Chapter 231: Old Master Wang Is Back
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The man approached cautiously and embraced her tenderly. The fragrance of her body made his heart race every time he smelled it.
“After the second day of the new year, I must leave.”
“Yeah, my aunt’s family is coming for dinner tomorrow.”
“I will host them well!”
“Alright, tonight, I’ll take good care of you.”
When she gave him a seductive look, it would set the blazing fire inside him ablaze.
The next day, Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi visited Old Mistress Wang in the early morning.
These days, they had been having meals at the old lady’s place to keep her company and let the kids play with the cats.
In two days, the cats had gotten used to everyone and were jumping around Old Mistress Wang’s room. She allowed them to frolic as they pleased.
For lunch on New Year’s Day, they had dumplings. On the second day, they made various types of noodle dishes.
There were tomato and egg noodles, spare rib noodles, chicken soup noodles, diced beef noodles, and spicy sauce noodles. Qiao Mai put her favorite egg noodles in front of Old Mistress Wang, and the others chose a bowl of their preference.
In the middle of the round table, there were several delicious cold dishes. They had just taken a bite when there was a knock on the gates.
It didn’t take long for Old Master Wang to push aside the curtain and rush in.
“Ah, you probably didn’t expect me to be back!”
This statement left everyone at a loss, but since Old Mistress Wang made noise about coming back, he didn’t want to stay there either. After receiving the necessary guests on New Year’s Day, he had a horse-drawn carriage prepared early in the morning. He even had the city gates opened ahead of time to rush back to Lucky Garden.
Everyone quickly found a seat for him. Qiao Mai made him hot milk tea to dispel the cold.
Old Master Wang sat at the table. “Being at home is so much better.”
Qiao Mai placed a bowl of noodles in front of him. “Here, it’s your favorite spare rib noodles.”
“I don’t know why, but I can’t get used to the food there. But I could eat as much of your food as you serve me.”
“That means the food in our house is good.”
Old Master Wang took several sips of milk tea and picked up his chopsticks to eat. Hearing the rustling noises from the room, he looked in that direction.
“Who’s raising them?”
“It’s me.”
Old Master Wang instantly lost his temper. “What are those?!”
“Cats!”
“You are wasting your life, you know?”
“Nonsense. I’m almost pushing up daisies. What’s it to me if I waste my life? What’s it got to do with me?”
Old Mistress Wang scolded him angrily in front of many people, but the old master didn’t get angry. He just chuckled continuously.
After breakfast, Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai took the children and left.
The Liu family was coming, and they needed to welcome them.
The kitchen would also be prepared. Old Master and Mistress Wang lay on the bed comfortably.
“Being at this girl’s place is better. Next year, no matter what, I won’t go back.
I’m getting old. I really can’t be bothered to move around.”
Old Mistress Wang placed the two cats on the bed. Surprisingly, the old master extended his hand and petted them a few times.
“These cats are good-looking. Are they expensive?”
“I don’t know. My granddaughter got them for me, so I don’t know.” “She’s so considerate!”
“That’s true. From now on, we’ll grow old here, not going anywhere else!”
“Uh-huh!”
“By the way, the Liu family is coming at noon, and I promised to go over and support Madam Qiao.”
“I’ll go too!”
Now, the old couple each had a cat in their hands, spending their days petting them.
Liu Mei’er was the eldest daughter of the Liu family. She married into a family close to She County. She had two sons and a daughter. Her husband’s brothers separated their households early on due to their tough lives. Her in-laws lived in the main branch, and her family was in the third branch.
These three brothers got along relatively well and never had any disputes.
They had a tough life, but Madam Liu Qiao subsidized her after they had the financial means.
She often sent various things and helped them overcome their difficulties. It was through these actions that Liu Mei’er and her family started to get better.
In the past two years, she returned to her hometown on the second day of the New Year, but her family didn’t dare to visit Qiao Mai. One reason was that they felt embarrassed, and the other was that they didn’t want Qiao Mai to feel ashamed of her family’s circumstances.
This year, Qiao Mai invited them to her family as guests.
Liu Mei’er was naturally happy, and she made two new outfits for her family to wear on New Year’s Day to ensure her cousin wouldn’t look down on them.
Her mother-in-law was also pleased and even lent her some jewelry she had hidden away. She hoped her daughter-in-law wouldn’t disgrace their family.
Liu Mei’er didn’t accept the jewelry, as her family had given her many things over the years, including jewelry. She didn’t want to let her sisters-in-law be jealous and gossip.
People in the village were like that. When you’re poor, they don’t bother you, but when you’re well-off, they envy and talk behind your back.
The Liu family hired a cart for five people and set off from home early in the morning. On the way, Liu Mei’er put on the silver bracelet, hairpin, and earrings she had kept hidden in her bosom.
She wasn’t the type of woman with no insight. She constantly taught her three children along the way.
Her husband had a simple and honest appearance and didn’t talk much. He just did what his wife told him. However, he was pretty nervous inside.
His wife’s cousin was a prominent figure in Tianshui Town, and her husband was a governor. He feared they would look down on their family and kick them out.
Madam Liu Qiao had her breakfast and anxiously awaited the guests at the front of their shop. “It’s about time, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.”
They anxiously observed each vehicle that passed by and were on edge.
Finally, Liu Mei’er waved her hand to them from the distance.
“Dad, Mom! ”
“Ah, you’ve finally arrived! Are you cold? Come inside to warm up.”
Liu Hai helped unload the cart, laden with New Year’s gifts. Liu Dashan went to pay the cart fee.
They didn’t have the heart to let their daughter pay for it.
Once inside the house, Madam Liu Sun hurried to prepare tea and provide hand warmers for the children.
“Have you had your breakfast?”
Liu Mei shook her head, feeling embarrassed. Liu Hai quickly cooked a large bowl of instant noodles for them.
He was genuinely concerned for his eldest sister. Despite the precious nature of the meal, adults and children received large servings.
They all enjoyed the noodles. It brought tears to Madam Liu Qiao’s eyes due to her heartfelt concern.
“We will go to your cousin’s house soon.”
“Mom, have we dressed appropriately like this?”
“Why not? Your cousin isn’t one to judge; she’s nice. You’ll see when you meet her.”
“Should we bring a gift or something?”
“I have prepared everything. No need for you to worry.”
On the other side, Qiao Mai had made all the necessary arrangements. She asked the kids to take care of the children they had invited to play at home.
She instructed the maids to set up a table with plenty of snacks and even prepared gifts to take when they left.
As the couple sat in the living room, Old Master and Mistress Wang arrived.
Just as they were about to inquire about something, the doorbell rang. Yuan Jiaqi supported Old Master Wang while Qiao Mai held Old Mistress Wang out of the room, coming to the front door to welcome the guests.
They were trying to respect the Liu family as they couldn’t afford to let anything tarnish their daughter-in-law’s reputation within her husband’s family.
As the courtyard gate opened, Madam Liu Qiao saw Old Mistress Wang and was overjoyed. She led her family to pay their respects to the old couple.
“Greetings to Old Master and Mistress Wang!”
“We are all family, no need for formalities. Come inside; it’s cold out here.” Once inside, Madam Liu Qiao introduced her daughter’s family to Qiao Mai.
“This is my eldest daughter, Liu Mei’er.”
“Liu Mei’er greets Old Master and Mistress Wang and my cousin!”
She was still pretty nervous, and her words were a bit stuttered.
Qiao Mai sized her up and said, “We are meeting for the first time. As we get to know each other better, feel free to visit more often. If you encounter any difficulties, don’t hesitate to let us know.”
“Yes, cousin!”
Madam Liu Qiao then introduced Liu Mei’er’s husband. “This is your cousin-in-law, Yang Shulin. He’s not much of a talker, so please don’t mind.”
“Shulin greets everyone for a Happy New Year!”
He was about to kneel, but Yuan Jiaqi promptly helped him up..
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