Chapter 117: I want to bear sons for my brother, have a whole bunch of sons!

Su Liyan was busy making dumplings.

Lu Yuan, meanwhile, stood by the window with his hands in his pockets, slightly raising his head to gaze at the splendid fireworks in the sky.

"Wife, come quick and watch the firecrackers!"

Lu Yuan turned his head toward the kitchen and shouted loudly.

Su Liyan had just put the two batches of dumplings into the pot, gave them a quick stir with a spatula, and then hurriedly ran out.

When Su Liyan came to Lu Yuan's side, he pulled one hand from his pocket and put it around his wife's shoulders.

Su Liyan, meanwhile, tilted her head to rest on Lu Yuan's shoulder, one arm wrapped around his waist, her face full of happiness.

At that moment, firecrackers were also set off in the courtyard, instantly becoming extremely lively, and Lu Yuan also caught a whiff of the familiar sulfur smell after the firecrackers exploded.

Let me tell you, that smell is really intoxicating.

Lu Yuan quite liked smelling it.

After watching for a while, Lu Yuan suddenly turned his head to his wife and said:

"Are the dumplings in the pot almost done?"

Su Liyan startled, then let out a cute exclamation and hurriedly ran toward the kitchen.

Lu Yuan just grinned.

Soon, Su Liyan brought out a large plate of dumplings.

There were also several big bowls full of dumplings.

For this New Year's dumpling meal, we need to make plenty—never mind whether we can finish them all, the more the better.

"Here, big brother, this bowl is for you."

Su Liyan glanced at the bowl in her hand, then handed a bowl to Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan wasn't polite either; he simply picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

For Lu Yuan's family, who have meat every day, this New Year's dumpling meal is actually a bit hard to get down.

Because New Year's dumplings, you're not supposed to eat them with garlic or vinegar.

After all, garlic is spicy and vinegar is sour.

That's a bad omen.

If you want to dip them, you can only dip them in sugar water.

But who actually dips dumplings in sugar water? Usually the sugar water is just for show, and everyone eats them plain.

Without garlic, these dumplings are all meat filling, and eating just a few makes them overwhelmingly fragrant.

However, this New Year's dumpling meal is different from usual; even if you can't eat much, you have to force yourself to eat.

You've got to eat money~

The more money you eat in this first New Year's dumpling meal, the more money you'll earn this year~

It's all about the particulars~

Lu Yuan opened his mouth and popped a dumpling in; the way their dumplings are wrapped is really beautiful.

His wife's little hands are so skillful, each dumpling looks like a gold ingot.

Lu Yuan took a bite, felt something hard, then spat it onto the table—a silver dollar came out.

Seeing that, Su Liyan looked at her man with great delight and said:

"Brother, awesome—you got money on the first bite~~"

Lu Yuan felt a bit proud, then after eating three more dumplings in big mouthfuls, he spat out two silver dollars and a chestnut.

This chestnut stands for a gold ingot~

At that moment, Su Liyan had spat out three dates and a piece of sugar.

Hmm…

Lu Yuan looked at what Su Liyan had spat out, then looked at what he himself had spat out.

Lu Yuan figured it out.

This, I guess……

They were all carefully selected by his wife just a moment ago in the kitchen.

The dumplings in our house are all wrapped by his wife.

After all, Lu Yuan doesn't know how to wrap dumplings!

At most he can stir the meat filling a bit.

Whether it's rolling out the wrappers or wrapping the dumplings, Lu Yuan knows nothing at all.

These are all wrapped by Su Liyan; Lu Yuan merely hugs and kisses his wife while she's wrapping dumplings.

Aside from messing around with his wife, he does nothing else.

These dumplings wrapped by his wife, he can certainly recognize some of them.

Just a moment ago in the kitchen, those ink smudges—maybe she was picking money into his bowl.

At this moment, Su Liyan looked at the money in her husband's bowl and was very pleased, for it signified that her husband would earn more money next year.

And seeing the sweet dates and sugar in her own bowl made her even happier.

After all, that bowl of her husband's was picked by her, but the sweet dates she spat out were genuine.

This means she herself will also be as sweet next year as she is this year~

This meal truly made Lu Yuan feel proud.

A big bowl of dumplings, plus those on the plate, Lu Yuan managed to stuff about twenty in.

Normally, even with garlic dip, Lu Yuan couldn't eat twenty, but this is New Year, so he forced them down his throat.

Of those twenty dumplings, Lu Yuan spat out eight big coins—i. e., silver dollars—four small coins, i. e., one-mao pieces, three chestnuts, and two dates.

Su Liyan then ate six dates, two large coins, one small coin, and two candies.

Su Liyan also ate heartily during the New Year.

They weren't after anything; they just wanted good luck.

After the two could eat no more, Lu Yuan looked at Su Liyan and asked with a smile:

"Are you full?"

Su Liyan nodded sweetly and said:

"I'm full~"

During the New Year, you can't say unlucky things like being stuffed to death; you must only listen to auspicious words.

Lu Yuan then laughed and said:

"So, shall we go out and pay New Year calls?"

Afterward, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan both changed into the new sweaters, leather jackets, new pants, and new leather shoes they had bought earlier.

Su Liyan linked arms with her man and first went to the eldest master's house in the central courtyard to pay New Year respects.

At this point, every household in the courtyard had basically finished eating; the youngsters went out to pay New Year calls, while the elders stayed home waiting for the younger generation from other families to come pay respects.

"Happy New Year, Elder!"

"All good, all good."

"How many coins did you eat this morning!"

"Good, good, good—eating so many coins means you'll surely earn a lot this year~"

"Hey, Auntie, you didn't get any coins—actually that's better, because you'll spend less at home next year, while it's fine if the elder eats a lot."

Usually this courtyard is full of scheming and calculation.

Today, everyone unconsciously stopped their past disputes and spoke only kind words.

No one wants to find anything unpleasant today.

After the elders in the courtyard finished their New Year visits, everyone also prepared to leave the courtyard to call on relatives.

Su Liyan, happy New Year!

Kou Yang came out of a household, saw Su Liyan, and quickly greeted her with a smile.

Su Liyan was taken aback, turned her head to see Kou Yang, and also replied with a smile:

"Happy New Year, Brother Kou Yang!"

Kou Yang looked at Su Liyan's outfit today and couldn't help but exclaim:

"Sister Su, you look absolutely stunning in that outfit—like a fairy descended to the mortal world!"

Su Liyan was startled, then wrapped her arm around her man's arm with a happy smile and said:

"My brother picked it out for me~"

Kou Yang nodded and praised highly:

"Sister Su, you look good in anything you wear."

Lu Yuan:????

No, your brother is a big living person right here—you just can't see him, right?

Lu Yuan, who had wanted to say a couple of things, ultimately just pursed his lips.

Forget it, it's the New Year.

Speaking of Kou Yang, that's just his nature.

Finally, Lu Yuan took Su Liyan's hand and walked toward the front courtyard of the siheyuan; there was still the third elder's house in the front courtyard that hadn't been visited for New Year.

After finishing the New Year visits, we can go back, lead the horse, and pay New Year calls to Lin Fusheng, Director Xu, and Wang Ping's home.

Kou Yang, meanwhile, gazed at Su Liyan's back with a face full of admiration, feeling that Sister Su was truly gorgeous today.

"Hey, you're still thinking about Sister Su?"

Pang Kaige's voice sounded from behind Kou Yang beside him.

Kou Yang startled, turned to see Pang Kaige, then frowned and pursed his lips, saying:

"Hey, I'm saying you—how can you have no decency even during the New Year? Can you just spout nonsense like that? I just think Sister Su looks good in her clothes."

"I also feel that Sister Su isn't easy—she works every day and still has to take care of the household."

"Although Lu Yuan has earned a bit of money, he just sits and consumes it all; within two or three months it'll be gone, and then Sister Su will have to go back to eating cornbread every day."

After Kou Yang finished speaking, Wang Yulan, who was standing beside Pang Kaige, immediately objected:

"Pah! How can you speak ill of others behind their backs during the New Year!"

The last time Lu Yuan's elder brother renovated the kang heating ducts in their home, Wang Yulan kept in mind his kindness.

Saying such things during the New Year is just inauspicious!

It will come back to bite you.

Kou Yang also knows he's wrong, but he doesn't want to admit it.

He immediately pursed his lips and let out a light snort:

"What, you're not allowed to speak the truth during the New Year?"

Having said that, Kou Yang turned and walked away.

Wang Yulan was so angry she stomped her foot.

Meanwhile, Pang Kaige pulled his wife and chuckled:

"It's fine, he's just like that—a blunt person; we won't get angry with him during the New Year."

Kou Yang's words hit the nail on the head for Pang Kaige.

Pang Kaige himself thought the same.

Don't just think he, Lu Yuan, is pleased right now.

But ah!

Hmph!

We need to look at this in the long run!!

This Lu Yuan is just a big lazybones; his health is fine, but he just doesn't want to work.

Someone like this, no matter how many benefits you give him, he won't go to work!

Whether it's a fifth-level worker or any kind of reserve cadre, this is just a waste!

Of course, from now on Su Liyan will receive the treatment of a third-level worker, thirty-six yuan a month.

But that's as far as the Lu Yuan family goes.

Could Lu Yuan possibly come up with some earth-shattering great invention?!

And then receive a reward of several hundred yuan?!

Pang Kaige simply wouldn't believe that!

This idea isn't just Pang Kaige's; everyone else in the courtyard thinks the same.

From now on, the most prominent one in the courtyard will still be our own family!

Our family has money, and my father-in-law's family is even richer than ours!

Just wait until I get promoted in the future!

Hmph~

Who knows, I might end up being the youngest Third Master in this courtyard!

Even now, who wouldn't say a good word about us?

This is sincerely felt by everyone!

Everyone sincerely feels that our family is good!

Not like the Lu Yuan family; everyone knows the Lu Yuan family has no future.

Now everyone sees Lu Yuan acting polite and courteous, but it's all fake.

Everyone fears that this wicked thing will bring harm to people!

It's nothing like us!

Pang Kaige watched the distant backs of Lu Yuan and Su Liyan, feeling immensely pleased.

You want me to clean the stables and scoop the ashes, right?!

Next year at this time, I'll have you scoop the ashes and shovel horse dung!!

At this moment, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan turned into the Third Master's house.

They went in, said a couple of words, offered New Year greetings, and then came out.

After coming out, Lu Yuan glanced at the Gao Xushi family across the way.

Hmm...

Forget it, we won't go to the Gao Xushi family's place.

I don't mind, but my wife obviously finds the Gao Xushi family annoying.

Since it's the New Year, I won't go looking for trouble for my wife.

Afterwards, Lu Yuan led Su Liyan home, the two holding the horse's reins, heading straight for Wang Ping's place.

First go to Wang Ping's, then to Lin Fusheng's, and finally to Director Xu's.

Lu Yuan had it all planned.

On the way, he saw that the streets of Huangcheng were truly bustling.

Under the streetlights, crowds gathered in big groups.

Upon entering Wang Ping's neighborhood, he saw an even more spectacular sight.

Dozens of people, men with their wives and children, all knelt down together before an elderly man who looked about seventy or eighty, loudly shouting New Year greetings.

This was truly spectacular.

Su Liyan sat on the horse, leaning into Lu Yuan's embrace, and after seeing this scene, she suddenly turned her head to Lu Yuan and said:

"Brother, I also want to bear you many, many sons, so that when we grow old, these sons will bring their wives and sons to come and pay New Year respects to you!"

Hearing Su Liyan's words, Lu Yuan chuckled and said:

"No need to have that many; just one or two sons, and then one or two daughters will do."

Good heavens, if they really had that many sons, that would be outrageous!

Although the betrothal gifts here aren't expensive, when the sons marry, don't they need to prepare a house for them?

Lu Yuan doesn't intend to let his sons live in his big courtyard in the future.

That would be sponging off his parents!

His sons can't be so useless.

In the future, that big courtyard will be just for Lu Yuan and Su Liyan, and they can hire a few maids to serve them.

Then Lu Yuan and his wife can stay behind closed doors in the courtyard every day, being utterly shameless.

But Su Liyan blinked her eyes and quickly said:

"Brother, who wants daughters? Everyone wants sons."

Looking at Su Liyan in his arms, Lu Yuan chuckled and said:

"What, you don't like daughters?"

Su Liyan immediately nodded and said:

"Yes, I like sons; I want to bear you sons."

Don't bring that modern Earth stuff here to the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Here everyone wants sons; whoever has a daughter feels ashamed to say so.

That's the mindset here; no amount of shouting will change it.

Don't even say Su Liyan prefers sons over daughters—what woman here isn't like that?

So, my wife thinking that way is completely fine.

Speaking of which, having a son in the Great Zhou Dynasty is indeed much easier than in modern Earth.

After all, the betrothal gifts here aren't extravagant.

Everyone also says raising sons secures old age; once a daughter is married off, she's gone—being able to return home twice a year, even counting New Year, is already not bad.

Of course, for Lu Yuan, a modern person, it's still fine; Lu Yuan also doesn't think the son must be filial—what if he turns out a wastrel?

Just seeing Su Liyan's serious expression, Lu Yuan chuckled and said:

「This isn't easy to say; can we even count on what we say? 」

Su Liyan, however, seriously nodded and said:

「Of course it counts; even if the firstborn isn't a son, I'll keep bearing sons for my older brother until I have a son! 」

After saying that, Su Liyan suddenly realized something, her face flashed with fright, and she hastily said:

「Pah pah pah, the first child will definitely be a son; I'll bear a bunch of sons for my older brother!! 」

Seeing Su Liyan's cute appearance, Lu Yuan couldn't help but burst out laughing and said:

「Fine, when the time comes I'll work hard to bear for my older brother; anyway, I can afford to raise them! 」

Thanks to Old Brother Lixi of Meng for the 500 book-coin reward, thank you very much~

Thanks to Han Mang and Old Brother for the 500 book-coin reward, thank you very much~

Thanks to the two Old Brothers, Ignorant and Ranran Yunyang, for the 100 book-coin reward, thank you very much~

Damn, I got up early this morning to watch the match, but it didn't make me sick; I originally thought JD would win, so I happily went back to sleep for a second nap, and today just passed pleasantly.

As a result, I was so angry I couldn't sleep.

What a trash bot lane!

(End of chapter)