Chapter 852: A Bowl of Sweet Rice Dumplings

Editor: Henyee Translations

After a while, a deadlock appeared on the Go board.

Chu Qingyan swallowed the fried broad beans in her mouth, then tugged at Chu Qingzhi’s clothes, “Fifth sister, where do you think I should go next?”

Chu Qingzhi smiled lightly, “A true gentleman watches the game without commenting.”

Chu Qingyan cooed, “Fifth sister, just whisper it to me.”

After Chu Qingzhi whispered in her ear, Chu Qingyan had an epiphany, “Right, right, that’s the spot.”

Chu Qingning and Chu Qingfrost looked puzzled. Where exactly should they move?

Just then, the door opened, and Shen Ruyue walked in, smiling, “How many rounds have you played?”

“Just the first round,” said Chu Qingzhi, moving aside to make room for Shen Ruyue.

“It’s quite warm in here,” Shen Ruyue sat next to Chu Qingzhi, who was as warm as a little stove, making it feel like winter had turned into spring.

“Grandma heated three braziers for us, not cold at all,” Chu Qingyan said, passing some snacks to Shen Ruyue.

Shen Ruyue took the snacks, remarking, “No wonder it felt like spring as soon as I came in.”

Ge Lihua timely said, “Ruyue, take a look at this Go board. I’m stuck on my next move.”

After surveying the board, Shen Ruyue shook her head helplessly, “If you, with your skills, don’t know the next move, I’m definitely at a loss.”

Chu Qingyue suggested, “Don’t take it so seriously. If you really can’t make a move, then admit defeat.”

Ge Lihua refused the suggestion, “No, let me think some more.”

Chu Qingyue placed a handful of fried pumpkin seeds in front of Ge Lihua, “Think while you eat, no rush…”

Ge Lihua looked at Chu Qingyue helplessly, “Alright, alright, I give up.”

Chu Qingyue clapped her hands excitedly, “I win.”

Chu Qingyan eagerly wanted to play next, “My turn for the second round. Sister Lihua, I’ll avenge you. Second sister, I will win against you.”

Chu Qingyue smiled gently, “As you wish, feel free to win.”

The girls enjoyed their game inside the room while Chu Xuhua and Ning Yuting sighed outside, lamenting how much warmer it would be to sleep with their wives. Now, they had to face the night alone.

Chu Xujin looked at the two, unconcerned, as he would have a wife to hold the very next day.

Chu Xuhua, worried about Shen Ruyue getting hungry during her pregnancy, suggested, “How about we cook some late-night snacks for them?”

Ning Yuting raised his hand, “I can’t cook, but I’m willing to learn.”

Chu Xujin asked, “What should we cook?”

Chu Xuhua thought it best not to prepare anything too complicated for a late-night snack, “How about sweet rice dumplings? Simplest.”

Chu Xujin agreed, “Let’s go.”

The village was lively, with many people sitting in the yard chatting after the day’s work. To avoid disturbance, the three men headed to the workshop area, where they could find everything they needed without making multiple trips.

The village operated like this; after any event, people would gather at the host’s home for a chat before heading back to their own homes, creating a lively atmosphere.

In the rice dumpling workshop…

Ning Yuting said, “Qingyue likes red bean paste; let’s cook some with that filling.”

Chu Xujin added, “Lihua likes peanuts; let’s make some with peanut filling.”

Chu Xuhua said, “Ruyue likes walnuts, the fourth and fifth sisters like black sesame, and the sixth and eighth sisters prefer mung bean paste. Everyone has different tastes; let’s cook a variety.”

Chu Xuhua and Chu Xujin were adept at farm work, and though Ning Yuting, born with a silver spoon, was not used to manual labor, he was eager and learned quickly, managing to cook a bowl of red bean sweet rice dumplings, albeit clumsily.

Chu Xujin looked at the oddly shaped dumplings in Ning Yuting’s bowl, trying to hold back laughter, “Though they look a bit ugly, my second sister won’t mind.”

Ning Yuting, “…”

Let’s just take that as a compliment.

“Let’s deliver the sweet rice dumplings.”

Chu Xuhua nodded, “Let’s go.”

Grandma Ge’s house was still open, so they walked straight into the living room. Chu Xuhua called out, “We’ve cooked some late-night snacks for you. Why not eat before continuing your game?”

The girls exchanged glances and smiled, Chu Qingyue said, “Let’s go have a look.”

Chu Qingyan, nimble and quick, was the first to dash out, “Big brother, brother-in-law, third brother, what did you cook for us?”

Chu Xuhua stood at the door waiting for Shen Ruyue, “It’s on the table, take a look.”

Chu Qingyan’s eyes immediately caught the sight of the oddly shaped dumplings, “This is…”

Chu Xujin pulled Chu Qingyan aside, “This was specially made by your brother-in-law for your second sister. You eat what we made.”

Chu Qingyan burst into laughter, “Hahaha…”

The others, following her out, were puzzled by her laughter until they saw the dumplings, and then everything became clear, “Hahaha…”

Ning Yuting helped Chu Qingyue to a seat, “Though they look a bit ugly, the filling is your favorite.”

Chu Qingyue was speechless but valued her husband’s intention the most, “As long as it tastes good.”

Ning Yuting handed her a spoon, “Try it.”

As everyone watched Chu Qingyue taste the ugly dumpling, their faces were full of teasing smiles.

It’s the inside that counts, not the appearance.

Under everyone’s teasing gazes, Chu Qingyue took a bite, her eyebrows slowly relaxing, “Yuting, it’s delicious.”

“Let me try.” Ning Yuting, fearing Chu Qingyue was just being considerate, decided to taste it himself.

After eating one, “It’s actually quite good.” Despite their looks, they were quite tasty.

Uninterested in witnessing their display of affection, everyone else focused on the dumplings in their bowls.

Chu Xujin’s dumplings were perfectly shaped, uniformly sized, round and plump, “Lihua, I made these especially for you.”

Ge Lihua smiled subtly, “Thank you.”

Chu Xujin touched Ge Lihua’s head, his eyes filled with affection, almost melting with tenderness, “No need to thank me. We’re getting married tomorrow. It’s my duty to do anything for you.”

Ning Yuting slapped Chu Xujin’s shoulder, teasing him for being overly sappy and suggesting they could save such sweet nothings for a more private setting.

The rest of the group teased Chu Xujin, but he didn’t mind the attention, accepting their jests with grace and confidence.

Ning Yuting suddenly asked Chu Qingzhi, “When is Brother Tang coming back?”

Chu Qingzhi replied uncertainly, “He should be back in a few days. He’s been tied up with some very important matters that he needs to settle before he can return.”

Given that Tang Jinghong’s pressing affairs were surely state matters, the conversation did not dwell on this topic.

Ning Yuting proposed, “When Brother Tang returns, let’s involve him in our late-night snack cooking. It’d be interesting to see his culinary skills.”

Chu Xujin chimed in, “Don’t underestimate Brother Tang. His cooking is actually quite good.”

Aside from Chu Qingzhi, everyone else in unison vouched, “We can attest to that.”

Ning Yuting, feeling outnumbered, conceded with a smile, “Alright, you all side with him, I might as well admit defeat now.”

Chu Qingzhi joked, “Why don’t we eat the sweet rice dumplings now and organize a competition when Jinghong returns, to see who’s the best cook?”

Ning Yuting laughed helplessly, “No need for a competition. I’ve already lost.”

Chu Qingyue, always supportive, said, “I’ll help you.”