The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 775 - 764 Reunion

Chapter 775: Chapter 764 Reunion

Datou was already fifteen years old; after the new year turned, he would be sixteen. Naturally, it was time for him to consider marriage, and even Daya could start preparing for it.

However, perhaps influenced by Zhou Liulang or by feeling financially secure, none of the children were in a hurry to marry off.

Datou argued with full conviction, "Sixth Uncle isn’t married yet."

Daya was even more adamant, "Big Brother isn’t married yet, how can I marry before him?"

Some even brought up Manbao.

When discussing matchmaking for Zhou Liulang, Datou, and Daya, Old Zhou treated the visitors with politeness. But as soon as he heard they were there for Manbao, he immediately sent them away, "Manbao is still young; what kind of absurd idea is this?"

"She’s thirteen by nominal age; once the new year passes, she’ll be fourteen, not young anymore..."

"Nonsense, her birthday is late; even after the new year, she’ll only be twelve. Who’s talking about nominal age with you?" And look at the suitors they introduced—did they match his daughter’s status?

Old Zhou rudely turned them away and decided to reject all matchmakers until after the New Year period.

Ms.Qian was happy to have someone else bear the brunt of it and didn’t say a word.

Old Zhou counted the days, estimating Manbao’s return. After dinner each day, he wandered to the village entrance, sitting under the big banyan tree, chatting with others while keeping an eye on the path leading into the village.

So, when he faintly spotted the carriage entering the village, with what seemed like Daji at the reins, his eyes lit up instantly, and he stood up abruptly, startling the old man sitting beside him.

"Brother Jin, what are you up to?"

Old Zhou squinted towards the front, asking, "Look, isn’t that a carriage?"

The old men sitting beside him squinted into the distance where it was now growing dark, only faint shadows of trees visible.

After a long pause, one of the elders finally said, "It really is, isn’t that the Bai Family’s carriage? Who’s returned?"

"Old Master Bai is at home, hasn’t left. Who else could it be?"

"Oh, that’s the young masters from the Bai Family returning; Old Zhou, your Manbao is back too!"

No sooner had the words fallen when Manbao’s voice could already be heard from afar, "Dad——"

Old Zhou clapped his thigh in delight, almost grinning his teeth out, "It really is, oh, Manbao is back."

He looked around and, seeing none of his grandsons present, grabbed a child at hand and instructed, "Quick, you’re swift on your feet. Go tell your aunt to knead and boil the dough; your Aunt Manbao is back."

"Why the nonsense; it’s Great-Aunt Manbao, and he’s your great-grandson." Another elder nearby corrected Old Zhou and waved the child off, "Go on, go find your third uncle and have him look for his mother."

The child dashed off in a flash.

While they talked, the carriage finally arrived. Mr. Zhuang and the New Year goods they brought back were in the first one.

It couldn’t be helped; returning from Yizhou City, they had to pass through Qili Village to reach the county town. Winter nights fell quickly, and even if they took the official road to the county, the city gates would be closed by the time they arrived.

So they came straight back to Qili Village.

No sooner had they entered the village road than Manbao crawled out of the carriage and sat beside Zhou Silang on the shaft, peering through the last bit of light at the familiar flowers and grasses of her hometown.

She had once plucked these very plants.

As they were about to reach the big banyan tree at the village entrance, Manbao stood up to look forward, seeing nothing until Keke informed her that among the old men sitting under the big banyan tree was her father. Only then did Manbao shout out loud.

When the carriage stopped at the village entrance, the gathered elders and children came to greet them. Daji put down the carriage steps and assisted Mr. Zhuang in getting off.

Indeed, the elders were there to welcome Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang repeatedly bowed in greetings, and Old Zhou glanced at him once, paid his respects, and then headed to the second carriage.

Manbao was the first to jump off the carriage; seeing her father, she bounded over to hug him. Old Zhou hurriedly stopped her, laughing, "You’re a big girl now, no more hugging and embracing like this."

After speaking, he couldn’t resist touching her head, scrutinizing her stature and complexion, and said with satisfaction, "Good, good, you’ve grown a lot. Have you been eating well outside, did your Sixth Brother make you meat dishes?"

While talking, Bai Shan and Bai Erlang, as well as Zhou Lijun, also hopped down from the carriage, exchanging greetings with everyone.

Zhou Silang took out a bag of candies from the carriage and distributed them to those around, carelessly giving to both old and young, as a symbol of joy.

This was what people long away from home prepared upon their return.

Upon receiving the candies, the children immediately started shouting joyfully, and soon enough, the previously quiet village erupted with the sound of crowing roosters and barking dogs, drawing children, teenagers, and young adults to join the commotion.

Zhou Silang was well-prepared, handing out one or two candies per person, not giving extra but having enough for everyone who came.

And so, everyone gathered at the village entrance, bustling in the last light of dusk.

Later arrivals simply carried torches, shedding some light. When Zhou Silang saw a familiar hand pushing through the crowd to him, he couldn’t help but smack it away, "Go on, how many times have you reached out? Save some for the people behind."

Manbao stood outside the crowd with Old Zhou, counting on her fingers the items she brought back for him, "Dad, I bought you two sets of thick clothes, ready-made. I’ve tried them, and they’re really warm. Now, you won’t be cold even when boasting under the banyan tree."

"Nonsense, I never boast. But how did you try them on?"

Manbao replied, "I put them on myself, it’s truly warm."

Old Zhou then felt reassured, a touch of pride in his heart, but he chided, "What’s the use of spending that money, isn’t ready-made clothing more expensive than the fabric? You might as well have bought the fabric and cotton and had your mother make it."

"I also brought back cured meat from Yizhou City. Their cured meat is a bit different from ours; they add some spices inside—very fragrant."

"Really? I’ll have to taste that then."

The father and daughter chatted idly as if no one else was present. Across the river, the Bai Family also came with lanterns in hand. Old Master Bai, upon crossing the bridge and seeing the throng of people, couldn’t spot his sons and couldn’t help shouting, "Erlang, Erlang——"

Bai Erlang, who was handing out candies not far from Old Master Bai, looked up, then said, "Dad, don’t shout, I’m here."

Old Master Bai turned and, seeing his son, was so pleased that he patted him on the shoulder and hugged him before remembering, "Right, where’s Shanbao?"

Bai Shan had already rushed to Old Madam Liu and Ms.Zheng, and the family embraced, talking happily together.

Seeing he was being ignored, Mr. Zhuang shook his head and turned to Daji, "Let’s go, the dew is about to fall, we should head back and rest."

Daji acknowledged, glanced at the young master standing obediently in front of the Old Madam for her to pat his head, sensing no danger now, he helped Mr. Zhuang onto the carriage and took him back to the Bai Residence to rest first.