However, Song Anxin recently heard from her sister-in-law that the Sangen family had softened their stance, so she perked up her ears to listen to the gossip.
Stone's mother smiled and said, "Stone's father is now doing a proper job and doesn't drink heavily every day anymore. Da Hong's parents have agreed, and they're currently checking their birth dates and choosing an auspicious date. Everyone must come to the wedding banquet!"
There aren't many formalities in the village. If both families agree, they just need to find the village elders and clan leaders to go to the ancestral hall to have their horoscopes matched and choose an auspicious date.
Everyone immediately offered their congratulations.
"Oh my, this is wonderful news! Congratulations, Stone's Mother! I always said Da Hong was a good person," said Sister-in-law Lin.
Grandma Han sighed, "Stone's mother, you've finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel! That drunkard Lin is starting to behave himself, and Stone is getting married again. These are the good days ahead!"
Those present sighed in agreement, saying, "Who can argue with that? Shi Tou's family used to be the poorest, and they had a drunkard named Lin who would beat his wife and children when he drank heavily. When the villagers talked about their family, they would all sigh and shake their heads."
After Stone's mother and Stone started working for Aunt Lin to earn money, Lin the Drunkard changed a lot. He stopped beating his wife and children and listened to Stone's mother, but he still loved to drink heavily and was always behaving badly in the village. Now, even Lin the Drunkard has gotten a job at Dafeng Factory as a wine taster, and I heard that the pay is quite good.
It has to be said that after Lin the Drunkard got a proper job, he became much more upright. Not only did he stop drinking heavily, but he also gave his monthly allowance to Stone's mother every month. Stone's mother is living a very good life now, who would have thought?
So, people should always look forward to better days; there will always be a day when they can enjoy happiness.
Stone Mother knew that everything her family had now was because of Lin Ersaozi; without Lin Ersaozi, her family wouldn't be where they were today. She looked at Song Anxin with gratitude and said:
"Second sister-in-law, Shitou and I are most grateful to you. Without you, Shitou's father would not be the way he is now, and our family would not have the good life we have today."
Second sister-in-law, we'd love to have you officiate at Shi Tou and Da Hong's wedding. You're a lucky star for our family and our village. With you officiating, their lives will surely be even better.
The women all agreed, saying that Aunt Lin was their village's lucky charm, and a lucky charm as the officiant couldn't be bad.
Song Anxin smiled and said, "Of course it's possible. I watched Shitou grow up, and I'd be happy to see him get married."
She was genuinely happy for Shi Tou's family. She didn't know what Shi Tou's mother felt about Lin the Drunkard, but in this era where divorce was seen as a dangerous affair, Shi Tou's mother was now living the best life ever. Lin the Drunkard was handing over his wages and was too busy to stay home, while Shi Tou was filial and about to get married. His future daughter-in-law was also a very good and hardworking person.
After the group of women finished offering their congratulations, they started chatting again. Then, Aunt Sangui, the loudmouth, brought the latest gossip: Aunt Fangtou's eldest daughter, Liu Xiuhong, ran away last night!
"Let me tell you, I heard that Fang Tou found Liu Xiuhong a widower. He's young, in his thirties, and has no children. He's a bit ugly, but he's very skilled in the fields. You'd think he'd be a good match for Liu Xiuhong, but she just wouldn't have it. She thought he was ugly and poor, and absolutely refused to marry him. Aunt Fang Tou loves her daughter and said to let it go, but Fang Tou thought the widower was nice and didn't mind Liu Xiuhong's past. He felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and insisted on marrying her off. Liu Xiuhong ran away in a fit of anger. You tell me..."
Aunt San Gui's story was so detailed and convincing that the women all started to chime in.
"Wow, Liu Xiuhong is really brave. She dares to run out all by herself."
"If you ask me, she must have gone to find some random man outside. Otherwise, how could a woman survive on her own?"
"If you ask me, it's better that she ran away. She was always being asked to do chores, and now she doesn't have to keep nagging about separating the family property..."
"........"
The women chattered amongst themselves, but Song Anxin remained noncommittal. Regardless of Liu Xiuhong's circumstances, it was her own choice to take this path.
Song Mei yawned several more times. Seeing that she was tired, the women chatted for a while before putting down their things, saying goodbye, and leaving.
The lunch was very lavish, and Lin Fengyao's mouth watered at the sight of it. There was braised pork belly, sweet and sour pork ribs, fried meatballs, morel and bamboo shoot soup, braised pork with bamboo shoots, braised pork with bamboo shoots, stir-fried pork with bamboo shoots, cold bamboo shoot salad, and braised bamboo shoots in oil...
The more he looked at his little face, the more it scrunched up, and he couldn't help but ask, "Mom, have we stirred up a hornet's nest?!"
Song Anxin, Brother Lin and Sister-in-law Lin... Lin Fengnian and the rest of the table burst into laughter upon hearing this.
The two families often ate together, so naturally they gathered together today when Lin Fengyao returned. Of course, Uncle Bai and Ah Si also came. Although her family still delivered the food, they would still be invited when everyone got together. However, since the end of last year, the two of them have insisted on paying for the food.
Lin Fengshou said, "Our family didn't just stumble upon a bamboo shoot nest, we've practically turned into bamboo shoots from eating bamboo shoots lately!"
"And my family, my family, those aunties and grandmothers give us so many bamboo shoots, my mother cooks bamboo shoots every day, now even the big bamboo shoots have to be called big and small bamboo shoots!" Lin Erxi said.
Ah Si chimed in, "Don't even mention you guys, my master and I are practically turning into bamboo shoots lately too."
Everyone burst into laughter again. The villagers were so hospitable, showering the two families with free bamboo shoots from the mountain. Granny Zheng prepared bamboo shoots in various ways for them every day. Although the bamboo shoots were suitable for rabbits, they couldn't eat too many; they should only be given to them as a small snack, otherwise they would get sick.
A large patch of bamboo shoots is still drying in the kitchen courtyard.
Lin Fengshou picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs and handed it to Lin Fengyao, saying:
"Fourth brother, you should be grateful. Grandma Zheng only added a few different dishes because you came home."
Lin Fengyao opened his mouth wide and took a big bite of the meat from the sweet and sour pork ribs, eating it happily:
"Mmm, it's delicious. Grandma Zheng still loves me the most."
Lin Fengnian picked up a piece of braised pork and handed it to Song Mei next to him, saying considerately, "Meizi, you should eat some too, to change your taste."
Song Mei knew that Feng Nian had always doted on her, and she was incredibly happy. But the smell of the sweet, greasy meat made her feel nauseous, and she couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand.
Lin Fengnian asked with concern, "Meizi, what's wrong? Don't you like this meat?"
He couldn't possibly agree, because braised pork is something Meizi loves to eat.
Song Mei waved her hand to indicate no, but a moment later she suddenly got up from her seat and ran outside.
Everyone at the table was stunned by her. Lin Fengnian reacted the fastest and immediately chased after her. Song Anxin and Sister-in-law Lin also quickly got up and left.
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