The Huo family received the most meat this time, a total of forty catties, two pig trotters, a pig liver, and two pork bones.
As Liu Guilan led Ye Weiwei home, she held her head high and puffed out her chest, receiving countless envious glances along the way, and she couldn't be more proud of herself.
Upon arriving at the Huo family's residence, the eldest daughter-in-law, Su Xuemei, and the second daughter-in-law, Sun Hongying, had already prepared and stewed the wild rabbits and pheasants that had been sent back earlier. The Huo family was delighted to see that Liu Guilan and the other two had brought back so much meat.
Huo's eldest grandson, Xiaoshan, excitedly shouted, "Grandma, I want to eat braised pork, braised pig's trotters, and braised pork bones..."
Liu Guilan laughed and scolded as she pushed away her annoying grandson, "You think you're so good at eating? I think I'll just braise you."
Xiaoshan is very resilient. Even when his grandmother dislikes him, he doesn't get angry. He follows behind his grandmother like a little tail, constantly nagging. He knows that his grandmother decides what to eat at home.
The second grandson, Xiaochuan, wasn't as talkative as his older brother, but he always followed closely behind, going wherever his brother went.
The three remaining little girls in the family were much more well-behaved. Seven-year-old Xiaochun sat in front of the stove to help the adults tend the fire, while five-year-old Xia held two-year-old Xiaoqiu and coaxed her younger sister to play so as not to cause trouble for the adults.
But their eyes lit up when they saw the wild boar meat, clearly showing their strong desire for it.
Huo Hai, the eldest son of the Huo family, returned carrying two buckets of water. He was pleased to see Liu Guilan bring back so much meat, but since there were outsiders present, he quickly restrained himself. He greeted Ye Weiwei apologetically and then went to fetch more water, walking with a brisk pace.
Liu Guilan introduced her family members to Ye Weiwei, but then noticed that her husband and second son weren't home. She asked with dissatisfaction, "Where are your dad and second son?"
She had already told her family that her third son's boyfriend was coming over for dinner today, and that the village chief and a few others were also coming. Why were these two still running around?
“This isn’t the first time the new bride has come to visit, so we need to prepare some big fish and meat dishes. But how can we have meat without fish? She’s gone to the river to catch some,” said the second daughter-in-law, Sun Hongying.
Liu Guilan nodded in satisfaction, "That's more like it."
Knowing that rural families were struggling financially in those days, Ye Weiwei quickly said politely, "Auntie, just eat whatever you like, there's no need to spend so much."
Sun Hongying: "That won't do! The third son is the apple of my eye, the apple of my eye, how can I let you not eat well?"
Ye Weiwei frowned. Why was Huo's second daughter-in-law speaking in such a sarcastic and pointed manner?
Liu Guilan also sensed something was wrong. She glared at Sun Hongying and scolded her in a low voice, "Who are you trying to provoke with your sarcastic tone? If you can't speak properly, then shut your mouth!"
Seeing her mother-in-law humiliating her in front of outsiders, Sun Hongying was even angrier, but she didn't dare to argue with her mother-in-law. She glared at Ye Weiwei and then fell silent.
Ye Weiwei pretended not to see or hear, and asked Liu Guilan with a smile, "Auntie, what do you think I should do?"
Liu Guilan couldn't bear to let Ye Weiwei do anything. Besides, it was the young lady's first day at the house, so there was no reason for her to cook. She quickly said no need and told her to rest.
Huo Xiao fetched a basin of water for Ye Weiwei and then took out his own towel for her to wash her hands and wipe her face.
Seeing Huo Xiao fawning over Ye Weiwei, Sun Hongying couldn't help but say sourly, "Mother, look how well the third son dotes on his wife, look how attentive he is to her..."
Liu Guilan really wanted to shut up that mouth of her second son's, "So what if the third son loves his wife? Does it bother you? If you're so capable, make the second son serve you like that too. I wouldn't care if he washes your feet every day!"
Sun Hongying felt a pang of pain in her heart from her mother-in-law's words. Thinking of the man in the house who was utterly useless, she tugged at her silent sister-in-law, Su Xuemei, and said, "Are you just going to stand by and watch? This third son's wife hasn't even entered the family yet, and she's already riding on our heads. If she does enter the family, where will we have any place in this house?"
Su Xuemei almost rolled her eyes. This Sun Hongying must be out of her mind!
It's the third brother's girlfriend's first time visiting, so what's wrong with preparing a few extra dishes?
Besides, all the meat and vegetables in this house were prepared by the old couple, and it didn't cost them any money.
She's trying to get away with something by taking advantage of others, yet she's causing them trouble. What's she trying to do? She ruined the third son's wedding; let's see how her mother-in-law deals with her!
Seeing that Su Xuemei remained silent, Sun Hongying glared at her resentfully. Su Xuemei turned around and went about her other business, too lazy to pay attention to her.
Sun Hongying cursed inwardly, thinking, "They're all a bunch of lackeys. They're just some educated youth sent down from the city to the countryside."
What's so great about it?
Does she need her whole family to fawn over her?
Not long after, Old Man Huo and Huo Jiang returned in a hurry, carrying two fish. Ye Weiwei quickly got up and called out to them. Old Man Huo grinned happily and answered. Huo Jiang scratched his head shyly and went to busy himself with moving a table into the yard.
After the village chief and Accountant Wu finished distributing the meat, they went straight to the Huo family's house. Looking at the two tables set up in the yard, each table had a dish of stewed rabbit with radish, a dish of braised chicken with potatoes, stir-fried eggs with chives, braised pork, braised eggplant, tomato and egg soup, and steamed buns made with mixed flour. Everyone's stomachs were rumbling.
"I could smell the delicious aroma of your cooking from far away. We're in for a treat today!" said Lu Mingfa, the village chief, happily.
Liu Guilan invited everyone to sit down, and then said with a smile, "There's still a braised fish in the pot. Everyone can eat as much as you want today; there's plenty of food."
After everyone was seated, Liu Guilan kept urging Ye Weiwei to eat and reminded Huo Xiao not to forget to serve Ye Weiwei food. Ye Weiwei was a little overwhelmed by the enthusiasm.
Lu Mingfa and the others thoroughly enjoyed their meal.
Throughout the meal, he showered Ye Weiwei with compliments, praising Huo Xiao to the skies and repeatedly urging her to treat him well.
Ye Weiwei nodded the whole time, being extremely obedient.
When Sun Hongying saw that even the village chief and others were fawning over that little vixen Ye Weiwei, she was so angry that she almost threw down her chopsticks and left. She said in a sarcastic tone, "The third son is not young anymore. Since Ye Zhiqing has taken a liking to the third son, why not find a good day to marry him in as soon as possible?"
After she finished speaking, she stared intently at Ye Weiwei's face, waiting to see Ye Weiwei's expression change and then expose her lie.
She simply didn't believe that Ye Weiwei would really marry the third son!
As soon as she said that, everyone at the table fell silent and looked at Ye Weiwei.
Seeing everyone looking at her, Ye Weiwei put down her chopsticks and looked at Huo Xiao, "What do you think?"
Before Huo Xiao could speak, Sun Hongying interjected, "Of course the third brother thinks it's good. He's already twenty-five. In this village, young men his age can already run errands..."
Huo Xiao glanced at Sun Hongying with displeasure, then looked at Ye Weiwei, "I'll listen to you. You can get married whenever you want."
Ye Weiwei tilted her head and thought for a moment, "Then I'll write to my family tomorrow and tell them that we'll get our marriage certificate on a good day before the New Year!" Huo Xiao nodded.
Liu Guilan was overjoyed. "Marriage is a big event, and it's time for the family to know. Don't worry, Weiwei, your aunt has prepared everything for you. You definitely won't be shortchanged."
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