Chapter 361: Chapter 370: Giving Red Envelopes
Lanzhi was quite concerned about what kind of sister-in-law she would have in the future. The whole ten miles and eight villages were spreading rumors that the sister-in-law was quarrelsome and had a good relationship with the divorced Qi Mei,
so she learned all the bad things but none of the good ones.
Lanzhi didnât believe it. The folks of the Sheng family were so honest, how could they possibly raise someone so extreme? So, she made a special trip to the town and even bought some bean sprouts. It was crowded at the time, and the young girl probably didnât notice. But she took it to heart, this little girl was truly wonderful!
In the dead of winter, buying bean sprouts in the chilly open-air market was not easy. The fresh, tender bean sprouts were scooped out of the water, and her hands, frozen like radishes, didnât make a peep.
Feeling empathetic, she went back and discussed it with her husband, feeling like getting married. Afterward, she planned to take more care of this sister-in-law.
When Sheng An heard that his sister-in-lawâs mother-in-law had come to buy his bean sprouts, his face turned red, he was quite embarrassed! âAuntie, next time you want to buy bean sprouts, just tell me, Iâll bring them to you!â
âThatâs very kind of you!â Lanzhi didnât stand on ceremony, after all, they were going to be family, there was no question of taking advantage of each other. She wouldnât really take advantage of the young girl either, but when people get too precise about these things, itâs not good.
The so-called warmth of human relationships, measuring too precisely, is refusing peopleâs face, losing the flavor.
âHere, take this red envelope!â Lanzhi insisted on giving a red envelope to Sheng An, who was so frightened that he hid behind Shen Luhua, steadfastly refusing to accept it.
âIf sheâs given it to you, you should take it,â Shen Luhua nodded at Sheng An.
In rural areas, thereâs a custom that when elders from both sides meet, the unmarried youngsters from the male side, if they are generous, are supposed to give a red envelope as a gesture.
Their Sheng family didnât fuss about this, but if the man gave one and it wasnât accepted, it could embarrass everyone.
âOh! Thank you, Auntie.â Since his mom told her to take it, she took it.
Seeing Sheng An accept the red envelope, a bright smile spread across Lanzhiâs face, making her look much younger than her fifty-something years.
âYou guys keep talking, Iâll go prepare something to eat. Dui Shan, help take care of the guests.â
âSure thing, donât worry!â
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Meanwhile, the Xu family busily discussed wedding arrangements, while far away in the county city, Su Hai finally found a clue.
âDirector Su, we found thirteen Qin Youmins in the entire county. But only the one from Shixi Town really fits your requirements,â the office director entered with a stack of thick files.
âYou guys are too slow! The county has hundreds of thousands of people, and you took two days to find him. If I hadnât come in person, would it have taken two years?â Su Hai took a sip of tea, visibly aggrieved.
âIâm sorry, Director Su, this⊠these rural areas, the systems are not complete.â
âEnough!â Su Hai had no patience for his rambling, âTell me the details.â
âThis Qin Youmin died eighteen years ago!â
The office director had barely finished speaking when the sound of a cup hitting the floor rang out. Su Yun was standing by the door, completely stunned.
Su Hai glanced over, pretending not to care, and started scrutinizing the documents. The more he read, the deeper his frown became.
How could he have been dead so long? What happened to his child back then?
âQin Youmin should have had a child, right?â Su Hai flipped to the page of the household registration and scanned it quickly.
âDirector Su, this Qin Youmin wasnât married, so weâre not sure if he had any children,â the office director finished and sneaked a glance at Su Yun.