Chapter 82: The Family Gathering

Juyue Pavilion was considered a distinctive dining spot in Lihua County. The entire structure was built from timber, elevated on thick, round wooden piles that supported the two-acre expanse of the pavilion. The building itself consisted of just two floors. The ground level was open, with a cement floor laid beneath, and thanks to regular cleaning and decorative embellishments on the piles, the exterior, rather than appearing unsightly, took on a unique charm.

Outside Juyue Pavilion stretched a broad river, over ten meters across, its banks flat and open like a plain. Standing at the window on the upper floor of the pavilion, one’s gaze swept over an expansive vista—white clouds, a blue sky, distant green hills, the clear sound of running water, and the occasional fish leaping from the river.

Zhang Ye’s family reunion was held in a private room on the second floor of Juyue Pavilion. The place’s uniqueness meant higher prices, and with the Zhang family only having recently begun to improve their fortunes, they could never have afforded such a venue on their own. The expense this time was mainly covered by his eldest uncle’s family, returning in triumph to their hometown. Being a ten-thousand-yuan household was no longer rare in those days, but assets nearing a million marked them unmistakably as well-off.

Also in attendance were Zhang Ye’s aunt Zhang Meiyu and her husband Wang Yuan, his younger uncle Liu Donglai and aunt Huang Lili, and, of course, the uncle he disliked most, Shen Kaixing—though his youngest aunt was absent, staying behind in Guangyang City to care for her child.

The two sets of grandparents were also not present. Zhang Ye’s maternal grandparents lived with his youngest uncle in Xiongcun Town, while his paternal grandparents resided with his uncle, who ran a successful interior design business and lived more comfortably in Daping County.

Aunt Zhang Meiyu’s family had only one daughter, Wang Lianxia, who was fourteen and just starting her third year of middle school—a budding beauty already.

“With this, our whole family is having a little gathering,” boomed Liu Boqing, slightly plump from running his restaurant business, his tall frame giving him a commanding presence. He sat at the head of the table, his voice louder now that he had money to his name. He was genuinely capable—a standout even at the fertilizer factory—so his words carried weight.

“Yes, indeed! It’s been years since we’ve all come together like this,” Shen Kaixing quickly chimed in, his tone unusually respectful.

People are revealed in comparison; Shen Kaixing’s previous arrogance made his current demeanor almost comical to those present.

“I heard you’re back to start a business, brother-in-law? Decided on anything yet? You’ve been away a few years—might not know the scene here. If you need anything, just ask. We’re family—I’ll help however I can.” With barely a few sentences exchanged, Shen Kaixing had already revealed his true intentions. That was his nature—always eager to seize an advantage.

“We’ll see,” replied the eldest uncle, well aware of Shen’s character, brushing him off before adding, “I am indeed planning to go into business, though I haven’t decided exactly what yet…” The discussion soon drifted to family matters: the elders, the children—trivialities of daily life.

Before they knew it, several bottles of wine had been emptied, and the conversation turned to Zhang Ye’s academic performance.

“Being a teacher like Zhang Haiguan is respectable, but it doesn’t pay—no real way to get ahead. We’re old now; even if we work harder, it won’t change much. Only if the children succeed can our fortunes truly turn and we enjoy an easier life.” A little drunk, Liu Boqing’s words grew more blunt.

Once nicknamed “Big Cannon Liu” at the fertilizer factory, his years in business had made him more tactful. Though his words seemed directed at Zhang Haiguan, he lumped everyone in with a casual “we,” making it sound less personal. Even as he spoke, his gaze flickered toward Zhang Ye, as if wary that mentioning his father might provoke a confrontation.

Zhang Ye found it amusing, and felt a quiet gratitude. His eldest uncle was now a man of means—worth hundreds of thousands, at least—who could have easily grown overbearing, yet still took care to spare Zhang Ye’s feelings. It was a rare thing.

In the years to come, his uncle would be swindled, losing his savings to a failed restaurant venture and never regaining his former wealth. Yet, when Zhang Ye faced hardship, his uncle gave him what little savings he had left to help him through—a kindness Zhang Ye remembered with deep gratitude.

Now, standing at the brink of the events that would lead to his uncle’s misfortune, Zhang Ye resolved to prevent them. He wanted his uncle to be cautious, not to trust so easily. Even if Zheng Fan had once helped him, years were enough to change a man. Anyone, after being soaked in the dye vat of society, could become unrecognizable.

“Absolutely right!” his father Zhang Haiguan nodded quickly, while his mother, Liu Meiju, gazed lovingly at Zhang Ye and said, “It’s all up to him now. All our hopes are pinned on our son.”

His cousin Liu Qianqian curled her lip and shot Zhang Ye a scornful look. “Him? He’s lucky not to be at the bottom of the class! What did he score this time—three hundred? Four hundred? Five hundred? Even the worst students at my school get more than five hundred. Says a lot about the teaching here.”

Liu Qianqian had every right to look down on Zhang Ye’s grades. She studied in Xijiang, had just taken the college entrance exam, and was admitted to Fudan University in Shanghai with a score of over 670—top three in her class, top ten in the whole school, with a bright future ahead.

Zhang Ye vaguely recalled his relationship with his cousin had always been contentious. On one hand, both his eldest and youngest uncles had each had a younger child—a brother, Liu Xiaoyi, and a sister, Liu Xiaoyuan—about five or six years his junior. On the other, he and Liu Qianqian were close in age, but differed in outlook; both were stubborn, often bickering endlessly. Since her grades were always better, she looked down on him a bit, which made her all the more critical. This was a far cry from the Liu Qianqian of years later, who would call him from another city just to check in and offer words of comfort.

It showed how people change as they grow. Personality aside, the bonds of kinship remained stronger than those between strangers.

The family gathered around, sometimes criticizing, complaining, or arguing—faces flushed, voices raised, debating furiously. Yet, despite the quarrels, these were the warmest times. In years to come, the siblings would be scattered across the country, with someone often missing at New Year’s, and it would be those noisy, lively days together they would remember as the most comforting and joyful.

—There are parts of this chapter inspired by Orleans Grilled Sturgeon Burger’s “Great Nirvana of Rebirth.” If you recognized them, have a laugh, and if you appreciate the effort I put into adapting and polishing, please consider giving a recommendation vote.