Chapter 10, The Grand Banquet (Part 1)

It is also the first day of the holiday before the high school entrance examination

In a daze, Su Can also recalled that his older sister, the daughter of his maternal uncle, had a poor relationship with him during their childhood. One reason was that the family had a younger brother, the cherished child born to his maternal uncle, who was five years younger than him. His sister, Zeng Na, favored this younger brother over him. Another reason was that they were both in their middle and high school years, yet they experienced a generational gap, often leading to ideological clashes. Both were quite strong-willed, resulting in frequent heated arguments. Additionally, his own academic performance was poor, making it impossible to compare himself to his sister, who attended the top school, thus leading to her disdain for him. Consequently, his sister often found fault with him. This was in stark contrast to many years later, when in another big city, she would express concern for him and call him every week, demonstrating how much growth can change things.

A large family gathers together; although there may be mutual accusations and complaints, perhaps with flushed faces or theoretical debates, it is always the warmest of moments. In the future, the three siblings will be scattered across distant places, and during the New Year, there will often be absences. Yet, when reminiscing about those days spent together, it is always the most lively and heartwarming.

Now, feeling as if time has reversed, Su Can experienced a sense of familiarity. He was not bothered by his sister's disdain and calmly smiled, saying, "It doesn't matter if my grades are poor; as long as I can make up for it and review properly, I will strive to perform at my best this time, okay?"

Su Can felt a mix of amusement and a touch of emotion. At this moment, his uncle was, after all, the director of the planning office. There were not a few people who usually flattered him, currying favor and watching his expression. Yet now, he was actually considering Su Can's temperament and taking his feelings into account. How difficult must this be?

Xiao Jiu, Zhaoding, was a minor shareholder in the "Century Club" karaoke nightclub in Xiahai City at that time, lacking the political awareness of his elder uncle

In my impression, although my uncle's group originated from a rough background, they later became respectable businessmen, albeit with a touch of their former swagger. At that time, my uncle was quite successful, especially when he became a shareholder of the "Century Club"; he held significant influence at home. He even looked down on my eldest uncle Zeng Quanming, the director of the planning office, often saying, "The money you earn in a year as a civil servant is less than what I make in three months." He would occasionally boast about having socialized with high-ranking city officials.

It was unexpected that Su Can could remain calm and respond under his own sarcastic remarks. This was the first time that Zeng Na had witnessed such composure from her most unyielding younger brother, which left her momentarily stunned. She found it difficult to continue her taunts and could only pout, saying, "With such poor grades, studying is useless!"

"You, Su Licheng, and Zeng Ke are not capable. You should provide your children and the illustrations. With people like you, your organization is bound to collapse. What can you rely on? Only when your son, Su Can, achieves success can you change your fate!" The voice of the uncle, carrying a hint of officialdom, pierced through the ears.

The Bamboo Pavilion a day later

My sister, Zhenna, immediately shot me a glare and said, "His grades are not impressive! You all seem to have such high hopes. Look at his mock exam score—over 470 points, not even reaching 500. Let alone the difficulties of high school at No. 3 Middle School, even in our school during junior high, the lowest scores in the class were over 500. Your score is still just average in your class! It’s clear how good or bad No. 3 Middle School is!"

The host is my maternal uncle, Zeng Quanming, who is also the head of the family with the most power and status. He works at the Municipal Construction Bureau, serving as the Director of the Planning Office. He is the only civil servant in the entire family, let alone a director, which solidifies his unassailable core position within the household

Concerned that the siblings might argue again, Su Mu, Su Ke, quickly intervened, "Oh dear, Su Can has been working hard; he studied late into the night yesterday. He knows the importance of effort!"

"Yes, yes, indeed..." His parents nodded in agreement, while his mother turned her head slightly and said with a hint of affection, "This time, it's all about seeing him at https://m.hetushucomcom. After all, all our hopes are pinned on you, son!"

After graduating from high school, I ventured into society alone, while the small-time gang leader who once roamed with him surprisingly made a name for himself and became a legitimate big boss. My uncle, who had been his subordinate during their brawling days, also received corresponding support from him. These former delinquents had a keen sense for new business opportunities; they had opened a rather innovative gift and toy store in Xiahai City. My uncle, Zeng Zhaoding, was previously the manager of this toy store, which later developed quite well. Subsequently, his 'boss' granted him shares, and he became a shareholder at a nightclub. In his thirties, during his prime, he was also well taken care of, and his career was flourishing.

Even the maternal uncle looked down upon Su Can's father, who was merely earning a meager salary. Of course, the maternal uncle was much more astute in social matters than the maternal granduncle. The maternal granduncle had repeatedly scolded Su Can's father to his face, which led to Su Can confronting him verbally. Several family gatherings ended in discord as a result.

A sense of superiority, this innate feeling of superiority represents a unique imprint of Xiahai City

The eldest uncle is also the person Su Can is most grateful to during his growth. Although they had many conflicts due to issues with his father, he genuinely hoped that the younger generation could achieve greater development and success. Now, looking back at the clear-headed eldest uncle from eleven years ago, Su Can feels a sense of gratitude. Although he often clashed with him in his childhood, he never truly harbored resentment. As he gradually matured, his feelings of gratitude deepened. Many years later, Su Can understood that what the eldest uncle needed was not his repayment, but rather to produce results, even if he was arrogant and dismissive in facing him.

Although the uncle held disdain for his father, Su Licheng, he mentioned this only during private conversations with his mother; in front of his father, however, he maintained a smiling face

It is a pity that my younger self never made my father feel proud.

Uncle Zhang Quanming was somewhat straightforward in temperament and performed reasonably well in his role at the Planning Office. He had a cataract in one eye, which impaired his vision. Initially, he relied solely on his good eye to qualify as a civil engineer. Of course, serving as the director of the Planning Office did not lead to any significant promotions, as he was not one to curry favor with superiors. Eventually, as he aged, his influence waned, compounded by issues related to a cerebral hemorrhage, leading to his reassignment to the later-established Administrative Center, where his authority was gradually diminished, and he was left awaiting retirement.

This has caused the eccentric and irritable uncle in the civil service system to be filled with frustration

His father also knew that he was the most oppressed figure in this family circle, and had always remained silent about it, bearing various pressures alone. Sometimes, when he went out with his mother and faced difficulties, he could only smile bitterly, constantly reminding himself, "Dad is looked down upon for his lack of ability; you are Dad's hope. I can still proudly say, my son is remarkable."

My elder sister is currently in her second year of high school, and given her outstanding academic performance since childhood, it is no surprise that she is attending the First High School, which naturally gives her a sense of superiority.

Still falling everywhere, needing the full support of parents, from childhood to adulthood... Now reflecting on it, Su Can felt a tightness of guilt in his heart

Now, Uncle Da, as usual, began to lecture directly, but this time, while addressing Su Can's father, he also included his own mother, Zeng Ke, tying them together so as not to appear targeted. Moreover, in the midst of his speech, Uncle Zeng Quanming cast a glance at me, seemingly aware that whenever the topic of my father, Su Licheng, was broached—a sensitive area—I would inevitably confront him with some lingering concerns.

Zhu Xuan Ju was the most frequented venue for family gatherings of Su Can's large family during that era. Of course, it was not his parents who organized these gatherings; at that time, Su Can's father and mother were ordinary employees. His mother's workplace was also involved in layoffs, causing widespread anxiety. Establishments like Zhu Xuan Ju, being mid to high-end restaurants, were certainly beyond their means to host such large family gatherings.