The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 336 - 325 - We are different (Extra for reader "Rouge Tears" who gave a tip)

Chapter 336: Chapter 325 - We are different (Extra for reader "Rouge Tears" who gave a tip)

Manbao was too young to possibly shield her two brothers, so Zhou Dalang’s glares kept shooting towards them, followed by imperiously commanding them, "Wash the fishing nets clean and bring them home, huh!"

Then, he and Zhou Sanlang picked up the wooden tubs filled with fish and went home, taking the four youngsters, including Manbao, with them before leaving.

Datou and Second Son also tried to sneak away, but Zhou Dalang called them out to stay.

Thus, the four who stayed behind watched with envy as the silhouettes of those returning home grew more distant.

Zhou Wulang sighed in resignation as he looked at the various things sticking to the fishing nets, hating the task of washing the nets after fishing every time.

Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang resignedly spread the fishing nets on a somewhat cleaner patch of grass. Then, with Datou and others, they removed the weeds, twigs, stones, and mud stuck to them. After picking them clean, they still had to drag them to a cleaner body of water to wash them thoroughly.

Only then could they lump them together and carry them back home in a bamboo basket to dry.

Upon returning home, of course, they were scolded by Old Zhou, since not only had they missed dinner time, but they had also gotten their bodies dirty and stinking.

Zhou Dalang and Zhou Sanlang sat with their heads lowered, as if the matter had nothing to do with them.

Zhou Wulang could only quickly get Sixth, Datou, and Second Son to bathe. Once the group finally cleaned up and sat down, Old Zhou started the meal with a stern face and a pick-up of his chopsticks.

Tonight’s meal was abundant, with not just two bowls of small fish but also a large pot of tofu stew with fish and two plates of fried fish—the big kind—

as well as three vegetable dishes.

Although there was plenty of food, the Zhou family was large, so no matter how much was on the table, they would always finish it.

Tonight’s meal was not only plentiful but also cooked by Junior Ms.Qian, making it even more delicious.

In the end, everyone ate their fill, and even the adults felt stuffed, which was rare since food wasn’t usually consumed to excess; everyone typically only ate until they were seventy or eighty percent full for dinner.

Even though they were full, Old Zhou liked this feeling and, after putting his bowl down, said, "Tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival. Four, go to the market tomorrow and buy two jin of meat to bring back."

Then he looked towards his wife.

Ms.Qian lifted her eyelids, glanced at him, and slightly nodded, "Let Eldest’s family prepare tomorrow’s meal."

As soon as she said this, everyone felt satisfied. Zhou Xi laughed, "Big sister-in-law, I’ll feed the chickens tomorrow."

Ms.Feng also said, "I’ll clean up the yard. Big sister-in-law, just call me when it’s time to cook. I’ll start the fire for you."

Ms.He and Ms.Fang also expressed their willingness to take care of the other household chores, and Junior Ms.Qian just needed to focus on cooking the meal.

For village festivals, it was customary to enjoy a good meal and then let the children worship the moon in the yard in the evening—that was the extent of the celebration.

It was said that the county town was more lively, especially at night, "In those wealthy counties, during Mid-Autumn, lanterns are hung everywhere, with riddles written on them for people to guess. There are also street performers with monkeys, fire acts—such fun to watch."

Zhou SiLang asked in confusion, "Isn’t that for Lantern Festival?"

"Lantern Festival also has this, but Mid-Autumn does too." Manbao said, "Second Sister Fu told me this. She went to the Mianzhou lantern festival last year. It’s just that her father might be promoted this year, so they’re not allowed to wander around and won’t be able to go."

Not only Zhou SiLang, but also Ms.Fang listened with keen interest, unable to resist asking, "Mianzhou has it, but doesn’t our county town have one too?"

"They do have it, just less lively than Mianzhou. I heard there aren’t many lanterns, but the shops on the street will still hang some."

Ms.Fang then longingly said, "It would be nice to go see it."

Zhou SiLang had never spent a night in the county town nor participated in such lively events, and he became tempted for a moment.

With this thought, he couldn’t even sit still, wriggling in his seat, but as soon as he turned his head to see his parents talking on the other side, his excitement deflated, and he lowered his head in disappointment.

Seeing this, Ms.Fang whispered reassuringly, "There will always be a chance to go to the county town to see."

Zhou Silang perked up a bit when he saw Manbao happily discussing with Fifth and the others and cut in, "Manbao, do you want to go to the county town to see the lantern festival?"

Manbao asked, "Will there be good food?"

Zhou Silang: "...There should be, I guess."

Manbao thought for a moment and said, "The lantern festival is at night; if we go to see it, where will we stay overnight?"

Manbao was very frugal now, wanting to spend extra only on food and reluctant to incur any additional expenses, so she said, "It would be good if the food sold at the lantern festival in the evening was also available during the day."

Zhou Wulang was also only interested in the food and excitedly said, "How about we go to the county town tomorrow to see? Little sister, aren’t you on holiday?"

As soon as Datou and the others heard this, they immediately turned their hopeful eyes towards their little aunt.

Zhou Silang: ...It seems like he was the only one assigned a task for tomorrow.

Zhou Silang grew restless and whispered, "Little sister, little sister, go and tell dad that we’re going to the county town to buy meat tomorrow."

Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang united against him, "We’re all unmarried; we don’t hang out with those who have wives."

Zhou Silang was indignant, "In no more than two years, you’ll be getting married too."

Zhou Wulang retorted on impulse, "By then, we won’t hang out with those who have children."

"Exactly, exactly," Zhou Liulang agreed, "Just look at elder brother, second brother, and third brother; they don’t play with us. You’re now one of their group."

Zhou Silang glanced back and realized that elder brother, second brother, and third brother were sitting on stools not far from their parents, discussing the planting of winter wheat with their wives, elder sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, and third sister-in-law.

Looking down again, he saw that he and Ms. Fang were sitting amidst a group of children, with him, Zhou Silang, at the top and Second Son at the bottom, all gathered there.

Zhou Silang: ...

The adults nearby noticed their silence, and Zhou Dalang turned to look over, casually saying, "Four, take good care of the kids, and don’t bully Manbao." :

Zhou Silang: ...

Ms. Fang, too, couldn’t help but snicker, wrapping her arms around her belly and almost collapsing with laughter.

Zhou Silang hurriedly reached out like a hen protecting her chicks, anxiously saying, "Be careful, don’t start complaining about a stomach ache."

Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang turned away with disdain and continued working on convincing Manbao.

After some thought, Manbao agreed, as Mr. Mid-Autumn had given a three-day holiday, and although there was quite a bit of homework, there was still plenty of time. Most importantly, Doctor D had been silenced for three days and couldn’t carry on with business, so she nodded in agreement.

She also wanted to go to the city to see Second Sister Fu.

Manbao ran off to talk to her mother.

Ms. Qian never stopped Manbao from going to the city; as long as Manbao wanted to go, Ms. Qian would usually agree. So after a glance at Zhou Silang and the others behind her, she smiled and touched Manbao’s head, saying, "Go on, just be sure to listen to your Fifth Brother and Sixth, and don’t run around."

Zhou Silang immediately stepped forward, saying, "Mom, I’m going too; I’ll take good care of Manbao."

"You just need to take care of your wife. Manbao has Fifth and Sixth with her," Ms. Qian said and then turned to Zhou Dalang and the others, "Clean up the house tomorrow. All of you take your children to town for a day out; it’s only twice a year you get this break."

Even the typically composed Zhou Dalang and the honest Zhou Sanlang couldn’t help but show their excitement.

When the children, including Old Zhou, had dispersed, he turned to ask Ms. Qian, "Do you want to go to the city to take a look?"

Ms. Qian shot him a side glance and said, "What would I do in the city? You go if you want."

Old Zhou, somewhat disappointed, knocked his tobacco pipe and muttered, "Why would I go? I don’t want to go at all."