Chapter 16: The Harmonious Maternal Grandfather's House

Ying-jie'er was nearly fuming with anger.

She wasn't made of dough; her cousins had been poking the little dimples on the back of her hands so much that they had turned red.

To make matters worse, while her cousins were staring at her chubby little hands, they were also saying, "Cousin's hands look like pig trotters. Roasted suckling pig is the most delicious, it's a pity Grandmother pampers the little piglets so much that she never makes roasted suckling pig," they said in quite a regretful tone.

As they spoke, they were imagining the taste of roasted suckling pig.

Ying-jie'er

*Don't rub my chubby hands and then say I look like roasted suckling pig, okay!*

Boys' hands were naturally coarse and clumsy, and since these little brats hadn't washed their hands, after they finished pinching her chubby hands, they moved on to pinching her little cheeks.

An infant's face is naturally chubby, and children love seeing it; they just want to reach out and pinch.

Ying-jie'er was speechless and questioned the heavens; she even saw one cousin with a piece of booger on his finger, about to rub it on her face.

Terrified, Ying-jie'er finally let out a cry.

She let out a couple of "waa waa" sounds to summon Lady Wu, finally finding her liberation.

Seeing her pale, round little face rubbed all dirty, Lady Wu smiled and said, "Tsk, our little piglet is still so clean. Who was so naughty as to put boogers on our face?"

Upon hearing such an embarrassing remark, the little nephews and grand-nephews immediately giggled and ran out to set off firecrackers.

They didn't notice the boogers on their own hands at all.

Lady Wu watched their naughty retreating backs, caught between laughter and tears.

"A bunch of naughty brothers. We won't play with them anymore after this."

As she spoke, she went to get a handkerchief, dipped it in hot water, wrung it out, and wiped her daughter's little face and chubby hands.

Seeing how truly fragrant her daughter's little hands looked, Lady Wu gave one a playful "chomp" with her teeth.

"Mmm, indeed very fragrant."

Ying-jie'er

*Waa, why is everyone like this? Every single one of them wants to eat my hands.*

Hearing the commotion, Oldest Wu entered and laughed, "What's wrong? Are those little rascals bullying your sister?"

Lady Wu smiled and said no, "Your niece loves being clean; she won't let anyone touch her."

Oldest Wu only had sons and no daughters, so he came over with a smile to hug Ying-jie'er.

"Yo, she's quite heavy. She's being raised well, white and chubby."

Lady Wu said proudly, "Of course, Mother and Second Sister both praise me for raising her well."

New mothers all love being praised for raising their children well, so Lady Wu was naturally feeling very proud.

After holding his niece for a while, Oldest Wu smiled and took her over to the Old Master's side.

Lady Wu also went to the kitchen to continue helping.

Today, all the long-term workers in the house had been given their New Year's leave, so only the Wu family remained in the house.

When Oldest Wu brought Ying-jie'er over, Liang Jin hurriedly stood up to receive them.

"Brother-in-law."

Oldest Wu was also very satisfied with his brother-in-law Liang Jin and nodded to him with a smile.

Liang Jin took Ying-jie'er and smiled, inviting Oldest Wu to sit down.

They had just been chatting about astronomy and geography, and Old Master Wu had joined in; the three men were getting along very well.

Oldest Wu joined them as well.

They all began chatting together.

Ying-jie'er sat in her biological father's arms listening to the men chat, feeling drowsy.

Once the food was ready in the kitchen, Lady Wu came over to call them.

"Father, Big Brother, Husband, Fourth Brother, it's time to eat."

Liang Jin gave an affirmative response and went over with everyone.

This year's reunion dinner was as sumptuous as ever.

A total of twelve dishes, large and small, were laid out on the table, showing how much importance was placed on the daughters and sons-in-law.

Looking at the roasted lamb chops, fried tenderloin, lotus leaf chicken, mouth-watering duck, winter bamboo shoots, and fried crabs on the table, Ying-jie'er's mouth was practically watering.

Seeing her big eyes staring fixedly at the lotus leaf chicken, Mother Wu smiled and carried her over, letting her husband and sons eat well.

Old Master Wu picked up his chopsticks first. "Let's eat."

Once he started, Liang Jin, Oldest Wu, and the others followed suit.

Mother Wu smiled as she placed food and meat into her sons-in-law's bowls, telling them to eat more.

Liang Jin smiled and agreed, his face full of gentleness.

The children also gathered around to eat the lotus leaf chicken.

Mother Wu placed food and meat in their bowls one by one, telling them to eat slowly.

Lady Wu also smiled and served meat to her parents.

Second Sister Wu also served the elders.

Old Master Wu was not biased; he served a fried crab to both of his daughters. "Eat up."

Lady Wu and Second Sister Wu exchanged a glance, their hearts warming as they accepted them.

Seeing the wonderful atmosphere at her maternal home, Ying-jie'er was in a great mood as well.

While the adults were eating and chatting, she secretly grabbed a piece of lotus leaf chicken and struggled to put it in her mouth.

Lady Wu, while eating, looked over and immediately noticed her little maneuver.

"Hey, you can't eat that!"

Mother Wu looked down and only then noticed the little piece of chicken in Ying-jie'er's hand.

Caught between laughter and tears, she took the lotus leaf chicken from Ying-jie'er's hand, stood up to wipe her hands, and then sat back down.

Everyone watching burst into laughter.

"A little milk-baby, how old is she and she already wants to eat lotus leaf chicken? So clever."

Lady Wu also laughed, "Exactly, she's a little old soul. Every day she just wants to eat things she can't even chew; she doesn't even have a single tooth."

Old Master Wu also laughed, "She's just a child, let her be."

Grandparental affection was a real thing; Old Master Wu was strict with his sons, but very kind to his grandchildren.

Especially since Ying-jie'er was the only granddaughter in the family; of course, he doted on her.

Lady Wu was amused, but she quickly finished her meal, then took Ying-jie'er over so her mother could eat quickly.

Mother Wu wasn't hungry, so she sat down to chat with the children while she ate.

The children couldn't sit still after eating and clamored to go out and play with firecrackers.

Lady Wu gave each of them a lucky pouch and smiled as she led them outside.

The New Year atmosphere in the countryside was very thick.

The area outside the door was filled with the laughter and joy of children.

Some women came out after eating and, seeing Lady Wu, approached her to chat.

"Is Ning'er back?"

Lady Wu nodded, "Yes, has your family finished eating?"

The other woman smiled, "Not yet, the men are still eating. We came out to check on the children."

There were many ponds in the countryside; when children came out to play wildly, they had to be watched.

Lady Wu nodded, "True, even though the ponds are frozen, they might crack. They should be watched."

The woman glanced at Ying-jie'er in her arms and smiled, "Is this the daughter you gave birth to? She's quite beautiful."

Lady Wu smiled, "Yes, today is the first time I've brought her back."

"Is everything well at home?"

Lady Wu nodded, "It's very good. Are you all doing well too?"

"All good, all good."

The two chatted casually, and before long, several more women gathered around.

The women huddled together, chatting about whose family had what happening, or about the children.

Among them, a woman who had finally managed to give birth to a son said, "Ning'er, this year is a good year. You should work hard this year and hurry to conceive a boy. Only with a son will you have standing in your in-laws' house."

Lady Wu knew she would hear this, so she just smiled and said nothing.

As soon as those women mentioned sons, they immediately became spirited, discussing what one should eat to conceive a boy, and so on, blah blah blah.

Listening from her mother's arms, Ying-jie'er felt embarrassed.

The fundamental reason for having a boy or a girl lies with the man; even if you eat an immortal pill, it won't help.

However, these women wouldn't understand that, and they continued their lively discussion.

Only after chatting for a long time did they gradually disperse.

(End of Chapter)