Yan Xia raised her eyelids slightly but didn't say anything. She turned to Xu Chunxia and asked, "Mother-in-law, what would you and Yuanshan like to drink? Don't be shy, we're all family. Just tell Xiaoji what you want to drink and she'll bring it over."
"I'll have mung bean and lily bulb drink too." At her age, Xu Chunxia doesn't care much about her tastes, so she casually chose a health-promoting drink.
"Sister, I want some watermelon juice, can you bring it to me?" Wang Yuanshan was quite familiar with Yan Xia and had visited the Yan residence many times, so he didn't stand on ceremony. Instead of having Xiao Ji bring it, he directed Wang Jingshui to bring it.
"Alright, alright, I'll get you some. You're my brother, so I'll just get you two cups. I'm afraid you won't have enough." Jing Shui glared at him and walked over.
She brought over two cups and placed them in front of her brother.
"My sister understands me best." Wang Yuanshan only becomes slightly more cheerful when talking to his family.
"Oh dear, look at my lousy brain, why am I drinking this beverage? I haven't introduced you to each other yet. Mother-in-law, these are my two good friends, Qian Yulan and Liu Yunwan. We're about the same age. Sister Qian and Sister Liu, this is my mother-in-law, Madam Xu. You all know my daughter-in-law. This is my Jingshui's older brother, Wang Yuanshan. He's an honest young man, hardworking, and diligent. I've always managed to get things done perfectly when I send him to deliver goods. In a few days, I'll promote him to manager so he won't have to run around all day after the wedding."
Yan Xia not only introduced Wang Yuanshan, but also implied to her two friends that she valued him highly.
Sure enough, their smiles widened.
"Hello, Sister Xu. These are my two nieces. They are the fourth and fifth in the family. Their three older brothers are all married. The fourth one is named Qian Wanyue, and the fifth one is named Qian Wanxing. They were both born at night. Moon and Star, please say hello to your Aunt Xu and Brother Yuanshan."
Qian Yulan did not know their ages; here, "older sister" and "older brother" are respectful terms.
"Hello Aunt Xu, hello Brother Yuanshan—"
The two obediently put down their iced drink cups, stood up and greeted each other. Their voices were in unison, like birds in a tree, clear and melodious, blending perfectly with the music, making one want to listen again and again.
"Hey, hello, you're such nice girls! Please sit down, don't stand." Xu Chunxia was very pleased with them, her eyes crinkling with laughter.
Both girls had round faces, round eyes, fleshy noses, and small mouths, which were considered excellent features in ancient times.
"Sister Xu, this is my niece Zhuzhu. My eldest brother and sister-in-law cherish her like a treasure, spoiling her since she was little. There's no other way; she's their only daughter and the youngest. Although Zhuzhu is a bit impatient, she has a kind heart. She usually likes to embroider and read at home. Zhuzhu, stand up and greet your Aunt Xu and Brother Yuanshan." Liu Zhuzhu is seventeen years old this year, a year older than Wang Yuanshan.
Calling someone "younger brother" here is considered impolite.
Therefore, Liu Yunwan asked Liu Zhuzhu to call him brother.
"Oh, Aunt Xu, Brother Yuanshan, hello." Liu Zhuzhu was eating pastries when she stood up, somewhat reluctantly, still unwilling to put down the flower cake in her hand.
"Haha, this girl, she always loves eating the pastries from Sister Yan's shop. Look how hungry you are, isn't it enough that you eat them at home?" Liu Yunwan quickly explained when she saw her niece's perfunctory tone, and even touched her niece's waist to signal her to put down the pastries.
But Liu Zhuzhu seemed not to understand, and after finishing her sentence, she sat down and continued eating.
"It's alright, it's normal for a young girl to like to eat. My Jingshui is the same way. Before she got married, she always wanted to eat meat." Xu Chunxia didn't mind. She waved her hand, signaling Liu Yunwan to sit down, and even teased her daughter a bit. Wang Jingshui blushed with embarrassment.
Xu Chunxia felt that it was only natural for girls in town to be a little proud.
Her husband, Jing Shui, also has a bad temper.
"Haha, no wonder you and Sister Yan are related by marriage. You're both easy to get along with. Come, let me toast you." Liu Yunwan breathed a sigh of relief, picked up her teacup, and raised it high.
"Sister Liu, you shouldn't offer tea to people like that. Please stay for lunch at my house, and I'll bring out a pot of good wine. You can offer it to them as you please." Yan Xia took Liu Yunwan's hand and put the teacup down.
"Oh right, I made a silly mistake, haha, don't be offended, Sister Yan knows my personality, I'm straightforward." Liu Yunwan laughed and sat back down.
“It’s alright, we’re villagers, we don’t stand on ceremony. Yuanshan, this is your Aunt Qian, Aunt Liu and your three younger sisters.” When it was Wang Yuanshan’s turn, Xu Chunxia nudged her son with her elbow.
Wang Yuanshan quickly stood up and bowed. "Good morning, aunties and sisters." He wouldn't say another word.
Xu Chunxia was so angry she wanted to punch him. Before they came, they had agreed that he should be sweet-talking her.
Goodness, he's like a block of wood.
"Good, good, good. How big is Yuanshan? My Yue'er and Xing'er are born on the fifteenth and sixteenth of the month, respectively, both in the summer." Qian Yulan was more enthusiastic than Liu Yunwan, and she steered the conversation to her niece.
“My home is in Yuanshan, which is a bit bigger. He’s sixteen, born in the spring,” Xu Chunxia replied on behalf of her son.
“Then you called him ‘brother’ correctly those two times.” Qian Yulan laughed twice.
"Alright, Sister Qian, let the children chat by themselves. Yuanshan, take the younger girls to play by the pond. They just got a new swing there. Jingshui and Xiaoji, you two go with them. You're all the same age, you'll get along well. As for us old folks, let's not get involved. Go on, go on."
Yan Xia felt that no matter who the children married, it depended on their own thoughts. Putting aside whether they loved each other or not, there had to be some mutual affection before marriage.
Good feelings are developed through interaction.
Just like modern blind dates, you have to meet a few times, go to the movies and have dinner together to find out if you're compatible. They're just interfering with this with their comments.
The younger generation sat there like idiots, not exchanging a single word, showing no interest whatsoever.
“Yes, yes, Sister Yan is right. Yue’er, Xing’er, go play with them. Be good and be careful. When you’re playing by the pond, stay far away.” Qian Yulan instructed worriedly.
"Okay, Auntie."
"Zhuzhu, why don't you go play too? Be careful," Liu Yunwan said to her niece.
"Okay, fine."
Liu Zhuzhu nodded. As she stood up, she also grabbed two flower cakes and held them in her hands.
Although her father was a small landlord.
But even a bag of fresh flower cakes costing half a tael of silver wasn't something you could eat every day.
Liu Zhuzhu thought her movements were subtle, but Yan Xia saw them clearly. She remained silent, still smiling, and watched them leave.
After leading the group down the steps from outside the pavilion, Xiao Ji asked them, "Ladies, would you like to see the fish first, or admire the flowers, or perhaps play on the swings?"
"Let's play on the swings first," Liu Zhuzhu said quickly.
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