Chapter 259: Xu An’s Thankless Efforts

Xiao Mo sat cross-legged on the kang. “Sister, I’m leaving soon. I don’t know if I’ll ever see my brothers again. Tomorrow, I’d like to invite a few of them over for a meal. Is that okay?”

Upon hearing his words, Xu Ning felt a pang in her heart. Having stayed here for seven or eight years, she was also reluctant to leave.

“Of course! Just let me know how many people you want to invite, and I’ll prepare everything for you at home. I won’t let you lose face,” she replied.

Xiao Mo counted on his fingers. “San Dan, Xiao Wang, and Da Chui…

Sister, I have too many brothers. I’ll only invite a few representatives this time. When I grow up and earn some money, I’ll treat them all to a proper meal.”

Xu Ning smiled as she listened to him. “Alright, tomorrow you can invite them all over for lunch, and I’ll cook for you at home.”

Xu An returned from Fan Sizhe’s house and then went to Da Lin’s and Jianmin’s homes to discuss the ticket purchasing plans for tomorrow.

He also asked Uncle Village Head to write a few introduction letters for them to use when buying train tickets.

Lu Xiaotang had just finished cooking when he saw Xu An return. He took a bowl and ladled some rice soup from the pot, handing it to him to help warm him up.

After drinking the rice soup, Xu An finally felt warm.

“Brother-in-law, the introduction letters are ready. Let’s go buy the train tickets together tomorrow!”

Lu Xiaotang didn’t want him to go along. With the weather so cold and the roads slippery, driving could be somewhat dangerous.

“It’s fine; I can go alone. Xiao Mo is treating guests tomorrow, so you should help your sister cook at home,” he said.

Xu An laughed and asked, “Who is he inviting? He’s just a little brat; how can he treat anyone?”

Lu Xiaotang also found it somewhat amusing. Just as he was about to respond, he saw Xiao Mo standing at the door with a stern face.

He quickly suppressed his laughter and said to Xu An, “Xiao Mo said he’s inviting his good brothers. It makes sense, after all these years of brotherhood. Before he leaves, they should sit together and talk.”

Xu An sensed something was off. Just a moment ago, his brother-in-law had the same expression as him, but now he was saying such things.

He glanced toward the door and saw Xiao Mo glaring at him with a stern expression.

Clearing his throat, he smiled and said, “Xiao Mo, you’re treating guests tomorrow, right? How many people are you inviting? Second Brother will be cooking for you all at home.”

Xiao Mo’s expression softened a bit at that. With a huff, he replied to Xu An, “No need! How can I, a little brat, trouble Second Brother?” With that, he turned and went back into the house.

Even at dinner time, Xiao Mo ignored Xu An.

Xu An picked up a piece of meat and smiled, “Xiao Mo, Second Brother has already planned the dishes for tomorrow. You just need to call your brothers over to hang out in the morning.”

Xiao Mo glanced at him and said proudly, “After hearing Second Brother say that just now, I almost decided not to invite anyone. Since you’ve already arranged the dishes, I’ll call a few of my brothers over tomorrow to grace us with their presence.”

Xu Ning almost spat out the porridge she was eating upon hearing this.

Lu Xiaotang kept his head down, shoveling rice into his mouth, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

Xu An sighed. He was indeed the one making an effort without any appreciation. He really owed that little brat.

When Xu Ning woke up in the morning, Lu Xiaotang had already gone to Qishi to buy tickets, and the little kids were still sleeping soundly beside her.

There were faint sounds coming from the kitchen; it seemed that Xiao An was making breakfast.

Thinking about Xiao Mo treating guests today, she got dressed and got up.

When she walked into the kitchen, she saw Xu An cooking while Xiao Mo sat there tending to the fire.

She asked in surprise, “Xiao Mo, why did you get up so early today?”

This little brat usually loved to sleep in during winter, getting up around the same time as Niu Pi Tang.

Xu An took the steamed buns out of the pot and smiled, “I woke up quite early today; it was him who called me.”

Xiao Mo shot him a glare and said, “Second Brother, you’re getting lazier and lazier! Do you know when Brother-in-law left? When I called you, he had already been gone for over an hour. He’s probably almost in Qishi by now.”

“Your brother-in-law left that early? Did he wake you up when he left?”

It was only a little past seven, which meant, according to Xiao Mo, that he had set out at five.

“Brother-in-law didn’t wake me; I got up to relieve myself and saw him driving out. I glanced at Second Brother’s watch, and it was only five o’clock,” Xiao Mo replied.

After breakfast, Xiao Mo went to the village to invite a few of his brothers.

Xu Ning grabbed some beans and asked him to pick up some tofu in return.

Once Xu An finished his breakfast, he got busy. Although Xiao Mo was only inviting a few kids over for a meal, he didn’t want to let his brothers down.

He prepared chicken stewed with mushrooms, pickled cabbage with pork and vermicelli, tofu meatballs, stir-fried bean sprouts, and steamed a large pot of rice, ensuring there was plenty of food, enough for everyone to have seconds after they finished.