Chapter 250 Playing with my brothers

Mao Mao rode her brother and squeezed into the crowd.

Lou Fengju was tall with broad shoulders. She held her brother's head with her small hands and sat steadily.

There are children on the streets who sit on their elders' shoulders, but none of them are like her. Not only does she ride a horse with a cold and handsome appearance, but she also has three equally dashing and handsome young bodyguards by her side. She attracts attention wherever she goes and is very eye-catching on this street.

The young masters of the Lou family were already tall, and with Mao Mao sitting on top of them, they were even taller, with an unparalleled view that allowed them to take in the entire street.

Wherever her little finger pointed, her four older brothers would rush in that direction.

The bustling crowd parted to make way, and a little baby voice chattered overhead: "Make way, make way."

"Uncle and Auntie, my brother and I are going over there."

"Be careful, be careful."

Lou Fengju held the little baby on his shoulder, who was moving around excitedly. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing the clearly defined muscles in his bent arms.

He was like a finely tuned car; when his little sister, perched on his shoulders, gently tugged at his hair, he instinctively stopped. The next instant, a cheerful, childlike voice rang out above him: "Brother, there are so many people over there!"

The group started walking in the direction she pointed.

As soon as you enter, you can hear someone shouting loudly: "The dragon boat race is about to begin today! Ten dragon boats will compete. Who will win today's championship? Come and vote for your favorite team! Place your bets now!"

It turned out to be a gambling game.

The bet is on the outcome of today's dragon boat race.

Wherever there's a will, there are always people eager for excitement and to gamble on their luck. Right now, this stall is packed with people, everyone passing by is drawn in, and upon hearing the news, they all pull out their wallets to cheer on their favorite team. Behind the stall are the names of ten dragon boat teams, each with a pile of ballots hanging below it, all neck and neck.

Nearby, someone was loudly introducing the origins of the ten teams, praising each one to the skies, encouraging passersby with their words.

Lou Heming turned to look at his younger brother and saw that Lou Hongjian's eyes were shining, eager to try.

He asked helplessly, "Brother, is this kind of betting allowed?"

Lou Fengju: "The bets aren't big; it's just for fun."

Lou Hongjian had already walked around the stall once, and returned excitedly: "Mao Mao, which team do you think will win?"

Before Mao Mao could even speak, Lou Yan Sui immediately glared at her: "Third Brother!"

Lou Hongjian immediately raised his hands in surrender: "I won't gamble, I won't gamble. Didn't you hear what my brother said? It's just for fun. You won't win much money in this kind of small bet. I'm just here to join in the fun."

Without waiting for Mao Mao to give an answer, he took out his wallet and voted for a team.

After placing a bet, you'll receive a card stamped with the team's name. If your chosen team wins, you can return the card to redeem a reward.

Lou Hongjian casually stuffed the card into his pocket and said with a grin, "Mao Mao, if I guess right, I'll take you out for a big meal."

Mao Mao: "Eat duck!"

“Alright, let’s eat duck!” Lou Hongjian said readily. “If I don’t win, I’ll have my brother pay for it.”

Lou Fengju glanced at him with a half-smile, but did not refuse.

Lou Hongjian: "But, Mao Mao, tell me secretly, who is today's winner... uh!"

Lou Hongjian let out a short cry of pain, his whole body trembled violently, and his face was slightly distorted with pain: "A-Sui, why did you step on me!"

"Knowing the result too early takes away the fun." Lou Yansui withdrew her foot: "Since it's a game, it's only interesting to watch until the very last moment."

Lou Hongjian: "..."

“Ah Sui is right.” Lou Heming passed by his younger brother and nudged him with his shoulder. His smile behind his gold-rimmed glasses was gentle. “Ah Hong, curb your curiosity. Let’s go. Mao Mao and Big Brother have already gone ahead.”

Lou Hongjian muttered as he followed, "They shouldn't have stepped on my foot. I just bought these new leather shoes, and it's the first day I'm wearing them..."

As he spoke, he wiped the footprints off his leather shoes and caught up with the siblings ahead.

It's not just the dragon boat betting; street vendors are also selling more zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and sachets for the festival, and greenery can be seen everywhere along the riverbank.

The aroma of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) wafted from all directions, mingled with the cries of vendors. Stalls selling sugar paintings, clay figurines, and ring toss games, common during the Lunar New Year, were also present today.

Mao Mao rode her brother around for a while, playing and eating, and even saw a familiar face.

Her little finger pointed forward: "Brother!"

The four older brothers immediately responded, "What?"

It's not these four older brothers.

Mao Mao shook her head and continued, "Auntie!"

Lou Heming, with his sharp eyes, had already spotted it first: "A-Sui, isn't that your classmate?"

Lou Yansui looked up: "Hmm?"

Following the direction Mao Mao pointed, everyone looked and indeed saw two familiar faces.

It was He Mingshu and his mother.

He's mother underwent surgery and stayed in the hospital for more than half a month before being discharged not long ago and returning to a normal life.

They've come to join in the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations today, but instead of watching the dragon boat races, they've found an open space here to set up a stall.

Upon seeing an acquaintance, Mao Mao grabbed her brother's hair and excitedly exclaimed, "Brother, let's go!"

The four of them had no choice but to walk in that direction.

Today, He Mingshu and his mother weren't selling their usual wontons, but rather rice cakes and other small pastries. They made the pastries at home and brought them over; all they had to do was sit and collect money and hand over the goods.

Today, the riverbank is packed with people watching the dragon boat races. The tourists are everywhere, and their business is doing well. Right now, their baskets are already more than half empty.

As a large shadow fell, he expertly looked up and greeted, "Hello, what would you like... Lou Yansui?!"

He Mingshu looked at his classmate in front of him with surprise, and then looked to the side and saw his classmate's three older brothers, and of course, the little girl who was sitting tall and attracted the most attention.