Chapter 59: Where Are My Shrimp?

Because of the twenty-firecracker display, Qiu Qianjin was once again chased around the yard by his mother, Cheng Hongying, who was swatting him.

Dabao, nestled in He Ziqing’s arms, stared blankly at the broken remnants of the little firecrackers on the ground. This New Year was really shabby. He probably wouldn’t be able to expect any fireworks tonight either. But at least his uncle was the one who had suffered an unjust punishment.

He looked at Qiu Yinuo with pleading eyes, hoping that his mom would come to his uncle’s rescue.

To his surprise, his mother smiled brighter than anyone else, stepping aside with Erbao in her arms to give them more room to play.

“Sis, save me! You didn’t stop me when I lit the firecrackers!” Jinzi pleaded.

“Well, I couldn’t stop you. I’m just as afraid of getting hit,” Qiu Yinuo replied, teasingly.

It used to be that her son came first, but she wasn’t sure if it was due to the special bond of being a grandparent, but now, Dabao and Erbao took priority, and her son had to step back a little.

Qiu Qianjin grinned awkwardly, “Mom, stop hitting me. I can’t run anymore. My legs are sore.”

Cheng Hongying threw the fire stick down and plopped onto a small stool in the yard, panting, “Fine, fine, no more hitting. I’m too tired to run anymore.”

Seeing that her son had also found a spot to sit, Cheng Hongying suddenly jumped to her feet with lightning speed, pounced on Qiu Qianjin, and slapped him. “You wanted to run, so now you’ll get it!”

“Ouch, Mom! Why don’t you keep your word?” Jinzi complained.

“You deserved it, making me run until my legs are sore,” Cheng Hongying snapped back.

Qiu Yinuo watched in surprise as Cheng Hongying laughed heartily. The winter sun was shining on her face, and her bright smile made her face seem softer, with a playful glint in her eyes. It was a youthful, almost childlike joy that Qiu Yinuo hadn’t noticed before.

In that moment, Qiu Yinuo realized that before Cheng Hongying became a mother, she must have been a playful child too.

Jinzi didn’t dare to resist. He threw himself onto the ground, kicking his legs in a tantrum. “Cheng Hongying, don’t you have any dignity as a mom? You’re bullying your own son!”

Qiu Yinuo: Ah! This sounds so familiar. Where have I heard this before?

She met Dabao’s eyes, which were full of grievance, and she suddenly remembered—this little rascal always liked to say she didn’t have any “mom-like” qualities.

Seeing her son’s poor attitude, Cheng Hongying’s brows twitched. “Get up now, this ground is dirty.”

Even though the cotton pants weren’t new, they couldn’t withstand his rough play.

She kicked him without mercy. “Get up. Go light the fire; I’m going to cook.”

He Ziqing, having enjoyed the spectacle, obediently followed Cheng Hongying into the kitchen to help.

“Auntie, your house is so lively,” He Ziqing commented.

“Qingqing, what’s it like at your house during the New Year?”

He Ziqing thought for a moment. “It’s pretty lively at my place too. My mom died early, but my dad runs a martial arts school, and he took in a lot of homeless brothers. Aunt, you wouldn’t believe it, but every time it’s meal time, we have to fight for food, or else no one gets to eat.”

“Are you sure you, a delicate girl, can fight with all those men for food?”

“Although I’m a girl, I’m tougher than any of them,” He Ziqing said confidently. She had secretly learned martial arts and understood it better than even her older brother or the other students. This was one of the things that frustrated her dad.

He Ziqing swung her fists. “I can take on three at a time without breaking a sweat.”

“Looks like you’ve been up early training every day. My daughter sleeps until past eight. I heard she wants to learn martial arts from you, but I think she’s just bragging.”

“Auntie, right now, Sister Yinuo is still nursing. Once she weans the kids, she’ll definitely become more active.”

“Who knows? Anyway, she doesn’t seem to be the least bit diligent now. She sleeps in late, takes naps, and goes to bed early. All her time seems to be taken up by sleeping,” the two of them whispered in the kitchen. Qiu Yinuo had Jinzi keep an eye on the twins while she went to Aunt Ma’s house to pick up the new cotton coats.

Upon entering, she greeted, “Aunt Ma, Happy New Year! Where are Uncle and the kids?”

“They’ve been nagging their dad to take them to the town’s supply and marketing cooperative since early this morning. You’re just in time, the coats are ready, and I took the liberty to make two little hats for the kids from the leftover fabric,” Aunt Ma said warmly.

Aunt Ma was always practical, using up every scrap of fabric whenever she could.

“Wow, Aunt Ma, you’re so skilled! These little hats are really cute!” Qiu Yinuo exclaimed.

In fact, Aunt Ma had kept the leftover fabric and cotton for herself, but since she had made the coats for Qiu Yinuo, she felt she should show her appreciation.

She took out a handful of candy, about six or seven pieces. “These are for the kids to sweeten their mouths.”

Candy was a rare treat, and Aunt Ma immediately tried to push it back.

After a bit of tugging, Aunt Ma gave in, worn out from the struggle.

Qiu Yinuo returned home, holding the cotton coats. She first asked her mother to try them on. “Come, try it on and see if it fits.”

“The coat just needs to be big enough; there’s no need to try it on,” Cheng Hongying grumbled, but despite her words, she happily changed into the new coat.

Qiu Qianjin, who was playing “airplane” with Dabao nearby, sincerely complimented, “Mom, the fabric my sister chose is really nice. You look at least ten years younger in that coat.”

As Dabao giggled and was “flown” up again, Qiu Qianjin asked, “Dabao, does Grandma look prettier now?”

“Not bad, he looks very energetic.”

“Jinzi, be careful. Don’t drop Dabao.” Cheng Hongying grinned ear to ear, delighted by the compliments from her daughter and son. “Alright, you two, enough flattery. Qingqing is in the kitchen, and I still need to cook.”

“Tonight we’re going to Grandpa and Grandma’s for dinner. Wear this new coat.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. If I wear this new coat, your Aunt and Little Aunt will definitely tease me.”

“Let them tease. With me around, they won’t be able to make you suffer.”

Before leaving, Cheng Hongying reminded, “Don’t lift him too high; it’s dangerous. If Erbao doesn’t want to play, don’t force him.”

Jinzi was always fair. If he played with Dabao, he’d play with Erbao too. The game was enjoyable for Dabao, but as for Erbao…

There was no reaction. Occasionally, when he was “flown” through the air, he’d yawn incessantly.

Once, he even fell asleep mid-flight, which made Jinzi feel like he was failing at the game.

In winter, there were still two meals a day, even during the New Year.

It wasn’t until Qiu Yinuo returned that Cheng Hongying made an exception to cook for her, since breastfeeding made Qiu Yinuo hungry.

At eleven, the meal was served right on time.

Qiu Yinuo was especially looking forward to the shrimp. “Mom, I’m going to wash my hands. I can’t wait to eat the shrimp.”

She couldn’t even dream of having raw marinated shrimp, but boiled shrimp for this New Year was more than enough to make her happy.

Jinzi was equally excited and even swallowed involuntarily.

In the flurry of activity, when Qiu Yinuo walked in with her hands still wet, she froze when she saw the plate on the table.

With disbelief, she asked, “Mom, where are my shrimp?”

Cheng Hongying dragged the plate over to her and answered, “Are you blind? This is your shrimp.”

“…”