Chapter 22: Meat Tastes Best When You Take Big Bites

Night fell, and the moonlight outside the window gently bathed the small courtyard. Inside the kitchen, Li Aimei was busy at work. On the stove, a steaming pot of "Big Plate Chicken" (Dapanji) emitted an intoxicating aroma. Within the dish, pieces of chicken were intertwined with potatoes and green peppers, their golden hue and the shimmering red oil on the surface making for a mouthwatering sight.

Li Aimei gave the delicious concoction a gentle stir. At her call of "Dinner is ready," Lin Junsheng and his younger sister, Lin Junwan, hurried to the table. The earlier tension had dissipated; after all, in the countryside, arguments were common enough. Not long ago, the village had witnessed a bizarre "cursing match" that people still recalled with vivid amusement.

It had all started over something trivial, yet it had sparked a massive uproar between two women in their seventies. Old Mrs. Wang from next door had obtained a bagua mirror—a talisman said to ward off evil—from some mysterious master. She had happily hung it on her doorframe, hoping to bring peace and good fortune to her household. The mirror gleamed in the sun, seemingly imbued with some mystical power. However, this gesture was not appreciated by her neighbor, Old Mrs. Li. To her, the mirror pointing directly at her home was a provocation against her feng shui, violating a taboo she deeply believed in.

Old Mrs. Li’s frustration grew, and after several failed attempts to reason with Mrs. Wang to move the mirror, she decided not to back down. She rummaged through her belongings, found a mirror of equal size, and solemnly hung it on her own wall, facing the Wangs' bagua mirror directly. It was a silent standoff. Over time, the "Mirror War" escalated from a quiet rivalry to an open confrontation. The two elderly women began standing at their respective doorways, using words as weapons. Common vulgarities—rarely heard in daily life—poured from their mouths like a bursting dam, leaving onlookers stunned.

"Damn it... you’re so unreasonable, I’m going to crawl out of my grave just to teach you a lesson!" Mrs. Wang shouted, her face deeply creased with fury.

"You... who do you think you are? Your bagua mirror has brought nothing but chaos to my house, and you have the nerve to talk?" Old Mrs. Li retorted, her voice as sharp as a blade.

"May your whole family be cursed with no descendants; a bunch of unfilial wretches!" Mrs. Wang spat, her eyes flashing with rage.

"You’re the one... with no descendants! Your whole house is doomed!" Old Mrs. Li fired back, saliva spraying everywhere.

Neighbors gathered to watch, but no one intervened. Lin Junsheng, holding a freshly boiled corn cob, squatted by the gate, watching the two old women trade insults. It was just a spectacle, and even the slightly overcooked corn tasted better than usual with the show.

Suddenly, Old Mrs. Li produced a rusty iron basin. She stood at her door, banging the basin in a rhythmic, almost ritualistic tempo, chanting in a strange, incomprehensible cadence—certainly not their local Henan dialect. Seeing this, Old Mrs. Wang’s eyes turned cold. She shuffled back into her house and emerged with a glowing fire basin. She set fire to a pile of yellow spirit paper, and as the paper money burned, gray smoke drifted into the air, filling the space with a faint, acrid smell. Kneeling before the basin, she clasped her hands and muttered curses against the Li family.

"You unreasonable people, bullying me like this—just watch, I’ll make sure none of you die a peaceful death!"

The neighbors crowded around, ever eager for drama. Such scenes were not uncommon in the countryside. Scandals involving illicit affairs or family betrayals were simply part of the village fabric, and people had grown accustomed to them. Lin Junsheng’s own family troubles weren't considered strange here either; they were just fodder for conversation for a few days. In an era without entertainment, these events were the best gossip. Lin Junsheng even wondered if Lu Yao’s *Ordinary World* was too realistic, as if the author had lived through these things himself.

But to Lin Junsheng, all this nonsense was trivial. Eating a full meal was what mattered. This was his first time tasting such authentic, enticing Henan-style Big Plate Chicken at home. He picked up a fluffy white steamed bun, tore it open, and the scent of the wheat mixed with the rich aroma of the chicken, making his mouth water.

"Eat slowly, no one is going to take it from you," Li Aimei said with a smile, her eyes filled with maternal affection as she watched her son wolf down his food.

Lin Junsheng looked up, his mouth stained with oil, and gave a wide grin. "Mom, this chicken you made is delicious!" The sincere praise made Li Aimei feel sweeter than if she had tasted honey. Lin Junwan, not to be outdone, carefully picked out the largest piece of chicken leg and placed it in her mother’s bowl. "Mom, you eat some too."

The simple gesture warmed Li Aimei’s heart. Watching her children’s thoughtfulness, her eyes grew slightly misty, yet a happy smile remained on her lips. After the meal, Lin Junsheng stood up and placed his hands on the back of the chair. "Mom, let me help you with the dishes today. You should rest."

Li Aimei paused, looking at her son with lingering tenderness. "Junsheng, go back to your room, read a book or take a rest. Even though I’m getting older, I can still handle these chores."

Lin Junsheng’s mouth curled into a warm, clever smile. "Mom, listen to yourself—as if I can’t help you out a little. When my sister helps you wash the dishes, you never say no to her!"

Li Aimei sighed softly and looked at Lin Junwan, who was watching them with a smile. "Don't talk nonsense. Your sister... well, she’s getting married in a few days and won't be home much longer. I just wanted to spend a little more time with her." Her voice softened, tinged with an imperceptible sadness.

Lin Junwan immediately walked over and took her mother’s arm. "Mom, don't be sad. No matter how far I marry, my heart will always be here. Besides, I’m not moving far; it only takes a few minutes to walk back. I promise to come home and keep you company after dinner every day, okay?"

Li Aimei’s eyes turned red, but she forced a smile and patted her daughter’s hand. "Alright, alright, Mom knows your heart. But remember, a married daughter is like spilled water; when you’re at your in-laws', be sensible and don’t give them any reason to look down on us."