It was an older uncle from the western branch who first voiced what others had been circling around, and he spoke with the kind of ease that came from believing his complaint was entirely reasonable within the setting they were in.
"We have been seated for quite some time now, and yet the meal has not even begun because we are still waiting for him to arrive, which is something I genuinely do not understand given that everyone else has managed to be punctual."
The words landed without hesitation, and several people around the table immediately reacted as though he had only said what they themselves had already been thinking but had not yet chosen to voice aloud.
A woman across from him gave a small, dismissive laugh before setting her chopsticks down with controlled irritation, as though the delay itself was becoming personally insulting to her sense of order.
