They were chatting when the elder and second rooms of the Yang Family, who had gone to visit relatives, returned: "Mom and Dad, do we have guests at home?"
Feng Shumin saw them coming in: "Luo Qiao came to pay New Year’s respects to me and your dad."
Bai Sulì, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yang Family, stepped forward and said with a smile: "Thank you so much for last time with Zining’s issue. It’s indeed our reliable relatives. We will inevitably need your help in the future."
Luo Qiao didn’t respond to her words. She thinks she’s being treated like a live-in nanny, you wish.
Feng Shumin approached, "Oldest daughter-in-law, go check what food we have in the kitchen, it’s getting late, hurry and prepare a few dishes."
Upon hearing this, Luo Qiao said: "Master’s wife, I won’t be staying for dinner, today my sister-in-law returned to her parental home, this morning my uncle went with his family to the Yue Family, we agreed to spend the evening together, we should also be leaving."
Feng Shumin, hearing Luo Qiao’s words, could understand, so she didn’t insist further: "Then come over another day, and we’ll have a meal together."
Her initial respect for her master and his wife hadn’t changed, but she felt something was different: "Okay, I’ll call in advance if I come."
Feng Shumin went into the inner room and came out to give a child a red packet: "Keep this, it’s lucky money from your master and his wife."
The children accepted it with Luo Qiao’s permission, and they all thanked her.
After getting ready, with the children in the car, Luo Qiao told the children: "Say goodbye to your master and his wife."
After the children said goodbye, she then said: "Let’s go back, I’ll come visit again later."
Watching the car drive away, the elderly couple then returned to the courtyard.
Just then, they overheard their eldest daughter-in-law, Bai Sulì, saying: "Just like that, five red packets, that’s a lot of money. And that Luo Qiao, she’s so wealthy yet doesn’t think to give our kids red packets, quite stingy indeed."
"Mom, please say less."
"Now you find me annoying. Don’t forget how you got your job, it was me who begged on your behalf."
"Mom, I won’t forget that, but you don’t have to mention it every time you see me, it bothers everyone."
"What, now that you have a stable job, you don’t take me seriously anymore."
Hearing all this, Yang Jiancheng felt annoyed: "Alright, let’s all say less, it’s nothing major, everyone go back to your homes, as we elders are used to the quiet."
Yang Liwu stood up: "Dad, it’s the New Year, just leaving you alone would bring shame, we’ll stay until the fifth day and fulfil our filial duties, the home should be lively and festive."
Yang Jiancheng looked at his eldest son: "Put away those petty thoughts, we’re not senile yet."
At that moment, the living room phone rang, Feng Shumin answered: "Hello, who’s this?"
"Master’s wife, it’s me, Qiaoqiao."
"What’s wrong, did you leave something behind?"
"No, Master’s wife, I sent you and Master a red packet, I placed it under your pillow in the bedroom, remember to take it."
"Ah, you child, how should I respond to this."
"Just keep it, it’s for good fortune during the New Year."
After hanging up, Feng Shumin went into her bedroom and took out the two red packets from under the pillow, her heart feeling a mixture of emotions.
********
Meanwhile, since getting into the car, Luo Qiao had been silent.
Lu Yichen, watching her through the rearview mirror: "Wife, you still have me and the kids."
Luo Qiao, pondering that she had already come to terms with things, wondered why she was still being melodramatic?
She kissed her son beside her, looking at her dearly loved ones in the car: "Right, I still have all of you."
A smile appeared on her face, and Lu Yichen also breathed a sigh of relief.
Arriving at their front door, they saw Stone and Taifeng waiting there already. Luo Qiao got out of the car: "How long have you been standing here? Aren’t you cold?"
Stone, taking one of the nephews, smiled: "Not too long, we figured you would be back soon."
Everyone in the house, hearing the noise, came out too, Wang Xiaoxin took Xiao Ye: "Yang ran to the door five or six times this afternoon, constantly waiting for you all to return."
Gu Qianru laughed: "He kept muttering under his breath about why you hadn’t come back yet, it seems he really enjoyed being with his cousins."
Wang Xiaoxin teased: "Of course, they are close cousins after all."
********
At the Ning Family, Ning Hongda and Ning Hongbo were sitting in the room, sipping tea and chatting.
Ning Hongbo, holding his teacup, said: "Because of Xueling’s business, I’m afraid our nephews are really tired of us."
Ning Hongda didn’t reply, but he felt uneasy inside. Yet, what was done was done, no matter how much his nephews resented him, he accepted it.
After all, Ning Xueling was their younger sister.
Zhang Yuehua walked in from outside: "You haven’t completely worn away their last bit of familial affection yet, are you at ease? They’re pitiful, meeting such an unwise mother, and two uncles always trying to assert their authority as elders, truly unlucky."