Chapter 6 The Ye Family

"Our house is probably the most upscale one in the village. I like it here because it's convenient for going up the mountain. But it's a bit far to go back to the old house on weekdays.

This house was built when my father was alive. At that time, I just considered it convenient for hunting and didn't plan to live here for a long time.

The old house has a large courtyard, five main rooms, and three east and west wing rooms. My grandfather, grandmother, eldest uncle's family, and third uncle's family all live there."

After listening to Ye Beixiu's words, Zhang Juexia realized that the Ye family did not split up, but only separated the two of them.

Just as she guessed, he probably did this to get rid of the burden.

Zhang Juexia's legs were shaking from walking when he finally arrived at the Ye family's old house.

Ye Beixiu's biological mother, Pang Xiujuan, was already waiting at the gate. Ye Beixiu gestured to Zhang Juexia, "This is our mother."

"mother."

Pang Xiujuan looked at Zhang Juexia carefully and said, "Your grandpa and grandma are waiting for you in the house. Come in quickly."

The people in the room heard the voices outside and came out.

"Bei Xiu is here."

Ye Beixiu led Zhang Juexia forward and said, "This is our grandfather, and this is our grandmother."

Zhang Juexia hurried forward and bowed, "Hello, Grandpa, hello, Grandma."

Ye Jishun stroked his long beard and nodded with satisfaction.

Wang Guilan hurried forward and took Zhang Juexia's hand, "Good boy, come into the house quickly."

Ye Beixiu's uncle Ye Yunsheng and his third uncle Ye Yunliang also stood up from their chairs. Ye Beixiu and Zhang Juexia saluted them together.

Aunt Zhao Baofeng came out from the inner room with a plate of peanuts. When she saw Zhang Juexia, she enthusiastically offered her the peanuts.

"We don't have anything good to treat you at home. This thing is considered a rarity here. Come and try some."

Zhang Juexia glanced at Ye Beixiu, and Ye Beixiu nodded. Then she grabbed a small handful and put it in her hand.

The eye contact between the two people did not escape the notice of the people in the room.

Wang Guilan smiled and wiped away her tears. Zhao Baofeng comforted her, "Mom, the Beixiu couple are so close. We should be happy."

"That's right, that's right."

A man older than Ye Beixiu came in from outside, followed by three boys of varying heights.

Ye Beixiu introduced them to Zhang Juexia, "This is my eldest brother Ye Beishan, and this is my cousin Ye Beilin, who is twelve years old. These two boys are Ye Beili, nine years old, and Ye Beifeng, seven years old. They are both our younger brothers."

Zhang Juexia greeted him with a smile.

As the eldest uncle, Ye Beishan naturally felt embarrassed to join in the fun.

Ye Beilin, Ye Beili and Ye Beifeng, all of whom were young, kept calling Zhang Juexia "sister-in-law" and "sister-in-law" all the time.

Zhang Juexia had to ask Ye Beixiu for help.

Ye Beixiu glared at the three of them a few times, and the three boys shut their mouths obediently.

"Sister-in-law, these three guys are full of bad intentions. You should come with me to the kitchen to make dumplings!"

Zhang Juexia stood up and called out, "Sister-in-law."

Li Yiqin looked at Zhang Juexia in surprise, "Brother Beixiu is so lucky. Your sister-in-law is so smart. She already knew I was your sister-in-law before I even introduced her."

Wang Guilan tapped Li Yiqin's forehead and said, "Don't scare your sister-in-law."

"Grandma is partial. Now that her grandson has married a new wife, she doesn't like me anymore."

When she said this, everyone burst into laughter.

Zhang Juexia felt that the atmosphere in the Ye family was very good, so he walked over to Li Yiqin and said, "Sister-in-law, let's go."

Li Yiqin dragged Zhang Juexia out, and as she left, she teased Ye Beixiu, "I'm taking your wife away."

In the kitchen, Pang Xiujuan was rolling dough when Zhang Juexia called her, "Mom."

Pang Xiujuan didn't even raise her head, but just responded coldly.

Li Yiqin pretended not to notice the exchange between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. "Sister-in-law, are you making dumplings or rolling them? Let me tell you, we are also benefiting from you and Bei Xiu, otherwise we wouldn't be able to eat these white flour dumplings."

Zhang Juexia rolled up his sleeves and said, "I'd better pack it!"

"Okay, Aunt San and I will roll out the dough, and when Mom comes over, we'll have her help you wrap it. There's more of us, so it'll be quicker this way."

"Grandma specifically instructed us to use white bread and two kinds of dumplings today. All the vegetables are grown at home, but the meat is also thanks to Bei Xiu. It's the leftover meat from the wild boar he hunted a while ago."

Li Yiqun rolled the dough skillfully while chatting with Zhang Juexia.

Zhang Juexia looked at the bowls of stuffing in front of her, one bowl of pork with beans, and one bowl of pork with leeks. She picked up the rolled dough in front of her and started wrapping it up.

For a northerner, she has been making dumplings since she was a child and is quite skilled at it.

She spread the dumpling wrapper in her palm, slightly clenched her palm, put the filling into her palm with chopsticks, pressed it lightly, lifted the edge of the dumpling wrapper, and pinched it with both hands, and a big stuffed dumpling was done.

Her movements were both skillful and quick. She could handle both Pang Xiujuan and Li Yiqun rolling the dough with ease without showing any sign of panic.

Li Yiqin looked at Zhang Juexia's speed and couldn't help but admire, "My dear, sister-in-law, you are so amazing!"

Zhang Juexia just smiled faintly.

"Looking at this, Brother Bei Xiu is in for a treat."

"Sister-in-law is not bad either."

When Zhao Baofeng pulled Ye Suyun in to help, she saw the dumplings covered with a curtain in front of Zhang Juexia and was amazed. "Bei Xiu's wife is really capable. You are so lucky, sister-in-law."

Pang Xiujuan, who had been stern all the time, softened a little. "She can only make dumplings. I wonder if she can do other things?"

"Here, grandchildren will have their own blessings. As long as Bei Xiu is happy, that's all that matters."

"What can we do if he's unhappy? We spent ten taels of silver to marry this daughter-in-law. When Yiqin came into our family, we only spent a few taels of silver. Besides, Yiqin's family's dowry was also very generous."

When Pang Xiujuan said this, she deliberately glanced at Zhang Juexia's feet.

Zhao Baofeng winked at Li Yiqin, who understood. "Aunt, Uncle San just asked me to tell you to go to the main hall. He said he has something to tell you."

Pang Xiujuan put down the rolling pin, patted the flour off her body, and then walked towards the main room.

Li Yiqin whispered to Zhang Juexia, "Third Aunt is just a little cold, don't take it to heart."

Zhao Baofeng was also trying to persuade Zhang Juexia. She also saw that Zhang Juexia's shoes were almost showing his toes, and she thought to herself that it was really not easy for this child to make a living under the care of his stepmother.

"Bei Xiu's wife, you and Bei Xiu are getting married, and your aunt doesn't have any gifts to give out. I made you a pair of shoes. When you leave, take them with you and try them on to see if they fit. If not, your aunt will help you alter them."

Zhang Juexia gave Zhao Baofeng a grateful smile, "Thank you for your concern, auntie."