Mentioning Zhang, Yun's face instantly fell: "She's forgotten her mother now that she has a wife!"
If it weren't for the fact that he brought a whole cart of things, Yun would not have spared Zhang's words.
Tian Laosi grew up being scolded by Yun Shi, so he could naturally tell that Yun Shi was sharp-tongued.
"Hehe, Mom and Dad, go back inside quickly. Elder brother and sister-in-law, please take good care of us. The kids and I will head back now!"
"Hey, Fourth Brother, come visit often in the future. Let's not be strangers!"
"Fourth brother, go back and give my regards to your wife on behalf of your wife. When you have time, go home and visit her. Don't act like enemies; we're all family!"
The couple politely saw Tian Laosi and his sons off, then immediately turned around and closed the gate.
His eyes shone brightly as he looked at the mountain of New Year's goods piled up in the yard.
The old man was overjoyed, both on the surface and in his heart: "You always say bad things about Sizi, but look, he's the first one to send us New Year's goods, a whole truckload!"
"Father, look, there's still silver!"
The eldest brother took two silver ingots wrapped in red cloth and presented them to the old man. Before the old man could see them clearly, the eldest brother's hand suddenly went empty!
Looking in that direction, he saw his mother, Yun, glaring at him with annoyance, calmly lifting the red cloth in her hand.
Two taels of silver glittered on the bright red cloth, and the eyes were filled with images of silver everywhere.
Grandpa Tian looked at Madam Yun with a smile: "Look, your son not only sent gifts but also money. You should be nicer to him next time you see him. You treat your own son like an enemy!"
"Pah, you old fool, what do you know? He's just trying to curry favor with our Little Fifth now that he's become a high-ranking official. This little trick must have been Zhang Shi's idea."
Did you think I couldn't see through her thoughts?
In the autumn, she amassed a fortune of at least a hundred taels of silver from the village, but as for us, look at her, she only gave us two taels!
"Hmph, do they think we're beggars? Xiao Wu is taking us to live a good life, but I'm not taking Zhang Shi with me. I'll make that little slut furious!"
Yun's words made the faces of the father, son, and daughter-in-law present look ugly. Even if things were bad, they shouldn't have scolded Zhang at this time.
Otherwise, if Zhang is in a good mood on the first day of the Lunar New Year and doesn't come to the old house, who will give them a few taels of silver to spend?
The fifth son still needs the old house to keep supplying money; next year, we'll have to sell a few more acres of land to make up for it.
If we take advantage of the New Year to build a good relationship with the Zhang family, will we still have to worry about money?
Yun is a short-sighted person who only cares about immediate gains and doesn't understand the benefits of long-term relationships.
Wang hated Yun, that good-for-nothing old hag who always led them into trouble at the most crucial moments.
Wang, annoyed, tore off her apron and went into the kitchen.
Old Master Tian pretended not to hear and focused on arranging the New Year's goods, while the old man coughed and rubbed his aching back as he entered the main room.
Only Madam Yun looked at the white pork belly with a smug expression. No matter how much she scolded him, Tian Laosi was still her son. How could he not be filial to his parents?
Back home, Tian Sangui busied herself with curing meat and making sausages. She planned to make a lot so that she could sell them at a restaurant in the spring to prepare for the New Year.
Once we taste the flavor, we're sure to have big families placing orders next year, which will bring in a considerable income.
Zhang thought her daughter's words made sense, so she finished her housework, washed her hands, and joined Tian Sangui in making sausages.
On the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, every household in the village began to slaughter pigs, chickens, and sheep for the New Year, and the cries of the livestock could be heard incessantly.
Even hiding in his own yard, Tian Sangui still felt uneasy. Although he was uncomfortable, the festive atmosphere of the New Year was unavoidable, and he figured he could just bear it and it would pass.
On the 23rd of the lunar month, children from the village would go door-to-door to offer New Year's greetings, and the adults would open their doors to welcome the little ones.
To encourage them to say more blessings, the adults, no matter how stingy or reluctant they are usually, will generously fill the little lucky babies' pockets with melon seeds and candies on this day.
When they arrived at Tian Sangui's house, Zhang was sitting in the front yard early in the morning, with plenty of fruits and vegetables ready for them.
With a burst of cheerful little footsteps and playful children's voices, the Fuwa mascots stepped into Tian Sangui's house. Their little mouths smacked each other, and joyful and happy blessings filled the courtyard.
"May you be healthy and prosperous, may your whole family be happy and harmonious, may your family prosper year after year, and may the God of Wealth bring you peace and good fortune!"
"Hahaha, good, good, good, prosperous!"
Zhang was overjoyed and kept stuffing candy and melon seeds into the children's pockets.
Afterwards, we took the fourth and fifth children to the next house. The whole village was filled with the children's blessings, and every household was laughing heartily.
The children happily arrived under the big locust tree, beaming with joy as they took out their spoils.
Peel open a peanut candy, pop it into your mouth, and the sweetness instantly fills your heart.
"It's so sweet! I wish every day could be New Year's Day!"
"Yes, then we'll have an endless supply of candy!"
"I'm no longer afraid of the bitterness when I take medicine!"
Hehe... Hahahaha...
As they talked, the children laughed sweetly.
In the evening, every household lights red candles to welcome the eve of the Lunar New Year.
Tian Sangui and his brothers were also busy hanging lanterns. They first hung up pink lanterns, and then hung up red lanterns on New Year's Day.
After it was hung up, the whole gate looked festive.
"They're so beautiful! I used to see a few families hanging lanterns in town, and I always thought they were gorgeous and I was so envious!"
Tian Da jokingly patted Tian Er on the back of the head, laughing as he watched him look silly.
"Now we can hang lanterns in our house, aren't you happy?"
"Happy, hehe!"
The two brothers playfully slapped each other, while Tian Sangui watched from the side, laughing so hard he couldn't stand up straight.
When Zhang came out and saw the joyous atmosphere outside, her smile deepened.
"You guys, time for your New Year's Eve dinner!"
"Oh, oh~"
"Time for the New Year's Eve dinner!"
"Xiao Si, that's my chicken leg, put it down right now!"
Tian Da rushed in and saw Xiao Si's hand reaching for the chicken leg he had been eyeing for so long. He immediately shouted.
Tian Er followed closely behind, saying to Xiao Wu, "The one on the right is mine, Xiao Wu, put it down!"
Tian Sangui reacted a beat too slow. He couldn't run away while holding up his floral dress, and he said anxiously, "No, they're all mine!"
The couple brought the dishes into the hall and laughed heartily when they saw the children playing and scrambling for them. Seeing that Tian Sangui was about to lose, Tian Laosi and Zhang Shi secretly lent a helping hand.
"Sigh, Mom and Dad favor my sister! The meatballs are mine!"
"What? I did it! Of course it's mine!"
"No, I'm the younger brother, you should give it to me!"
"Third sister is the best, hurry up and give it to fifth sister!"
"Hahaha......"
Zhang ate the slices of meat that Tian Laosi had given her, while watching her children scramble for the meatballs with a smile.
The living room was filled with the sounds of children playing. Tian Laosi was happy and, while Zhang Shi was watching the children, secretly poured himself an extra cup of liquor.
Then he chuckled and laughed as he ate.
Zhang scoffed inwardly, wondering if the woman hadn't noticed the fourth son's little trick.
However, considering it's the Lunar New Year and everyone is having a good time, we decided to let him off the hook and let him have some fun!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com