Chapter 729 - 376: Zhao Qing Gifts a Pouch

Chapter 729: Chapter 376: Zhao Qing Gifts a Pouch

Little Shitou hurriedly asked, "What kind of medicine? Is it expensive?" He was usually so sharp, but he must have trusted Qin Feng too much, as he completely missed that he’d fallen into a trap Qin Feng had set for him.

Qin Feng held back a laugh and shook his head. "Not expensive at all. Just some common things. For breakfast, have a bowl of congee and four steamed buns. For lunch, eat three big bowls of rice. For dinner, have two big bowls of rice. And you have to eat plenty of meat and vegetables, too. In less than half a year, you’ll definitely be as tall as Yangzi."

At twelve years old, it was time for a growth spurt. Eating his fill would make him grow even faster!

This time, the whole room burst into laughter. Yun Ying was doubled over with laughter, leaning against Grandma Liu for support as the old woman patted her back. Juhua couldn’t stop laughing either. Seeing Zhao Qing’s bewildered expression, she didn’t know how to explain it to her—the girl probably couldn’t understand the joke yet.

Heipi first laughed along foolishly for a bit. Seeing the resentful look on Little Shitou’s face, he quickly tried to comfort him. "Little Scholar Zhao, don’t worry. I’m not any taller than you. My dad says we just haven’t hit our growth spurt yet. It’ll be fine in a couple of years."

Little Shitou first nodded, then said to him, "Heipi, you can either call me Little Shitou or Scholar Zhao. Why do you have to add ’Little’ to it? ’Little Scholar Zhao’ sounds awful."

Ignoring the crowd’s laughter, he said to Qin Feng, "It’s New Year’s Eve, everyone’s got a full belly, and you’re all making fun of me for entertainment. I guess this counts as a way to stay healthy. You all better thank me properly. If I hadn’t come, would it be this lively?"

Qin Feng said with a chuckle, "Of course we have to thank you. Aunt Zhang will treat you to something to eat later."

And so they chatted and joked, scattering melon seed husks and peanut shells all over the floor. It was a good thing they’d left one panel of the door open, or else the room would have gotten too stuffy.

Juhua found a moment to slip back to the bedroom. She checked on the sleeping twins, who were completely undisturbed by the noise from the main hall, their faces holding unconscious smiles as they dreamt. After checking on them, she tucked their little blankets in snugly. Like Little Shitou, she couldn’t help but wish they would grow up faster. ’Next New Year’s Eve, with these two siblings plus Hulu, they’ll surely turn the house upside down. Won’t that be lively?’ She chuckled softly at the thought.

She glanced at Hulu on the big bed, who was also sleeping soundly!

Finding a small, thin blanket, she glanced around the room. Seeing the cat wasn’t inside, she closed the door with peace of mind and went out.

"Grandma Liu, this is for your lap—your legs must be getting cold from sitting so long." Juhua handed the thin blanket to Grandma Liu, worried that because of her age, she might catch a chill, which often starts from the feet.

Grandma Liu didn’t stand on ceremony. She thanked her, took the blanket to cover her legs, and praised it, "This little blanket is quite exquisite. Is it for Banli and the others?"

Juhua said, "Not entirely. I get cold easily, so I made these small square ones specifically to cover my lap in the winter. Of course, they’re good for the babies too. Yun Ying, are you cold? Do you need an extra layer?"

Yun Ying quickly shook her head. "I’m not cold. With so many people in the room, I actually feel quite warm. Juhua, since you like my disciple so much, did you prepare a New Year’s gift for her?"

Having just finished laughing at Little Shitou, she now turned to asking Juhua for a gift on Zhao Qing’s behalf.

Seeing how playful she was being, Juhua laughed and said, "I give Qing’er something every year. They aren’t valuable, but I make them all by hand. As her master, what are you giving your little disciple for her first year? Don’t tell me it’s some rare, legendary medical text?"

Yun Ying waved her hand dismissively. "I’m not that stuffy. Qing’er is still little, what would she do with something like that! I have my own good things to give her. So what are you giving her?"

Before Juhua could say anything, Zhao Qing jumped up and chirped, "I prepared a gift for Master! I forgot to take it out after dinner earlier, so I brought it here to Sister Juhua’s place and almost forgot again. But it’s okay if I’d really forgotten. Giving it to you tomorrow morning is the same thing."

As she spoke, she carefully took a small green cloth bundle from inside her little padded jacket. She unwrapped it layer by layer, revealing several small pouches inside. She picked out a pink one and handed it to Yun Ying, saying, "Master, I’ve been learning needlework for a long time just to make this. My mom said it’s barely presentable. Please make do with it for now. I’ll make you a better one in the future."

The moment Zhao Qing took out the small cloth bundle, Yun Ying’s eyes were fixed on it—she wanted to see what kind of gift her little disciple had prepared for her.

When she saw the pouch, sewn with big, clumsy stitches, she was torn between laughter and emotion. She quickly took it and clutched it tightly, saying over and over, "Wonderful! I was just wanting a pouch. Mmm, the stitching is great. For a little girl your age to do needlework like this, you’re much better than I was as a child. Who are the rest for?"

Seeing that Zhao Qing still had two more pouches in her hand, one blue and one gray, she asked who they were for.

Juhua also watched the little girl expectantly, waiting for her to pick one out for her.

But Zhao Qing didn’t even notice her hopeful gaze. She just took out the other two pouches, folded the green cloth neatly, tucked it back into her jacket, and said to Yun Ying, "This one is for my Senior Martial Uncle, and this one is for Brother Yangzi."

Ignoring the stunned Juhua and Yun Ying, she skipped happily over to the table. She first handed the gray pouch to Qin Feng, saying it was a gift for her Martial Uncle, that she’d made it herself, and that it wasn’t very good so he should just make do.

Qin Feng was taken aback for a moment, then he too smiled and praised her, saying he liked the pouch very much before carefully tucking it away.

Zhao Qing smiled sweetly. ’Sister Juhua was right after all. A gift for someone you like doesn’t have to be expensive. A handmade one is even better. It’s the thought that counts.’

She turned and handed the other blue pouch to Zhang Yang, saying with a wide grin, "Brother Yangzi, this one’s for you."

Zhang Yang had been watching her present her treasure to Qin Feng. When the pouch was suddenly thrust in front of him, he was so stunned that he choked on the peanut he was eating and couldn’t help but start coughing.

Zhang Huai, Qingmu, and the others were also puzzled, wondering what the little girl was up to, so they didn’t dare laugh at her. Yun Ying and Juhua exchanged a glance, somewhat at a loss. They were both fond of Zhao Qing, but ’What is this situation? How are we supposed to guide her?’ (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)