Chapter 278. Leave after the New Year
When she reached the county city, she headed to Zhou Xiao Mei's place. Only then she found out Zhou Xiao Mei had already given birth.
She gave birth to a girl, who was already passed two months old.
Lin Qing He felt admiration: "You're capable in giving birth. Two sons and two daughters."
This was a perfect balance.
Zhou Xiao Mei was nurtured very well by Su Da Lin. Her whole body was round and plump. She pursed her lips in mirth: "This daughter is very noisy. More troublesome than the previous three."
The words sounded full of disdain, but Zhou Xiao Mei's eyebrows displayed full of joy.
This came from someone who said she only wanted one daughter.
Now she got four.
Su Da Lin hadn't got his holiday yet. When he got home from work at noon, he saw Lin Qing He and happily called out: "Why...why did...you cook?"
It was almost 11:50 when he came back. Zhou Xiao Mei didn't know how to cook, so she just waited for Su Da Lin to come back.
Su Da Lin didn't complain at all.
After so many years, it was the honest truth that Zhou Xiao Mei really married the right person in this life.
Since she came over, Lin Qing He might as well do it.
"It's not a large matter." Lin Qing He smiled and said, "I have to congratulate you, Brother-in-law. You become a dad again."
Su Da Lin had a giant grin on his face.
His parents only gave birth to him. He was lonely since childhood. When it was his turn, he had two sons and two daughters. Life couldn't be more satisfying.
After lunch, Lin Qing He took out a roast duck, which was wrapped in greased paper, from the bag.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, why didn't you take it out at lunch," Zhou Xiao Mei asked.
"If I want to eat, I can easily get some. The ones in the bags are for other people." Lin Qing He replied. She also gave some snacks and candies to the children.
Then she put the package on the back of the bicycle, which she let Su Da Lin tied up and went home.
As for Zhou Xiao Mei, she hadn't got time to go back to her maternal family this year. The baby was still so small. Su Da Lin alone was sufficient for the family visitations.
When Lin Qing He returned home, Zhou Qing Bai wasn't at home. He and Third Brother Lin went hunting pheasants and rabbits.
Mother Zhou and San Wa were at home. Er Wa had joined his father.
"Qing Bai was going over the day before yesterday. But thinking that you'll be coming back, he didn't go. And waited at home instead. He waited yesterday. Since you didn't come back, he went out today. Now you're actually back." Mother Zhou was amused.
Lin Qin He found it funny as well.
"Mother, are you hungry? I will make you a bowl of dumplings?" San Wa asked.
"No need. Just came back from your youngest aunt's house." Lin Qing He answered.
Then she began to assign tasks: "Send these roast ducks to your three uncles."
There were also some for Eldest Sister and Second Sister. However, they were quite a distance away. Once Er Wa comes back, she'll let Er Wa deliver them.
As for other neighbours, there was no need to gift. That there are no worries about unfair distribution. No matter how much there, it'll never be enough to share. No one will say anything if it was only for families.
"Why are you buying it back every year." Mother Zhou uttered in distress for the money.
"It's only once a year. Treat it as the joy of reunion." Lin Qing He said.
Mother Zhou didn't say anymore and changed the topic, "Qing Bai killed two ducks yesterday. They are frozen in the backyard. Just waiting for you to come back to handle them."
"Alright. I'll stew one tonight. The rest will be chopped, marinated, and fried." Lin Qing He nodded.
She slept well last night, so she wasn't tired. She went over to take a look at the duck and started simmering it.
Eldest Sister and the others came over while the duck was being stewed.
After talking for a while, they went back. When they got back, they sent their kids to bring the peeled peanuts and sesame seeds.
Lin Qing He didn't hold back.
"Mother, how is the harvest in the village this year?" Lin Qing He asked while eating cakes.
There were dumplings, steamed buns, and mantou at home. Just need to steam it in the pot or cook it in the pot. Very convenient. Tonight, they will have the old duck soup with mantou. It was no problem to add a scrambled egg. It wasn't very hectic at the moment, so she went to talk with Mother Zhou.
Mother Zhou also had a piece of hibiscus cake in her hand, and said, "This year's harvest is quite good. Will Da Wa come back this year?"
"He said that the holiday period is too short and he just stayed there. Leave him be." Lin Qing He said, "Mother, forget it this year. After New Year, I plan to take Qing Bai to the capital. You and Father don't need to work in the field. If you want food, you can buy it directly with the team."
Mother Zhou froze a second: "Take Qing Bai to the capital after the New Year?"
She knew that her youngest son was going to go with his wife, but not this early.
"We have a teacher who is pregnant this year, so I graduated early. I'm now a teacher at the school. This year, I can bring Qing Bai over and move our household registration with the certificate given at that side and settle down on the way." Lin Qing He explained.
"Then accommodation..."
"The school arranged a place for me. Da Wa and I already went to clean up. All the furniture is prepared. Although it's not spacious, it's no problem for a family to live in." Lin Qing He assured.
The original place was to leave Er Wa and San Wa behind. On the second thought, since Zhou Qing Bai is going on, she planned to move their family over this year.
Once the household registration is moved over, Er Wa and San Wa can simply study in the capital.
Mother Zhou knew what she meant: "But once the father and sons go over, they'll have to rely on you for feeding the family..."
Seeing her daughter-in-law's expression, her voice wavered.
"I rented a shop over there. I plan to get Qing Bai to sell dumplings. Don't let others know about this yet. Just say that I'm working at school and usually busy on weekdays. Since the children are brought over and they have to eat. Qing Bai went over to cook for the children." Lin Qing He responded.
She was being cautious and said that it was rented. She would have to explain a lot if she said bought. So forget it, just say rented.
"...Okay." What else could Mother Zhou say? She didn't have any objections. Fourth's wife was too capable and everything was neatly arranged.
However, renting a shop...
"Don't know if it'll make a loss?" Mother Zhou couldn't help but said.
She had heard that there were people in the city who have opened a shop. Out of the whole city, there was only one family. Everyone knew about it.
So they knew that they can open a shop now. This wasn't the important part. The main focus was whether it will make a loss or not.
"What loss can there be? It's just selling dumplings. Those who don't want to make their own can order a bowl. Give a sufficient amount and it won't go too badly." Lin Qing He said.
"Although it's not a respectable work, we can put that aside. Can't let old Fourth go over and eat free meals." Mother Zhou nodded.
Lin Qing He didn't correct her either. At this time, starting one's own business was certainly less respectable than having employment in a company.
Still, as long as Zhou Qing Bai didn't mind, it was fine.
"You guys are leaving after the New Year ah." Mother Zhou lightly sighed.
"Once our side settles down, I will pick you and Father up then." Lin Qing He soothed.
When she reached the county city, she headed to Zhou Xiao Mei's place. Only then she found out Zhou Xiao Mei had already given birth.
She gave birth to a girl, who was already passed two months old.
Lin Qing He felt admiration: "You're capable in giving birth. Two sons and two daughters."
This was a perfect balance.
Zhou Xiao Mei was nurtured very well by Su Da Lin. Her whole body was round and plump. She pursed her lips in mirth: "This daughter is very noisy. More troublesome than the previous three."
The words sounded full of disdain, but Zhou Xiao Mei's eyebrows displayed full of joy.
This came from someone who said she only wanted one daughter.
Now she got four.
Su Da Lin hadn't got his holiday yet. When he got home from work at noon, he saw Lin Qing He and happily called out: "Why...why did...you cook?"
It was almost 11:50 when he came back. Zhou Xiao Mei didn't know how to cook, so she just waited for Su Da Lin to come back.
Su Da Lin didn't complain at all.
After so many years, it was the honest truth that Zhou Xiao Mei really married the right person in this life.
Since she came over, Lin Qing He might as well do it.
"It's not a large matter." Lin Qing He smiled and said, "I have to congratulate you, Brother-in-law. You become a dad again."
Su Da Lin had a giant grin on his face.
His parents only gave birth to him. He was lonely since childhood. When it was his turn, he had two sons and two daughters. Life couldn't be more satisfying.
After lunch, Lin Qing He took out a roast duck, which was wrapped in greased paper, from the bag.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, why didn't you take it out at lunch," Zhou Xiao Mei asked.
"If I want to eat, I can easily get some. The ones in the bags are for other people." Lin Qing He replied. She also gave some snacks and candies to the children.
Then she put the package on the back of the bicycle, which she let Su Da Lin tied up and went home.
As for Zhou Xiao Mei, she hadn't got time to go back to her maternal family this year. The baby was still so small. Su Da Lin alone was sufficient for the family visitations.
When Lin Qing He returned home, Zhou Qing Bai wasn't at home. He and Third Brother Lin went hunting pheasants and rabbits.
Mother Zhou and San Wa were at home. Er Wa had joined his father.
"Qing Bai was going over the day before yesterday. But thinking that you'll be coming back, he didn't go. And waited at home instead. He waited yesterday. Since you didn't come back, he went out today. Now you're actually back." Mother Zhou was amused.
Lin Qin He found it funny as well.
"Mother, are you hungry? I will make you a bowl of dumplings?" San Wa asked.
"No need. Just came back from your youngest aunt's house." Lin Qing He answered.
Then she began to assign tasks: "Send these roast ducks to your three uncles."
There were also some for Eldest Sister and Second Sister. However, they were quite a distance away. Once Er Wa comes back, she'll let Er Wa deliver them.
As for other neighbours, there was no need to gift. That there are no worries about unfair distribution. No matter how much there, it'll never be enough to share. No one will say anything if it was only for families.
"Why are you buying it back every year." Mother Zhou uttered in distress for the money.
"It's only once a year. Treat it as the joy of reunion." Lin Qing He said.
Mother Zhou didn't say anymore and changed the topic, "Qing Bai killed two ducks yesterday. They are frozen in the backyard. Just waiting for you to come back to handle them."
"Alright. I'll stew one tonight. The rest will be chopped, marinated, and fried." Lin Qing He nodded.
She slept well last night, so she wasn't tired. She went over to take a look at the duck and started simmering it.
Eldest Sister and the others came over while the duck was being stewed.
After talking for a while, they went back. When they got back, they sent their kids to bring the peeled peanuts and sesame seeds.
Lin Qing He didn't hold back.
"Mother, how is the harvest in the village this year?" Lin Qing He asked while eating cakes.
There were dumplings, steamed buns, and mantou at home. Just need to steam it in the pot or cook it in the pot. Very convenient. Tonight, they will have the old duck soup with mantou. It was no problem to add a scrambled egg. It wasn't very hectic at the moment, so she went to talk with Mother Zhou.
Mother Zhou also had a piece of hibiscus cake in her hand, and said, "This year's harvest is quite good. Will Da Wa come back this year?"
"He said that the holiday period is too short and he just stayed there. Leave him be." Lin Qing He said, "Mother, forget it this year. After New Year, I plan to take Qing Bai to the capital. You and Father don't need to work in the field. If you want food, you can buy it directly with the team."
Mother Zhou froze a second: "Take Qing Bai to the capital after the New Year?"
She knew that her youngest son was going to go with his wife, but not this early.
"We have a teacher who is pregnant this year, so I graduated early. I'm now a teacher at the school. This year, I can bring Qing Bai over and move our household registration with the certificate given at that side and settle down on the way." Lin Qing He explained.
"Then accommodation..."
"The school arranged a place for me. Da Wa and I already went to clean up. All the furniture is prepared. Although it's not spacious, it's no problem for a family to live in." Lin Qing He assured.
The original place was to leave Er Wa and San Wa behind. On the second thought, since Zhou Qing Bai is going on, she planned to move their family over this year.
Once the household registration is moved over, Er Wa and San Wa can simply study in the capital.
Mother Zhou knew what she meant: "But once the father and sons go over, they'll have to rely on you for feeding the family..."
Seeing her daughter-in-law's expression, her voice wavered.
"I rented a shop over there. I plan to get Qing Bai to sell dumplings. Don't let others know about this yet. Just say that I'm working at school and usually busy on weekdays. Since the children are brought over and they have to eat. Qing Bai went over to cook for the children." Lin Qing He responded.
She was being cautious and said that it was rented. She would have to explain a lot if she said bought. So forget it, just say rented.
"...Okay." What else could Mother Zhou say? She didn't have any objections. Fourth's wife was too capable and everything was neatly arranged.
However, renting a shop...
"Don't know if it'll make a loss?" Mother Zhou couldn't help but said.
She had heard that there were people in the city who have opened a shop. Out of the whole city, there was only one family. Everyone knew about it.
So they knew that they can open a shop now. This wasn't the important part. The main focus was whether it will make a loss or not.
"What loss can there be? It's just selling dumplings. Those who don't want to make their own can order a bowl. Give a sufficient amount and it won't go too badly." Lin Qing He said.
"Although it's not a respectable work, we can put that aside. Can't let old Fourth go over and eat free meals." Mother Zhou nodded.
Lin Qing He didn't correct her either. At this time, starting one's own business was certainly less respectable than having employment in a company.
Still, as long as Zhou Qing Bai didn't mind, it was fine.
"You guys are leaving after the New Year ah." Mother Zhou lightly sighed.
"Once our side settles down, I will pick you and Father up then." Lin Qing He soothed.