The villagers are grateful.
Although they didn't have anything particularly good to offer, they had been thinking about it for a long time, so they brought some gifts over during the Chinese New Year.
This is all the heartfelt sentiment of the villagers.
Liu Junlan couldn't refuse.
These things weren't particularly valuable; most were just small, unusual items. For example, Granny Zheng, who was skilled at weaving, wove a small stool for Lin Wanyue, and the cook who was good at cooking made fried small fish and sent over a basket of them as well…
Wang Dazhu and Zhao Chunniang came empty-handed, but they brought red paper packets and forced them on Lin Wanyue and the four Lin brothers.
Wang Dazhu said embarrassedly, "As you all know, all the food in my house was eaten by those starving ghosts. I don't even know if what's left will be enough to last until next year... I'm only taking a small token of my appreciation."
"Alright, don't be so formal. I'm already happy enough that you have such kind hearts and are thinking of our family." Liu Junlan's face lit up with joy. She knew that what her family had done was remembered, so it hadn't been in vain.
She slapped her forehead and said, "We weren't prepared for your sudden arrival. Come on, each of you take two ears of corn home. You can plant each kernel of corn in the ground. I think it's alright to eat, and I heard it can be ground into cornmeal like wheat."
Xuefu helped her take some dried corn from the wall and gave two to each family.
Everyone saw this kind of corn while planting. It was something they had never seen before. They guessed that it was sent by the Liu family in the city. Afraid that it was too precious, no one dared to ask for it.
Now that Liu Junlan had offered to give it to them, they accepted it without much hesitation.
As soon as these people left, the Lin family children quickly opened the red paper packets that Wang Dazhu had given them.
"Wow~ There are five copper coins! I can buy five candied hawthorns now!" Lin Zheyun said excitedly.
Lin Zhongyuan, the most mature and steady of the five children, was also very happy to receive his five copper coins.
Lin Zihan and Lin Ziqiu were overjoyed; they had never had so much money before!
They didn't want to be like their second brother, who only thought about food. The two brothers discussed that if a peddler came to their door, they could buy some firecrackers.
It was thrown on the ground and set on fire, making a loud bang—it was so much fun!
The four Lin brothers each had a red paper packet containing five copper coins. They grinned from ear to ear, and stared at Lin Wanyue to see how many coins were in his red paper packet.
When they opened it, they found a coin in Lin Wanyue's red paper packet!
The contrast between copper coins and silver is simply too stark.
The four brothers: "..."
Suddenly, my coins didn't seem so appealing anymore!
They were all educated and knew that one tael of silver could be exchanged for a thousand copper coins.
Although they didn't know how much that penny was, it was definitely much, much more than their copper coins.
Moreover, when Dad came back from the county town, he brought my sister a pair of silver bracelets with bells on them. The jingling sound was quite pleasant to hear.
But their four sons had nothing!
The four brothers' expressions cracked, their faces filled with grief and indignation.
"Hey," Lin Wanyue quickly comforted her four brothers, "Wanwan's money is for you guys to spend."
"No need, no need! Little sister, keep the money, but don't lose it. When your brother makes a lot of money in the future, he'll send you red envelopes every day!" Lin Zheyun said spiritedly.
"Second brother is right. Your brothers can't take your money. Just keep it safe and don't lose it. Your brothers will definitely make a lot of money in the future, and it will all be for you to spend," Lin Zhongyuan assured him.
Since both of their older brothers had said so, Lin Zihan and Lin Ziqiu naturally followed in their footsteps, but they took a different approach.
"Let's go ask Dad for our New Year's money tonight. Everyone else is giving us New Year's money, so Dad should give us some too!" Lin Zihan said.
Lin Ziqiu asked, "But what if Dad doesn't have any money?"
"It's okay! I already know where he hid his secret stash of money. If he doesn't give us New Year's money, I'll tell Mom!" Lin Zihan said confidently.
He didn't consider his elderly father's feelings at all.
...
The New Year's Eve dinner was particularly lavish than in previous years, thanks to the extra dishes brought by villagers.
The table was covered with various dishes, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat, all of which looked and smelled delicious.
Lin Weiming happily picked up a large piece of meat, his mouth greasy as he ate: "Our lives now are even more comfortable than those rich lords in the city!"
"If only I could live such a good life every day," Lin Ziqiu mumbled, gnawing on a large chicken leg.
Lin Weiming laughed and said, "If we could live like this every day, wouldn't our family really become a wealthy man's family?"
"Father, when my elder brother passes the exam and becomes a high-ranking official, will our family become wealthy masters?" Lin Zihan asked innocently.
"Of course! If your brother becomes a high-ranking official, then I'll be the father of an official!" Lin Weiming couldn't help but yearn for it.
The family members were all chatting and laughing, but Lin Zhongyuan was a little nervous, his eyes darting around.
However, he did not see Master Cui.
I wonder if it's because he forgot to light the incense today.
The food prepared at home was plentiful, and a considerable amount was also offered in the vegetarian dining room.
Laifu and Xiaofendie enjoyed their meal. They had a rare and lively New Year. When they thought back to the cold and lonely days of the past, they felt even more grateful for the warmth they were experiencing now.
This also strengthened the two of them's determination to stick with Lin Wanyue!
Only by staying by her side could they avoid being treated as wandering ghosts and driven away everywhere.
Master Cui had no appetite for the New Year's Eve dinner. He sat on the roof of the Lin family's house, looking up at the starry sky, but listening to the laughter and chatter of every household, he felt empty inside.
He couldn't help but take a deep drag on his cigarette, his mind filled with a mix of emotions.
Lin Wanyue had already finished eating, but the atmosphere was lively and warm when everyone was together, and she couldn't bear to leave the table. She secretly stuffed the food she couldn't finish into Lin Diao Diao's mouth.
Lin Diao Diao used her two little front paws to hold the chicken foot meat, and with a few quick bites, she gnawed the chicken foot clean.
"Dad!" After dinner, the four Lin brothers' eyes lit up, and they surrounded Lin Weiming, saying with grins, "How much lucky money did you prepare for us this year?"
The four children looked on expectantly, and even Lin Wanyue ran over to join in the fun, cupping her hands up and saying, "Wishing you prosperity and a red envelope."
The four brothers followed suit and shouted to Lin Weiming, "Wishing you prosperity and a red envelope!"
Lin Weiming, who was all smiles at the dinner table just now: "..."
What's wrong?
Are they even going to take away his meager savings?
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