People strive for higher positions, while water flows downhill.
Since learning their lesson, Jiang Xu and his family of three have kept a low profile. While they haven't changed much, they've at least started farming diligently and conscientiously.
Unfortunately, his eldest daughter, Jiang Xue, has disappeared without a trace.
The brother and sister chatted about everyday matters while Liu went to the kitchen to prepare the meal.
The two brothers, Jiang Lei and Jiang Dian, also returned from the duck farm. They quickly washed their hands, changed into clean clothes, and came over to pay their respects to their aunt.
"Lei Zi got a tan."
"Xiao Dian has grown quite a bit taller."
Jiang Yueyi waived the formalities and showed concern for each of them individually.
"My aunt is fair-skinned, which makes me look dark."
"Auntie, I think I've grown taller too! I'm almost taller than my older brother! Mmm~"
Jiang Lei quickly covered his younger brother's mouth, giving him a threatening look so he wouldn't say anything out of line.
"You brothers are just as fond of playful fighting as my son, Qingshan, used to be!"
Jiang Yue smiled as she commented on her nephews, then waved and pulled out three large red envelopes from her bosom. Two were for Lei Zi and Xiao Niu, and the other was for Xiao Dian.
"Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous New Year!"
"Thank you, Auntie!"
"Auntie is the best!"
Not long after the two brothers accepted the red envelopes, they heard their mother call them to bring out the dishes.
"Hey, here it comes~"
"Brother Qingsong, let's go together~"
"Hey, let's go, together~"
......
When Xiaoyu took her cousin out to eat, her aunt gave her a big red envelope. She was flattered and looked at her parents, only accepting it after they nodded, planning to give it to her mother later...
"Wow, the roast duck smells delicious, it's so good!"
Qingyao had eaten some hawthorn cake and a few candied hawthorns earlier, and had played with her cousin for a long time, so now she had a big appetite and was eating happily.
Upon hearing her niece's undisguised praise, Liu smiled broadly.
"Eat more if you like it. After you finish eating, your cousin will take you around to play and help you digest."
"Oh, Auntie's cooking is so good! I love all these dishes and I wish I could eat them every day."
Qingyao flattered her aunt without any hesitation, and of course, she didn't forget to give her mother a duck leg.
Good things should naturally be shared with Mom!
“Okay, then Yao Yao, you have to tell your mother not to rush off and to stay at your aunt’s house for a few more days.”
Liu blinked and gave her little niece some advice.
"Mom~ I'd like to stay at my aunt's house for a few more days, is that alright?"
“Your aunt has already agreed, so how can I not do as you wish? You can stay a few more days, but you must listen to your cousin and not run around.”
Jiang Yue nodded and reached out to gently pinch Xiao Congming's nose.
Yao Yao used to be very well-behaved, but after starting school, she changed drastically and became very clever.
However, in her heart, this change was also a good thing. It was better to be more tactful and less passive, as it would allow her to better protect herself.
Jiang Nian took out a flask of his homemade wine, opened the lid, and said proudly:
"Come on, try some of your sister-in-law's fruit wine, it's so fragrant!"
As soon as the lid was lifted, a rich aroma of wine wafted out.
Except for the girls who didn't like the smell, all the men and boys present liked it.
"Uncle, I want some too!"
Sure enough, Qingsong stared intently at the wine in his uncle's arms with the eyes of a wolf eyeing meat.
It smells delicious!
Upon seeing this, Jiang Nian laughed and scolded:
"Go away, go away! In your uncle's eyes, unmarried women are all children. What are children supposed to drink?"
Upon hearing this, Qingsong reacted as if his tail had been stepped on, his fur standing on end, and he immediately explained:
"Uncle, I suspect you're pressuring me to get married, but I have no proof~"
Jiang Nian laughed heartily, then poured more wine while lecturing:
"You brat, look at your cousin and your older brother, they're both married and have kids. And look at you, how old are you and you're still not engaged."
Qingsong's ears burned after hearing this, and he simply admitted it:
"Uncle~ I have a girl I like, and my mother will be arranging a marriage for me soon~"
"Girl, is it true?"
Jiang Nian paused in his pouring motion. Seeing that his nephew's expression didn't seem fake, could it be that this kid really has someone in his heart?
Jiang Yue gestured for her son to sit down and not speak disrespectfully to his uncle, then smiled and explained to her brother and sister-in-law:
"It's true, but the girl's situation is special. She's in mourning, so she can't get married this year. It'll be about the same next year or the year after."
It's a long time, that will take three years.
No wonder Qingsong hasn't made a move yet; it turns out the girl he's interested in has run into this mess.
"Alright then, I'll reluctantly pour you half a glass of wine to taste, so you won't talk behind my back about how stingy I am."
After realizing he had almost wronged his nephew, Jiang Nian changed his story and actually poured him half a cup.
Here, that's for you~
After receiving the wine, Qingsong belatedly realized that he had been impolite. He immediately bowed and apologized, saying that it was against the rules for his uncle to pour the wine for him.
"We're family, there are no rules or formalities, just sit down and eat, eat!"
Qingsong felt even more guilty, so he patted his chest and said boldly:
"Uncle, I'm currently running a hot pot restaurant in Jinling Prefecture. When I get back, I'll gather some fine wines from Jinling and have them delivered to you by the escort agency."
"Well done, kid. Your uncle is looking forward to your good wine."
Jiang Nian disagreed and gave his nephew a graceful way out.
The dinner table was filled with joy, and even the little girl, who usually has a poor appetite, ate quite a bit of food.
After the meal, Liu led Xiaoyu and Xiaodian to clean up the dishes, wipe the table and sweep the floor, and put some peanut brittle and peanut candy on the table.
Jiang Lei helped his wife back into the house to walk around and digest her food.
Qingsong and his younger sister were building a snowman in the yard and having a great time.
The main door to the hall was wide open, and Jiang Yue couldn't help but smile as she watched her children playing.
Jiang Nian poured hot tea, and the brother and sister, enjoying a rare moment of leisure, sat together and chatted.
“Last year, many people in the village followed suit and raised ducks. Your sister-in-law and I discussed it, and this year our family won't raise ducks. We'll just buy them directly. That way, when Lei's wife gives birth, your sister-in-law can take better care of the baby. Lei, Xiao Dian, and I are planning to open a roast duck shop in Ping'an Town, specializing in roast duck and accepting bulk pre-orders…”
After more than a year of running a business raising ducks, Jiang Nian's horizons have broadened.
Now he and his wife truly understand what the girl had said back then.
You work yourself to the bone and earn that's hard-earned money.
As long as you master the core formula and have a supply of raw materials, you can be your own boss, hire people to work, and make a profit from buying and selling!
Unfortunately, they were short-sighted and limited in their perspective, and failed to grasp the meaning behind the girl's words.
Now, hopefully it's not too late.
"Okay, big brother, just go ahead and do it. As long as you don't break the law, I, as your sister, will protect you!"
Jiang Yue nodded in agreement.
Although Ping'an County wasn't her territory, the two counties weren't far apart, and no one with a brain would dare to mess with the county magistrate's brother...
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