Film and Television: The Villain's Life Begins with Joy of Life

Chapter 104 Chicken Leg Scandal

"Father! Grandma!"

Upon entering the courtyard, Zhuang Tunan immediately made his presence felt.

The elderly Zhuang couple and Zhuang Ganmei and his wife came out of the house upon hearing the noise.

Upon seeing Zhuang Chaoying carrying large and small bags, and Huang Ling carrying a plump old hen in one hand and two large bags of peach shortbread wrapped in butter paper in the other, the smiles on their faces were all incredibly bright.

No wonder they were happy; just something they could see at a glance was enough to make a "big dollar".

She warmly welcomed people in and took the things from Huang Ling's hands.

Zhou Cheng entered the room and quickly scanned the surroundings.

It must be said that the housing allocated by the machinery factory is indeed much better.

Although it can't compare to what it will be like in the future, this single room is already a whole size bigger than his current home.

The entire Zhuang family sat inside, but they only filled half the room.

Grandpa Zhuang and Grandma Zhuang sat back down at the head of the square table, their faces beaming with comfort, and invited their daughter-in-law and several grandchildren to sit down.

The elderly couple inquired about the studies of Zhou Cheng and his siblings one by one, and offered a few words of encouragement.

Grandpa Zhuang's enthusiasm was quite natural, while Grandma Zhuang's face was equally enthusiastic, but when she looked at Zhou Cheng, there was something subtle and somewhat forced about it.

Grandma Zhuang really remembered Zhou Cheng, her grandson.

She made a fool of herself at her eldest son's house last week, and when she came back, she only vaguely complained about Zhou Cheng's "lack of respect" without daring to reveal the whole truth.

The whole family sat around chatting for a short while before Grandma Zhuang asked Huang Ling to go to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Meanwhile, the Zhuang couple, who were the hosts, seemed glued to their seats, remaining completely still. They simply poured the melon seeds that Zhuang Chaoying had brought into a plate and placed it on the table, chatting idly while cracking the seeds.

Zhuang Chaoying looked relaxed and casual, chatting and laughing with her younger brother and his wife, showing no sign that there was anything wrong with Grandma Zhuang letting Huang Ling go to the kitchen alone to do the work.

Zhuang Tunan and Zhuang Xiaoting played with Zhuang Zhendong and Zhuang Zhenbei. Children don't have many complicated thoughts; they just play together, and there's no sense of distance or estrangement between them.

Zhou Cheng had absolutely no interest in the children's games.

He grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, cracked them open, then grabbed another handful, and silently cracked them open for a while, while keeping his ears perked up, listening to the Zhuang family next to him bragging.

In the entire Zhuang family, only Zhuang Chaoying completed vocational school. Zhuang Ganmei wasn't a good student, and despite her parents' best efforts to support her, she only finished junior high school.

Zhuang Ganmei took over Zhuang Apo's job at the machinery factory. Her junior high school education wasn't an advantage, and after several years, she remained a grassroots worker with little chance of promotion.

Zhuang Ganmei talked about the development and future of the machinery factory in a very detailed way, mentioning how crucial her position was, how much potential she had, how much the leaders valued her, and how things would soon be like this and that.

Zhou Cheng rolled his eyes at this.

If he hadn't known that the "iron rice bowl" system of the national planned economy wouldn't last more than a few years, and would be followed by a massive wave of layoffs affecting countless people, he might have actually believed it.

"Jingcheng, slow down. You only brought a small amount of sunflower seeds, and you've already eaten most of them by yourself, before anyone else has even touched them."

Suddenly, Zhuang Ganmei turned her head and said something with a straight face.

Uncle Zhuang and Aunt Zhuang paused in their smiles. Uncle Zhuang seemed to want to say something, but Aunt Zhuang tugged at his sleeve and shut him up.

The four little ones, including Zhuang Tunan, stopped playing and all looked at Zhou Cheng.

Ignoring everyone's gaze, Zhou Cheng remained seated on the small stool, legs crossed, casually tossing the sunflower seed shells he had just cracked onto the ground.

After a long while, he finally raised his eyelids, as if he had just heard: "Oh, so Uncle also knows it was brought from my family. It's alright, I'm not stingy. I'll kowtow, and you can kowtow too, kowtow as much as you like."

Zhuang Ganmei's face stiffened, and her expression visibly darkened.

Zhuang Chaoying frowned immediately, her voice stern: "How dare you speak to your uncle like that? You have no manners at all! Put down the sunflower seeds and stop eating them, put your legs down and sit properly! You have no manners at all, you're getting more and more outrageous!"

Zhou Cheng shrugged indifferently, too lazy to waste words with Zhuang Chaoying.

His mouth was so dry from cracking sunflower seeds that he didn't want to crack any more.

Instead of putting the sunflower seeds back, he stood up and even grabbed another handful and stuffed them into his pocket.

"I'm going to see my mom!"

Before Zhuang Chaoying could get angry, Zhou Cheng said something and quickly went out and into the kitchen.

As soon as Zhuang Xiaoting saw her second brother leave, she abandoned Zhuang Tunan and the other two, and followed him eagerly.

Since Zhou Cheng stood up for her last week and returned the chocolate to her, the second brother's position in the girl's heart has completely surpassed that of the eldest brother, Zhuang Tunan.

In the kitchen, the poor old hen that had traveled with the family all the way had its throat slit and its blood drained.

Huang Ling was preparing to put the chicken into a basin and scald it with boiling water to remove its feathers.

Seeing her two children enter one after the other, she looked up, somewhat surprised.

"Jingcheng, Xiaoting, why aren't you playing in the main house?"

Zhou Cheng casually said, "There's nothing fun about it. I ate a few too many sunflower seeds and people started to criticize me, so I came out."

.

Huang Ling frowned and asked what was wrong.

Zhou Cheng briefly recounted what had happened.

Huang Ling stopped what she was doing, her brows furrowed even deeper, and she remained silent for a moment.

After a moment of silence, she managed to suppress her displeasure and said gently, "You should be more careful when you're at someone else's house. Jingcheng likes sunflower seeds, Mom will buy some for you when we get back."

Zhou Cheng casually agreed.

He found a small stool for his sister, then casually sat down on the threshold, took out some sunflower seeds from his pocket, and gave half of them to the little girl.

Huang Ling looked at the brother and sister sitting side by side, sharing melon seeds, and was both annoyed and amused, unable to tell whose fault it was.

"You two aren't going out to play, so just stay here obediently," she said helplessly, before turning back to her work.

Zhou Cheng smacked a few more pills, but gradually felt some discomfort on the tip of his tongue, so he stopped.

He put the remaining sunflower seeds back into his pocket, and threw the sunflower seed shells he had accumulated in his other hand into the stove.

He started working as Huang Ling's assistant.

Huang Ling initially tried to stop him, but she quickly discovered that Zhou Cheng was quite skilled at the work, picking and washing vegetables, etc.

He handed over the oil and salt with such skill that no one stopped him.

Seeing her second brother busy, Zhuang Xiaoting didn't want to be idle either. She volunteered to watch the fire.

These days, you can't cook or burn coal without someone's help. The little girl is still too young to control the fire, but she can tell the size of the flames and knows when to give a reminder.

The kitchen was a little crowded with two more people, but Huang Ling felt a warm glow in her heart as she watched her children offer their help.

Preparing meals for the whole family by herself is no easy task. Having two little helpers around can save her a lot of trouble.

"Cooking a meal is such a hassle!"

Zhou Cheng was busy working while secretly complaining.

The food prepared for this birthday banquet could be easily prepared by a chef in a restaurant kitchen in modern times, within a single hour.

In this day and age, preparing ingredients alone can take up most of an afternoon.

The family came over at noon, and by the time it got dark, the longevity cake was still a little short of doneness.

"Jingcheng, Xiaoting, you two come and try the chicken soup to see if it's salty enough."

Huang Ling scooped a spoonful of chicken soup from the pot. Yes, it really was just chicken soup, nothing else.

She carefully blew on the spoon before handing it to her children.

She was used to cooking, and while she thought the food tasted pretty much the same to herself, she was always worried that other people's tastes might be different from hers.

The little girl happily leaned over and carefully sipped a small spoonful of soup. Although it was only a spoonful of soup and not a single bit of chicken, she still happily squinted her big eyes.

After the little girl finished tasting it, Huang Ling handed her the spoon again.

Zhou Cheng didn't mind that his sister had touched it, and leaned in to taste it. The saltiness was just right, and the taste wasn't bad.

"Mom, don't serve it yet. Just get Xiaoting a chicken leg and let her try it first!"

Just as Huang Ling had gained her children's approval and reached for the large porcelain bowl to serve the chicken soup, Zhou Cheng suddenly said something.

Huang Ling paused for a moment.

She had told Zhou Cheng and Xiao Ting to only taste the soup and not touch the meat because she thought the chicken soup would eventually be served, and the siblings would have a share. There was no need for them to sneak a bite in the kitchen, making them look like thieves, which would only make things look bad if people found out.

But when Zhou Cheng spoke, she suddenly realized what he meant.

A chicken has two legs, and the best part of the chicken leg meat is only two pieces, but there is a large group of people waiting to share it around the square table in the room.

Even though Xiaoting is the youngest, it's hard to say whether she'll get a chicken leg.

Today's birthday person is Grandma Zhuang.

Grandma Zhuang knew perfectly well what kind of attitude she had towards Xiaoting.

Even if there were three or four chicken legs, let alone just two, it probably wouldn't be Xiaoting's turn.

Huang Ling was immediately conflicted. Her daughter had spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen with her. If she couldn't even get a good piece of meat when they were served, how could she face her daughter?

As if sensing her mother's predicament, the little girl widened her eyes and said in a clear voice, "Mom, I like fatty parts of the chicken, I don't like chicken legs. Chicken legs are too lean, so please bring the chicken soup over."

After the little girl finished speaking, she pursed her lips tightly, her big, dark eyes darting around, and it took her a lot of effort to look away from the chicken.

Hearing this, Huang Ling felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

How could a mother not know what her daughter likes and dislikes to eat?

She regretted not thinking things through; if she had known this would happen, she would have preferred to spend two more dollars to buy another chicken.

"Good girl!"

Huang Ling reached out, stopped, wiped her hands on her apron, and then gently touched the little girl's hair.

She thought to herself that she must make something delicious for her daughter another day to make it up to her.

As for Zhou Cheng, she shared the same thought.

Two chicken legs were naturally not going to Zhou Cheng.

"Mom, the longevity cake will be ready soon. You can serve it out, and I'll bring the chicken soup over," Zhou Cheng said again.

"Okay, be careful, don't burn yourself or fall." Huang Ling rubbed Zhou Cheng's head, gave him a word of advice without thinking too much, then turned around and carefully ladled the chicken soup into a large porcelain bowl, placed it on a tray, and handed it to Zhou Cheng.

The chicken soup was scalding hot; it was burning your hands even through the bottom of the tray. Zhou Cheng held it steadily with both hands and finally managed to put the chicken soup down.

The entire Zhuang family sat around a square table, which was already set out with seven or eight dishes, chicken soup in the center, and a space reserved for longevity cake.

No sooner had Zhou Cheng returned the tray to the kitchen than Huang Ling came out carrying steaming hot birthday cakes.

A longevity cake with red dates arranged to form a large "寿" (longevity) character was placed on the table, filling the entire table.

"Ah Ling is so skillful; these longevity cakes look beautiful."

Grandma Zhuang offered a perfunctory compliment, and Huang Ling just smiled, twisting her hands together in embarrassment.

She was standing by the table with Zhou Cheng and Xiao Ting, and the table was already full of people.

Apart from the mother and her two children, everyone else was seated.

"Ah Ling worked hard all afternoon to prepare this big meal. She really put in a lot of effort."

Grandpa Zhuang calmly offered a compliment.

"It's no trouble at all, Jingcheng and Xiaoting were a great help."

Huang Ling forced a smile as she replied, her gaze sweeping back and forth across the square table.

Zhuang Chaoying was completely unaware of his wife's predicament. He gave his eldest son a wink, and Zhuang Tunan immediately understood. He stood up from his chair, puffed out his chest, and loudly proclaimed his blessings.

"Wishing Grandma good health."

Zhuang Zhendong and Zhuang Zhenbei followed closely behind.

May you live a long and healthy life. May you always be smiling.

Beside Huang Ling, Zhuang Xiaoting, remembering her father's repeated teachings over the past few days, quickly called out, "May everything go well for you."

Zhou Cheng remained silent.

Zhuang Chaoying gave him several meaningful glances, but he pretended not to notice.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's face visibly darkened, but with her parents present, she couldn't show it on the spot.

With more grandchildren, the number of blessings added or removed didn't bother Grandpa Zhuang, but Grandma Zhuang heard them clearly.

However, she pretended not to know, but a surge of anger welled up inside her.

Standing there was really awkward, so Huang Ling took the initiative to serve noodles to people. The little girl followed Huang Ling and helped pass on bowls and chopsticks, while Zhou Cheng just stood there without any sense of propriety.

The noodles were also placed on the table, and Uncle Zhuang began to act like the head of the family, clearing his throat and giving his pre-meal speech.

"Ah Ling's chicken is delicious, and the longevity cake looks beautiful too."

"It's not because you're at work. According to custom, you have to eat two meals. Some families who are particular about it will even invite a traditional folk singer to their home to perform the Eight Immortals' Longevity Song."

Zhou Cheng was speechless.

These days, even filling one's stomach is a struggle. Once you finally get a full meal, you start thinking about pomp and circumstance again.

Huang Ling served noodles to everyone at the table, and then Uncle Zhuang and Aunt Zhuang unceremoniously directed everyone to start eating.

Huang Ling stood blankly by the table, holding a pair of bamboo chopsticks and a bowl of noodles, staring at the fact that there was still no room left on the table.

Zhuang Tunan was ultimately a filial son and did not neglect his mother at this time.

He stood up and pushed the chair outwards, saying, "Mom, sit here with me."

As soon as Zhuang Chaoying moved, preparing to stand up, Grandma Zhuang reached out a hand and pressed him down.

Grandpa Zhuang stopped mentioning Huang Ling's hard work and pretended not to see anything. He casually picked up a piece of meat and steadily put it into his eldest grandson's bowl, muttering, "Tu Nan, sit down."

At this moment, Granny Zhuang looked up and said, "Huang Ling, there's no room here. You, Jingcheng, and Xiaoting, go to the kitchen."

The smile on Huang Ling's face, which was already extremely strained, froze completely in an instant.

She looked at Granny Zhuang, then turned her neck with difficulty to look at her husband.

Zhuang Chaoying looked up at her, his expression hesitant, but soon he lowered his head slightly and didn't say a word.

Zhuang Tunan looked at his mother, then at his father, and his expression fell.

Huang Ling took a deep breath, but still managed to maintain her last shred of dignity, forcing a smile as she said, "Jing Cheng is short, let's squeeze him in here."

Before she could finish speaking, Granny Zhuang said bluntly, "It's full, there's no room left. If more people come, we won't even be able to stretch our arms. How are we supposed to eat? Huang Ling, there's still some food in the kitchen. You three can make do with this. If not, just get some more from this table."

Huang Ling's face darkened completely, but she didn't lash out. She stood there for a while before turning away dejectedly.

Zhou Cheng met Granny Zhuang's indifferent gaze and gave her a sidelong glance without any attempt to hide it.

He thought with disdain, "This old Zhuang is really fucking crazy!"

He could see clearly that the excuse that there wasn't enough room at the square table was just that—an excuse. It was clearly the old landlord's way of deliberately suppressing Huang Ling.

Besides the square table, there was another long table against the wall in the room, with only a lamp on it. It was very spacious and could easily seat three people.

What's infuriating is that the long table was right next to everyone, within easy reach.

There's a long table, but they don't use it. Instead, they make Huang Ling take the two children to the kitchen. Isn't this humiliation and suppression?

Huang Ling was seething with anger, but her husband refused to take her side.

In front of a room full of people, she had no choice but to swallow her grievances, no matter how great they were.

She quietly led Zhou Cheng and Xiao Ting into the kitchen.

There are no other dishes in the kitchen now, only the bottom of the chicken soup pot; the good meat has long been served.

Huang Ling stood in front of the stove for a while with a spoon in her hand, then told her two children to wait in the kitchen. She took a large bowl and planned to go back to the main house to get some dishes.

As soon as Huang Ling left, Zhou Cheng took the bowl of noodles from the little girl and, as if by magic, steadily placed a large chicken leg into her bowl.

Although Zhuang Xiaoting was young, she wasn't completely ignorant. She could naturally see that her mother had been wronged, and she also knew how much neglect she and her second brother had suffered.

One second she was pursing her lips tightly, feeling extremely wronged, but the next second, when she saw the chicken leg that had suddenly appeared in her bowl, her eyes lit up and her whole face relaxed.

"Second brother, when did you hide?" The little girl held the bowl, lowered her voice, and her tone was full of undisguised surprise.

Zhou Cheng casually tossed another chicken leg into his bowl, then smiled at the little girl and said, "Guess."

The little girl didn't even need to guess; she knew that Zhou Cheng must have hidden the chicken leg when he served the chicken soup.

She just couldn't figure out where her second brother had hidden those two chicken legs.

"Eat quickly," Zhou Cheng urged.

The little girl couldn't resist any longer. She pressed down on the chicken leg with her chopsticks, lowered her head, and took a bite.

The moment she tasted the tender, juicy chicken, her eyes narrowed into two crescent moons of happiness.

It would be a lie to say she doesn't like chicken legs; she hasn't had them in a very, very long time. Ever since Huang Ling started making stewed chicken, she's been craving them.

Soon, Huang Ling returned carrying a large bowl. Her expression was even worse than when she left, and no one knew what unpleasant things the villagers had said to her again.

Upon entering the kitchen, Huang Ling naturally noticed the two chicken legs in her son's and daughter's bowls.

Before she could ask, Zhou Cheng confessed, "I hid it beforehand."

If it were before he was herded into the kitchen, Huang Ling would definitely have pulled Zhou Cheng aside, given him a stern lecture, and made him take the food back, telling him that he shouldn't be so unruly.

But now, she not only had no intention of blaming anyone, but she also suddenly felt much more relieved of the tightness in her chest.

"Jingcheng did the right thing. It was Mom who was wrong. The good things should be left to you."

Huang Ling said earnestly, a smile finally appearing on her face.

Now she realizes that the Zhuang family is not worthy of her flattery, much less worthy of her humiliating her children's sense of propriety.

Huang Ling also took a stool from the stove and sat down to eat with Zhou Cheng and Xiao Ting.

However, just a few minutes later, Zhuang Zhendong suddenly ran in and immediately looked at Zhou Cheng and Xiao Ting's bowls.

Then he turned around and ran back to the main house, shouting, "The chicken legs were in the kitchen, Jingcheng and Xiaoting ate them all!"

'

A murmur of discussion immediately arose in the main house, but it was not very clear through the walls.

Soon, Zhuang Zhendong came running back: "Auntie, Father and Grandma are calling you over."