Chapter 60: I’m Just Joking with You

Seeing her mother speak with such confidence, Qiu Yinuo almost thought she had gone blind. “Take a good look for yourself. This is just tofu with scallions, isn’t it?”

She wasn’t completely ignorant. At the very least, she could recognize scallion tofu.

Cheng Hongying picked up her chopsticks and carefully dug through the chopped green onions sprinkled over the tofu. From within, she pulled out a few tiny, pale shrimp. “You’d better take a closer look. Aren’t these shrimp?”

“…How are these shrimp? Aren’t they just dried shrimp?”

Cheng Hongying snorted. “Dried shrimp are still shrimp! Do you know how much trouble I went through just to get this little bit? I had to pull strings, beg people left and right. It was no easy task getting someone to give me two liang. Then I bought a block of tofu just to make this dish for you. So…are you going to eat it or not?”

Qiu Yinuo clenched her teeth. Could she really say no at this point? “I’ll eat it.”

Since the dish was already made, she had no reason not to.

Her mother was right; dried shrimp was still shrimp.

Qiu Qianjin looked at the dried shrimp with watery eyes. Well, it was clear now, his mother really was his mother, and he had been expecting something for nothing.

At least it was New Year’s, so the food was still pretty good.

There was fish, meat, and vegetables…

Uh, and dried shrimp.

Cheng Hongying enthusiastically called out, “Come on, Qingqing, you’ve worked hard this morning too. Let them serve themselves, sit down and eat.”

He Ziqing had gone from being nervous at first, afraid Cheng Hongying would ask her to leave, to now being able to sit down calmly and serve herself her favorite dishes. She knew that her aunt had a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

Ever since coming to the Qiu family, her aunt had genuinely treated her well, often dropping hints that she hoped she would stay for good and preferably not ask for more money.

…She was kind of cute that way.

During the meal, Cheng Hongying mentioned the New Year’s goods. “I’ve picked out some things. Tonight I plan to bring them over to your grandparents. Take a look and see if there’s anything you want to keep.”

“You decide. I’m fine with whatever.”

Cheng Hongying glanced at her, surprised at her calmness. “You’re not upset?”

“Not at all. I’m still living in the big house they paid to build. Giving them something in return isn’t a big deal.”

Cheng Hongying couldn’t help but sigh. Since she left home, her attitude had become much more open.

Though… her heart had also grown darker. She dared to take advantage of anyone now.

Still, she was happy with her daughter’s change. At least she wasn’t getting taken advantage of anymore.

Back then, that damned man had kept her under his thumb so much that she always looked gloomy, treating everyone like they owed her something.

After the meal, Qiu Yinuo started feeling sleepy again.

She leaned against the wall, her eyelids growing heavier. “Mom, I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up when you go to Grandma and Grandpa’s.”

She had heard her mother mention that she needed to go over and help her grandparents before they could eat the ready-made food.

“Sleep, sleep. You’re going to turn into a pig at this rate.”

Qiu Yinuo mumbled, “No more pig… too greasy…”

Hearing this, Cheng Hongying nearly wanted to pull her daughter out of bed.

When she saw that she was fully asleep, she took a deep breath, grabbed a small blanket nearby, and gently covered her.

Looking over at her son, who was sleeping while hugging Erbao, she rolled her eyes.

She pulled a large blanket over them and, before leaving, nudged Jinzi. “Don’t sleep too deeply, you’re crushing Erbao.”

Jinzi quickly glanced over, confirmed that their sleeping positions were safe, and then tilted his head and fell back asleep.

Cheng Hongying couldn’t help but complain. They were definitely siblings.

“Look at how energetic Dabao is. Come on, let’s go take a nap with Grandma and Aunt Qingqing. When you wake up, we’ll go to Great-Grandpa’s house. Dabao really loves Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma, doesn’t he? He smiles every time he sees them.”

Dabao shivered for a moment. In order to please his mother and little brother, he decided that no matter what, he would be the lovable little baby today.

“Qingqing, you’ve worked hard all morning too. Come on, go take a nap in my room with us. Let the siblings sleep in this room,” said Cheng Hongying.

In winter, there was no farm work to do, so everyone took the opportunity to nap.

At 3 PM, the whole family of six, carrying the New Year’s gifts, headed to the grandparents’ house.

He Ziqing still felt a little shy. “Aunt, I can stay home alone, it’s fine. I’d rather not disturb them.”

After all, they weren’t a family by blood. Going over to eat and drink for free would just be a burden and cause trouble.

Jinzi swung the two baskets. “Cousin Qingqing, we’re not empty-handed. What are you worried about? Who would dare say anything to you? I’ve got your back. At my grandparents’ house, I’m the one who calls the shots.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll eat and then come back,” Qiu Yinuo said indifferently. “Even if we go, they’ll still give us the cold shoulder. But that’s fine; we have thick skin and can take it.”

“Sis, I remember it’s ‘the big mouth that eats the world,’ not ‘thick skin.'”

“Shut up. Why are you so good at arguing?”

“…”

The group arrived at the grandparents’ house in a grand manner, only to be stopped at the gate by Aunt Qiu.

“Well, well, the second sister-in-law is bringing her son, daughter, and grandson—oh, and even a relative who has nothing to do with our family, to celebrate the New Year?”

One or two freeloaders would have been enough, but to think the second family would be so shameless.

Not only did they bring back the daughter they had married off, but they also brought an outsider along. Wasn’t that bullying?

He Ziqing instantly felt embarrassed. “Aunt, please don’t misunderstand. I am—”

Qiu Yinuo stopped her and smiled. “Aunt, I came to pay my respects to Grandpa and Grandma, but it seems like you’re not very welcoming.”

“At least you know that,” Aunt Qiu said coldly. “What kind of married granddaughter comes back to her grandfather’s house to celebrate New Year’s? Now that your dad is gone, your mom shouldn’t even be here. I say, why don’t we let only Jinzi come home for New Year this year?”

Her eyes landed on the two baskets full of gifts Jinzi was carrying, and a smile spread across her face.

The second family really went all out this year, preparing so many New Year’s gifts.

Cheng Hongying scoffed. “Who do you think you are? I’m coming to my own in-laws’ house to celebrate the New Year, and I need you to welcome me? Do you think this is your house?”

After all, the house the Qiu family lived in was one built by the two old folks. What right did they have to deny them entry and refuse them the respect of a New Year’s visit?

“Mom, don’t get upset. I think Aunt is right,” said Qiu Yinuo calmly.

“What nonsense are you talking?” Cheng Hongying looked at her daughter suspiciously, not believing she was actually agreeing.

“Well, according to logic, our family really only has Jinzi left as a Qiu family member. Since Aunt only wants to welcome Jinzi, let’s not go in. Jinzi, you can tell Grandpa and Grandma that it’s not that we don’t want to pay our respects, but Aunt won’t let us in.” Saying this, Qiu Yinuo took the New Year’s gifts from Jinzi’s hands.

Jinzi instantly realized what his sister was up to. He quickly handed the gifts back to her. “Alright, you guys be careful on your way back. I’ll stay here for a few more days to accompany Grandpa and Grandma.”

If he stayed a few more days, wouldn’t that ruin the food supplies at home? Watching Qiu Yinuo take the gifts away, her heart ached. “Hey, why are you taking the stuff?”

“Jinzi doesn’t need to bring New Year’s gifts back to his own house.”

Aunt Qiu was momentarily stunned, her face changing colors as if it were a painter’s palette.

By morning, news had spread throughout Ping’an Village that Qiu Yinuo had repaired a tractor for them, and Taolin Village had sent over quite a few New Year’s gifts. It was clear that the second family’s gifts wouldn’t be too shabby, so Aunt Qiu immediately switched to a smiling face. “Yinuo, you little rascal, why are you taking me seriously? I was just joking with you!”