Chapter 62: The Housewarming Feast

The east room was already crowded with people, some sitting on the kang, some on stools, and others leaning against the kang.

Everyone was cracking sunflower seeds and chatting and laughing, the floor and the kang were covered with seed shells.

Lin Yue thought to herself, thankfully she had foresight and didn’t put new bedding on the kang.

The villagers might not be so particular about things, and it was common for them to throw things around and spit, but most of them were kind. They helped Zhang Yuandong carry the furniture back in, and they were very enthusiastic.

When everyone saw Lin Yue bringing the girl in, they scrambled to make space for them.

Jin Ajie pulled Lin Yue over and made her sit on the edge of the kang.

Liu Fang didn’t sit down either, he just huddled beside Lin Yue, like a shy and introverted little wife.

When people talked to him, he just smiled and didn’t answer.

After a few attempts, everyone knew that he was thin-skinned, so no one tried to talk to him anymore.

It was almost noon, and many people wouldn’t stay for lunch. Only those who were very close would stay for lunch.

Everyone got up, and Lin Yue took them to look around the different rooms. This was also a custom.

There were three main rooms, the east and west rooms were for living, and the one in the middle, facing the front door, was called the “Dangmen.”

If the house was big, the “Dangmen” could be used as the living room with tables and chairs. If the house was small, it was usually used as the kitchen.

Lin Yue’s new kitchen was not finished yet, so they would be cooking in the “Dangmen” today.

Of course, when the kitchen outside was built, this stove wouldn’t be demolished. It would be kept for heating the kang in winter.

Chinese people’s love for a new home is universal. A group of people rushed through the rooms, touching the new furniture, then moving the large mirror hanging on the wall, and even wanting to take down the wall clock to examine it.

Finally, when they had seen enough of the furnishings in the house, everyone went to see the two unfinished side rooms outside.

The side rooms still needed to be aired and dried. There were many green bricks piled inside, which were meant for building a cupboard. Once it was built, they could cut vegetables and wash dishes on top, basically imitating the design of a modern kitchen.

Everyone kept praising it, but some people couldn’t stand it. Lin Yue heard someone whispering, “Using so many bricks to build a cupboard, that’s really extravagant.”

Lin Yue pretended not to hear, but after a while, the person said again, “It’s a good thing you’re living in a village. Doing all this fancy stuff, you’re really burning money. Zhang Yuandong is a policeman, why doesn’t he bring them to live in the city? Why are you still living in the village?”

It was a good day, not a day for getting angry. Lin Yue pretended not to hear, but she secretly remembered this person who kept making sour remarks.

This person was none other than Liu Dehui, Zhang Shouyu’s wife and Liu Zhishu’s daughter.

Lin Yue didn’t have a good relationship with her. She didn’t expect her to come today, and she was full of sour remarks.

Actually, Liu Dehui didn’t want to come either. It was her father who insisted on her coming.

Since her mother-in-law had been getting better day by day and was constantly cursing in the streets, their whole family had lost face.

Liu Zhishu told her to go out more and socialize, to be more proactive in situations like today, to help out whenever she saw someone in need, saying that it was to let her show her face in front of people and that if she interacted more with the villagers, her reputation would naturally improve.

It was a good idea, but the wrong person was using it.

Liu Dehui never said anything bad about anyone behind their backs. She looked down on everyone because her father was the village secretary. After going out to visit for a few days, her reputation got even worse.

The people standing beside her spontaneously moved away, afraid that others would misunderstand that they were together.

Lin Yue was separated from her by several people. Lin Yue glanced at her lightly, her eyes full of warning.

Liu Dehui had crossed paths with her a few times and knew that she was not someone to be messed with, so she finally shut her mouth.

Unfortunately, when she stopped talking, someone else couldn’t wait to speak, “Look at you, so extravagant, you’ve ruined your reputation in the village! I’m so unlucky, how did I marry a daughter-in-law like you!”

Well, from the tone of voice, you could tell that it was Sun Hongmei again.

Normally, she and Zhang Zhiwei, the two elders, should have come early to help with things like this. Lin Yue thought that she had just been disciplined by Zhang Yuandong, so she wouldn’t come today. But this woman couldn’t even wait a day, and she was out causing trouble again.

Sun Hongmei saw Lin Yue looking over, so she put her hands on her hips, pretending to be tough and said, “This is my son’s new house, I’m coming to see it, what’s wrong with that? You refuse to support me, now you want to kick me out!”

Lin Yue didn’t want to argue with her, so she just gave her a cold look, “Since you’re here, just be quiet. You’re so old, don’t make a fool of yourself in front of everyone.”

Sun Hongmei was like a lit firecracker, instantly exploding, “Is this how you behave as a daughter-in-law? I’m your mother-in-law, and you dare to talk to me like that! You deserve to be struck by lightning!”

Zhang Yuandong was discussing things with Liu Fang in the room, but when he heard the commotion, he quickly ran out to see what was going on.

Seeing that it was his mother making a scene again, Zhang Yuandong he is face instantly turned black.

He asked with a stern face, “What are you doing here? Didn’t I make it clear yesterday morning? Why are you here causing trouble again?” Ever since this eldest son joined the army, he had become less and less controllable. Sun Hongmei was even a little afraid of him now.

Seeing him come out, Sun Hongmei’s momentum immediately weakened, but she still insisted, “I’m your mother. You’re hosting a feast today, if I don’t come, who will sit at the head of the table?” Lin Yue rolled her eyes without hesitation, knowing that it wasn’t a good time for her to speak, so she pretended not to exist.

Zhang Yuandong thought for a moment and said, “If you want to come, no one will stop you. But I’m the one buying this house, and what you said just now hurt Lin Yue’s feelings.

And her own sister is here, and you’re bullying her like this. It won’t sound good if it gets back to people. You should apologize to her.”

Sun Hongmei’s gaze swept over the “little wife” following behind Zhang Yuandong, and her face instantly became ferocious, “Where did this wild girl pop up from? She dares to come to our house and pretend to be a relative! What sister? I know if she has a sister or not! Don’t tell me she’s a scammer, get her out of here!”

The more Lin Yue thought about those words, the more she felt something was off. She grabbed Sun Hongmei’s arm and asked, “What do you mean by that? What do you mean you know if I have a sister or not? Do you know who my parents are?” She suddenly thought of a possibility and reached out to pull Sun Hongmei’s sleeve.

Sun Hongmei’s face changed, she shoved Lin Yue’s hand away, and said angrily, “What do you mean? Your relatives from Donglin Village don’t want you anymore, what kind of relatives do you have left! What, with so many people watching, you want to fight with your mother-in-law?”

Lin Yue took several deep breaths, thinking of the person who would be coming soon, and tried to calm herself down. She put on a smile and said, “It’s okay, I’m just too excited to see my sister.

It’s almost time to eat, let’s all go inside and sit down.”

Sun Hongmei had a guilty conscience and didn’t dare to make a fuss anymore.

But on the other hand, she felt that Lin Yue was showing weakness to her.

The more she thought about it, the smugger she became. She winked at Zhang Xiaoxi, and Zhang Xiaoxi ran out the door “thump thump thump.”

Seeing that there was no more drama to watch, everyone said their goodbyes, leaving only a few familiar faces behind.

When it was time to eat, more people came.

The women had just left, and now the men from each family were coming to eat the feast.

Sun Hongmei had been very imposing before, saying that she wanted to sit at the head of the table. But when she saw Zhang Zhiqiang and Liu Yiliang arrive, she got up to greet them and gave the head of the table to Liu Yiliang.

There were quite a few people coming today. The older ones all sat at Sun Hongmei’s table. Sun Hongmei was a good hostess, but she was a little boastful, as if she had paid for the renovation of this house.

Lin Yue didn’t mind. She was glad that someone could help her entertain the guests.

Most people smoked in this era, not just men, but women too. It was said that smoking could relieve hunger.

The room was soon filled with smoke. Lin Yue smiled and suggested, “I think this room can’t fit so many people. How about we open another table in the west room, let the little ones eat there, and they’ll be more comfortable.”

The children were naturally thrilled, but some adults weren’t willing, afraid that their children wouldn’t be able to grab food if they weren’t in front of them.

Lin Yue didn’t force them. She took the little beans who were willing to go to the west room.

Zhang Xiaoxi pulled the twins, looking awkward as they entered the room.

The two brothers felt guilty because of the grain incident and didn’t dare to see their older brother and sister-in-law.

Lin Yue smiled and greeted the two awkward children, “You’ve come at the right time. Take the children to that room to eat, Wanli and Lingling will be in your care.”

The two brothers’ eyes lit up instantly. Not only were they not unhappy, but they were actually happy that Lin Yue had given them a task.

They answered “Yes” loudly and happily led a group of little radish heads to eat.

There were indeed quite a few people coming today. Almost everyone who was familiar with their family came. There were two tables set up in the house, one on the kang and one on the floor.

The people sitting on the kang were all drinking, men and women, and there were a few who brought their grandchildren along, quickly grabbing food and putting it in their children’s bowls.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Xiaohui also came. Liu Jianhua was just pregnant, and she was afraid of clashing with the occasion, so she had said beforehand that she wouldn’t come.

But Wang Sanshen’s old couple brought Zhang Xiaohui along.

She was now squeezed next to Zhang Yuandong. When Lin Yue was pulled to the door by Wang Xiuxiang, she happened to hear her sweet voice, “Yuandong Ge, do you like this dish? I’ll clip some for you!” “Yuandong Ge, are you thirsty? I’ll pour you some water!” “Oh, Yuandong Ge, your watch is so beautiful! I have one too, but I don’t know what’s wrong with it, it doesn’t run.

Could you take a look at it for me when you have time?”

Lin Yue shivered. She really admired Zhang Xiaohui’s courage. Zhang Yuandong’s little radar wasn’t just for show. He had already suspected that you had a problem, and you were still trying to get close to him.