This was also something Mrs. Jiang and Lin Sanshui had discussed and agreed upon beforehand.
Mrs. Zhu could particularly understand what Mrs. Jiang said. Although she also had a daughter, her daughter was only seven years old, and being her own child, she couldn't bear to ask her to help out. Her two sons were not as sensible as Mrs. Jiang's children, so she felt more tired in her daily life.
Mrs. Wang nodded, "As long as you have a plan in your hearts, it's fine. Your big brother has been mumbling about this matter recently. After all, the child has grown up and is sensible now. We just fear that all your efforts will be in vain if in the end, you're raising a daughter for someone else."
If the child is grateful, it's okay. But if she grows up and goes looking for her biological parents, wouldn't the couple have just fetched water with a sieve?
Mrs. Jiang smiled, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. Niannian is a very well-behaved child. Don't be fooled by her small size, but she knows in her heart who treats her well, and she notices when there's work to be done at home without me having to say anything."
Hearing Mrs. Jiang say this, Mrs. Zhu, whose daughter was even a year older than Gu Nian, almost turned green with envy.
How can children be so different?
Little did Mrs. Zhu know, Mrs. Jiang hadn't mentioned that while Gu Nian indeed took the initiative to help with the work, her little hands and feet couldn't actually do much.
On the other side, the three families gathered, and all the children crowded into the kitchen chattering away.
One speaking after another, they talked while savoring the aroma of the meat, making it quite lively.
By the time it was almost dark, Little Hu's voice finally came from the kitchen, "Mom, big brother says the food is ready, he wants you to bring out the table and set up the dishes."
"Alright, got it." Mrs. Jiang replied, and the packed crowd in the main room quickly dispersed to make room.
Lin Shui helped Lin Sanshui carry out the large square table, clearing off the clutter on top.
The small square table underneath the big one was pulled out a bit and placed by the door.
The three sisters-in-law, including Mrs. Jiang, had already gone to the kitchen to bring the dishes over.
There was garlic snails, green pepper fried pork intestine, cold pig heart, a plate of aromatic and rich braised pork, cold cucumber, stewed eggplant, and peanuts, with a large bowl of pork bone soup placed in the center of the table.
The small table by the door was also filled with dishes, the scattered aroma of meat continually wafted to their noses, making everyone swallow their saliva uncontrollably.
"Old Three, did you...strike it rich?" Lin Shui couldn't take his eyes off the dishes on the table, stammering as he asked.
Lin Sanshui laughed heartily, "Not quite rich. But yesterday, the kids caught a rabbit up the mountain. That thing had no fat at all, so I took it to the town to sell and exchanged it for some meat products."
"One rabbit isn't enough, is it?" Lin Ershui wasn't much better than his big brother Lin Shui, his eyes practically glued to the table.
"Of course it wasn't enough." Lin Sanshui teased with a smile, "The kids had good luck. They also picked some peaches yesterday, and those peaches looked just like the Immortal Peaches you hear about in the operas. They happened to be seen by a rich family in town, and oh my, they were quite generous..."
Of course, Lin Sanshui wasn't foolish enough to divulge the exact amount of silver they got.
Ten taels of silver, no matter which household, was a substantial sum of money.
Even among close brothers, you don't expose all your family wealth.
Lin Ershui enviously asked a few more questions and even complained to Lin Sanshui about not selling those red fruits in town. Although Lin Sanshui had gifted quite a few to his family, such good things could have fetched a nice price, and eating it ourselves was a waste!
"Alright, alright, let's eat." Lin Shui, being the eldest, quickly called everyone to the table.