"Itâs alright, letâs go check things out first, and later weâll have Grandpa come eat with us." While saying this, Yang Chuxia instructed Li Wen, Li Wu, and Mingcui to fetch the prepared gifts and follow along.
Watching Li Wen and Li Wu carrying a variety of gift boxes, Ms. Lvâs eyes heated with desire, especially for the bolts of fabric, two or three per personâit really showed wealth.
In her heart, she daydreamed that the girl from the third branch would certainly give more to them aunties. After all, Land Officer Yangâs kin were more distant relatives; surely, theyâd be entitled to more.
With the fabric, she could make two new dresses for herself and her daughterâhow beautiful they would be.
Ms. Hong, standing by her side, heard her barely contained laughter and couldnât help but curl her lips in disdain. She truly knew nothing about this young lady. To even compare with Land Officer Yangâs household, they couldnât even match her real uncle, let alone that honorary uncle. What a pipe dream.
"Daddy, Mommy, I want to go too," Yangyang dashed forward to declare.
Lele also expressed his desire to follow.
"Alright, letâs all go together then."
Thus, the group set off towards the village, and on the way, Yang Chuxia said, "Letâs stop by Uncle Caiâs place too."
"Sure."
Since Uncle Caiâs home was on the way to Land Officer Yangâs house, they naturally stopped there first, delivering the brought-back bolts of fabric, pastries, and some valuable medicinal herbs.
They also invited Uncle Cai to join them at the third branch for a meal, but Uncle Cai adamantly refused to come.
Left no choice, Ye Ziâan thought to extend the invitation again before his trip to Shandong.
After bidding farewell to Uncle Cai, they visited Land Officer Yangâs home. Yang Dayong was indeed not in, leaving only Yang Qingkang and Land Officer Yang there.
Seeing Yang Chuxia, Land Officer Yang even cried.
"Grandpa, our family is reunited; you should be happy, why the tears?" Yang Chuxia quickly went forward to help him.
Land Officer Yang looked hale and hearty, but he was undeniably old. Having been through Land Officer Yangâs wifeâs ordeal, the bitterness in his heart ran deep.
"Yes, yes, happiness is in order. I heard Brother An got promoted again, didnât he?"
"Yes, Grandpa, Brother An is now a Prefect," Yang Chuxia chimed in.
Ye Ziâan nodded in agreement.
"Good, thatâs an accomplishment!"
"Grandpa, letâs all go to my house for dinner," Yang Chuxia suggested, "Are you up for the walk? If not, let Brother An carry you."
Hearing this, Ye Ziâan genuinely bent down ready to carry Land Officer Yang.
Land Officer Yang hurriedly waved his hands, "I am capable of walking, no need to be carried by anyone yet. Come on, letâs go, at lunchtime I need to have a good drink with Brother An and your father."
Saying this, he took the lead and walked ahead.
Yang Chuxia then called over Yangyang and Lele to join Yang Qingkang.
Yangyang, gazing at the youngster shorter than himself, felt a sense of being an older brother. However, Yang Chuxia said, thatâs your uncle, and Yangyangâs little face turned sullen.
How could this world lack love like this? No matter how old or young, he had to address them as uncle or younger aunt, especially the one held in arms, only a few months old, and he was also supposed to call him uncle.
Was he destined to wait until his sister was born before he could be a big brother?
The more Yangyang thought about it, the more crestfallen he became.
Yang Chuxia and Ye Ziâan didnât care what he was thinking, they were busy chatting with Land Officer Yang ahead.
However, they hadnât walked far when they unexpectedly encountered an old acquaintance.
Auntie Li!
Back in the day, she was perhaps the most sprightly person in the entire village.
But seeing the procession led by Yang Chuxia, she turned her head and made straight for home, leaving Yang Chuxia unable to even exchange a greeting as she had intended.
However, Ye Ziâan noticed with a keen eye that she was limping slightly.