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Chapter 258: Chapter 258: Arrive Home
In those days, catering style banquets and eating at restaurants weren’t popular in the countryside. People would typically hire a chef and set up a temporary large stove to cook banquet dishes.
Tables and chairs were borrowed from neighbors’ houses. It was customary to return them with a bag of candies. This practice was customary during festivities, and everyone had become accustomed to it. This not only enhanced neighborhood relationships but also promoted a shared sense of joy.
Zhang Chunlan felt somewhat embarrassed discussing this matter, her family had been using the same small square table for years and had no larger ones. Naturally, they didn’t have big benches either. So whenever someone else hosted a celebration, she would just go and help wash dishes, never having borrowed anything from anyone.
Fortunately, everyone was townsfolk, so no one held such details against each other. After all, everyone contributed their efforts equally.
Even if they didn’t like each other or found each other unpleasant, they would enthusiastically help each other when there were significant events happening. This, perhaps, is the simplicity of rural people.
Hosting two festivities a year to welcome two daughters-in-law was an unusual occurrence in the countryside, so Lin Fengying was naturally very delighted. She was only worried that Tong Yao might have objections, since Tong Yao’s wedding hadn’t been as grand when she got married.
Although the banquet was splendid, the money for it came from her eldest son. She had neither the means nor the capability to help.
Si Chen had no objections to Lin Fengying’s arrangements. He nodded and said, "Have the candies and stuff been bought? It’s best if we prepare some extra."
"I have got them." Seeing that her eldest son had no objections and was even concerned that there may be a shortage, Lin Fengying was delighted, "I bought twenty kilograms of candy. Everyone wants to share in the joy, so preparing more candy will make everyone happy."
During Si Chen’s wedding, he bought ten kilograms of candy. Back then, Lin Fengying thought that was too much. She believed that these things, once their symbolic meaning was acknowledged, they didn’t really need to spend much money on it.
Now that the family’s circumstances had improved, and she was happy with Zhang Lijuan, she wanted to organize everything perfectly. This would prevent gossip in the village and also give Chen Jinlan no room to find fault.
In the twenty-first century, these candies were nothing special. But in those times they were a favorite snack of everyone, regardless of age. That’s why when there was a festive occasion, children from several neighboring villages would come over and wait to pick up candies.
Buying a lot of candies was also a way to show prestige.
"Alright." Si Chen nodded emotionlessly without saying much.
After everyone finished eating, Si Xiaohui couldn’t help but chase after Tong Yao and ask, "Sister-in-law, what’s the surprise you mentioned?"
Seeing her asking Tong Yao for something, Si Boyi frowned and scolded, "Your sister-in-law and brother traveled all the way back home, and you’re chasing her for a surprise. Don’t you have better things to do?"
Si Xiaohui thought Si Boyi was just butting in. She pouted and glared at him, "Sister-in-law said she had a surprise for me, I didn’t ask for it."
With his wedding approaching and so many things to handle, Si Boyi had no energy for arguments and quietly began to help Lin Fengying clean up the table.
During dinner, Tong Yao noticed that Si Xiaohui kept staring at her suitcase. Without beating around the bush, Tong Yao opened her suitcase, "I bought clothes for you all."
"Sister-in-law, did you really buy clothes for me?"
Si Xiaohui’s eyes sparkled like light bulbs. The moment she took the clothes from Tong Yao, she quickly took off her coat to try it on. The size was perfect and she liked the style.
She twirled around the room happily, "Sister-in-law, does it look good?"
"It looks good." Tong Yao said, laughing. She then took out a light brown cotton jacket, "Mom, I bought one for you too."
Seeing Tong Yao be so kind to her daughter, Lin Fengying was overjoyed. Her face displayed a constant smile, but upon hearing Tong Yao had bought her something, she was taken aback.
"Yao Yao, this must have cost a lot! You don’t need to buy clothes for me, a cotton-padded jacket is enough for me at home. It’s warm and economical."
These city clothes were presumably very expensive.
Lin Fengying was overjoyed that her daughter-in-law bought her clothes, yet, she was more concerned about the money. City garments were costly, this piece of clothing must have cost several tens to hundreds of yuan, which was enough for a common family to wed a daughter-in-law.
"Mom, now that sister-in-law has bought it for you, you should try it on and see if it fits." Si Xiaohui took the clothes from Tong Yao’s hand and pushed Lin Fengying to try it on.
Before, Si Xiaohui thought Tong Yao was lazy and a big eater, but now Si Xiaohui couldn’t help but like Tong Yao a lot. Which sister-in-law was as good as her, buying one thing and another for her, and even helping her to live a better life?
Seeing them so happy, Tong Yao was also in a good mood. She took out another set of clothes from her suitcase, "Boyi, I also bought for you, you can wear this set for your wedding."
In this era, it wasn’t popular to wear suits for weddings in the countryside. Plus, wearing a suit in the winter was quite cold, so Tong Yao specifically chose a black cotton suit for Si Boyi which was just right for the wedding. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
Si Boyi didn’t expect Tong Yao to buy clothes for him. He was somewhat moved but a little embarrassed, as no one other than Lin Fengying had ever bought him any clothes before.
Upon seeing him standing there, Si Chen raised his eyebrows and said, "Since it’s already bought, you should try it on to see if it fits."
"Thank you, sister-in-law." Regaining his senses, Si Boyi quickly took the clothes.
Just as he did so, Zhang Lijuan’s voice suddenly came from the doorway. Before Si Boyi could even turn his head, Zhang Lijuan had already entered the hall.
Seeing Tong Yao and Si Chen present, Zhang Lijuan paused, before immediately calling out, "Sister-in-law, brother."
In the past, even though she addressed Si Chen as brother, she would always add Si Chen’s name in front. Now that she was about to marry Si Boyi, she knew to avoid misunderstandings. Yet, the moment she saw Si Chen, a flutter of emotion arose within her.
To be frank, Si Boyi wasn’t bad looking, but when standing next to Si Chen, the gap was blatantly apparent.
They were like two different existences standing together, with different auras all around. From a single glance, one could tell that Si Chen was a capable man, while Si Boyi seemed like someone just making a living. The difference in societal status was significant.
Also, there was Tong Yao, who seemed to grow more beautiful every day as if she had consumed an elixir. She dressed like a superstar right out of a TV series, which made her irresistible to gaze at, especially for the male folk.
No wonder Si Chen didn’t take a liking to her. Which man would have stray thoughts when he had a pixie-like wife like Tong Yao!
"Lijuan, it’s snowing heavily outside, why did you come over?" Lin Fengying had just come out of the room after changing her own clothes when she saw Zhang Lijuan and quickly went over to her, feeling her hand, "Look how cold your hands are. You must be freezing. Quickly sit by the heater."
Zhang Lijuan saw Lin Fengying wearing a new set of clothes and noticed Si Xiaohui was also dressed in new clothing. She saw a new set of clothes in Si Boyi’s hands and the open suitcase on the floor, she instantly understood what was happening and her smile waned.
"I thought that when brother and sister-in-law return tonight, there won’t be enough room. So I wanted to see if Xiaohui wanted to sleep over at my place."
