Chapter 728 - 376: Zhao Qing Gives a Sachet

Chapter 728: Chapter 376: Zhao Qing Gives a Sachet

Zhao Qing said to Juhua, "Juhua, I meant to come over earlier, but my Feng’er was being a real handful. I could only slip out after he finally fell asleep. Why isn’t my master here? He ate at my place and said he was coming over to your house."

Liu Yunlan said, "He was probably pulled aside by someone else for a meal on his way over."

He smiled at Grandma Liu and said, "Ma’am, can you believe this? We invited the siblings over for the New Year, but in the end, they haven’t eaten a single bite at our house."

At the mention of Doctor Qin and his sister, an expression of reverence finally appeared on Grandma Liu’s face. She said slowly, "That’s because they’ve earned everyone’s respect. People are happy just to have them over for a visit. Pu Pao, go boil some water later. When Yun Ying and Doctor Qin get back, they can wash up with it while it’s still hot."

Before Pu Pao could answer, He quickly said, "No need to boil any. The kettle on the stove is full, and I’ve added water to the pot. I buried some embers in the stove pit, so the water won’t get cold. It’s staying warm."

Only then did Grandma Liu nod.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the sound of knocking came from the main gate. Heipi, who had been listening to Shi Tou recount a story about fighting street thugs with his classmates, saw Huai Zi about to open the gate and jumped up. "It’s Doctor Qin and the others! They’re back!" he shouted. "Young Master, let me get the gate!"

He called out to his retreating back, "Heipi, don’t bother closing the courtyard gate! People will be coming and going all night, and it’s a hassle to keep opening and closing it."

Grandma Liu quickly interjected, "That won’t do. It’s not like it used to be. It’s chaotic out there, and we have to be extra careful at times like these. But even though my Heizi is quiet, he’s keeping a close eye on the gate."

Juhua shot Grandma Liu a grateful look. ’I’m seeing this family’s honest character in a new light,’ she thought, feeling more certain than ever that she had hired the right people.

The people who came in were indeed Qin Feng and Yun Ying. Yang had come over as well.

Qin Feng’s cheeks were flushed, and he smelled of alcohol. Yun Ying, on the other hand, was holding Yang’s arm, laughing and talking as they entered the room. When she saw Grandma Liu was also there, she quickly called out, "Grandma Liu, Happy New Year! How much did you eat for dinner, ma’am?"

Grandma Liu gave her a warm, kind smile. "I had more than a bowl. And I just had a few dumplings here at the master’s house. It’s cold outside, isn’t it? Come warm yourself by the fire. Here, you can have this brazier."

Yun Ying hurried over to sit beside her. Grandma Liu rubbed her hands, asking which families she had visited, what she had eaten, and so on.

Juhua quickly got up to prepare tea, and Liu Yunlan came over to help. She also moved a stool for her mother-in-law, Yang, inviting her to sit down and asking why she had only just arrived.

Yang chuckled. "If nobody stayed home and everyone went out visiting, what would that look like? But a whole roomful of men showed up—Huai Zi’s father, Shorty Zhou, Shi Tou’s father, Li Laoda, Fatty Liu, and Huang Dagunzi. The racket they were making was loud enough to raise the roof. I was thinking of helping them by refilling their tea and bringing out fruit, but they just said I was in the way. Your father-in-law told me they don’t need anyone waiting on them; if they want something to eat or drink, they can just find your father. He told me to come over and chat with Huai Zi’s mother, saying the women should have fun with the women, and the men with the men. So, here I am."

He laughed. "Of course. You think they won’t help themselves if they’re hungry or thirsty? With you sitting in the room, they can’t even talk freely. Once you leave, a bunch of men will say whatever they want."

Everyone laughed at that.

Qin Feng also respectfully wished Grandma Liu a Happy New Year. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he went over to sit with Huai Zi and the others.

The boys were all gathered around a square table laden with melon seeds, peanuts, candies, and pastries. When Little Shitou saw him coming, he made some space next to him and insisted on pulling him down into the seat. With a cheeky grin, he asked, "Doctor Qin, is there any medicine that can make me grow up faster?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Everyone roared with laughter. Qin Feng turned to Zhang Yang and asked teasingly, "What, is your year-end exam a height competition instead of an essay contest? Why else would Shi Tou be in such a hurry to grow up?" He joked with them in the local dialect.

The group burst into laughter again!

Zhang Yang laughed. "All his classmates at the academy are older than him, making him the ’virtuous younger brother’ to everyone. He’s always being treated like a little kid, and he hates it! He’s just complaining for show when he’s actually got it good."

Qin Feng chuckled. "That explains it. Plenty of old Scholars, well on in their years, wish they could be younger. Yet here you are, wanting to grow up faster. If they heard you, they’d say you’re sitting on a mountain of treasure and don’t even know it."

Qingmu asked, puzzled, "Shi Tou, you’re turning twelve tomorrow, so how come I still feel like you look like you’re eight or nine? Your dad’s so tall, why aren’t you growing?"

Seeing Little Shitou’s face darken, Huai Zi laughed. "That’s his sore spot, and you just had to bring it up. You’re deliberately trying to get a rise out of him."

Qin Feng, in a rare moment of playfulness, joked, "Shi Tou, I can write you a prescription. I guarantee you’ll be all grown up in less than half a year."