Wu Weiyi immediately opened the box and looked at each item, his heart growing warmer with each look.
These things are not cheap; the food is all meat, and the cloth is all fine fabric—things that the Wu family cannot afford to buy or use.
She lifted Ye Cuihua's sleeve again and touched the fabric. "Cuihua, your clothes are too thin. If you get cold, we'll be heartbroken. If we're heartbroken, how can we concentrate on earning money to buy you these things?"
Madam Liu also stepped forward and touched Ye Cuihua's face, "You look even thinner than during the New Year. How can this continue?"
Madam Sun, waving her handkerchief, stepped forward and picked up the little girl. "Our little girl hasn't grown any taller either. I think if the Wu family can't afford to raise her, they should let Cuihua stay at home. That would save three mouths to feed. Wouldn't that be great?"
Wu Weiyi replied with a smile, "Mom, Aunt, look at what you're saying! When we get home, I'll definitely make sure they're well-fed and plump, and I'll make Cuihua two sets of thick clothes so she won't get cold!"
He's not stupid. The Ye family is giving all these good things to Cuihua now because of her. If she stays with the Ye family, how will the Wu family get money from the Ye family?
Grandma Ye, sitting at the head of the table, spoke up, "Cuihua only comes home once a year, there's no reason for her to come and go today. I said she'll stay here tonight and leave tomorrow."
Ye Panjiu smiled and said, "That's how it should be, Cuihua. I also prepared another gift for you, but it's not ready yet. You'll have to get it tomorrow. I'm quite busy, so I'll have to trouble you to save it for tomorrow."
Ye Cuihua looked at Wu Weiyi, who immediately nodded, "Since Grandma has spoken, let's stay the night."
He found out that the richest person in the Ye family right now is Ye Panjiu, her aunt, who has a lot of money in her pocket.
He's also very generous, spending money on the Ye family without hesitation; all his cousins seem to be very wealthy.
What's wrong with staying at the Ye family's house for one night for the sake of a gift?
Ye Cuihua smiled shyly, wishing she could stay home for one more day.
Ye Guihua brought in the tea she had brewed herself. She poured a cup for Ye Cuihua, saying, "Sister, please try it, this tea is delicious!"
Ye Cuihua smiled as she took the cup, took a sip, and nodded repeatedly. "It's delicious. The osmanthus flowers have grown a lot. Hao'er, Nannan, quickly call her Auntie."
Nannan was eating the candy that Liu had fed her when she called out indistinctly, "Auntie."
Wu Hao was so engrossed in eating that he noticed how delicious the pastries and snacks on the Ye family's table were!
Wu Weiyi looked at Ye Guihua and almost didn't recognize her.
During the Spring Festival, he noticed that Ye Guihua was still thin and short, but now she was dressed in expensive clothes, and her temperament exuded a sense of nobility and unapproachability.
"My little sister has really changed a lot as she grows up."
Ye Guihua called out softly, "Brother-in-law."
Wu Weiyi noticed her coldness and stopped talking to her. Instead, he started asking Ye Panjiu, "I heard that your aunt opened a shop in the county? Business is booming."
Ye Panjiu smiled and said, "Yes, I've made quite a bit of money. I could easily build another house like this."
The Ye family stared blankly at Ye Panjiu, this was the first time they had heard Ye Panjiu tell outsiders that her family was rich.
Wu Weiyi's heart pounded as he listened, rubbing his hands together. "Auntie, can I help with the chores too?"
“Nephew-in-law, you’re too kind. There’s nothing wrong with this. There’s a lot of work to do at home. The New Year is just around the corner. After the New Year, I’ll ask you to come and help. You can’t just come for one day and then not come back.”
Although Wu Weiyi didn't know why he had to wait until after the New Year, he was still very happy. "My aunt is so kind! Thank you, aunt!"
Liu looked at Ye Panjiu with some confusion. Why was that?
Mingming is perfectly capable of handling all the work at the shop, and her parents at home are able to rest.
Ye Panjiu patted her shoulder with a smile, "Speaking of which, there's something else. How about we go to Shuzhou for the New Year? I'll take care of the travel permits."
She thought of what Su Yan had written in his letter, and a smile crept onto her lips.
The Ye family members exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.
Grandma Ye asked worriedly, "Daughter, where will we stay in Shuzhou? It's bound to cost a lot of money."
Thinking of her bulging money box, Sun didn't care about anything else. "Go! I'm going with my little sister! I haven't even left Qingshui County yet!"
Ye Erniu followed closely behind his wife, "I'll go too."
Ye Panjiu stepped forward, took Old Lady Ye's arm, and sat down next to her. "Mother, don't worry about the money, go ahead."
Grandma Ye looked at her with affection and tapped her nose, "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you."
Ye Daniu looked at Ye Cuihua and said, "Cuihua, you come too. Dad will pick you up."
Upon hearing this, Wu Weiyi quickly chimed in, "That's great! I'll bring my parents along too. It'll be more lively with lots of people during the New Year."
Liu was not happy, but she didn't know how to refuse, so she looked at Ye Panjiu.
Ye Panjiu nodded, "That's how it should be."
Madam Liu frowned, feeling disgusted at the thought of her in-laws' insatiable greed.
The morning passed quickly, and the whole family sat down at the round table for lunch.
One bowl after another of steaming hot dumplings were served.
Wu Weiyi swallowed hard, smelling the aroma.
Dumplings are made with pure white flour; who can afford to eat nothing but dumplings on the Winter Solstice? That's too extravagant!
Ye Panjiu looked at the red and green seasonings that Liu had prepared; the red was fragrant chili oil, and the green was chopped scallions.
She ladled a plateful for herself with a clean soup spoon, saying, "Anyone who wants dipping sauce, I'll serve it to you."
The Ye family all nodded in agreement.
Ye Panjiu smiled as she held it.
"Delicious, so delicious!" Wu Hao was the first to pick up his chopsticks and start eating, ignoring the others who were still serving dishes and getting bowls.
Wu Weiyi had already started eating.
Ye Cuihua looked at him and said, "Hao'er, one should know proper etiquette. You cannot eat before your grandparents have started eating."
Wu Hao ignored her and continued eating, making "smacking" sounds.
Ye Cuihua wanted to continue teaching him, but Wu Weiyi forcefully put his bowl down. "Just eat, why are you talking so much? People who don't know any better would think you're some rich young lady from a prestigious family, all fussy."
Ye Cuihua pursed her lips, clearly displeased, but remained silent.
Ye Panjiu was speechless. She was annoyed by the loud smacking noise during meals. "That's a strange thing to say. If it were an ordinary family, there would be no need to observe etiquette. In that case, everyone could just grab their food and eat with their hands."
Wu Weiyi was very unhappy. He had always felt that the Ye family was somewhat arrogant and aloof, especially when it came to food and work.
Even when they were so poor they were starving, they still refused to sell Ye Cuihua to human traffickers. What use would a girl be?
But thinking about the work next year, he could only smile and say, "Auntie is right, Hao'er, stop whining and listen to your mother."
Wu Hao trembled with fear and dared not smack his lips anymore.
When it was time to eat, in addition to dumplings, the Ye family also set out a large table of dishes, eight meat dishes and two vegetable dishes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
