Chapter 953 New Year’s Money
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Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“That’s quite alright, Sister-in-law,” Mrs. Bai insisted.
“If you need anything at all, just ask Qiuxiang. She’ll be staying here to a.s.sist you for now.” Zhou Ying acknowledged Mrs. Bai’s thanks with a nod towards Qiuxiang.
“Thankyou, Sister-in-law. Understood.”
“Well then,” Zhou Ying said, “get some rest. We can discuss anything else tomorrow.” With that, she turned and left.
The next morning, Gu Chengrui requested, “Prepare two more tables of food today. I’m inviting relatives from our hometown and Second Uncle’s family. Let’s have a big gathering.”
“Noon?”
“Yes, noon. It’s safer during the day.”
“Alright, I’ll start preparing after lunch.”
After lunch, Gu Chengrui said, “I’ll take Chengsi to meet the family. Remember to give the children red envelopes.”
“Got it,” Zhou Ying replied. She went to her room to prepare twenty red envelopes. Besides Gu Chenglin’s containing 1,000 taels of silver, the rest held ten taels each.
She entrusted the red envelopes to Niu Lirong for safekeeping before heading out. As soon as she sat down, Gu Chenglin arrived for a visit, and Zhou Ying presented him with a red envelope.
Following greetings from Guoguo and Chenchen, Niu Lirong distributed red envelopes to them as well. Mrs. Bai then entered the room.
Guoguo saw her and led Chenchen forward. “Happy New Year, Auntie! May you be even more beautiful this year!”
“Such a sweet mouth you have, Guoguo,” Mrs. Bai replied with a smile.
She gave them a silver peanut each, a pair of silver b.u.t.terfly hairpins with red crystals for Guoguo, and a small golden lock for Chenchen.
“Thank you, Auntie,” Guoguo beamed as she took the hairpins. She immediately ran to Zhou Ying, requesting that she put them on for her.
Gu Chengsi’s eldest son, Gu Jieming, approached with his siblings, Jieyuan and Gu Xin. “Happy New Year, Aunt! May you have good health and prosperity in the new year!”
“A lovely New Year’s blessing!” Zhou Ying chuckled, handing each of them a red envelope. “May the coming year bring you all the best as well.”
Niu Lirong promptly distributed the red envelopes, but Mrs. Bai interjected. “Sister-in-law, you shouldn’t have! I gave them theirs yesterday.”
“Yesterday’s gifts were greetings,” Zhou Ying explained with a wave of her hand. “Today’s are for the New Year, a different occasion. Let the children keep them both.”
She pointed at the hairpin in Guoguo’s hair. “Besides, didn’t you also prepare New Year’s gifts for my kids? Don’t worry, the ones I gave are just a small token.”
Mrs. Bai hurriedly shook her head. “No, no, it’s perfectly fine.”
After a few more pleasantries, Zhou Ying entrusted the children to Gu Chenglin before returning to the kitchen with Mrs. Bai.
Fortunately, many dishes were already prepped, so the meal came together quickly.
Three tables were set—one for the men and two for the women and children.
As noon approached, guests from both families began to arrive. Once preparations were nearly complete, Zhou Ying delegated tasks to Chun Xiang and the others.
She then ushered everyone into the dining room and invited them to sit.
As soon as Mrs. Yao entered, she commented, “The heated floor tiles here are wonderful. I’m determined to install them in my new house next summer, no matter what! A brazier just can’t compare.”
“Sounds like Second Brother Shen has acquired a new house as well?” Zhou Ying inquired with a turn of her head.
“Yeah, a two-in-one with a layout similar to our hometown house. By the way, could I get a copy of the floor tile blueprint when the time comes?” Mrs. Yao requested..