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Chapter 427: Chapter 417 Don’t Talk to the Strange Uncle
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the family of five, led by Shen Yunfang, slept in, hoping that the rest of the year would be as prosperous and comfortable as the first day.
After waking up naturally, everyone started to get busy because today, Li Hongjun and Ma Liguo had already agreed that Ma Liguo’s family of three would come over for a feast at noon and in the evening.
In Ma Liguo’s mouth, Li Hongjun was still one of the few who had stepped into the communist class, so he, still struggling along the poverty line, must represent the people and eliminate you.
Li Hongjun was no longer surprised by such backdoor behaviors. Back in the army, he had always been slick, skimping on his comrades to save up money and labor coupons to get married.
Their family of five had just finished tidying up when Ma Liguo’s family arrived.
"Pangpang, Manman, do you miss Uncle Ma? Come here, come here, Uncle Ma is giving out New Year’s money," Ma Liguo started yelling as soon as he walked in the door.
Both families were familiar with his character, but the promise of New Year’s money still attracted two little fans.
"Uncle Ma, New Year’s money." Pangpang stretched out his little hand, waiting to receive the money.
"Want money," was Manman’s even simpler demand.
"Hey, alright, alright, you both have some, but before that, shouldn’t you two little ones show some appreciation?" Ma Liguo teased the children.
"There he goes being improper again," Mu Huazhen exposed him on the side.
"Go, go, go, hurry up and help Xiaoshen cook. When you’re in someone else’s house, you should be more diligent, don’t disgrace me," Ma Liguo put on airs in front of others, gesticulating and acting like he meant business. His wife was the good thing about him; no matter how much she scolded him at home, she gave him face in public. So, usually, he was treated like a grandson at home, but once he stepped out, he was the master.
Mu Huazhen didn’t bother arguing with him and actually entered the kitchen to help Shen Yunfang with the lunch preparations.
Ma Liguo’s tail was now raised even higher. He turned his head back to the kids, "Come on, who kisses Uncle Ma first, and Uncle Ma will immediately give him the New Year’s money, I always keep my word."
Li Hongjun, who was sitting on the sofa, couldn’t stand it anymore. This man was purely like the big bad wolf trying to lure away his own Little Red Riding Hood. He stood up and swooped Manman into his arms, "Sweetheart, let’s not play with this strange uncle, come on, daddy will tell you a story."
Manman loved her daddy the most, and when she heard that he was going to tell her a story, she cheered and forgot all about Uncle Ma and the New Year’s money.
Ma Liguo, infuriated by this interception, took heart that one child was led away but the other was still there.
"Pangpang..."
"Uncle Ma, your drool is dripping," Pangpang stated calmly.
Ma Liguo, subconsciously raised his hand to wipe the corner of his mouth, then immediately realized he had been tricked.
Pangpang had already turned to follow his father and sister, but inside, he was also sobbing, Dad, you can’t favor girls over boys. Mom said it’s wrong. How could you just take my sister and leave your precious son behind?
Ma Liguo watched as the figures of the father and two children disappeared inside the house, suddenly lost for words. Damn, life was unbearable. He was feeling stifled on the first day of the New Year; was there any chance for a good year ahead?
Fortunately, Ma Chaofan showed some conscience. Seeing his old man defeated, he patted his shoulder as a silent comfort, then followed Pangpang into the house to listen to Uncle Li’s stories. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
Wuwu, these people were all too heartless. His heart was wounded, bleeding profusely.
No way, they weren’t going to ditch him.
Mobilizing his sorrow into strength, Ma Liguo also burst into the bedroom, then pleaded with Pangpang and Manman to accept his New Year’s money.
The Li Family was filled with laughter and joy everywhere.
Shen Yunfang and Mu Huazhen were cooking and chatting in the kitchen, discussing the matter of finding a mate for Taxue. The little policeman had already talked to Mu Huazhen about it, and was thinking of taking Taxue to meet a potential partner after the New Year, on the sixth day of the first lunar month. He wanted to know what Shen Yunfang, the owner, thought.
"I’ve seen that dog, and although it’s not as good as your Taxue, it’s still very nice," Mu Huazhen said, helping her colleague make a sale. Hmm, this police comrade is sometimes omnipotent; he can even take on the challenging role of a matchmaker.
"Sure, I don’t have any objections, as long as Taxue is willing," Shen Yunfang said with a smile. She was a good pet owner; it hadn’t occurred to her to think about this issue before, but now that she realized it was time to find a mate for Taxue, she felt it was her undeniable responsibility. However, she was an open-minded owner; as long as Taxue liked it, she was willing to accept any type.
She had already discussed Taxue’s situation with Li Hongjun yesterday. As a large dog like Taxue, he had already reached the mating age, and it was very possible that he used to solve these matters on his own when he was on the street.
But now that they were in the city, it was difficult to find a partner. As pet parents, they had to put in extra effort for their children’s happiness.
"Then on the sixth, I’ll come to pick you up, and we’ll take Taxue for a meet and greet," Mu Huazhen said confidently. Once they took the dogs out, she was sure they would hit it off.
Later, Mu Huazhen talked to her about some issues concerning the old Fang Family, Shen Yunxiu’s in-laws—something Mu Huazhen had specially investigated.
Shen Yunfang listened intently. Although she and Shen Yunxiu had completely fallen out and probably wouldn’t see each other much in the future, it was still safer to learn more about the enemy just in case.
She also found out why Shen Yunxiu knew about the house she bought from Old Lady Zhao; it turned out that Shen Yunxiu and Old Lady Zhao’s daughter-in-law were related in an indirect way.
In conclusion, she thought, "Ah, it’s all karmic entanglements."
Shen Yunfang and Mu Huazhen chatted and laughed in the kitchen, and by noon a big table full of dishes was already set up.
In the center were two particularly special dishes, the first was the iron plate barbecue they had already enjoyed the day before, and the second was garlic steamed king prawns.
Ma Liguo gazed at the uniquely styled prawns and clicked his tongue in approval, "Buddy, I’ve been to quite a few restaurants, but the dish your wife made today is the most appetizing to me. Nobody better fight me for it, that big king prawn in the middle is all mine."
He hadn’t finished speaking when he was unanimously attacked by several children.
In the end, Ma Liguo, who had been bombarded, hung his head low and ended up serving the children, fetching them prawns to eat.
With Ma Liguo cracking jokes in the middle, the meal was lively and enjoyable, and all four adults drank a little baijiu, which was home-brewed by Shen Yunfang and spiked with special ingredients. It was smooth and sweet upon the initial sip, with an aftertaste that lingered.
Ma Liguo tried a sip and was amazed; once he learned that this liquor was brewed by his sister-in-law himself, he relentlessly begged for some, and it wasn’t until Li Hongjun, unable to withstand his persistence, agreed to give him two pounds that he returned to normal.
Mu Huazhen was probably already used to such a husband, so she was able to maintain elegant table manners throughout the meal, and from her unputdownable chopsticks, one could tell she was extremely satisfied with the meal.
In the afternoon, while the children were playing with their own things inside the house, the four adults, upon Mu Huazhen’s suggestion after cleaning up the table, took out the mahjong set and started building up a "Great Wall". This was a national essence that had enchanted countless people.
Mu Huazhen particularly enjoyed it and was one of her main reasons for looking forward to the New Year.
However, the battle at the mahjong table was forced to end at four o’clock in the afternoon. Mu Huazhen looked gloomily across at the couple with blooming smiles on their faces.
"These two are just too much," she whispered bitterly to her husband.
"Mm-hm, mm-hm," Ma Liguo agreed with shared animosity.
"Being good at studying and getting into college is fine, cooking delicious food I can also get over, having money and feeling envious I can accept. But how can I not beat her at the one thing I’m good at, mahjong? How am I supposed to live with this?"
