Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Speak of the Devil
Two weeks had passed, and the New Year’s Spring Festival was just around the corner.
The tinkling sound of the bell drew closer and closer.
Zhang Ying walked to the outer courtyard and saw her husband getting off the new bicycle. With a kick of the stand, he steadied the bike.
He reached out and lifted Yue Qingqing off the back seat.
Yue Qingqing’s face was wrapped in a fluffy scarf, revealing only her small, tender cheeks and a pair of bright, lively eyes.
She was dressed very warmly, resembling a puffed-up cotton candy.
So sweet and adorable, it made one almost want to take a bite.
That’s exactly what Yue Jiandong did, gently biting his daughter’s cheek.
“Let me see just how thick our treasure’s skin is.”
Before he could leave a mark, Zhang Ying pushed him away.
“What are you doing? You’ll hurt Qingqing again.”
Zhang Ying was usually a gentle, good-natured person, showing fierceness only when it came to her daughter.
Her protective instincts made even Yue Jiandong admit defeat.
Yue Jiandong grinded his teeth, “This kid is such a little foodie. Whenever she sees something tasty at a stall, she can’t move past it, looking like she never gets enough to eat at home.”
Zhang Ying held Yue Qingqing and kissed her firmly twice, then countered each point.
“Isn’t it normal for kids to love food? Besides, the New Year is just a few days away. We should buy some snacks and sweets.”
As she spoke, she nuzzled her nose against her daughter’s cheek, her tone affectionate and tender.
“Qingqing is the best, isn’t she?”
Yue Qingqing replied in a babyish voice, “Exactly.”
Yue Jiandong couldn’t stand it anymore, took the cured meat and couplets hanging from the bike’s handle, and walked towards the house.
“Mom, let’s hang the couplets later.”
Lin Chunju responded and took the items to the table, then directed Yue Jiannan.
“Third son, go get some more fish from the pond for the New Year’s Eve dinner. How can we have a meal without fish?”
Yue Jiannan readily agreed, “You didn’t even have to mention it, I remember. I was just thinking about cutting a hole in the ice in the fish pond these days to let some air in and catch a few fish while I’m at it.”
He beamed and approached Yue Jiandong, “Brother, let me ride your bike to the pond.”
As the family’s finances had improved over time, many new items had been added to the household, including Yue Jiandong’s bicycle.
It was a well-known brand, reputed for its excellent quality even on rough and uneven paths.
Yue Jiandong usually rode the bicycle for his errands. Every time the bell rang, it drew lots of admiration.
Although bicycles were not uncommon in the village, this brand was not cheap and not everyone could afford it.
Many people realized only later that the Yue family was no longer the poor household that had to split a penny into several pieces.
Yue Jiandong readily handed over the bicycle key and cautioned his brother, “Feel free to ride it, but there’s a lot of ice around now. Be careful not to fall.”
“Don’t worry, don’t you know my skills already? I can ride no hands.”
Watching Yue Jiannan run out the door, Yue Jiandong smiled and shook his head.
“This kid, always so energetic, yet he never quite settles down.”
He was much older than his brother and had watched him grow from a baby always crying for milk to the person he was now, feeling quite moved.
Yue Jianxi said meaningfully, “He’s not getting any younger; mom should start looking for a match for him.”
Wang Xiaoni, who was busy with the children, couldn’t help but look up and interject.
“Do you brothers even need to worry about that? Mom’s already prepared, and if it weren’t for the upcoming New Year, people would already be knocking on our door.”
While they were talking, a noise came from the outer courtyard.
“Is Sister Lin around?”
Zhang Ying, just as she was taking off Yue Qingqing’s thick coat and hanging it up, glanced outside.
The woman standing at the courtyard gate was Dong Cuifen, the village’s well-known matchmaker.
She and Wang Xiaoni exchanged glances and instinctively smiled.