Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 168 - 167: Graceful as Jade and Handsome as Pine
Of course, it’s not a coincidence.
Qin Yao went to Jinshi Town to install water mills for Manager Wu.
Now that the last big order is finished, only some small orders are left. The factory has some downtime, and since it’s near the New Year, they decided to give the workers a holiday.
However, whether there will be work after the New Year depends on the factory’s order volume. If there aren’t many orders, only a few skilled workers will be retained.
The workers didn’t have any objections, since spring plowing is important. All they ask is that the water mill factory remembers them when they need workers.
This year, being able to earn five months’ wages near home made everyone quite happy.
Thus, both Qin Yao and Liu the carpenter have some free time.
After the workers delivered all of Manager Wu’s orders, they went on vacation. Qin Yao personally went to complete the follow-up installations.
There are still two sets left today, and she can finish them by herself in half a morning, so she uses the remaining time to keep an eye on Liu Ji.
When Liu Ji passed by Jinshi Town, Qin Yao happened to be going into town to buy meat, so they didn’t run into each other.
Afterward, Qin Yao followed him from a short distance, observing him all the way, contemplating how to kill him, where to kill him, and how to dispose of the body afterward.
After hearing Qin Yao’s description, Liu Ji just felt a chill down his spine. No wonder all the way back, he kept feeling that there seemed to be a pair of eyes sinisterly staring at him from behind.
He thought he was overthinking it, turns out there really was a pair of eyes watching him, terrifying on second thought!
Liu Ji shook his head, telling himself not to think about it anymore, and followed Qin Yao into the old house.
Thinking about how he hadn’t seen his family for so long, he wondered if they thought of him, and felt a little excited inside.
Upon entering the courtyard, he realized something wasn’t right. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
From the side room came the cry of a baby, and Old Liu was sitting in the main room discussing with Liu Bai what name to give.
Liu Zhong came out of the side room carrying a steaming basin of smelly diapers.
Mrs. Zhang was in the kitchen heating water, calling Liu Zhong in to get hot water for a better wash.
He was complaining loudly from the side room, "Oh my god, what kind of kid cries so much like you? If you keep crying like this, your mother won’t have peace during her confinement."
Jinbao and Jinhua’s voices also emerged from the side room, one saying, "Mom, let me hold him for a bit, just for a bit, gently."
The other said, "Little brother, stop crying, or we won’t play with you anymore!"
The people in the courtyard saw Qin Yao and Liu Ji come in together, only slightly surprised before going about their own business, having no time to pay attention to him.
After all, they learned half a month ago that he had safely returned.
Liu Ji gathered his courage and tugged at Qin Yao’s sleeve, "Second Sister-in-law gave birth?"
Qin Yao gave him a sideways glance, and Liu Ji quickly withdrew his hand.
"She gave birth on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, it’s a boy." With that, Qin Yao carried the meat into the kitchen.
Mrs. Zhang exclaimed, "Third Liu’s wife, why are you bringing meat again? We still have some at home; just a few days ago, we all pitched in to buy a pig to slaughter, and there is still some left."
Qin Yao directly put the meat down, "It’s different; this is fresh, whether making congee or soup, it’s more delicious and nutritious, better absorbed by Second Sister-in-law."
Although Qin Yao often used some odd words, everyone generally understood the meaning.
Liu Zhong, washing the dirty diapers, quickly turned around to gratefully thank Qin Yao for thinking of Mrs. Qiu.
The crying from the side room finally stopped, He returned the child to his mother, pulling the reluctant Jinbao out of the room.
Upon seeing Liu Ji standing in the courtyard, both mother and child were a bit taken aback, wondering who this man was. He seemed a bit unfamiliar.
With a closer look, Jinbao exclaimed, "Mom, it’s my Third Uncle who’s back!"
He delightedly gestured to the room to invite him to sit, then grabbed the vegetable basket to the garden to pick vegetables.
She sensed that tonight she’d be eating at the old house.
Sure enough, Old Liu and Mrs. Zhang both insisted on Qin Yao staying, and then instructed Liu Ji to bring the four kids from home to have a reunion dinner at the old house. On New Year’s Day, everyone would celebrate at each of their own homes.
Only then did Liu Ji feel a bit of a presence, asking Qin Yao if there was anything she wanted to take home, he could bring it over first.
Qin Yao pointed outside, "Take Old Huang with you, I’m going to check on the baby."
Newborn babies are the cutest, all soft and cuddly, you just can’t get enough of looking at them.
Except when they’re crying, of course.
But since she doesn’t have to soothe him when he cries, what’s there to worry about?
Qin Yao washed her hands clean, eagerly heading into Mrs. Qiu’s room.
Liu Ji grabbed his luggage, took Old Huang, and headed home alone.
The four Da Lang siblings had already heard the commotion; as soon as Liu Ji reached the water mill, the four siblings excitedly rushed to meet him.
Da Lang asked, "Dad, did Aunt Yao let you come back?"
Second Lang asked, "Where’s my copper coin?"
Sanlang and Si Niang eagerly held onto their father’s hand, "Dad, did you bring us candied hawthorn?"
Liu Ji felt that chill inside, not a single person cared whether he had suffered or fallen ill.
He shook off the twin’s hands, grumpily saying, "You want to eat candied hawthorn? Your dad almost didn’t make it back!"
But when facing Second Lang’s demanding look, he felt slightly guilty and spread his hands, "Not a cent left."
Also fearing Second Lang might lose his temper, he quickly reassured, "Your dad is a man of integrity; he promised to pay you back when he makes it big. A man should be generous, don’t always focus on those copper coins."
Saying all the nice and mean words he could, Second Lang could only glare angrily at him.
Finally, his gaze fell on Da Lang, who had a hint of concern, and Liu Ji forced a bitter smile, "Your stepmother still can’t get over how dashing I am, don’t worry."
He, Liu Laosan, wouldn’t die!
The four Da Lang siblings gave Liu Ji a once-over, from head to toe. Bearded, in tattered clothes, wearing shoes with toes poking out, leaving only a somewhat clean face.
So, Dad, you call this dashing?
But in any case, Liu Ji being home made the four siblings quite happy.
Knowing they’d be eating at the old house tonight made them even happier!
Although Qin Yao’s cooking is edible, it’s not tasty and not as good as Da Lang and Second Lang’s skills.
But the brothers were still young, couldn’t wield the pots and pans like He did.
So, every time they ate at the old house, it was like attending a feast for the four siblings.
Even for Qin Yao herself, she eagerly anticipated the old house family’s spontaneous dinner invitation to improve her meals.
Thinking of this, Qin Yao suddenly felt Liu Ji’s return had some benefits after all, at least she didn’t have to scrounge for meals at the old house any longer.
After tidying himself, and feeding the horse that nearly stepped on him to death, Liu Ji spiritedly took the four kids to the old house.
The large family gathered in the old house’s main room, young and old, making for a lively scene like Chinese New Year.
Liu Ji spoke much less, but once he opened his mouth, he was still the same troublemaker, either poking fun at someone or trying to sow discord among couples.
Realizing Liu Fei had begun looking at women, he focused all his attention on him, embarrassing Liu Fei until he rolled up his sleeves, ready to pick a fight with Liu Ji.
