sbdcsierra Chapter 1874 Door-to-Door Visit
Chapter 1874 Door-to-Door Visit
Chapter 1874 Door-to-Door Visit
The blankets smelled of freshly washed laundry detergent and the scent of sunshine; they were soft and fluffy.
Mother Ye kept their house in perfect order, washing and drying everything that needed to be washed.
After two days of being slovenly on the ship, Lin Xiuqing felt disgusted even touching the blankets. After soaking her feet, she simply took a bath and urged the reluctant Ye Yaodong to take a bath as well.
"After taking a shower, shouldn't you do something? You're so clean."
Ye Yaodong raised his arm and sniffed it, quite pleased with how clean and fragrant he felt after washing.
"You'll feel better after a shower and be able to sleep well. Otherwise, if your skin is itchy, how can you sleep soundly?"
"Why can't I sleep soundly? I'm so tired. I can fall asleep as soon as I close my eyes."
Lin Xiuqing slapped away his groping hand and said, "If you're tired, then go to sleep."
"Sleeping later is fine too."
Ye Yaodong, with his thick skin, pressed down on him.
Do you look tired?
"I'm 38 years old, but I have the body of an 18-year-old. Being tired is one thing, but I can still pick up a gun and work hard."
It's been washed so clean, I feel like I'd be missing out if I didn't do something about it.
"What if Chen Jianian goes back like this today? If someone sees him on the way, won't he be surrounded before he even enters the village?"
"I don't know. He should go directly to the village chief or the village secretary. With the help of the village committee, things will go smoothly and it should be resolved before the New Year. Only a fool wouldn't take the money. So many years have passed, and people are still coming to our door to give us money. Who wouldn't take it? We're not afraid of running into people on the way. It's broad daylight, and if things get out of hand, someone will take care of it."
"Judging from the bulging bag he's carrying, it probably holds several hundred thousand..."
"He wouldn't dare say he'd pay if he didn't bring several hundred thousand? He'd tear people to shreds. Alright, forget about him, do something about me..."
The two went to bed early, and after a night of rest, they recovered the next day and got up early to pack their things.
Ye Yaodong was responsible for running around delivering New Year's gifts, first to the village cadres, and then to the town.
Then we'll go to her parents' house this afternoon or tomorrow. We'll have to wait until her family finishes their work in the city. Then we'll bring the child and Aqing along to pay our respects in the early New Year.
The two were each busy with their own things.
Ye Ersao also came to find Lin Xiuqing early in the morning, asking her to come with her to her parents' house in the afternoon.
“I called last night and Huixin said that her family was quite busy this morning, so she asked us to come over in the afternoon, which would be a good time.”
“I discussed it with your second brother and we want to invite you to come over. It’s not right to have a matchmaker, and you, as both an aunt and an uncle, are the most suitable person to be the matchmaker.”
Are you free this afternoon? Shall we go together?
Lin Xiuqing said with a smile, "I have to go even if I don't have time. This is a major event in their lives. I was the matchmaker for Jingjing and the others. I will be the matchmaker for Ajiang again this year."
“Perfect timing. I also prepared some New Year’s gifts to take back with me. I was thinking of deciding whether to send them back this afternoon or tomorrow. Let’s go together this afternoon.”
Looking at the large and small bags and even whole boxes of things in the room, Sister-in-law Ye smiled and complimented her repeatedly, "Oh my, you have quite a lot of things. Your family has moved to a new house, so you have to give them a big red envelope. There are quite a few things to buy."
"Yes, after I finish sorting these out, I still need to go to town to buy some things. I was thinking I might not have enough time and would go tomorrow, but now I have to hurry and go to town right away."
“Ah Dong isn’t home. Have Ah Jiang take you there. Just call him if you need anything to move or carry. He’s just lazing around at home doing nothing anyway.”
"Okay, then call him back and take me to town. I'll hurry up and buy what I need so that I can go back to my parents' house with you this afternoon."
"I'll go and call that brat back right away."
Sister-in-law Ye rushed out to call Ye Chengjiang.
"...The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuchs are. You, the one who's supposed to get married, aren't worried at all. I'm the one who's been running around like crazy for you every day. If you had just paid a little attention, you wouldn't still be unable to get a wife."
"Hey, he can't escape, don't worry." Ye Chengjiang was playing cards in front of his friend's house.
"I can only feel at ease after I've married my daughter-in-law. Looking at you like this, I just want to beat you up. You're making it seem like I'm getting married, running around doing all the chores. Should I help you with the wedding night?"
"Tch, you're not even qualified to be a eunuch, let alone enter the bridal chamber!"
Ye Ersao was instantly furious upon hearing this, and immediately stood on tiptoe and pinched his ear.
"I think you're asking for trouble. What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"
"Ouch~ Ouch, ouch, ouch! I was just saying a few words, and you hit me! I'm a grown man, and you're still pulling my ear. It's hilarious..."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
The children around were all laughing out loud.
"Sister, you're not even qualified to be a eunuch..."
Ye Chengjiang glared at the group of children, handed the cards to his friend, and obediently went home first.
Knowing he was going back to his parents' home in the afternoon, Ye Yaodong quickened his pace. In the morning, he went to the village chief and village secretary's houses, where they both pulled him to sit down for tea and chat. He couldn't leave for at least half an hour.
Taking advantage of the free time he had in the morning, he made a quick trip to town and resolved the matter swiftly.
However, the enthusiastic Hong Wenle still invited him to stay for lunch.
Their fish cannery, which they now jointly own, has been registered as a company and is thriving. It is managed by dedicated personnel, and now they just have to wait for a dividend to arrive each year.
He had originally planned to sell the shares soon, but now he thinks he'll just keep them and collect the dividends every year, since he'll be coming back to visit every year anyway.
His failure to return home for lunch worried Ye Ersao, who was afraid he would miss her afternoon visit. After lunch, she urged Lin Xiuqing to call him.
However, the mobile phone stopped working after she brought it back; it was just a piece of junk. She could only patiently wait for Ye Yaodong to return.
Ye Yaodong didn't linger for long. He ate a quick meal and left the table early, keeping an eye on the time so as not to stay too late.
When I returned, the goods were being loaded onto the truck.
"I've arrived at just the right time."
Lin Xiuqing turned around when she heard the voice, "You just got back? Your second sister-in-law was so worried, she asked every few minutes, but she couldn't call you."
"What's the rush? It's only a little past 12. I rushed back after finishing my meal."
"I was worried because you weren't here. You didn't come back for lunch, so I thought you were out socializing in town and didn't know to come back."
"Go and call them over. I didn't drink at noon, so I can leave now."
"I'll go to her house and call her."
Sister-in-law Ye had already seen it from home and quickly came out to say, "You timed it perfectly! I thought you hadn't eaten lunch and would be back late."
Ye Yaohua picked up a load of things from in front of his house and put them on the tractor.
“I already told you Dongzi knows he’ll come back, why are you just sitting there worrying?”
"I didn't give you any prior notice, and I was afraid of being late. It wouldn't be good if we were late."
"If you're late, Aqing will help explain, so there's nothing to worry about. Quickly call Ajiang and the others over, as well as Chenghu and the others."
Sister-in-law Ye hurriedly went to look for him again, "Where has that brat gone again? He can't stay at home for a moment..."
Lin Xiuqing was going back to deliver New Year's gifts, so naturally she brought her three children with her.
She checked them over and found that none of their clothes were dirty or torn, before telling them to get in the car.
Now that she's older, she's not like when she was little, crawling and rolling around on the floor all the time. She's much cleaner now, and I don't have to scold her all the time about where she's dirty or torn.
Ye Xiaoxi moved closer to Ye Chengjiang and asked, "Brother Jiang, are you nervous about meeting my parents?"
"I'm not nervous."
"If you're not nervous, why are you clenching your fists?"
Ye Chengjiang tapped her on the head. "I was about to hit you. It's cold, but if you tuck your hands into your sleeves, they'll just become fists."
"Stop being stubborn. An ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her in-laws eventually."
"Why are you worrying about this?"
“I’m just worried about you. If you mess this up, your second aunt will kill you with a knife, and you can forget about having a good New Year.”
“How could she have messed it up? If she kills me, she won’t have a son to take care of her in her old age.”
Hearing this, Sister-in-law Ye glared angrily, "If you can't even get a wife, what use are you to me? You can't even do the most basic thing of carrying on the family line, how can you take care of me in my old age and see me off when I die? I'll just bury my child first, so I don't have to see you and feel bad."
"As long as people are alive, there is hope," he retorted calmly.
Ye Xiaoxi, acting like a little adult, hooked her arm around his shoulder and patted him twice, saying, "Brother Jiang, don't be angry with your mother. She's doing this for your own good. She's worried that you won't be able to find a wife and will be all alone when you get old."
Why do I feel like you're cursing me?
"No, I'm just concerned about you. How about you bribe me a little? I'll put in a good word for you with your grandparents and uncles and aunts?"
"So this is your real purpose? No wonder you've come up with this strange idea, all this intimate. How about I let you earn your mother's matchmaker's red envelope and become the matchmaker yourself?"
Ye Chengjiang looked at her with disdain.
Ye Xiaoxi covered his eyes with both hands, "My mother will be the head matchmaker, and I'll be the assistant matchmaker! With both methods working together, you'll win the heart of your beauty and smoothly enter the bridal chamber!"
Lin Xiuqing and Ye Ersao listened with great amusement.
"Aren't you ashamed? A young girl shouldn't say such things."
Ye Chengjiang felt his pocket and took out 20 yuan. "Is that enough? You probably didn't even get 20 yuan in New Year's money, right?"
She accepted it with a big smile. "Last year, I received more than 20 yuan in New Year's money. My dad gave me 50 yuan, and other people gave me 10, 20, 30, or even 50 yuan."
"Rich woman, you should be the one giving me New Year's money."
"You're so old, and you're still giving me New Year's money. It's your turn to give it to me."
"Why are you saving so much money? To use it as a dowry when you grow up?"
“I haven’t saved much. I’m spending all my money. Last year, I bought a silver chain for my grandma’s glasses, which cost me several tens of dollars. I also bought face cream and hand cream for my mom and grandma, cigarettes for my dad, gifts for my sister, and several dolls for myself. Goodness, I’m spending all my own money. I’m almost out of money. I need to work hard to earn more.”
"You're quite the spender, quite the spender."
"Brother Jiang, don't worry, I will definitely praise you in front of my uncle and aunt."
"If you take someone's money to do their bidding, you'll have to pay me back if you don't do the job."
Ye Xiaoxi patted her chest and said, "Don't worry!"
"It's a sure thing, you've made a profit," Ye Chengyang said.
He saw that the two of them were living together, so it would be a miracle if things didn't go well.
"This is a small tip."
"Alright, save your breath. Save it for saying a few good words for me to your uncle and aunt later."
"no problem."
The wind was strong, and she was eating sand and dirt, so she didn't want to talk anymore.
None of them had ever seen the three-story villa that the Lin family had demolished and rebuilt. Looking at the unfamiliar but beautiful house from afar, Ye Xiaoxi was the first to shout out.
"It's this house, it must be this new house!"
Lin Xiuqing also craned her neck and said, "It's this building. The original house and pigsty were demolished and rebuilt, but the location hasn't changed."
Ye Chenghu: "The new house is quite beautiful, it looks a lot like our hometown."
Sister-in-law Ye was both happy and envious. "When we earn more money, we'll build a house like this next year."
Lin Xiuqing said, "Ajiang is already married. When the time comes, he can separate the family property and then get a plot of land from the village committee to build on."
Ye Ersao looked at Ye Chengjiang and said, "Did you hear that? You can only build a big house after you get married."
"Okay, I know, stop nagging."
Ye Yaodong parked his car in front of the beautiful new house, and someone ran out to greet him.
The house was built on the original foundation, so he didn't need to look for it at all.
Lin's father, eldest uncle, and second uncle all came out of the house to greet him.
"You're here! Come in and sit down, the snacks are all ready."
"Father, eldest brother, second brother..."
"Grandpa, eldest uncle, second uncle..."
Everyone took turns calling out to each other, and then they started unloading things from the vehicle.
Ye Yaohua said with a smile, "It's an auspicious day, so we've come to visit. We apologize for the intrusion, but the new house is beautifully built."
Mr. Lin accepted the gift politely and invited the person into the house. "Hehe, it was all thanks to the help of the younger generation. With each person contributing a little, the house was built."
Looking at the bright and spacious house, Lin Xiuqing was overjoyed. Her parents had worked hard all their lives, and now they were finally enjoying a good life.
The neighbors all came out to see what was going on.
She asked curiously, "Father, have you moved in yet?"
"We've moved in. We chose an auspicious date and moved in right away. Otherwise, where would our whole family live? We'll hold the banquet on the 27th, but it won't be a problem. Remember to come over for the banquet the day after tomorrow."
"I was wondering where such a large group of you would stay now that you're all back."
"Advanced House said."
"I came here today to celebrate the New Year, and also to act as a matchmaker for Ajiang and Huixin."
"It doesn't matter whether I give a New Year's gift or not. It's been so many years, why bother giving a gift? I just buy this huge amount of stuff every year."
Lin's mother and sister-in-law also came out with smiles on their faces, still wearing their aprons.
"I've been waiting for this for a long time."
"Come in and sit down, don't be shy, make yourself at home."
After entering the house, the busy women in the kitchen served each of them a bowl of snacks, including poached eggs in sweet soup.
Lin's mother greeted everyone with a smile, "The New Year is almost here, everyone should have some sweets and eat some snacks before we sit down and talk."
The room was full of people, all gathered together. The younger generation of the Lin family had all grown up and gotten married, some even holding children in their arms. They were just as big as the Lin family, all large families.
Some of them were even the uncles and aunts from next door, who came over to watch the fun and say a few words.
The room was like a mixed bag, with everyone chiming in and out, and the conversation eventually turned to Ye Chengjiang and Lin Huixin.
The two of them honestly pretended to be quails, making fun of everyone.
"What goes around comes around! Last year it was my turn, this year it's yours, hahaha, Ye Chengjiang, you've finally met your match!" Lin Guangwen laughed as he watched the two of them being entertained like monkeys for everyone to see.
Ye Chengjiang only glanced at him without saying anything; this would have to wait until autumn to deal with it.
Ye Xiaoxi bravely stepped forward, accepting money to solve problems for others.
“Cousin, don’t say that. Brother Jiang is such a good person. He’s handsome, good at making money, funny, and good to us. You two are still good friends and will be family in the future.”
"You little brat, you have no right to speak here. Get out of here."
“We are of the same generation. I can’t speak, and neither can you. You should speak to the elders.”
Lin Guangwen pinched her cheek. "Little brat, it'll be your turn in a few years."
"Don't touch me, it's annoying."
Lin Xiuqing, acting as the matchmaker, smiled and took over the conversation, speaking up for Ye Chengjiang: "Xiao Jiu is right. We've watched Ajiang grow up, and he's friends with A Ming and the others. We all know each other well."
“Huixin also calls me aunt. We’re all family, so there’s no need for formalities. We both know why we’ve come today, so let’s talk openly.”
Sister-in-law Ye quickly chimed in, "Our two families know each other well, and we're related through a roundabout way. It's fate that the two children have taken a liking to each other, and we're thinking of making our relationship even stronger."
Sister-in-law Lin said with a smile, "We know that Ajiang is a good boy. Aqing has also told us about this, and we have also told her. The two children are destined to be together, and we support them."
Lin Xianghui said politely, "However, it's almost Chinese New Year now, and we've been busy with moving to a new house these past few days. We'll have to put the children's matter on hold until after the New Year."
Ye Yaohua said, "I know that. We're just visiting today to get acquainted with the place and bring the child over for you to see. We'll have to trouble Aqing to arrange the rest."
"Of course, I know both families well. After we're done with the housewarming these past two days, I'll ask them in detail and we can talk about it then."
Today's main purpose is to visit guests, express our sincerity, congratulate them on moving, and introduce ourselves to the new neighborhood.
Then show Ye Chengjiang to his future mother-in-law's family.
As for the wedding dowry, the three gold pieces, and the betrothal gifts, we'll arrange those later after Lin Xiuqing has inquired with both sides and clarified things.
This matter is originally handled by a matchmaker, especially when it comes to money and details. If the parents of both sides talk face-to-face, things are likely to fall apart. The matchmaker has to do the job of being a mediator.
However, they didn't have this concern. The two families were familiar with each other and had even arranged a marriage between their families last year, so they knew each other's temperaments.
The marriage charter can refer to last year's one. As long as both families have no objections, the rest is Lin Xiuqing's job, and she will have to keep busy with both sides.
Earning a matchmaker's red envelope isn't easy, but for her, it was relatively easy, with few complications and both families getting along well.
After Ye Chengjiang finished his presentation, their matter was put on the agenda. Lin Xiuqing would take care of the arrangements later, and everyone could talk about other things.
Ye Yaodong was talking to Lin's father about the shop being taken over by someone else. He also had to go to the city after the New Year to check on the job changes.
The two elderly people will retire permanently in their hometown after the New Year; there's no place like home.
No matter how good the city is, nothing compares to the people and familiarity of one's hometown.
In the city, I couldn't even go out to visit neighbors, but it's different in my hometown. I'm quite content just to stroll around the village a few times.
Lin's father also longed for his family's land and orchard.
They stayed at the Lin family's house for two or three hours, intending to go home early, but the Lin family warmly invited them to stay for a meal, so they had no choice but to stay.
Because they were worried about safety going back after dark, they ate dinner earlier. They started preparing as soon as people arrived and started eating around 3 a.m.
Ye Chengjiang felt he had passed the test, and he was completely relaxed during the meal, even able to laugh and joke with Lin Guangming and Lin Guangwen.
"...Calling you brothers is fine, you're older than me today, you should call me that..."
"Forget it, it's not even close to being settled yet, you're not qualified to call me that."
"Okay, then you guys call me brother for now, and I'll call you brother after the New Year."
"roll……"
Ye Yaodong: "Haha, once we're family, you can call me whatever you want..."
"I'll only call them 'brother' if they give me a 'change of address fee'!"
“Beautiful you, don’t shout, never shout it in your entire life.”
"Whether you call me 'brother' or not is just verbal; as long as you're called 'brother' in form, that's enough."
Everyone at the dinner table burst into laughter.
The lively atmosphere continued until sunset before they ended their event early.
"Brother Jiang, how did I do today? Was the money well spent? I secretly told my uncle and aunt a lot of good things about you, praising you non-stop."
Ye Chengjiang patted her head, "You did a good job, I'll buy you something delicious when we get back."
"No need, I've already taken the money! That's fine!"
"Heh, once you've received the money, you don't need to accept any more gifts, right?"
"That is."
(End of this chapter)