Time flew by, and soon it was Grandma Li's birthday. The Li family's married daughters all returned, bringing their children along. Li Xiu's only paternal aunt arrived with her husband, son, daughter-in-law, daughter, and son-in-law. Li Hua and Li Yun came with their husbands and children, along with Li Gui and Li Fen, who had married within the village. Of course, Li Xiu's own younger sister, Li Xin, also came with her husband and two children.
Li Bao had already received instructions from Zhou Lian to set up five tables for the banquet. The entire second branch of the family was seated together at a single table in the southwest corner. As the principal grandson, Li Xiu was required to sit at the main table with his first and third uncles. This arrangement put some distance between them, sparing Li Xiu the discomfort of having to look at them.
