Read Novel Full Chapter 97
Chapter 97 : New Year
Before Zhuang San had finished venting his anger, he grabbed Zhuang Guoliang by the collar and slammed him hard on the bridge of his nose. “You still have the nerve to ask why? In order to get you out of the pig farm, the eldest and second brothers insisted that the reselling had nothing to do with you. What did you promise your eldest brother? You said you would take good care of Daya and the other two. But now, you’ve just given Daya away as a child bride. Zhuang Guoliang, I want to see what your heart is made of. Stone?”
Zhuang Guoliang was stunned. How did his third brother know about this?
Zhuang San snorted coldly and threw him to the ground. “You’re curious, right? Wondering how I know what the eldest and second brothers said to you? I’ll tell you, they told me everything themselves. I’m not as heartless as you. My brother’s going to the farm, and you couldn’t even send them some food.”
Panting, Zhuang San straightened his wrinkled clothes and announced, “From today on, I’m moving back home and taking my eldest and second brothers’ children with me. We’ll live separately. Otherwise, who knows if you’ll secretly give Daya away while I’m away?”
Gao Xiuqin hugged Daya and Erya in each arm, saying, “Don’t be afraid, your uncle and aunt will take care of you from now on.”
Daya cried bitterly. From yesterday to today, she had pretended to be calm in front of her sister, but she hadn’t slept at all behind her sister’s back.
The thought that she might be sold into the mountains as a wife terrified her so much that she couldn’t sleep, fearing that she would wake up to find that the story of her being rescued was a lie.
Gao Xiuqin patted Daya on the back and began crying herself.
“Lizi, I heard that you were the ones who saved Daya yesterday. Thank you.”
Gao Xiuqin knew that her mother-in-law and next-door neighbor, Chen Xianyun, had never gotten along, and after Jiang Hongmei had snatched her cousin’s marriage, the relationship between the two families became even more strained.
But even so, Qi Shaoqiang and his wife didn’t stand idly by and watch what was happening with Daya, which showed they were truly good people.
“You’re welcome. Even if a stranger is abducted, we would rescue them.”
Zhuang San patted Qi Shaoqiang on the shoulder and said, “Shaoqiang, I will remember your kindness. If you have any problems in the future, just let me know.”
Gao Xiuqin urged the children to take a bath. It was New Year’s Eve, and they were all as dirty as kittens.
“Daya, I feel your forehead is a little hot. Go inside and lie down. Erya, make some ginger soup for your sister. Yingzi, go find your brother and sister’s clothes. Dabao, feed your sister.”
Zhuang Dabao had gone hungry for two meals in a row yesterday and today, with the adults at home absent. Now he was well-behaved, listening to his aunt’s instructions to feed her sister.
Daya pulled Jiang Li into the house, took out two bright red persimmons, and placed them in front of Jiang Li. “This was found by Erya when she was wandering around the mountain. There were two of them on one tree, and I don’t know how they got there. Sister Jiang Li, we have nothing to give you in return, so you can eat these two persimmons.”
“It’s rare to still have persimmons in this season,” Jiang Li accepted them. She didn’t expect anything in return, as it would only put a heavy psychological burden on the recipient. Daya breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it.
Jiang Li wiped the persimmon, peeled it, and took a bite. The plump, crystal-clear persimmon flesh turned into juice, making a sweet melody on the tip of her tongue.
“Delicious.”
Erya came in with ginger soup and said, “Sister Lizi, if you like it, I’ll go to the persimmon forest to look for more next time.”
“Don’t go up the mountain alone. Wild animals come down in the winter. Wait until spring.”
After Jiang Li left, Erya took out the paper bag that she had been holding against her chest, and some oil stains seeped out of it.
As soon as the paper package was opened, a few soft pies were found inside. When she took a bite, she discovered that they were filled with chopped green onions and pork. The pies were also fried with lard, making them incredibly fragrant.
One piece was left for Uncle and Aunt. Daya and Erya hugged their younger sister, and they shared the pies happily while listening to the howling north wind outside the window.
On New Year’s Eve night, according to tradition in Yongfang County, people must stay up all night. The later they stay awake, the more blessings they will receive.
Jiang Li was eating chestnuts while the family of four sat around the crackling brazier and chatted.
In the early morning, firecrackers rang out in the village. Qi Shaoqiang hugged Jiang Li and took out a red envelope from his pocket. “I wish you a safe and healthy new year.”
Seeing this, the old lady also took out two red envelopes, one for Qi Shaoqiang and one for Jiang Li. “It’s not much money, don’t look down on me as an old woman. I wish you two a happy and harmonious life.”
Jiang Li held the red envelope, feeling its warmth, and her heart was touched. “Thank you, grandma.”
Chen Xianyun put down the melon seeds and said anxiously, “I also prepared New Year’s money, waiting to wrap it in red paper for you two tomorrow. Mom is faster than me.”
Jiang Li and Qi Shaoqiang smiled at each other, hugged, their faces full of happiness.
Early in the morning, children from the village came in groups to pay New Year’s greetings. Jiang Li gave each child a handful of melon seeds and two pieces of candy.
In the afternoon, Li Shitou brought Mai Miao to pay New Year’s greetings. Jiang Li gave each of them fifty cents as a red envelope, and also filled their pockets with melon seeds and candy.
Li Shitou couldn’t stop grinning. His mother didn’t know about the fifty cents, so he planned to hide it and buy snacks at school.
Unfortunately, Mai Miao exposed it as soon as she got home. She took the red envelope to Zhao Jingui and said, “Sister Lizi gave it to me. There are also lots of candies and melon seeds.”
Zhao Jingui was surprised and asked, “Who gave you the money?”
Mai Miao answered sweetly, “Sister Lizi.”
Zhao Jingui glared at Li Shitou and twisted his ear. “Good boy, you dared to hide the New Year’s money your sister Lizi gave you. If Mai Miao hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known!”
“Alright, alright, we won’t punish the kids on New Year’s Day.” Li Youtian winked at Li Shitou, signaling him to run away. However, Li Shitou was being mischievous and refused to leave. “Mom, give me back the money. This is what Sister Lizi gave me.”
“What are you doing with so much money as a child? Mom will keep it for you.”
Li Shitou watched his mother put the money into her pocket, knowing that this time he had lost. He grabbed Li Mai miao by the arm and rubbed her face. “You little snitch. You didn’t listen to a word Fourth Brother said, and you told them as soon as i turned around.”
Li Mai miao just laughed foolishly. Li Shitou snatched the candy from her hand, peeled it, and put it into his mouth. “Silly girl.”
Li Mai miao didn’t cry either. She still had plenty more.
Li Chunlan couldn’t stand it any longer. “Shitou, don’t bully my sister. Be careful or I’ll hit you.”
Li Shitou made a face, stuck out his tongue, and ran away.
Zhao Jingui was worried about the money. ” This kid is too generous. We have to be thrifty in life. No, I have to talk to her next time.”
“We have a small family now, but if we have children in the future, we’ll have many more expenses. How can we spend money like this?”