"Let's have breakfast together."
The woodcutter smiled.
"Won't I be taking up your time?"
The Young Scholar was still wondering what the woodcutter meant by saying that today was a special day when he heard what the woodcutter said next.
He shook his head.
"No, you won't."
"Good."
The woodcutter nodded. "Then let's go."
"Your sister-in-law prepared a lavish breakfast today."
The Young Scholar smiled.
"Which day doesn't she make a lavish breakfast?"
The woodcutter was briefly taken aback.
Then his mouth fell open, and he beamed. "Isn't that the truth?"
"But today's especially lavish."
The brothers chatted and laughed as they made their way to the main room.
The woman had already laid out a table full of food.
She smiled at the brothers. "You're here."
"Perfect timing."
"Let's eat."
The woodcutter and the Young Scholar sat down at the table.
The meal was quiet.
The only sounds were the clinking of chopsticks and people chewing.
The woman cautiously glanced at the woodcutter, then at the Young Scholar.
She felt a little restless.
Why weren't either of them saying anything?
The woman was finding it increasingly hard to bear.
"Is breakfast today..."
She spoke up first. "Is it good?"
"It's good."
The Young Scholar nodded.
"Sister-in-law's cooking has always been excellent."
"My wife's cooking is the best."
The woodcutter grinned.
Although praise hadn't been her aim, the woman was still pleased to hear it.
"I'm glad you like it."
"Then have some more."
"You need a full stomach to have the strength to work and study."
The table fell quiet again.
The woman: ...
Fine.
The brothers were both more patient than she was.
She was the only one who couldn't hold back.
She stopped talking.