Ye Yaodong paid no attention to anyone else's complicated thoughts. He walked behind Lin Xiuqing, bent down to ask, and learned that the fuss had started because the two boys had each taken a seat.
"Never mind her. We paid extra, anyway, so we have every right to sit in our own seats. If anyone comes over, just show them the invitation and send them away."
Lin Xiuqing nodded with a smile. "Hurry back up to your seat. They're about to serve the food. I saw people carrying dishes up the steps. Go eat."
"Do you want me to take the little one? You've got all three here..."
"It's fine. Chenghu can eat by himself, and Mother's next to Yangyang. She'll help him get food. Don't trouble yourself. Hurry up and sit down. Keep those officials company and chat with them. It looks like a lot more people turned up at the last minute, far more than came to our house earlier."
"Mm, all right. I'll head back up, then."
Seeing that the food was being served at their table too, Ye Yaodong stopped holding them up. Before leaving, he gave Ye Xiaoxi's head a pat.
The cold dishes set out beforehand were already empty, while everyone had a few things in front of them. He could tell they had already divided everything up.
That was how banquets worked these days. As soon as people sat down, they divided up the cold dishes, giving everyone a little. Whether you ate your share or took it home was up to you.
But most people couldn't bear to eat it. They saved it until the end, gathering up a few more things to take home together for the children who couldn't attend.
His table had done the same. Once everyone was seated,