RPAGF Chapter 152 Discussing a banquet
Chapter 152 Discussing a banquet
Zhang Pingan smiled modestly.
Zhang Laoer waved his hands aside and said, "Hey, he's just a kid, and we can't predict what he'll do in the future. Let's just have a good meal today. Brother Fu, you're familiar with this place, so go ahead and order the dishes. Don't be shy."
Doctor Fu had just heard Mr. Tan say that all the bills for today would be in his name. He was a wealthy man, so he didn't hesitate to order twelve delicious dishes, including both meat and vegetables, and two pots of good wine. He also asked the waiter to call in a singer.
The three brothers of the Zhang family were dumbfounded by this meal. Although they didn't know the exact price, it was definitely not cheap and too luxurious. As authentic farmers, it really hurt to eat this meal.
Zhang Ping'an also cursed in his heart. Just looking at his behavior, it was obvious that he was corrupt, but he still had to put on a smiling face.
After a while, the singers came up. It was an old man in his fifties holding a pipa, leading a girl of about eleven or twelve years old. I guess they were a grandfather and granddaughter. They sang Xunyang Night Moon. The girl had a clear voice and sang well with the music.
At this time, the dishes were slowly coming up, all of them were carved and presented on plates. Doctor Fu smiled and said, "The food here tastes pretty good. Everyone, please eat some, don't be shy." After saying that, he was the first to pick up his chopsticks.
Zhang Laoer and Zhang Ping'an said a few polite words and invited Zhang Laoda and Zhang Laosan to eat together. In the second half of the meal, Doctor Fu called the little girl who sang the song to come over to help pour the wine. Except for Doctor Fu, the rest of the people felt uncomfortable watching this scene. By the end of the meal, everyone felt a little tasteless, but fortunately the scene was still acceptable.
When he went downstairs to pay the bill, the shopkeeper told him that the bill had been put in the name of Mr. Tan, a total of more than four taels. Zhang Pingan felt grateful for this favor and decided to return it when he had the chance in the future!
Doctor Fu had come here in his own mule cart. After dinner, they parted ways at the entrance of the restaurant. Doctor Fu, drunkenly, instructed, "When you have a banquet, be sure to let me know. I'll give you a big gift."
After saying this, he got on the mule cart with the help of the servant.
Seeing the mule cart go away, Zhang Laosan finally spoke up, "This guy surnamed Fu is no good. He was really rude when we asked him to order food. He ate more than 400 grams of rice in one meal. In our country, it's enough to marry a wife!"
Zhang Lao Da also rubbed his stomach and complained, "You guys didn't even serve yourself rice, you just ate the vegetables. I felt embarrassed to ask the waiter to serve you some rice. I was afraid of losing face for you. I'm not even full."
Zhang Laoer was feeling distressed at the moment. Although his family had not paid any money, it was all a favor and he would have to pay it back in the future. After hearing this, he said, "Brother, go home and eat. I'll ask Sanniang to make you some pancakes."
Zhang Pingan saw an old man selling grilled meat patties not far away, so he said, "Dad, my uncle and third uncle are here as guests. How can we let them go home empty-bellied? Let me go buy some meat patties!"
After saying that, he walked towards the stall and soon came back with a few meat patties, wrapped in oil paper, still hot.
Boss Zhang took a meat pie and ate it, then said nothing.
Zhang Laoer smiled with satisfaction upon seeing this and said, "Ping'an has grown up. You are still the one who does things in a thorough manner."
Zhang Laosan also took a meat pie and ate it, praising it as he ate, "Well, that's right. Ping An has been smart and clever since he was little. I knew he was different from other kids, and I was right."
After Zhang Lao Da and Zhang Lao San finished eating the meat patties, Zhang Lao Er drove the car and took them home.
San Ya and her husband had already gone back, and Li and Ma were still there. While everyone was there, Zhang Ping'an wanted to discuss setting a date for the wedding banquet so that he could invite familiar classmates to attend the banquet. It was also a courtesy to send invitations in advance, otherwise it would be too late to set the date after returning home.
"Dad, uncle, and third uncle, since you are all here now, I would like to discuss with you the date for our return home to hold a banquet. If we set it in advance, I can send invitations to my classmates and good friends. Whether others come or not is their own business, but whether we send invitations is our business. We cannot be impolite," Zhang Pingan poured a cup of tea for his father and uncle and third uncle, and sat aside to discuss.
Zhang Lao Er nodded and said solemnly, "It has to be decided in advance. We can't be impolite and let others talk about it."
Li smiled and said, "If you ask me, August 18th is perfect. We can have a buffet for three consecutive days, until August 20th."
Zhang Laosan said with a smile: "This day is good, but it's too rushed. It's already the 15th."
Zhang Laoer thought for a moment and asked, "Son, what do you think?"
Zhang Ping'an figured the County Magistrate would definitely send out invitations for a banquet either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, so the 18th should be enough time. Besides, he had to hurry to the capital to settle down, so the sooner the better. So, he said, "Then I'll follow my aunt's advice and hold the 18th of August. But that's too late, and I'll definitely need the help and care of my family."
Mrs. Li was very happy to see that her idea was adopted. She patted her chest and said with a smile: "Don't worry, your safety will be guaranteed. Your family will definitely make sure that you have a proper and glorious wedding."
Xu said anxiously, "Then I have to hurry and get Ping'an some nice clothes tomorrow, otherwise he won't have enough time to wear them during the banquet."
Ma agreed, "We must make some decent clothes for our scholar. Not only will it keep him safe, but everyone in our family should have new clothes. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing if guests came and saw us still wearing old clothes!"
Zhang Ping'an was about to say it was unnecessary, but unexpectedly, even his thrifty aunt Li agreed and said, "Second sister-in-law, when you go shopping for cloth tomorrow, ask me to come with you. I'll make new clothes for everyone in our family, young and old. Hurry up and make them in the next two days so they can be worn during the banquet."
Well, no matter what era, women care more about dressing decently than men. Zhang Ping'an smiled and stopped caring about it. However, he had to privately remind his mother not to neglect his grandparents. It would be enough to give silver as a filial gift to his grandparents. Fine clothes would be too eye-catching.
"Mom, should we ask the fifth and sixth sisters to take leave from the embroidery workshop and come back? Then we can go back home together," Zhang Ping'an suddenly remembered that the fifth and sixth sisters had not returned yet.
Xu Shi didn't care when she heard this and said, "They have food and drink in the embroidery workshop and are living well. Why should we bring them back?"
Zhang Laoer said in a deep voice, "I'll pick them up tomorrow morning. I'll also tell the manager that I won't be going anymore. We're going to the city soon. I'll find an embroidery workshop there for them to learn the craft."
Xu was surprised and said, "What? We're going to the capital and we're going to find an embroidery workshop for them. How much money will that cost?"
Ma also said sourly: "Second brother has really become rich!"
Although Mrs. Li felt a little jealous, she believed in fate and could only sigh, "It's true that people have different destinies. Fifth and sixth girls are so lucky. Who knows, they might be lucky enough to marry in the capital city in the future."
The remaining granddaughters-in-law of the Zhang family hugged their own daughters and were envious. They were all daughters of the Zhang family, and they wondered if their daughters would have such luck in the future.