Chapter 379: 379: Celebrating the New Year (4)
Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family
Translator:Â 549690339
She placed the ginger soup bowl down and checked Da Maoâs arm, âDa Mao, does it hurt?â
Perhaps the love and care from everyone before had dissolved Da Maoâs defenses. He didnât refuse Liu Sisiâs touch. Instead, he followed her stroking motion and directly went into Liu Sisiâs arms.
Such a well-behaved Da Mao made Liu Zhiâerâs tears overflow from her eyes.
âWhy are you crying? Look at Da Mao, although he was pinched and bruised by Dong Chang, he now likes to be close to people even more. Iâm thinking! Was it because he witnessed Er Mao and San Mao being sold, and he was always worried about it? Now that he knows he wonât be sold, his heart is more open?â
Liu Sisi estimated and said.
These words made Liu Zhiâer unable to cry, she hurriedly looked at Da Maoâs expression.
Indeed, as Liu Sisi said, Da Mao at the moment, although his face wore tears, it also carried a bright smile that he didnât have before!
His little hand circled Liu Sisiâs neck, imitating YingErâs movements, he approached her cheek, quickly withdrew it, and carefully observed Liu Sisiâs expression. When he found out she was staring at him, he hurriedly buried his little face into Liu Sisiâs arms.
Such behavior really delighted Liu Sisi; she continuously rubbed Da Maoâs hair, her face filled with satisfaction.
âDa Mao is really better now, heâs really betterâ¦Ooh⦠Iâm so happyâ¦â
Liu Zhiâer was crying uncontrollably, the huge joy overwhelming her.
She took Da Mao out of Liu Sisiâs arms, and then hugged him tightly, sobbing loudly.
Da Mao is her life, her root, her hope for survival. Seeing Da Mao get better, there is nothing happier for her as a mother!
âLook at you as a mom, happy and crying, sad and crying, it has made our Da Mao dizzy. And since Da Mao is better now, this can also be considered a blessing in disguise, adding a great fortunate event to our lives. What is there to be sad about?â
Liu Sisi comforted her, and Di Yelei also came over to comfort the mother and son for a while. The two of them only wiped away their tears, and their whole demeanor became more relaxed.
Liu Zhiâer also showed a sincere smile, giving a ceremonious salute to the two.
This surprised the two. Liu Sisi quickly went over and helped her up: âSecond Sister, what are you doing? Why are you suddenly giving us a courtesy? Isnât this killing us?â
Liu Zhiâer still gave a ceremony, then stood up and said.
âSisi, brother-in-law, these days Second Sister has caused you a lot of trouble. Not only did you treat my injuries, you also gave me a little money and helped me take care of Da Mao⦠Second Sister knows you both have kind hearts. I have nothing to repay you, so I simply paid my respects to both of you, to express the gratitude in my heart!â
After Liu Zhiâer finished, she was about to salute again but was stopped by Liu Sisi.
âSecond Sister, we are sisters. Why are you being so distant with your little sister? If one day your little sister is in trouble, wouldnât the Second Sister extend a helping hand?â
âOf course not, Iâ¦â
âSince the Second Sister wouldnât stand by and watch while her little sister is in trouble, isnât it normal for your little sister to help?â
Liu Sisi interrupted Liu Zhiâerâs unfinished words: âSince we are sisters, we naturally need to be closer than others. Da Maoâs condition has also improved, and Sisi is genuinely happy for him. You just live with peace of mind at my home, and if you are at ease, just feel free to leave Da Mao at home and find something to do to earn some money. After some time has passed, find a good family, and the two of you can live happily ever after, how nice!â
These words made Liu Zhiâerâs smile on her face freeze for a moment, her gaze stealthily glanced at Di Yelei, then she smiled again.
âSecond Sister is just thinking about raising Da Mao well, earning some silver and saving it for his future marriage. As for finding another family and such, Second Sister has not considered it.â
âBut how could that be? Youâre not even twenty yet, are you going to waste away your best years? Second Sister, let me tell youâ¦â
Liu Sisi could not help but patiently persuade her sister, determinedly trying to change Liu Zhiâerâs mind. The two sisters were chatting and laughing, with time swiftly passing until noontime.
After lunch, Liu Sisi felt feverish and sleepy, so she went back to bed.
She slept for a while before remembering the money she received yesterday. She couldnât help but get up and carefully count it.
Some days ago, the family bought land, and they still owed money to the Land Officer, Brother Zhang, and a few others.
Adding up what they took on the 23rd, the amount from the bookstore, and Di Yeleiâs monthly salary and dividends⦠there was a total of 936.7 taels of silver. However, they spent quite a bit during the New Year, leaving less than 850 taels. Old Madam Ganâs 10% bonus came as a silver ticket from Baoli Bank worth 1000 taels of silver.
Oh! What about the money in the envelope given by Brother Nan?
Liu Sisi got off the bed and started searching. At that moment, Di Yelei walked in and hurriedly asked, âSisi, what are you looking for?â
âYelei, you arrived at just the right time. Where did you put the envelope that Brother Nan gave yesterday?â Liu Sisi continued searching as she spoke.
âIsnât it under the blanket?â
Di Yelei casually covered the room door, took a few steps forward, and found the envelope with a glance, handing it to Liu Sisi.
âYes, this is it. Let me see how much silver is insideâ¦â
Liu Sisi spoke while tearing open the envelope.
As expected, she saw a stack of neatly folded papers. Unfolding them, she found a 500-tael silver ticket and five 100-tael silver tickets!
The two were surprised and exchanged glances, seeing amazement in each otherâs eyes.
âThe shops have only been open for less than a month, how has so much silver been made?â Di Yelei asked with curiosity.
âI donât know either!â
She carefully searched the envelope again, but aside from the 1000 taels of silver, there wasnât even a single word.
âLook, we earned 936 taels with the bookstore combined with your monthly salary and dividends. After expenses, thereâs 850 taels left. With these 2000 taels, we have a total of 2850 taels. However, you still owe more than 100 taels to your colleagues and Zhang Peng, the Land Officerâ¦â
âIâve already paid back the money I borrowed from my colleagues, just need to repay Uncle Land Officer and Zhang Pengâs home. But even after all that, this year weâve made 2700 taels of silver! Itâs⦠simply unbelievable!â
Di Yeleiâs voice trembled as he spoke.
Liu Sisiâs brow didnât relax, after thinking it through, she took out 150 taels of silver and handed 130 taels of it to him.
âTake advantage of the time before the New Year and use this silver to repay Uncle Land Officer and Brother Zhang. Keep the rest on you, as tomorrow is the New Year, and we may need gift money for visiting others. Thereâs also your motherâs retirement salary, Iâll leave some here in case of emergency.â