Jing Shu looked over at Su Meimei, who was sitting in the corner in a pitiful state. Her hair was a complete bird's nest, the wounds on her face had healed, but it was obvious she had not bathed in a long time. Her clothes were filthy, covered with grease stains, and so dirty that their original color could no longer be recognized.
Su Meimei lifted her head just as her eyes met Jing Shu's. Hatred burned in Su Meimei's gaze, unable to be hidden, yet the moment she turned to face Su Lanzhi, Su Meimei's eyes instantly filled with misty tears. Her voice carried grievance as she called out, "Sister, you're here."
Zhang Zhongyong, in contrast, looked much more presentable. He stood up awkwardly and greeted them, "Sister, brother-in-law."
Su Lanzhi only gave a faint "hm" in reply and said nothing more. She dragged over a chair to sit with Jing Shu and watch television. Jing An carefully perched on only a third of the sofa and did not dare speak to Su Meimei's family.
In Jing Shu's previous life, their family had also come to spend the Lantern Festival at her uncle's house. Back then, Zhang Hahan had been so excited that she threw herself at Jing Shu, crying, "I missed you so much," while casting Wang Can aside. Su Meimei and Su Lanzhi had even sat together and chatted warmly. In this lifetime, everything had changed.
On the coffee table sat plates of fried mahua, sunflower seeds, and candy. Su Long busily poured out tea. Aunt Wang Fang and Uncle were still in the kitchen preparing the late reunion dinner. Wang Gang chatted intermittently with Jing An, while Liu Shufen cracked sunflower seeds just as she had done in the past life.
From the corner came Zhang Hahan's voice:
"That's the one who slandered my mom and ruined my parents' relationship."
"Her whole family looks polished on the surface, but in reality it's all fake. Her parents even sold their house and car just to support her streaming, and borrowed money everywhere."
"I heard they spent over a million hiring internet trolls to hype her, and she still didn't get famous."
"Now they're living thirty kilometers away in the mountains, in some godforsaken place where even birds won't poop and turtles won't lay eggs. Who knows how they're managing."
"Unlike her, I'll be taking acting roles next year. She couldn't even make it as an influencer. Just look at her, dressed like some mountain bumpkin in rubber boots. It's laughable."
Jing Shu listened clearly to Zhang Hahan's malicious gossip. A wave of irritation rose in her. What she hated most was people speaking badly about her behind her back. Either say it openly, or if you whisper, then at least don't let her hear it.
Zhang Hahan's attitude was blatantly provocative, her smirk practically saying: "Yes, I'm talking bad about you. Come on then, hit me if you dare."
The sight made Jing Shu want to slap her a few times across the face, and add the line: "So, what made you think you could look down on me?"
It took quite some time before dinner was ready. By seven o'clock, the temperature outside had plummeted to six degrees Celsius. They turned off the air conditioning, and everyone put on heavy coats and pants. Uncle moved the dining table into the living room so they could watch the Lantern Festival Gala while eating.
Since Jing Shu's house always stayed at a constant 26℃, her family hadn't brought any extra clothes. Su Lanzhi felt a little awkward when she saw that Liu Shufen and Su Meimei's families had come wrapped in thick coats.
"I'll get you two some clothes," Uncle offered first.
"No need, big brother, it's not too cold. Once we eat, we'll warm up," Su Lanzhi quickly declined. She had noticed the oil stains and body odor clinging to their clothes, clearly unwashed for over a month. She wanted no part of wearing them.
In the past life, no one was this picky, but Jing Shu thought, "So what? I'm more than happy to spoil my mom."
The reunion dinner was laid out. The dishes made from Su Lanzhi's dried goods included wood ear fungus with pork, stir-fried tomato and egg, garlic shoots with cured meat, stir-fried bean sprouts, and cabbage stewed with vermicelli. Uncle had prepared braised spare ribs, braised fish without scallions or ginger, plain stir-fried mushrooms, stir-fried leeks with eggs, and a pot of frozen tangyuan.
Jing Shu poured everyone a paper cup of Sprite. The 2L bottle was quickly drained, with the last bit snatched up and hidden by Su Long.
For a group that had not eaten properly in a month, this meal was a feast. Uncle raised his cup and said, "Today's reception was modest. Once the Dark Days end, we'll host another one and put all grudges aside. For now, let's enjoy this meal!" His words were clearly directed at Su Meimei and Su Lanzhi.
Everyone touched their paper cups together. The meal officially began.
The differences soon showed. The dishes Su Lanzhi had brought were the most popular, disappearing within minutes. Uncle's dishes, however, were barely touched.
"Lao Jing, where did you get those dishes? I'll trade you some mineral water for a few," Wang Gang said, still staring at the empty plates.
Jing An smiled sheepishly and refused. "We grew a bit in the house, but it's not much. Barely enough for ourselves."
Aunt Wang Fang patted Jing An and pointed upward. "My brother has inside information. He says the Dark Days will last at least another month. Water is so tight right now, mineral water is hard to get. Only my brother has ways. You really won't trade a little?"
Jing An thought to himself: "My prodigal daughter has stockpiled four entire pools of water, and I still haven't bragged about it." When he caught sight of Su Lanzhi's dark expression, he immediately shook his head. "It's not that I won't, but we really don't have any."
At this, Wang Fang began praising Wang Can. She was still young yet had already secured a civil service post. In a few years, she might climb even higher, following her father's political path.
Wang Fang rarely praised anyone. If she did, it meant she wanted a favor. Sure enough, she soon asked Wang Gang to share some water.
This was completely opposite from the previous life. Back then, Aunt Wang Fang had showered Jing Shu with compliments, begging Su Lanzhi to spare some water, and even Su Meimei had freeloaded. Jing An had given both families 200 bottles each, leaving their own household short later on.
This time, Wang Gang handed over only 60 bottles, which Wang Fang gratefully treated as a lifelong favor. In the end, Uncle proposed splitting 10 bottles each for Su Lanzhi and Su Meimei's families, but after Aunt Wang Fang shot him a glare, he changed it to 5 bottles each.
"My Su Long gets diarrhea from drinking muddy water. I'm sorry everyone, but we can only spare 5 bottles for your family, just for emergencies," Wang Fang explained.
A relative willing to part with one-sixth of their water during the apocalypse was already a qualified ally. Such people were smart.
After the meal, no one even bothered with the Lantern Festival Gala. Uncle got straight to the point: "Alright, now that dinner's over, let's talk business. Zhong Yong, what is this about? Not only do you have a mistress outside, but you even have a ten-year-old illegitimate child?"
The words stunned everyone at the table, including Su Lanzhi and Jing An. Wang Gang gave Zhang Zhongyong a look that said, "You're so good, kid!"
"We all know about Meimei and Sun Yinrui. That's on her, true. But she only got involved with Sun Yinrui recently. At most, it's an improper relationship. But you? You've been with that woman for how many years? Over ten years at least, and you even have a child!"
Uncle slammed the table. "You're a government worker. Do you realize how serious this is? Bigamy! And worse than that, piling offense upon offense!"
Jing Shu suddenly understood. No wonder Su Meimei and Zhang Zhongyong were still eating together today. Zhang Zhongyong's secret had been exposed, and Su Meimei had him by the throat. She was barefoot, he was wearing shoes. Barefoot people are never afraid of stepping on those with shoes.
In the previous life, Zhang Zhongyong's scandal had not broken out until two years later. By then, he no longer cared and even flaunted it openly. But in this life, it had been exposed so much earlier.
Was it because Su Lanzhi had sold the little BMW to Su Meimei, but Su Meimei never got to drive it, so she suspected Zhang Zhongyong of keeping another woman outside? Had she hired a private detective to dig up evidence and expose him?
Indeed, even a small butterfly can fan out great effects. Jing Shu never expected such a delightful surprise.
===
"Prodigal" literally means wastefully or recklessly extravagant.
The Original Reference: "The Prodigal Son"
The term comes from the Parable of the Prodigal Son in the Bible (Luke 15:11-32). In the story:
A young son asks for his inheritance early, leaves home, and squanders all his money on reckless and extravagant living. Eventually, he becomes destitute and returns home, expecting punishment. Instead, his father joyfully welcomes him back with open arms and celebrates his return.