On the third day of the New Year, two of Mo Yanâs other cousins came to pay their New Yearâs greetings, and on the fourth, Mo Feng went to his maternal uncleâs house to pay his.
Nothing really happened those two days. In previous years, Mrs. Liang would get together with the women in the village for some cards, but this year, she really wasnât in the mood.
However, Mo Ling seemed to be fine and ate and slept normally. She had already made up her mind she would never marry that fool. At worst, sheâd just use a rope to end it all.
Mo Yan didnât want her to jump into a well again, so she had to find a way to stop it. She wanted Lu Junming to tell Zhong Cheng to propose on the sixth day of the New Year as well, so Mo Ling didnât have to marry that idiot.
She said she was looking for Lu Junming to talk business, and then went out. First, she went to Sir Luâs house, but Lu Junming was not there, so she walked to the city alone.
The door of Jiaolan Courtyard was ajar, so she opened the door and went in. Xiao Chuzi immediately ran over, and when he saw that it was Mu Yan, he said, âI was saying! No one is allowed to do needlework during the first month of the New Year, so no one will come, and Ms. Zhao can take a rest. It turned out to be you, are you looking for Jun Ming?â
Mo Yan nodded, âIs he here?â
âYes, Ms. Zhao hasnât been feeling well and he has been by her side.â
âIs she ill?â
âShe isnât ill, she just hasnât been feeling well.â
Lu Junming heard people speaking and came out of the house. Seeing that it was Mo Yan, he asked, âWhy are you here? Is something the matter?â
âYes, but itâs not a big deal.â
Ms. Zhao asked from the room, âIs it Yanâer? Come in quickly.â
Mo Yan entered the room and saw Ms. Zhao resting on the couch. After she greeted her, Ms. Zhao sat up lazily, and handed her a red satin fortune bag, âI told you we have fate with each other. I guessed youâd come today, and prepared a red envelope for you.â
Mo Yan declined, but Lu Junming said, âTake it quickly! Donât make my mother anxious.â So she had no choice but to take it.
Then, she remembered that she had promised Ms. Hua that sheâd give Zhaoâer a ;arge red envelope, so she took the fortune bag and put some more money into it, âSince you arenât feeling well, just rest! I wonât bother you anymore. Weâre going to the storefront to take inventory and check the accounts.â
Ms. Zhao didnât want to be disturbed during her rest, so Xiao Chuzi had to be very quiet, which was very uncomfortable. Lu Junming agreed to let him go with them.
The three of them had just walked to the street when they met Zhou Liangsheng walking by. He cupped his hands at Mo Yan and said, âSister Mo, has your shop opened? I was just about to buy your gift baskets!â
âIt hasnât opened yet, but if you want to buy a gift basket, come get it with us!â
The four of them went to Ms. Huaâs courtyard together. As soon as they entered the door, they smelled a tantalising aroma. It wasnât braised pork, but something else. Ms. Hua and Zhaoâer greeted them from the kitchen, and they were greeted back.
Mu Yan handed the red envelope to Zhaoâer, âZhaoâer, Iâm giving a large red envelope.â
Zhaoâer took a look at Mrs. Hua. When she saw the bulging fortune bag, she knew that there was a lot of money in it, so she hurried over to stop him, âWeâve already benefited a lot from you, you donât have to give such a big red envelope. Itâs the thought that matters.â
Mo Yan stuffed the red envelope into Zhaoâerâs hand, âTake it! We have to take care of each other, after all, and you help us a lot.â
Mrs. Hua glanced at the steaming kitchen âOkay, then weâll accept it. Itâs almost noon, why donât you stay and eat! I was braising lamb spine, and there are also a lot of scraps! The two of us canât eat much.â
Lu Junming was the first to agree, âOkay! This scent is really fragrant!â
Zhou Liangsheng urged Mu Yan to get him a gift basket. Then, he took it and walked out. As he was, he turned his head several times, probably because he was also attracted by the scent.
Ms. Hua urged Zhaoâer to set up and prepare the dishes. She kept saying, âThis courtyard hasnât been so lively for a long time.â
As the saying goes, thereâs a lot of gossip in front of the widowâs house. Since her husband passed away, few people have come to visit. Now theyâve come today, Zhaoâer was also very happy, and told everyone to sit down.
The fragrant lamb spine had just been served when Zhou Liangshengâs voice came from the door, âZhaoâer.â
Zhaoâer ran out and saw Zhou Liangsheng holding a basket in his hand, âBrother Liangsheng, why are you back again?â
âI was afraid that lamb spine would be insufficient, so I brought you some braised pork and smoked sausage.â
Lu Junming said, âI think you were attracted by the smell of the lamb spine. If you want to eat, just say it, donât beat around the bush.â
Mrs. Hua also came out to greet him, âYou can eat as much as you want, thereâs plenty of it! You didnât have to take anything else, itâs really unnecessary.â
Zhou Liangsheng handed the basket to Mrs. Hua and so she could cut up what he brought. He sat in front of the table and saw the hot lamb spine in the middle of the table, exuding a mouth-watering aroma.
âHow did you make this? Youâve braised this lamb spine so well.â
Lu Junming handed some over to him, âYou can eat it without flattering her.â
Zhou Liangsheng took a bite and repeatedly praised it, âMrs. Wu, you can open a restaurant. It tastes even better than the lamb of the lamb soup restaurant.â
While cutting the meat, Ms. Hua replied, âOf course, thatâs because they have to use the same ingredients to braise multiple pots of lamb.â
A large plate of braised pork and smoked sausage was served up, and Mu Yan said, âThis is all meat, and itâs very heavy. Ms. Hua, please bring us some side dishes!â
Mrs. Hua agreed with a smile on her face, and her steps were very light.
Zhou Liangsheng said, âYou all call her Ms. Hua, while I call her Mrs. Wu. Those are names from two different generations!â
Lu Junming said, âWeâve always called it that.â
Zhou Liangsheng looked at Zhaoâer, âZhaoâer is a little younger than us, but you call his mother Ms. Hua. So should he call you aunt and uncle?â
Zhaoâer usually calls Mo Yan âsisterâ, and she call hers Ms. Hua. He really hadnât thought much about it. Now that he thought about it, it was a little messy,
Lu Junming looked at Mo Yan, âIf we call her Auntie, it might make her feel old and she wouldnât like it.â
Zhaoâer gnawed on the bones, squinted and said with a smile, âPeople who share a meal are brothers, so why donât we swear each other as siblings! Then youâll all call her godmother.â
They looked at each other, and Xiao Chuzi was the first to respond, âI agree, I have no relatives anyways. If we become sworn siblings, Iâll have a godmother and brothers.â
Lu Junming slapped him on the shoulder, âDonât I treat you as a brother?â
Xiao Chuzi said with a bitter face, âYou treat me as a brother, but that doesnât mean we are brothers. If we become sworn brothers, then weâll be real brothers.â
Lu Junming slapped the table and said, âDone!â
Zhou Liangsheng also raised his hand in response, âCount me in.â
âDonât you have biological brothers already?â
âThatâs different, youâre my friends!â
At this time, Ms. Hua came in with a bowl, and Xiao Chuzi was the first to call her âGodmotherâ. Then, the other three also called out in unison. She didnât know what was happening and was stunned.
âWhatâs happening? Are you drunk without drinking any alcohol?â
As soon as she said alcohol, Zhou Liangsheng remembered that he had wine in his basket, and immediately took the wine jar, âLook, we even have wine.â
Lu Junming stretched out his hand and asked him to take it over quickly.
Post-translation notes: We all need a breather chapter. Thank you for reading!