Jiang Guoqiang nodded honestly. "As long as Yutang likes it."
The old man: "..."
The conversation ended there.
The old man turned to Li Xiulan. "Xiulan, have you been keeping well lately?"
Li Xiulan smiled stiffly, then immediately turned warmly to Song Yutang. "Quite well. Thank you for asking, Dad... Yutang, besides aorta and beef tripe, what else would you like? I'll have your dad go buy it himself. Spicy duck blood stew used to be our shop's bestseller. He's the best at picking ingredients..."
The old man opened his mouth, wanting to say more, only to see Song Yutang picking up a piece of steamed bass and carefully removing the bones.
Then she placed the fish in Jiang Guoqiang's bowl as naturally as could be. "Dad, try this. It's cooked just right."
Jiang Guoqiang smiled until his eyes narrowed to slits. "Very nice, very nice. Fresh fish, tender flesh..."
Watching the undisguised contentment and happiness on his son's face, the old man suddenly felt as though something had lodged in his chest.
Ever since this son had been brought back, he seemed never to have seen him this happy.
And although this happy, harmonious family before him consisted of his own son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter-in-law, he felt like an outsider, unable to get a single word in.
The old man silently ate a few mouthfuls of rice, but ultimately found it tasteless. He rose without a word and left.
Only then did the three look up and politely say, "Take care."
Watching his faltering retreat, Song Yutang smiled faintly.
An old man with one foot in the grave still wanted a little familial affection, so long as it didn't go against the family's interests.
But after everything he'd done before, why should they give it to him just because he wanted it now?
She would keep him dangling.
Once he felt miserable and uncomfortable, he would naturally start reflecting on himself.
The richest man's self-reflection ought to be worth a little money...
By the end of the meal, Song Yutang had, naturally enough, stuffed herself.
She had wanted to invite her in-laws out for a walk to help digest the food and ask about a few things along the way, but Jiang Guoqiang and Li Xiulan had already begun clearing the table with practiced ease.
Song Yutang stepped forward to help. "Dad, Mom, let me."
Li Xiulan hurriedly waved her off. "Sit down and rest. We're used to doing these chores. It won't take long."
What did she mean, used to doing them?
Song Yutang suddenly felt something was wrong.
She picked up two bowls and followed them into the kitchen.
As soon as she entered, she saw several servants sitting around a small table, playing on their phones and eating fruit.
Without even looking up, a middle-aged woman gave instructions as though it were only natural. "Xiulan, don't slack off and use the dishwasher today. It wastes water. Use that bottle of imported lemon-scented dish soap, and wipe everything dry and heat-dry it afterward."
A man in a chef's uniform also began ordering Jiang Guoqiang around. "Old Jiang, the second master is coming home for dinner tonight. He specifically asked for the chicken soup you made yesterday. The chicken's in the fridge. You need to get it simmering as soon as possible. It won't taste right if it doesn't cook long enough."
Jiang Guoqiang and Li Xiulan actually agreed obediently, one rolling up her sleeves and heading for the sink, the other opening the fridge to take out ingredients.
Song Yutang's expression darkened. She quickly stepped in front of them. "Dad, Mom, these aren't your chores to do."
Li Xiulan looked a little ill at ease. "Yutang, it's fine... It was Auntie Chen's turn to wash the dishes this week, but she hurt her hand, so I'm just helping out."
Song Yutang swept her gaze over the dozen or so maids. "Is Auntie Chen the only living person in this entire kitchen?"
The other servants immediately spoke up:
"I'm on my period. It's inconvenient."
"My rheumatism is acting up."
"I've got chilblains..."
Hearing each excuse sound more pitiful than the last, Li Xiulan tugged at Song Yutang's sleeve. "Forget it. There aren't many dishes anyway. I'm not doing anything else."
Song Yutang felt helpless. "Mom, they're clearly slacking off on purpose."
Li Xiulan sighed and lowered her voice. "I know... I used to work as a nanny. I know how tedious kitchen work can be, and I often got hurt too. They're actually quite tired. I'll lend a hand where I can."
Jiang Guoqiang also said quietly, "I've got nothing to do all day anyway. I just treat it as a chance to stretch my limbs."
These two really were...
Kind people got bullied.
Song Yutang closed her eyes helplessly for a moment. "Dad, Mom, there's nothing wrong with wanting to help or wanting to stretch your limbs. But you can't put in all that effort and get no appreciation. These are their duties. If you help them, they should be grateful, not take it for granted."
Jiang Guoqiang and Li Xiulan lowered their heads without speaking.
Of course they knew. They just seemed to have grown used to it.
Song Yutang grew even angrier, her knife-sharp gaze sweeping over the servants. "From today onward, unless the eldest master and eldest madam choose to, they won't do a single chore for you again."
The kitchen instantly fell silent.
Several servants exchanged glances, disdain showing on their faces.
Auntie Chen spoke first, drawing out her words in a mocking tone. "Oh my, young madam, that doesn't sound quite right. Some people are simply born to toil. They feel uncomfortable all over if they don't find some work to do for even a day."
"Exactly. Their whole family is hanging around the Jiang Family, eating and drinking for free. What's wrong with giving us a hand?"
"Who out there doesn't know the Jiang Family has only one heir? Some people just shamelessly cling to this place and actually think they're somebody..."
Although everyone knew that Jiang Guoqiang was the old man's biological son.
With his shabby, impoverished air, however, he simply couldn't compare to Jiang Qingyu, whom the wealthiest family had painstakingly groomed for decades and who already controlled the corporation.
Her in-laws were little different from poor relatives living under someone else's roof, so naturally no one took their newly married daughter-in-law seriously either.
Jiang Guoqiang and his wife weren't good at arguing and were used to having no one to back them up. They silently lowered their heads.
Song Yutang didn't argue with the servants.
She went straight to the wall, picked up the intercom, and pressed the shortcut button for the butler. "Come to the kitchen within three minutes."
Seeing this, the servants still rolled their eyes.
Butler Wang was the old man's trusted confidant. Even the second master's family had to treat him courteously. Who did this country girl think she was?
But Butler Wang had witnessed Song Yutang's fighting prowess and immediately ran downstairs.
Seeing the scene in the kitchen, his heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained respectful. "Young madam, what are your instructions?"
Song Yutang swept her gaze over the defiant servants. "Butler Wang, I'll only say this once. If you take the Jiang Family's money, you do the Jiang Family's work, and you recognize who the masters are. If anyone dares disrespect me or my in-laws again, I won't come looking for them. I'll come looking for you."
Sweat beaded at Butler Wang's temples, and he nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes. You're right to reprimand me, young madam. I'll be sure to manage them strictly."
Auntie Chen raised her head arrogantly and cried shrilly, "Butler Wang, don't listen to her nonsense! This little bitch is obviously making trouble out of nothing..."
"You're fired," Song Yutang cut her off. "Pack your things and get out. Right now."