One by one, we visited several other houses to give our New Year’s greetings, and without exception, all these aunts and older female cousins hinted or outright asked Cheng Su to arrange jobs for their kids.
Cheng Su was so frustrated she nearly wanted to scream. She forced a smile as she turned down invitations to stay for dinner and entered the last house with a trembling heart.
This was the home of Third Uncle Cheng Shuqiang, her father’s blood brother.
Third Uncle wasn’t very old, just in his forties, over a decade younger than her father. In Cheng Su’s memory, this uncle was somewhat rebellious when he was young, but he seemed to mellow down after getting married.
Third Uncle had two sons, both boys, named Cheng Hai and Cheng Shan. Both were in junior high.
Cheng Su sat down as Third Aunt, brimming with warmth, played host. She looked at the woman in her forties, her smile as gentle and shallow as when Cheng Su had first seen her after her wedding, kind and tender in nature.
Third Aunt had the two boys give their New Year’s greetings to Cheng Su and Qi Taiguo. Cheng Su handed over two red envelopes, which they both accepted with smiles and thanks.
The two cousins, younger than her own brother Cheng Zhi, seemed much more well-behaved and sensible.
"In June, when we harvested the corn, it was so sweet. I remember you loved sweet corn as a kid. We saved a whole bunch for you, but you left in such a hurry last time that we didn’t get to bring you any!" Third Aunt pushed the tray of candies meant for the guests towards Cheng Su and her group.
"It’s fine, there’s always time for corn. If not this year, then there’s always next year," Cheng Su replied with a smile.
"That’s true. Today, you have to eat with us. It’s the New Year, and as the ’niece,’ visiting your maternal family, you should stay for a meal," Third Aunt said with a laugh: "Hubby, you chat with them. I’ll go kill the chicken."
"Mhm!"
Cheng Su wanted to refuse; the ’enthusiasm’ from the previous houses had all come with ulterior motives, which genuinely scared her a little.
But Third Uncle and his family were direct relatives from the same branch, all acknowledging the same man as their grandfather. If they really made a request, she wouldn’t even know how to refuse properly!
Qi Taiguo tugged lightly at her sleeve and blinked, prompting Cheng Su to swallow her words of refusal. After all, Third Aunt had not seemed cunning during her return visits.
Well, she thought, let’s cross that bridge when we get to it.
Outside the door, Third Aunt instructed the two cousins to heat water, with one helping her by holding the chicken wings to wipe the chicken’s neck. Listening to this, Cheng Su felt reassured.
Glancing around the room, while it lacked impressive furniture, everything was tidy, a testament to the lady of the house’s diligence.
Third Uncle had a quick temper, but his wife was gentle and soft-spoken, a harmonious and suitable match.
And looking at the two cousins, obediently following orders, unlike Cheng Zhi, who would probably vanish in a puff of smoke at a single command, it was clear that Third Uncle’s household had done a good job with upbringing.
As Cheng Su was considering this, Qi Taiguo had already started sharing a cigarette with Third Uncle, chatting back and forth.
"...Times have changed. In the past, our granddad’s generation talked about toppling capitalism, but nowadays, I see quite a few villagers venturing out to do business. Small business owners are in demand and can make money; it’s good," Third Uncle reminisced, puffing on his cigarette.
Cheng Su felt intrigued and asked, "Third Uncle, have you also gone into business for yourself?"
"Not at all, I just think that now is a rare opportunity. If one fights hard, it’s not impossible to make a fortune. I heard from your dad that you’re also in business?" Cheng Shuqiang smiled and said, "In our family, your dad is the silent type, and although your sister-in-law is bold, she can’t quite manage a business. Out of us all, it’s you, a young woman, who started a business first. You truly are the most like our great great grandmother!"