Chapter 51 - 51: We’re Here to Eat

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“What if I don’t have money?”

“If you have money, you can buy more. If you don’t have money, you can buy less.”

“Got it, Daddy.”

It was already past noon when the two of them returned to Tianshui Town from Apricot Blossom Village. Yuan Jiaqi was not hungry, so he bought a bag of snacks from the snack shop and went straight to the Qiao residence.

That mansion belonged to Qiao Mai now. Naturally, it would be the Qiao residence.

The door to the courtyard was ajar. He knew that someone was there by the sound, but he still knocked on the door.

Fengyun and Yunfeng came over to greet him. “Uncle, who are you looking

“Is Madam Qiao here? I was invited.”

This was the first time they had met, so they naturally did not know each other.

“My mother is busy in the kitchen. Please come in.”

The two little fellows warmly and politely let the father and son in. Chuan’er was happy to see children who were older than him.

He quickly got down from his father’s body and asked Fengyun and Yunfeng about this and that…

“Brother, my name is Chuan’er. What about you guys?”

“Fengyun, Yunfeng. My mother named us.”

“In the future, when I’m bored, I’ll come and play with you, okay?”

“We’re not playing. We have to help Mother at home.”

At this moment, Qiao Mai scratched her head in the kitchen. “Big Brother Yuan, have a seat. They’ll be here soon.”

“Okay, go ahead. Don’t worry about me.”

Fengyun brought Yuan Jiaqi a stool and Yunfeng brought him a bowl of water.

“Uncle, we don’t have any tea leaves at home. Is plain water fine?”

“Of course.’

Chuan ‘er drooled when he saw the fruits on the table. The twins quickly brought him a stool.

“Come, Brother Chuan, sit here and eat some fruit. Eat whatever you want, but don’t eat too much. My mother is making delicious food, so you have to save your stomach for food, understand?”

“Yes, yes.”

Thinking of what Madam Qiao had told him earlier, now that he had seen the two children, he naturally took them to heart.

Seeing the two brothers, whether it was speaking or treating people, they were very polite. They had only been with Lady Qiao for half a month and were already so sensible. It seemed that this Lady Qiao was really not simple. Thus, he found a branch in a corner and summoned Fengyun and Yunfeng.

“Do you know how to count?”

“Yes, Mother taught us some tips.”

“Then why don’t you guys recite it for me?”

Fengyun and Yunfeng immediately recited in front of him.

“Not bad, let me test you.”

He held a branch and wrote math questions on the ground. They could answer simple questions, but they could not answer difficult ones.

However, it was fine. After all, they had just learned it. It was already not bad to be able to reach this level.

He asked them to take the basics book and check it again. They knew how to memorize it and knew the words in it, but they could not write it. They could not even write it well with a branch on the ground.

With a foundation in mind, it would be easier to teach.

As they were teaching, the courtyard door opened and Madam Chen and her son arrived. When they saw a man in the courtyard, Madam Chen lowered her head.

Yuan Jiaqi hurriedly stood up. “Greetings, Madam Chen.”

“Brother Yuan is too polite.”

Yunfeng and Fengyun quickly ran over. “Hello, Auntie. Hello, Brother. Welcome to our house.”

“Good boys.”

She quickly grabbed a handful of dates from the basket she was carrying.

“Come, eat the dates.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Qiao Mai laughed in the kitchen. It was good to have a son.

“Sister Chen, have a seat first.

After a while, Chen Hao also joined in the calculation. Watching Yuan Jiaqi teach the child how to read and calculate, Madam Chen quietly stood up and went to the kitchen door.

“Yes.”

“I heard that he isn’t even an exam candidate?”

“Those are all false names. Only one’s actual abilities are important. You haven’t seen his good handwriting. If you had seen it, you wouldn’t say that.”

“Why didn’t you send him to the town school?”

“They don’t accept any more students.”

Qiao Mai did not want to talk too much with Miss Chen. She felt that they were not that close and were just neighbors.

“My Hao’er is eight years old. I also want him to go to school.”

“It just so happens that Big Brother Yuan comes to teach the children every morning. Then let Hao’er learn with them. There are only four children in total. ”

“What about the gift to the teacher?”

“There’s no need to give it.”

“How can I do that?”

“You can just give Brother Yuan some gifts during the holidays.”

“Then wouldn’t I benefit from you again?”

“So be it. I’m willing to let Sister Chen bask in the light. To be honest, it’s good to have more children. Children with friends have different personalities compared to children without friends.”

“There’s such a saying?”

“Of course. When there are many children, they will play together and know how to help each other. If a child is too introverted and doesn’t get along easily, it will affect the child’s ability to interact with others in the future.”

Qiao Mai was busy with the work at hand while talking to Madam Chen. At this moment, another group of people came in from the courtyard entrance.

“We’re here to eat,”

Madam Chen quickly stepped forward. “Hello, Sister Lu.” “Good, good. Yo, this must be Young Master Yuan.”

“Hello, Shopkeeper Lu.”

“Alright, alright.”

“Today, there are many people and it’s lively.”

With so many women, Yuan Jiaqi’s face was burning up. He brought the children to a corner where they were not in the way.

Seeing that everyone was present, Fengyun went to close the courtyard door.

In the kitchen, Qiao Mai did not need their help. She just asked them to set up the table in the courtyard and wait.

The dishes were placed on the table one after another. The children were no longer in the mood to do the math, so they surrounded the table and kept swallowing their saliva.

What are these dishes? They had never seen them before. The people who came were grumbling in their hearts.

The father and son, who had not eaten lunch in the afternoon, had their stomachs growling. Fortunately, no one heard them. Otherwise, it would be so awkward.

Madam Chen saw that there were not enough benches, so she went home and brought a few over. After Yuan Jiaqi saw them, he secretly remembered them. If he had time, he would make a few and send them over to Madam Qiao.

When the last dish was on the table, Qiao Mai shouted at everyone.

“Come, come, come, all of you sit down. Today is the Full Moon Festival, so we have to raise our glasses to celebrate.”

The little ones all sat around the table obediently. Qiao Mai carried a jar and poured a bowl of wine for the adults. She had also prepared something for the children.

She used fresh fruit to make juice and filled a bowl in front of each person.

“Come, cheers. I wish everyone a happy Full Moon Festival.”

They cheered and drank a bowl.

Qiao Mai did not care whether they drank it or not. She did it anyway.

Shopkeeper Lu looked at Yuan Jiaqi’s bowl. “Yours doesn’t seem to have been touched?”

“I can’t handle alcohol, so I don’t usually drink. I only drank a small mouthful just now.”

“Oh my, what a good man.”

Yuan Jiaqi was a little regretful. There were still unmarried girls at the table. It was a little rash for a man like him to be here.

Ruxin and Ruyi did not think much of it. They had seen all kinds of people, so they did not feel awkward with a man at the table. They just ate their own food.

At this moment, Qiao Mai helped him out.

“I invited everyone here today to celebrate the festive season. Secondly, I’ve completed my household registration and I’m celebrating. Thirdly, my two sons will follow Big Brother Yuan to study every day. Chen Hao and Chuan’er will also be at my house.”

“If it’s not convenient, they can come to my place.”

“There are too many people at your side, and the children can’t settle down to learn. Just stay here with me. It just so happens that I’m not at home during the day. We’re from a small family, so we don’t have to be so particular. You don’t have to take it to heart. You’re afraid of people talking too much. Just do your own thing.”

Qiao Mai was stunned when she finished speaking. Only she and Yuan Jiaqi were talking while the others were busy eating.

Seeing that the dishes on the plate were disappearing, she said, “Well, Big Brother Yuan, eat first. Today, you have to finish all the dishes I made. Don’t be shy. Eating and drinking to your fill is the main business.”

Even Madam Chen, who usually spoke softly, started to eat more..