults and children included, numbered twenty or thirty in all.
They sat at tables, munching on sunflower seeds and peanuts, chatting away. The atmosphere was lively.
Aunt Leng’s expression soured.
’Cooking for this many people won’t be easy.’
Leng Yuan walked over. Seeing them, his face was completely devoid of a smile.
"Why are you here?"
Aunt Leng was at a loss for words.
Third Aunt Leng was, too.
Leng Qiushou was quick to react. "Cousin, you’re hosting a party today. We figured you’d be really busy, so we came over specially to... help."
Leng Qiushou’s voice grew quieter as he spoke, until it was barely a whisper at the end.
However, Leng Yuan and Chen JianShe, who was standing beside him, still heard him clearly.
Before Leng Yuan could speak, Chen JianShe couldn’t help but scoff.
"Here to help? It’s almost ten o’clock. You’re certainly early, aren’t you?"
Leng Qiushou frowned.
’Nonsense, what ten o’clock?’
’It’s not even nine-thirty.’
But he was too ashamed to say it out loud.
’The more I say, the more embarrassing it gets.’
At that moment, Leng Qiushou couldn’t help but blame his mother. He had suggested they come earlier, but she had insisted on trying to put Leng Yuan in his place, which was why they were so late.
’Great, now we’re the laughingstock.’
Third Aunt Leng quickly recovered, rolling up her sleeves as she spoke.
"Leng Yuan, the old lady at home wasn’t feeling well, so we’re late. I’ll go make the food now, don’t you worry."
’So what if people showed up? They’re all guests. There’s still no one to do the cooking.’
The thought of having to cook for so many people did little to improve Third Aunt Leng’s mood.
Leng Yuan didn’t refuse.
Aunt Leng and Third Aunt Leng walked to the kitchen door, lifted the curtain, and saw the scene inside.
Mrs. Chen, Mrs. Zhao, Chen Xiaoli, and even Aunt Chen were there. The kitchen was full of people, the food was already in the pots, and everyone was chatting as they tended the fire.
As the curtain was lifted, the rich aroma of meat wafted out, exceptionally potent.
Aunt Leng and Third Aunt Leng were completely and utterly dumbfounded.
Mrs. Chen turned around, saw the two of them, and raised an eyebrow. "What is it? Do you need something?"
"No."
Third Aunt Leng spat out the single word. Her face flushed with shame under everyone’s gaze, and she immediately backed out, dropping the curtain behind her.