Lady Liu huffed at the two younger girls and placed her last hopes on Da Ya.
Lin Yuan’s heart ached at her mother’s helpless, expectant gaze, and she touched her forehead in silence, thinking how well her mother knew to soften her heart.
Seeing that her daughter agreed to keep the garment, Lady Liu, like a child, joyfully stuffed the clothes into the bundle she had packed specially for Lin Yuan.
The bedding had only been changed not long ago; it could simply be moved directly into the new house. There wasn’t much else that needed replacing, and the furniture, all newly made, had already been moved in after the house was built.
As everything was made of solid wood and even the surface lacquer was natural, Lin Yuan didn’t need to worry about any toxic gases.
The old bowls and chopsticks were not discarded but also not used again, all stored in a large basket for when there weren’t enough to serve additional guests. The new bowls and chopsticks Lin Yuan bought from Xiaoma Grocery Store weren’t like the old monotonous blue-rimmed ones; the new bowls were floral, and even the edges of the plates had the same flower pattern.
Lin Yuan liked these matching and unique bowls and chopsticks, so she bought extra, along with plates of various sizes, fully preparing fruit and tea plates as well.
In the countryside, there is a custom after moving into a new house, called "warming the pot." It’s said that because villagers are not affluent and tend to be strapped for cash after building a new house, relatives and friends would bring chickens, ducks, fish, meat, or other auspicious items to give their blessings.
Whether or not this explanation was accurate, Lin Yuan didn’t know. But "warming the pot" was indeed an auspicious event that fostered good relations between friends and neighbors and promoted harmony in the community.
After discussing it with her parents, Lin Yuan set the date for the "warming the pot."
Her maternal grandparents lived quite far away and had many things to attend to, so Lin Yuan didn’t inform them. However, when sending the fabrics they bought for them back to the village, she did send a message saying they must come over after Lady Liu’s baby had its one-month celebration.
For "warming the pot," people usually invited close friends or neighbors.
Xia Zheng had already laid down the law, forbidding any invitation to Chen Zhu’s parents next door for the "warming the pot." Otherwise, he threatened to kick down the other half of their house that had not yet collapsed.
Lin Yuan was both annoyed and amused, considering how big Xia Zheng’s jar of jealousy was. She decided she’d have to create the sourest, most aged vinegar just for him, ensuring he had a whole vat to savor.
Actually, even without Xia Zheng’s words, Lin Yuan had no plans to invite the Chen family. It wasn’t just about how much Old Chen disliked her; Lin Yuan herself did not want any more dealings with them. Considering the dates, Chen Zhu should be returning soon. The autumn imperial exams should have ended over the past few days, and she wondered what results Chen Zhu, the bearer of his family’s hopes, would achieve.
With the neighbors not invited, only some good friends were left. It was essential to invite Lan Hua’s and Lin Ershuan’s families, as well as the old village chief’s family; Lin Yuan hadn’t forgotten how the elderly village chief had helped her both openly and covertly.
Then there was Loudmouth, who lived at the east end of the village. Lin Yuan had gone out of her way to invite her, always remembering this woman of ill fate. Also known for her forthright personality and honesty, Lin Yuan wanted to ask her to manage Rice Flower Fragrance in town. Yet fearing she wouldn’t want to leave her family, Lin Yuan had not mentioned it and thought it was about time to discuss it with her.
As for others, Lin Yuan also invited various people who had helped their family; she remembered every bit of kindness shown during their times of need.