CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 33: FAMILY TIME (PART 1)

"Big sister-in-law, did you hear Jiao Jiao and her group? I wonder what can be so interesting to chat about with that girl Mai Sui." Lin Juhua treaded the sewing machine, the machine’s noise was very low, vaguely hearing their voices and laughter.

Huang Cuilan didn’t even lift her head, "Jiao Jiao is still a child herself, don’t think that just because she’s a mom now, she’s all grown up. She’s just playing with the little kids." She laughed after she spoke.

Lin Juhua laughed along, "When they first got married, they still played with Shi Tou and the others. Either they’d go up the mountain to pick wild fruits or go to the river to catch fish; they were really just big kids. Dad said he’ll pick up the kids tomorrow, who’ll go, you or big brother? Make sure to send my regards to the elder brother and sister-in-law, my Shi Tou always causes them trouble when he visits."

"It’s no problem; taking care of one sheep is the same as a flock, and the old folks love having the kids around. I’ll go myself tomorrow and take the chance to see my parents." The big sister-in-law handed her the cut fabric, "I’m all done, anything else that needs to be done?"

"There’s not much else to do, just need to rush tonight, finish sewing the buttons tomorrow, this machine works better than Meili’s. Where are you going? Keep me company and let’s chat."

The big sister-in-law tidied up the scissors and fabric scraps on the kang, clapped her hands, looked satisfied at the clothes taking shape, "Okay, let’s hear what’s been going on in the village these days. Hold on a sec, I’ll go get some stuff to make shoes and bring Xiao Miaomiao over."

The big sister-in-law walked out of the west wing, noticed the kitchen was dark and empty, and headed towards the main room. Before she reached the door, she could hear people chatting and joking inside.

"I’d bet it was second brother who did it, putting something in their drink to give them diarrhea, it had to be second brother. That night, I heard the courtyard gate moving." Zhang Guoqing’s voice.

"What do you mean it had to be me, I’m not admitting to anything, who saw me do it, haha, those bastards probably had it all come out." The second brother’s smug and innocent voice.

The eldest of the Zhang family said carefully, "I think it’s best to let it go, they can’t afford any compensation anyway, and there were so many of them too. Xiao Wu knocked them down; when I saw them, they were black and blue with two having broken arms or legs. If someone hadn’t ambushed Xiao Wu, they’d probably all be in the county hospital now."

Old Zhang chuckled, "It’s good like this, if we insisted on pressing them, they’re from the neighboring village after all; considering their parents, we’ll let it be."

Huang Cuilan entered the main room, surprised that they were still drinking, though there wasn’t much alcohol. On the kang, Mother Zhang sat next to the light, stitching a shoe sole, saw her and waved her over, "Already finished with the cutting? Why don’t you rest, I’ll clean up here later, it’s rare to see them having such a warm chat."

"Second brother’s wife is still working on the machine over there. I came back to grab some things to do the shoemaking. Mom, you should come too; it’s brighter over there. Xiao Miaomiao, let’s go to your aunt’s, Mai Sui is there too."

Mother Zhang picked up the small winnowing basket and walked out with them, telling Old Zhang, "Haha, take your time chatting, we ladies are off to have a chat too."

Mother Zhang directly led Xiao Miaomiao to the west wing, while the big sister-in-law, Huang Cuilan, feeling her way in the dark, grabbed a small winnowing basket from the East Wing. The three of them entered the small living room, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law laid out their tools, the one stitching shoes continued stitching, while the other worked on making shoes. The sound of the machine seemed especially cozy in the quiet night, occasionally interspersed with conversations and laughter.

The four-year-old Xiao Mai Miao was a smart, cheerful little girl who loved to laugh. Her formal name, Zhang Miao, was specially chosen by Old Zhang based on the five elements, lacking water. After having three grandsons, the Zhang family was especially fond of her arrival. This sensible little girl often took care of her cousin, who was two years younger.

Xiao Mai Miao wanted to go to the inner room, looked at her mother, saw her nod slightly, and turned around, running into the bedroom with a sweet smile, saying to Zhou Jiao, "Little aunt, I’m here to play, is my little cousin still awake?"

Zhou Jiao had already heard her mother-in-law and the others chatting and laughing. Since the children weren’t asleep, they didn’t bother lowering their voices, "Did you come with your grandma? Haven’t your grandpa and others finished drinking yet?"

Mai Miao frowned disdainfully but then realized it was impolite, quickly stuck out her tongue playfully, and said with a shy smile to Zhou Jiao, "My grandpa and the others have finished the snacks and are just chatting. My grandpa said peanuts with alcohol would be nice, but grandma won’t allow it, saying they’re for sowing next year."

"Oh, then why did you only come now? I was considering having you take some things over. Would you dare to go out alone? I have peanuts here, bought them a long time ago, we totally forgot about them, thankfully you reminded me."

Zhou Jiao thought she had some peanuts and considered sending some over; the rare occasion the brothers were relaxing. She went to the bedside cabinet and retrieved a large pack of peanuts wrapped in oil paper.

Mai Sui climbed down beside Mai Miao, holding her hand for support, "I’m not afraid, I’m big now. Little aunt, leave some for us and we’ll eat them when we come back." Mai Miao delightedly held Mai Sui’s hand, eyes fixed on the bag of oil paper.

"I’ll leave some for you two to eat when you come back. These are for your grandpa. Make sure they eat them up; they’ve been sitting here so long they’ll spoil. Be careful walking over so you don’t fall." Zhou Jiao divided some out and handed them to Mai Miao.

Mai Miao, holding Mai Sui’s hand, walked slowly out, and even greeted Mother Zhang, "Grandma, little aunt asked me to send something over. I’ll walk slowly."

With the small living room door open, the two little sisters used the light to make their way slowly to the main room. Upon seeing everyone, they called out loudly.

"Grandpa, this is from little aunt. She said they were going bad if not eaten soon; she almost forgot they were there, good thing I reminded her, or it would have been a waste."

"Oh, our Xiao Wu’s doing pretty well, having such good stuff and almost forgetting about it. No wonder I heard her say she was going to look for some snacks earlier. Girl, ask your little aunt if there’s any wine she forgot to send over too. Haha..." Zhang Guofu happily took the oil paper package from his daughter’s hand, opened it, revealing a hefty portion of plump, fragrant peanuts, a good half-pound.

Zhang Guoqing had been thinking of standing up to return to the room to see what he could find, but they wouldn’t let him, saying not to compete for food with the women, "Alright, they might not even know, but I do have wine and snacks in my room, I’ll go check. It’s not like there’s no brown sugar with wine, haha."

Zhang Guofu quickly grabbed him, "Finish these first; that’s enough - don’t make a fuss. Save those for next time, drinking too much isn’t good. What are you so eager for? Next time, prepare some meat dishes for us to drink with."

Zhang Guoqiang also nodded, preventing him from leaving, and said, "Peanuts are enough, and there’s still wine here. Sit down; you must not be trying to escape drinks, are you?"

Xiao Mai Miao pulled her sister along, saw they had nothing to do, and said, "Fine, let’s go back and eat peanuts."

"Then I’m heading back now, little aunt is waiting for me. Don’t give me any, Grandpa, little aunt already set some aside for us. We’ll eat after Mai Sui and I return." Mai Miao held Mai Sui’s hand and the two of them quickly returned.