When Cuihua heard that they were going to have a picnic in the mountains, she was extremely reluctant. It was so cold, with so much snow, and the mountain roads were so difficult to walk on. They were just being silly. But Yan Xiaoqiang agreed.
“Cuihua, you know how capable Nannan is. It’s alright. It’s Ai Dang’s first time here, so let him have fun. Ai Guo will come next time, and your sister-in-law will come too. Then your mother will be happy.”
“That’s right, it’ll make Mother happy. You should go with her too, I’ll stay home and keep an eye on things.” Cuihua nodded, knowing Nannan’s abilities.
"I'm not going. My second son and his wife are here. I don't feel comfortable leaving you and Mom alone at home," Yan Xiaoqiang refused outright.
Cuihua nodded. She knew that she had to cook and prepare the food herself, and her mother couldn't possibly keep an eye on everything by herself. There were so many good things in the house, and her older brother had brought so many things this time. She hadn't even sorted them yet, and she would be heartbroken if she lost anything.
Ma Mingchun drove the oxcart into the cowshed, gave it plenty of food and water, and carefully checked it over again. Only after confirming that there were no problems did he close the door and leave. He needed to go to the educated youth settlement to inform Ye Chen'er. Just as he ran to the entrance of the educated youth settlement, Ye Chenming and his sister came out to collect firewood.
Upon learning that Nan Nan was going on a picnic in the mountains the next day, Ye Chenming found it incredibly exciting. How could she have come up with such a thing in the freezing cold? Ye Chen'er was so excited that she stopped gathering firewood and went back to get some food to take with her the next day.
Village Chief Ma disagreed. "Are you kidding me? Not to mention the mountain roads are difficult to traverse in winter, the wild animals are also fierce. Are you going on a picnic or are you going to become lunch for wild animals? I absolutely disagree."
Looking at the three noisy children, Mrs. Ma was in a dilemma. She didn't want them to go, but the children worked hard all year round, and it would be too unfair to them if they couldn't even have such a small wish fulfilled.
Ma Minghua suddenly asked, "Second Brother, who else is going?"
Ma Mingchun was quick-witted and immediately said loudly, "Nan Nan's uncle and cousin are also going."
"What? That officer is going too?" Village Chief Ma was stunned, but at the same time, he softened his mind. With a soldier there, and his son there too, there shouldn't be any danger, right?
“Brother Southeast and Brother Southwest are also going,” Ma Mingchun added.
Ma's wife laughed. This boy was too cunning. Now she could go to the kitchen to prepare. Unexpectedly, Ma Mingchun handed her another basket: "These are rice cakes from Aunt Cuihua. If Dad doesn't agree to us going, don't let him eat them."
Village Chief Ma finally agreed, not for the sake of the rice cakes, but because the southeast and southwest were both skilled hunters, and with them around, there was really nothing to fear.
The preparations for this picnic were really thorough. Pots, spatulas, buckets, kettles, and thermos flasks were all available, along with all the oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar you could think of. Food, drinks, clothes, and accessories were also provided. Yan Xiaonan's teeth ached from looking at it. Was this a picnic? It was a house move!
Tonight is another family reunion for the Yan brothers. They should be enjoying themselves and having a good time, but Yan Erqiang ruined the atmosphere. Only someone with a screw loose would go on a picnic in the mountains on such a cold night.
Well, with just one sentence, he had offended most of the people at the table. Yan Xiaoqiang's face darkened: "Second brother, your child doesn't have to go, but our child is perfectly fine, he's not sick."
Grandma Yan looked at Yan Zheng, who was in tears, Yan Erqiang, who was gritting his teeth, and Yan Xiaoqiang, who was furious, and sighed. She hated herself now. How could she have been so soft-hearted as to let them come back? They really don't learn their lesson.
Yan Aidang glanced at Yan Zheng: "How old are you? Still using this kind of nonsense to argue? Learn from Liu Jin, he's the real expert."
Yan Zheng was stunned. What did this mean? Yan Ge understood. He looked at Yan Erqiang and said, "Dad, it's fine if we don't go tomorrow. Yan Zheng's allowance has increased from 50 cents to 1 yuan. I will use my own salary and will not give a penny home."
Yan Erqiang's forehead throbbed, and Yan Xiaonan was worried that his blood pressure would rise and he would faint, but Yan Ge pressed on relentlessly: "Dad, did you promise? If you promise, we won't go; if you don't promise, we'll go."
"You're threatening me!" Yan Erqiang stared at Yan Ge and said.
Yan Ge smiled and said, "You can think that way too."
Everyone present gasped. How estranged Yan Yanqiang must be from Yan Erqiang. Yan Erqiang also clearly felt this. He was clearly thinking about the safety of the two brothers, so why didn't they understand?
He turned to look at Cai Min, who was looking down, seemingly lost in thought. He glanced at everyone present, who remained silent. Dongnan raised his glass and said, "Grandma, Uncle, Second Uncle, Dad, come on, let's toast to our reunion."
Southeast's good intentions were in vain. Yan Aidang downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, then picked up a bite of food and stuffed it into his mouth: "Grandma, I'm going to sleep now. I have to get up early tomorrow." With that, he slipped away.
Yan Xiaoqiang also downed his drink in one gulp: "Mom, I'm tired today, I'm going to sleep too."
Yan Xiaonan quickly evacuated with Liu Jin in her arms. Cuihua, along with Xuemei and Tang Xiaoling, began to clean up the mess. Dongnan glanced at Cai Min and then went to the yard to check on the situation. This was something Yan Xiaoqiang did every day, but since his father was unhappy today, he did it himself.
Southwest also helped Grandma back into the house: "Grandma, you go to sleep with Nannan. I'll go with you tomorrow, don't worry."
Grandma Yan nodded. She understood her grandson's filial piety, but she was really unhappy, not happy at all. She had originally wanted to remind the two brothers to live in the original house in Beinan, but now it was hard to say.
Southwest is a very thoughtful person. After leaving Grandma's room, she took Yan Zheng to the kitchen to wash his face and told him that he would stay in Southwest's room with Yan Ge that night. Yan Zheng was happy to hear this, as he didn't want to share a room with that couple.
Yan Erqiang watched as people left one by one, completely puzzled. He looked at Yan Daqiang and said, "Brother, you be the judge. Was I wrong?"
Yan Daqiang shook his head, stood up and walked towards his room, muttering under his breath, "How could you be wrong? A selfish person always thinks he's right."
Nothing happened that night. As dawn broke, Yan Aidang got up and went for a run with Yan Daqiang. After they finished running around the village, Cuihua, Xuemei, and the others were already busy in the kitchen.
Yan Aidang happily told Cuihua, "Auntie, the snow outside has stopped. Did they know we were going to the mountains today, so they made an exception for us?"
Cuihua laughed. Her daughter was going to the mountains, so how could she not stop talking about snow? "Aidang, let me tell you, Nannan knows the mountains well. You mustn't stray too far from Nannan, understand?"
Yan Aidang found it strange. Wasn't it said that wild boars could be hunted in the southeast and southwest? Why was his aunt telling him to follow Nan Nan? He should listen to his aunt; she wouldn't harm him.
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