The last time I came back to the old house was about eight or nine months ago, when I stood by Qi Fenglian. Returning to the in-laws now feels like a lifetime ago.
For the banquet to celebrate Qi Jianguo getting into college, many round tables have already been borrowed and stacked in the yard, along with long benches and baskets filled with big bowls and chopsticks.
In the countryside, this is how banquets are set up. They are mostly held at home for the liveliness, and more importantly, to save money, as hosting at home costs much less than at a big restaurant.
This is why whenever there's a happy event, most families borrow bowls, chopsticks, and plates from each household, just like the Qi family is doing now.
"Dad, Mom, we're back!" Qi Fenglian called out.
Father Qi and the others came out of the main room, and upon seeing Cheng Su and the group, their faces immediately lit up with smiles.
Mother Qi glanced behind them and asked, "Taiguo didn't come back with you?"
