Read Novel Full Chapter 44.1
Chapter 44.1
Chapter 44 1/2
“Invite us for a feast?” A group of children playing with mud outside were stunned. “Isn’t this something only our parents and grandparents get invited to?”
Shen An laughed happily. “My sister-in-law said that since you all helped me before, I can also invite you to our home for a feast. So your parents and grandparents are invited by my sister-in-law, and you are invited by An Ning and me.”
Huzi and Erniu were both stunned. Erniu murmured, “Shen An, your sister-in-law is really nice.”
To think that Shen An and An Ning could act like adults and invite people to a feast, it was quite an event.
Shen Yin asked, “Brother, did my sister-in-law invite my parents too?”
Their parents had been craving the smell of meat and vegetables from Chen Xiao Ya’s house these past few days, and they couldn’t even eat their own meals properly.
When Shen Yin asked this, Erniu and Huzi, who were a bit more understanding, looked a bit strange, and Shen An also choked up. Their family hadn’t thought about inviting Uncle and Aunt…
On the other hand, Shen Jin puffed up his chest and retorted to Shen Yin, “Are you stupid? Shen An is inviting them because we helped. I’ve been digging for over ten days; what have our parents done?”
In fact, Shen Jin felt quite embarrassed. Especially since almost everyone from Chen Xiao Ya’s family had been helping out, but his father hadn’t gone at all.
At first, he thought that since Erniu, Huzi, and his brothers were all helping, his father would at least get to enjoy some of the food that Auntie bought. But seeing so many people helping with building the house and clearing the land, Shen Jin realized that even though he was the oldest, he wasn’t as useful as the youngest in the Lu family. Even his younger brothers, Shen Yin and Shen Tie, were no better than children playing at home. They were just freeloading.
Thinking about this, he couldn’t maintain his anger. He felt guilty, and his backbone softened.
After talking to his father at home and being scolded for wandering around all day, he didn’t dare to say anything else.
Now, hearing his brother ask if his sister-in-law would invite their parents and seeing the expressions of Erniu, Huzi, and Shen An and An Ning, Shen Jin retorted, “You only get meat if you work! When Dad went to help others build houses, he didn’t take us along to eat meat.”
Shen Yin: It seems like that’s how it is? But is it also not quite right?
He couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong.
The youngest, Shen Tie, couldn’t think that much. He was just thinking about the delicious smell he had been smelling from next door these past few days, and his mouth watered. “Brother, when are we going to eat?”
Shen An smiled. “The day after tomorrow, at dinner.”
Everyone was busy cutting rice during the day, so even if they came to eat, they couldn’t eat properly. They would hurry back to the fields to work. That’s why my sister-in-law said it was scheduled for a lively dinner. Everyone could eat more leisurely, and after eating, they could rest properly.
Shen Tie counted on his fingers, “Today, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow…??”
He was confused and looked up at his brother.
Shen Jin said, “No need to count; it’s the day when Mom and Dad go to cut rice.”
Coincidentally, that day, their parents were both too busy to attend to them. After their eldest brother left, there weren’t enough hands at home, so they were always late to finish cutting the rice. They would only leave some cold gruel at home for them to eat, and that was that.
Shen Jin said, “Don’t tell our parents about the feast. Remember, if you do, there won’t be any food for you.”
He hadn’t forgotten about the last time he got beaten. Knowing his parents’ temperaments, if they didn’t get to eat, how could he and his brothers go? Hmph, this time he wouldn’t say anything. He’d eat until he was full before going home.
Feeling smug, Shen Jin suddenly remembered that there was Tianya’er at home. Since his parents would be in the fields that day, Tianya’er would be with him. If the three of them went to the feast, what about Tianya’er?
“Shen An, can I bring Tianya’er with me that day? There will be no one at home.”
Shen An nodded, “Sure, just take care of her yourself.”
He didn’t want her to get hurt or fall. Later, the third aunt might start a fuss.
Shen Jin patted his chest, “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.”
With this important matter of the feast settled, and with Tianya’er not at home, Shen Ning was still eager to invite Tianya’er. Without saying much, she dragged Shen An and ran towards Chen’s house.
…
In the afternoon, the families from Shi and Lu were also at Chen’s house, discussing how to present their gifts when they were invited to the feast.
The newly married Sang family in the village was getting along well with both families. They were really getting along!
Previously, it was only the men and children helping out, but now even the women from outside the family could go over. For the first visit, they had to be a bit more attentive and leave a good impression on the other side.
Lu’s family sent Mrs. Lu, and on Shi’s side, Shi Erlang’s wife came with her sister-in-law.
Oh, Shi’s sister-in-law was the mother of Da Niu and Er Niu. Since the two sons had been helping out these days, Shi’s sister-in-law also received an invitation from Sang Lou.
Shi Erlang’s wife didn’t need to be mentioned. Although her son was too young and couldn’t go, he had been one of the first to help out. He was even one of the main contributors to building the house. So Shi Erlang’s wife was also invited by Sang Lou to attend the housewarming banquet.
Because the Chen family was acquainted with Sang Lou and their relationship was particularly close, they came to ask Mrs. Chen for advice, to see what they should bring for the housewarming banquet day and what Sang Lou would appreciate.
In the village, if the relationship wasn’t particularly close, you didn’t need to bring any big gifts to a feast. You could bring some vegetables and fruits, or whatever was convenient, and it would be considered a gift.
But because there were several children from the Shi and Lu families who had been working at Sang Lou’s place these days and were eating really well, even though their families had instructed them not to serve too much food and not to take more than half a bowl, the dishes with meat and other savory foods were enjoyed by the children even more than during the Spring Festival.
With Sang Lou’s temperament, neither family thought much about bringing just some vegetables and eggs.
Seeing that the Shi and Lu families valued their relationship with Sang Lou, Mrs. Chen was also happy. As the old saying goes, “It’s hard to start a fire with one stick, and a single tree cannot support itself.” The Shen family had originally fled here due to famine, and the relationships between the eldest and third branches were now so close. With Sang Lou single-handedly raising two children, it was necessary for her to make friends with several households in the village so that when things happened, there would be someone to help, and when there was injustice, there would be someone to reach out to.
She warmly brought out a stool and chairs, invited everyone to sit in the living room, and then smiled and asked, “Do you have any thoughts in mind? Do you have any rules? I’d like to hear so that I can consider and advise accordingly.”
Mrs. Lu and Mrs. Chen were peers, so Mrs. Lu spoke first with a smile, “Although I haven’t had any dealings with Alie’s wife yet, I’ve often heard my eldest son, third son, and a few grandsons talk about her at home. She’s a person with a good temperament, honest, and generous. I also saw it when she invited us to drink this time. She’s a genuine person.”
In the village, no family would invite everyone, young and old, to their home.
The implicit rule was that one adult would bring one child to attend the feast; bringing the whole family was out of the question.