Chapter Forty-Eight: True to its Name

share, and then knelt down and kowtowed."My lord, we had no choice."Wang Yuanwai gasped for breath, and was about to say something, but suddenly he fell from his chair."Master, Master!"Wang Fu hugged...Li Laotai came in from outside. Seeing her grandchildren so harmonious, she was also happy

She took her granddaughter, instructing her two grandsons 。"You're all grown up now, so when you go out in the world later on..." 。

Try to broaden your horizons and don't get too caught up in minor household issues.

Jia Ren and Jia Yi knew this referred to their mother, both nodding lightly...The Lunar New Year was the most lively time of year. Even in a quiet village like Qing Shui, there were people coming and going during this season. 。Li Lao'er took Jia Ren to the village head's house and the next-door old men's place, giving each a New Year's gift. 。It's nothing special, just some homemade sesame balls and some fresh fruit. 。But the village head and the old men were overjoyed, and they talked to them for a long time. 。Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru, sisters-in-law, also went to Zhang Ersao and Wu Sannv's houses, thanking them for their previous help. 。Now Tao Hongying's household work, and Jia Ren's studying, are all thanks to the help of others. 。Both families were overjoyed and delighted, the gifts they received in return were also very generous. 。Needless to say, our relationship will only grow closer from now on. 。Thus busy, it was the day before New Year's Eve. The Li family young and old got up early and put on new clothes and new shoes 。Life at home wasn't particularly prosperous. Some received new jackets, others new shoes – different things for different people, but all were needed and appreciated. 。Of course, Jia Yin, this family's treasure, has been completely renewed from head to toe. 。A red robe, a hat of patchwork brocade, the butterfly shoes were a little big, so ribbons were tied around the ankles. 。A silver necklace hung around her chest, with a long life lock pendant. Her wrists were adorned with red strings threaded through silver beads. 。Dressed like that, she looked even more plump and adorable. When she smiled, her two little teeth showed, like a New Year's picture doll, looking exceptionally festive. 。The whole family is spoiling them rotten, this one's being hugged, that one's being kissed, they are truly the apple of everyone's eye. 。Li Laotai, the elder woman of the Li family, decided to let Jiaren and Jiayiduo hold their grandchildren more often. Since the two grandsons were often outside the house, it would be good for them to receive some blessings and good fortune from holding their nephews. 。In winter, there is no farm work, and people eat almost only two meals a day. This is the same even during the Lunar New Year. 。Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru were busy in the kitchen, stirring and cooking non-stop. 。Li Lao Er, Li Lao San and Li Lao Si went to the next door to have a treat. 。The six elderly gentlemen next door don't have any grandchildren. At times like these, it's inevitable to feel lonely and isolated. 。The Li family had already made plans to invite them over for the reunion dinner. 。But the old men didn't know, they were all gathered together at this very moment, busy making a fire and cooking. 。As a result, the three Li brothers came to invite them, and they became red-eyed. 。"No, it's New Year's Eve, you guys should be together as a family. We won't go and spoil your gathering." 。"Yes, you see we also prepared New Year's goods, there is no lack of food. " 。Several old men declined, but Li Lao'er stepped forward and helped Zhao Da-shshu. 。"Uncle, everything is ready at our place, and we've even bought the alcohol." 。Let's eat at my place first, and I'll send you back home in the evening to cook dumplings. 。As he spoke, he walked outside. Li Laosan and Li Laosi followed suit. 。So, a few old men were half-pushed and half-persuaded into Li's courtyard. 。In Li's household, a large round table was already set up. The house was warm, like a spring day. 。Jia Xi Jia An ran around inside and outside the house, helping to carry bowls and chopsticks, occasionally stealing a bite and being scolded by Tao Hongying. 。Lively and festive, it came upon us unexpectedly. 。Old Lady Li embraced Jia Yin and ushered several old gentlemen into the room, smiling. 。"Several big brothers, no need to be polite. Distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. Let's celebrate the New Year together merrily." 。Several elders were so touched and overwhelmed that they couldn't even speak before being helped to their seats. 。Soon, a plentiful array of dishes was served one after another. 。Stewed pork knuckles, braised fish pieces, garlic white meat, mutton stewed with carrots, wood ear stir-fried chicken...Nine dishes and one soup, plus a large pot of white rice, it really makes everyone secretly swallow their saliva. 。Even Wu Cuifang, who always pretended to be sick, came out early, staring at the food as if she couldn't wait to grab it. 。Li Laoer filled the elderly men's wine bowls, and his brothers, along with Jia Ren, Jia Yi, and Jia Huan, three big children, each got half a bowl. 。Raise a glass, clink it together, and in that sound, a year's worth of hard work finds solace. 。The men drank and ate, while the women and children chatted and ate. The aroma of wine and food filled the room. 。Jiayin also got a bowl of egg custard for the first time, without salt, only a little soy sauce. 。But Tao Hongying's craftsmanship is really good. The egg custard is steamed without honeycomb, tender like jelly. 。For someone like her, who has no teeth, it's incredibly kind. 。She ate half a bowl in one breath and wanted more, but she was stopped by Lao Tai Li. 。For fear that she would eat too much and have a stomachache from indigestion. 。Jia Yin could only watch with envy as the remaining half bowl of food went into Jia Xi's mouth. 。Everyone was amused by her pitiful appearance and burst into laughter. 。"This child clearly loves to eat, they'll definitely grow up strong and healthy." 。"What a lucky child!"Jia Yin was pinched under her grandma's arm and bounced a few times on her leg, as if doing some post-meal exercise. 。The child who was eating burped, and was chased off the table. He took his sister back to the big kang in the room to play. 。Jia Yin rode for another half hour on horseback before the guests at the main hall finally dispersed. 。Several old men had all had a good drink, their faces flushed, they dispersed. 。Li Lao Er's brothers sent them back again, bringing with them a full pot of frozen dumplings filled with cabbage and pork. 。The old men woke up from their drink, and it was getting dark. They could just put it in the pot to cook when the time came. 。The village chief, not feeling at ease at home, came to check on his old brothers. 。They were flushed with alcohol and lay sprawled across the warm kang, some here and some there. 。He didn't need to guess; he knew this was thanks to Li Jia's daughter. 。So, he went back home with peace of mind and when he told his wife about it, he couldn't stop praising the Li family. 。At this time, the Li family members also had some rare free time. They munched on melon seeds and peanuts while chatting idly. 。Li Lao took the money pouch and gave each of her three sons two ounces of silver. 。Although there's no division of households, the money is all shared, but you each have your own small families. 。You can't possibly be without a single copper. Take this two ounces of silver, all of you. 。What do you want to buy, arrange it yourself. 。" Li Lao'er still wanted to decline, but Wu Cuiflower acted quickly and snatched the silver before he could move. He grabbed her back, took the silver, and stuffed it into his pocket. 。Wu Cuifang was furious, and when she saw that both of her sons were bowing their heads, it was clear they wouldn't help her. 。She stomped her foot angrily and turned back into the house. 。Zhao Yuru softened her heart and whispered, "Should we go persuade Second Sister-in-law" "No need," Li Lao'er waved his hand. "She'll be out after eating dumplings in a while." 。Everyone remembered Wu Cuifang's eating manner just now, and they couldn't help but stifle their laughter. 。Li Lao'er, afraid that his two sons would soften their hearts, urged them again. 。"Your mother is looking for money from you, don't give her a single copper." 。She's probably giving Erdog money again to pay off his gambling debts. 。" " Jia Ren Jia Yi quickly nodded their heads. Li Lao Tai didn't want her grandsons to be unhappy, so she quickly took out some silver again. 。There are three brothers: Jiarren, JiaYi, and Jiatuan. One studies, one acts as a bodyguard, and one cooks. 。They are all of an age where they contribute to the household, each receiving two hundred wen for personal spending. 。Now Xi and Jia An each received fifty wen in lucky money. 。The boys were all happy, especially Jia Xi and Jia An. One moment they were clamoring to buy candied haws, the next they changed their minds and wanted to buy sugar figurines. 。This momentum, it's as if tens of copper coins were worth tens of taels of silver. 。 The sound was so pleasing, Jiayin itched and wriggled in grandma's arms, protesting with "ahh ahh". 。The old woman understood, and patted her on the back. 。As expected, after the sky turned completely dark, Jiayin yawned, and the old lady carried her into the house. 。Then secretly he took a five tael silver ingot and placed it under his granddaughter's pillow. 。uple as his foster son and daughter, wanting someone to rely on when he gets old!""Goodness, this is just like our village head! He doesn't have any children either!""That's different, the village hea...