Chapter 74: The Depth of Filial Piety
Another waiter approached, carrying a bottle of liquor, and placed it on the table. It was a bottle of Bai Niu Er, though it seemed to be partially empty. Before his father could react, Ye Chen quickly grabbed the bottle and opened it.
He then poured a glass for his father, filling it with the eight-tael liquor in a one-catty bottle, so it naturally wasn't full.
"Dad, have some," Ye Chen said.
"Oh, okay." Ye Dad liked a drink, and although he noticed the bottle wasn't full, he didn't think much of it. For someone who loves liquor, as long as it's liquor, it's fine.
Ye Dad took a sip and then set the glass down, saying, "Hmm, this liquor..."
"What's wrong, Dad? Don't you like it?"
"No, it's very pure and has a good taste."
"Then have some more." Ye Chen breathed a sigh of relief, glad his father didn't realize.
At this point, the shrimp pot started boiling. Since the shrimp was pre-cooked, it was ready to eat as soon as it was served.
Ye Chen quickly grabbed a plate, filled it with shrimp, and handed it to his mother, saying, "Mom, let's not eat the shrimp heads today. They don't taste good."
Hearing this, Ye Mom blushed like a young girl caught in a lie.
Today, Ye Chen ate heartily, and so did his parents. After all, it was a large pot with triple the usual amount.
Ye Dad, in particular, enjoyed himself, both eating and drinking. He consumed almost half a catty of liquor, the most Ye Chen had ever seen him drink in one sitting.
When they finished, Ye Dad didn't want to waste anything and took the leftover liquor with him.
"Son, can we take this leftover liquor with us?"
"Yes, we can."
"That's good."
Ye Chen supported his father with one arm and his mother with the other as they walked to the counter. "Check, please."
"Your total is 100 yuan," the cashier said.
"Oh, okay." Ye Chen quickly handed over 100 yuan.
"Have a nice day."
"Thank you!"
"You're welcome."
Only Ye Chen and the owner understood the true meaning behind this exchange. Ye Chen's gratitude, and the owner's politeness, held a deeper significance.
Outside, Ye Mom remarked, "Son, that meal only cost us 100 yuan?"
"Uh, what's wrong, Mom?"
"100 yuan! If we bought groceries, that could feed us for two days."
Ye Chen felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. He thought to himself, "Buying groceries isn't the same as eating shrimp!"
But he didn't say this aloud, as it wasn't worth arguing about. Besides, the meal didn't actually cost just 100 yuan; the bottle of liquor alone was over 200 yuan.
"Well, they do give generous portions. You might not be able to buy so much on your own," Ye Dad added, making a fair point.
Ye Dad had drunk quite a bit, but he was still somewhat clear-headed. Ye Chen knew that once they got outside and felt the cool air, his father might not be as steady.
"Mom, Dad drank a lot. Let's get him to the car."
"Okay." Ye Mom nodded. "I don't know why your father drank so much today."
"He's happy because I bought a car. How could he not be?"
Hearing this, Ye Mom smiled, and together they helped Ye Dad into the car.
Although the weather was warm, Ye Chen didn't turn on the air conditioning or open the windows, fearing the cool air might make his father sick.
After about ten minutes, they arrived home. By then, Ye Dad had fallen asleep. Seeing this, Ye Chen shook his head.
He quickly parked the car and carried his father inside. Yes, carried.
Ye Mom hurried ahead to prepare the bed, and Ye Chen gently laid his father down, took off his shoes, and covered him with a blanket.
After finishing, Ye Chen turned to his mother. "Mom, is there anything you need help with?"
"No, no. You finally have a few days off, just rest."
"It's okay. I'm not tired. Is there any laundry to do?"
"No, I finished the laundry this morning. Didn't you see the clothes hanging in the yard?"
Whenever he came home, Ye Chen felt uneasy if he didn't help out with something.
"Is there any work left in the fields?"
"No, it's all done," Ye Mom replied, smiling.
Ye Mom felt very proud of her son. Unlike other children who either slept or went out to play when they came home, her son always helped around the house.
Some people said her son lacked ambition, but Ye Mom didn't think so. If helping and caring for his parents meant having no ambition, she wished her son would remain unambitious forever and hoped more children were like him.
Her son might not have made it big, but since he left school, he hadn't asked for a penny and even regularly sent money home.
Those considered ambitious often ended up asking their parents for money.
"Alright, if there's no work, I'll go visit Guo Dad and Guo Mom."
"Okay, go ahead."
"Keep an eye on Dad. He's drunk, and I don't want him to catch a cold."
"I will."
Ye Chen left home and headed to his friend Fatty's house. Their houses were on opposite ends of the village, Ye Chen's in the west and Fatty's in the east.
Though the village wasn't large, with only about 200 meters from end to end, it only took a few minutes to walk across.