Chapter 42: Annual Ceremony
Liu Cuihua raised her eyebrows and felt helpless towards her daughter-in-law. "I have answered this question of yours several times. Have you counted? You ask me every time a gift is given during festivals.
I will answer you for the last time this year, because the fourth brother's wife's family has only one child, Liu Yue. From now on, everything in the family will belong to the fourth brother and his wife. Naturally, it is the fourth brother's responsibility to take care of the Liu family. The fourth brother's New Year gift is the share of a biological son.
Even if we split up in the future, I can no longer make the decision. When the fourth son gives gifts to his father-in-law, he must give according to the share given to me and his father, and it can only be more, not less.
You know, the best gifts from our brigade when visiting their mothers' homes are only a pound of meat, which is considered the best New Year gift.
I have prepared four things for you. What can your parents give you as a return gift? If nothing unexpected happens, your family will give you two kilograms of cornmeal at most.
The second daughter-in-law gets more, one pound of soybeans and two or three pounds of cornmeal every year, not to mention the third daughter-in-law, she goes with full hands and comes back empty-handed.
Every year, the fourth daughter-in-law's parents would give her at least four things: a pound of white flour, a pound of egg cake, a pound of White Rabbit candy, and a can of milk powder.
Do you compare yourself to others? Actually, when the boss wanted to marry you, I was a little unhappy. I knew that the boss was attracted by your face.
Otherwise, your family is not only very poor, but also patriarchal. If it weren't for your pretty face and ability to work, I would never agree to marry you to my husband.
Also, you guys better be content. The gifts you gave to your parents were paid by your husband, but I never asked for any gifts from your parents in return. I left them all for your own use.
So, remember this, don’t make me angry. If you do, you’ll all have to prepare your own holiday gifts starting next year.”
Li Qian was left speechless by what her mother-in-law said and could only eat in silence.
Even though Zhao Xiuxiu was jealous of Liu Yue to death, she didn't dare to say a single sour word because Jiang Lin was right next to her.
Liu Shan doesn't care much about these things, because since she married Jiang He, she has basically only focused on her own small family. Anyway, the New Year gifts given by her mother-in-law are already more than enough, which is very face-saving for her.
As for Liu Yue, the biggest beneficiary, not only did she have no objection, she was also very moved. Now she just felt that her parents-in-law were really sensible and kind people.
Fortunately, I didn't stop my husband from giving a gift to my mother-in-law this afternoon.
You should know that Jiang Sen secretly gave his mother-in-law a pound of shaqima, a pound of candied dates, two bottles of canned yellow peaches, a pound of glutinous rice noodles, and a can of malted milk.
I feel bad when I spend money.
Now Liu Yue just feels that the money should be spent and it is worth spending.
Jiang Hao looked at his second brother beside him, then quietly approached and asked in a low voice, "Second brother, what did you privately give to our mother for the New Year? I haven't bought anything yet. Tell me what you gave her so I can take a look."
Jiang He also whispered, "I asked your sister-in-law to buy a pound of White Rabbit candy, two cans of hawthorn candy, and two packs of cigarettes for Dad. I secretly gave them to Mom when no one was home."
Jiang Hao thought for a moment, looked at Jiang Dong to his right, and leaned over to ask quietly, "Didn't you see the package and letter your father sent to your grandma? What was the special New Year gift your father gave you?"
Jiang Dong didn't know why his uncle asked this, but he answered honestly, "I gave Grandpa a new military coat, and Grandma a military green cotton-padded jacket. I also gave her two kilograms of dried apricots and a can of milk powder."
Jiang Hao summarized the New Year gifts given by his brothers. Food, drinks, and clothes were all available. So he decided to give himself some shoes, leather and cotton-padded shoes.
"Mom, when you go to the commune tomorrow, ask me to come with you. I'll go by ox cart, too."
"Okay, then you should get up early. The old ladies in our village go to the supply and marketing cooperative to steal things, but they go there early." Liu Cuihua was a little worried that Jiang Hao would not be able to get up.
"Then mom, please call me when you wake up tomorrow. Don't wait for me to wake up by myself. I'm afraid I won't be able to get up."
Jiang Hao also knows himself very well.
"Grandma, I want to go tomorrow too, so take me with you."
Jiang Dong also took the opportunity to put forward his own demands.
"Your mother is going back to her parents' home tomorrow. Don't you want to go with her?" Liu Cuihua had no objection to taking her grandson to the commune.
"I won't go. Let my mother go by herself. My grandma's house doesn't provide meals anyway." Jiang Dong chose the latter without hesitation when faced with the question of whether to go to his grandma's house or to the commune.
"No, you have to go to your grandma's house with me. Your grandma misses you." Li Qian was unhappy. It was normal for people to not eat lunch during the winter, so it was normal for them to not eat.
Jiang Dong glanced at his mother, thought for a moment, and said with a smile, "I really don't want to go. If you force me to go, and I get into trouble, please don't be angry."
Jiang Hao was very curious, "What kind of trouble could you possibly cause at your grandma's house?"
Jiang Dong raised his eyebrows and said, "There is a little cousin at my grandma's house. Once when I went there, he wanted to steal my cotton jacket. I remember that he failed that time, so I didn't hit him.
But if he tries to steal my things again this time, whether he succeeds or not, I have decided to beat him up and teach him a lesson."
Jiang Hao looked at his nephew meaningfully. He was indeed his eldest brother's son, as he made glutinous rice balls with black sesame filling.
Hey, thinking of black sesame dumplings, I want to eat dumplings. I will buy some glutinous rice flour tomorrow and ask my mother to make some dumplings. Jiang Hao swallowed his saliva and made a secret decision.
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