As he spoke, Lin Wufeng jerked his chin toward the Wu family's home, using them as an example. He brought up queuing for meat: Shanshan stood in line every day, freezing in the wind, while Xiaomin slept at home.
Lin Wufeng went on to mention how Shanshan and her brother could not even get white-flour steamed buns at home. Once, when Wu Xiaojun came over to play with Lin Dongzhe and found them steaming buns, the three-year-old had been so hungry and ravenous that he ate three in one sitting.
Finally, Lin Wufeng sighed. "Teacher Zhuang, Tu Nan's and Jingcheng's rations haven't been enough for a long time. Even adding Xiaoting's share isn't enough. If those two nephews of yours stay, what will your own children eat? Sister Ling has been with you all these years. She isn't afraid of hardship herself. She's afraid the children will go hungry. That's why she argued with you!"
Zhuang Chaoying tipped his head back, drew a long breath, then let it out in a heavy sigh.
He admitted that Lin Wufeng made a great deal of sense, but Lin Wufeng was younger than he was. Though he had listened to his advice, deep down he still instinctively resisted it, and could only sit there sullenly, refusing to respond.
Having said this much, Lin Wufeng and Song Ying could hardly press him any further.
Just as silence settled over the table, Lin Dongzhe, who had been quietly eating with his head down at another small table, suddenly put down his chopsticks. He looked at his rice bowl, glanced toward the adults, and said softly,
"Xiaoting's still so little. Whatever happens, she should at least get enough to eat..."
Chapter 14: New Year's Red Envelopes
Early the next morning, Zhuang Chaoying boarded a bus to