Chapter 40 Enjoying it

On the morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year, the three siblings ate noodles and then took two pieces of Funing rice cake to their maternal uncle's house.

It was cold, and there were no bicycles at home, so the three siblings walked for almost forty minutes to reach their uncle's house.

My eldest uncle and aunt were at home, while my two cousins ​​had gone back to their wives' homes with their wives.

Uncle Shu and his wife prepared a lot of delicious dishes.

A large bowl full of meat chunks, along with ribbonfish, braised pork, pork skin and black-boned chicken cake, and four cold dishes.

Knowing that Yao Shuli loved chicken, Uncle Shu specially bought a smoked chicken.

Looking at the three siblings, Uncle Shu and Aunt Shu's eyes were filled with heartache.

The two asked what they ate for New Year's Eve dinner, what they ate on New Year's Day, and what they did!

After learning that Yao Shula had taken her younger siblings to the Yao family's old house yesterday, and that Grandma Yao and Aunt Yao had given them New Year's money, Uncle Shu visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

It's alright, there are still some sensible people in the Yao family.

"Here you go! Two yuan each, this is New Year's money from my uncle and aunt."

As he spoke, Uncle Shu placed two yuan in front of each of the three siblings.

"Uncle..." Yao Shula looked at Uncle Shu and Aunt Shu in surprise.

"Take it, it's a token of our appreciation from your elders, a little New Year's money," the eldest aunt also urged from the side.

Yao Shuxin and Yao Shuli both looked at Yao Shula.

Yao Shula thought for a moment, nodded, and put the two yuan into her pocket.

Yao Shuxin and Yao Shuli also put their New Year's money into their pockets.

"Thank you, Uncle and Aunt!"

The three of them immediately spoke in unison.

Uncle Shu and Aunt Shu smiled and kept putting food into the three people's bowls, urging them to eat more.

The three siblings enjoyed their meal in peace.

The three of them ate while listening to the instructions from Uncle Shu and Aunt Shu.

"Your second uncle and youngest uncle also said they would take you and your siblings home for a couple of days."

I blocked it.

During the Lunar New Year, everyone has a lot to do; as long as the sentiment is there, that's enough.

Once the first month of the lunar calendar is over, they won't be so busy anymore. You three siblings can go to their house for a couple more days.

If anything happens during this time, just tell your uncle. He can help you make decisions.

Yao Shula agreed.

Uncle Shu also told Yao Shula that he was already looking for people at the cotton mill. He heard that the cotton mill was hiring temporary workers and he was thinking of ways to get Yao Shula in.

"Don't worry, even though it's a temporary job, you still get twenty yuan a month!"

With what you got from the machinery factory, it should be enough for the three of you siblings.

Shuxin and Shuli are growing up, so it's not possible to expect you to take care of them forever.

"Your uncle will find a way to let you work here for a few years. If there's an opportunity, we'll make you a permanent employee," Uncle Shu whispered to Yao Shula.

Upon hearing this, Yao Shula quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks.

"Uncle, Aunt, I know you're doing this for my own good!"

They're worried I won't be able to find work in the future.

Even temporary workers are hard to get into cotton mills.

Who knows how many favors my uncle will have to do then!

Uncle, for the next two years... I still want to stay home and take care of Shuxin and Shuli.

If I go out to work, Shuxin will be fine; she's a grown woman and can take care of herself. But what about Shuli?

He's at his most mischievous stage!

Yao Shula's words silenced both Uncle Shu and Aunt Shu.

Their original intention was to bring the three siblings to live with them, but there were too many people outside who would talk, and who knew what others would say.

Let's not let anyone say that they're after the house Schumann left behind...

"Okay! Shura, since that's what you think, let's go with your idea for now."

During this time, my uncle has also realized that you are a person with your own ideas.

We are relieved that you are taking good care of Shuxin and Shuli.

But if you ever need anything, you must tell us. No matter what it is, your uncle will always be there to lend a hand.

Also, Shuxin and Shuli, listen up!

Your eldest sister has had a tough time; she used to be such a kind and gentle girl.

What have you two done to her?

"You must remember that the eldest sister is like a mother. You must never make your eldest sister angry in the future. No matter what, you must listen to your eldest sister, understand?" Uncle Shu said earnestly.

Yao Shula and her two siblings all agreed.

"Alright, it's not often that the child comes all this way, why do you have to put on your elder's airs?"

Make sure your child eats properly!

Shura, eat some ribbonfish! I made braised ribbonfish, it's delicious! I specially saved the best piece from the middle for you all…”

My aunt quickly changed the subject.

The three siblings continued eating.

After the meal, the eldest aunt took a soft measuring tape and measured the dimensions of all three siblings.

"I'll make you two new outfits for spring."

...

When Uncle Shu returned, the three siblings were all carrying things in their hands.

In Yao Shula's hands were Funing rice cakes, a must-have for the Chinese New Year, and two packets of tea snacks.

The snacks were a package of ring-shaped pastries and a package of small sesame cakes, which were given out by my aunt's clothing factory for the New Year. My aunt shared half of them.

Yao Shuxin has a basket of rice cakes and steamed buns in her hand.

At the dinner table, Yao Shuxin said that her aunt's steamed rice cakes were delicious, and her aunt immediately filled them up for the three siblings.

Yao Shuli also had a basket in his hand, containing ten salted duck eggs and twenty chicken eggs.

Uncle Shu insisted that they take it, saying that there was too much food at home and the three siblings had to take it with them.

Seeing that the three siblings had arrived on foot, Uncle Shu thought to himself.

In a couple of days, I'll definitely get a bicycle for these three siblings...

...

The three siblings walked for another forty minutes before arriving home.

It was already past three o'clock when I got home.

After putting away all the things she brought from her uncle's house, Yao Shula kept an eye on the door.

How's Yao Chunian doing today?

Is it a sign of cowardice to continue swallowing one's anger and treating yesterday's suggestion as nonsense, or is it a desperate gamble, a reckless decision...?

Sigh, there's no phone or anything at home these days, so I can't keep up with the latest gossip.

If this were in later generations, I wonder how many group chats they'd be in by now, and how much gossip they'd be catching up on...

The three siblings sat at the eight-immortal table in the main room, all looking longingly at the courtyard gate.

Why isn't my third sister-in-law here yet?

How are we supposed to eat this melon if she doesn't come...?

They waited until it was almost dark before Yao Shuxin went to heat up the food, and everyone had already eaten.

Zhong Xiaochun, looking excited, finally came over with her basket.

"Third sister-in-law!" The three siblings all stood up at the same time.

"Please sit down! I know you've been waiting impatiently!" Zhong Xiaochun put the empty basket on the ground and immediately sat down at the octagonal table.

"Is it starting to commotion?" Yao Shula asked in a low voice.

“Yes! It’s gotten out of hand! And it’s gotten pretty big!” Zhong Xiaochun nodded immediately.