Chapter 153: Chapter 86: Visiting (2)

This time, everyone, young and old alike, was laughing so hard they were practically falling over.

Yang Family knew he must be a little drunk. Otherwise, he never would have brought up such an embarrassing story—at the dinner table, no less. She shot him a glare and said, “Why don’t you eat some rice to sober up? You’re just spouting drunken nonsense.”

While changing the subject, she asked Little Shitou, Zhang Yang, and the other children if they wanted more to eat. It seemed every family had a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner this year, so the kids were already full. Despite the huge spread of dishes on Juhua’s table, they weren’t the least bit tempted. When Yang Family asked, they all shook their heads in unison.

Only Little Shitou said, “Sister Juhua, I want a piece of the steamed pork with rice flour. Just one piece is enough, my tummy is so full.”

So Juhua grabbed a pair of chopsticks and gave each of them a piece.

Yang Family then brought out a bamboo tray filled with puffed rice candy, roasted peanuts, and melon seeds, telling the children to gather around the foot warmer to chat and snack.

Zhang Yang was very composed and wasn’t rowdy at all. He just sat there eating melon seeds, watching Gou Dan and Little Shitou bicker nonstop.

Juhua ate some greens and left the table. Seeing that the children had a severe lack of entertainment, she taught the three of them how to play rock-paper-scissors. She then divided the peanuts, melon seeds, and puffed rice candy among them, to be used as stakes for the game.

The boys got into it right away.

Gou Dan was all brawn and no brains, so there was no way he could beat Zhang Yang and Little Shitou. The entire room was filled with his shouts: “ROCK! ROCK! PAPER! PAPER! ARGH! How’d I lose again?” His face was a picture of frustration.

It was a simple game, but Juhua had to stifle a laugh as she watched from the side.

Zhang Yang was one thing—he wasn’t particularly outstanding. But Little Shitou’s reflexes were incredibly fast. After just a few rounds, he had already figured out the secret to the game.

They would both throw their hands at the same time, starting with fists, but Little Shitou’s eyes were sharp and his hands were fast. The moment he saw Gou Dan throw a rock, he would instantly spread his fingers open—turning his into paper. The next round, if Gou Dan played paper and he did too, a quick glance at Gou Dan’s hand and he would immediately pull back his two lower fingers and tuck his thumb—changing it into scissors. If Gou Dan played paper while he had a rock, it was even simpler—he’d just shoot two fingers straight out.

Gou Dan was so furious his face turned red, his eyes wide as saucers. His shouts grew louder and louder until he finally stood up on the foot warmer’s partition. Juhua was worried sick he would stomp right through it, which would be a disaster if it fell on the brazier below.

But there wasn’t a hint of a smile on Shitou’s little face. He was completely focused, his eyes glued to Gou Dan’s hand, ready to adjust his own move at any moment. He hadn’t lost a single round.

’This kid is just too clever, and his reflexes are top-notch.’

Zhang Yang had also noticed Little Shitou’s antics and started to take the game seriously as well. Once he focused his concentration on countering him, he began to lose less often.

When they had won every last one of Gou Dan’s snacks and he looked like he was on the verge of tears, Juhua quickly put a stop to it. She knew Gou Dan was just desperate from losing. It wasn’t really about the snacks; he was caught up in the psychology of winning and losing. That stubborn refusal to accept defeat had become unbearable for him—it was the same principle as gambling.

She gave Gou Dan some more snacks to placate him, saying, “You should learn from Little Shitou. Ask him to teach you his tricks. This game is all about having quick eyes and quick hands.”

Zhang Yang looked at Shitou and said, “You little devil, how are you so sly? I bet Gou Dan could practice for a hundred years and still never beat you. I’m no match for you either.”

Little Shitou finally relaxed and said with a grin, “You just have to look carefully before you make your move. Gou Dan wasn’t paying any attention, just yelling his head off. How could he possibly win like that!”

The commotion had attracted the attention of the adults. After watching the boys for a while, they found Gou Dan so amusing that they started laughing too.

Yang Family came over and sat beside Shitou. “Shitou,” she asked, “when are you going to your grandmother’s house?”

Little Shitou tilted his head up and answered, “I’m not going this year. My grandma is coming to our house on the second day of the New Year. She said she doesn’t want my mom running all over the place, since it wouldn’t be good for her to get tired with the new baby. I’m not going anywhere this year. Sister Juhua, is it okay if I just stay here and play with you?”

Juhua smiled. “Of course. You can keep me company.” Shitou was delighted to hear that.

Gou Dan, cracking open a melon seed, piped up, “I’m going to my grandma’s the day after tomorrow—my eldest uncle is celebrating his fiftieth birthday!” He had already completely forgotten his earlier frustration.

Yang Family laughed. “Then your mother will have to spend a bit of money, won’t she?”

“It’s not my money, anyway,” Gou Dan said nonchalantly. “Besides, I’ll get some red envelopes out of it.” His complete lack of concern was comical.

Yang Family then asked Zhang Yang, “Yangzi, when are you going to your grandmother’s?”

“I’m not going this year,” Zhang Yang replied, offering no explanation.

Juhua looked at his serious demeanor and thought, ’This boy might really make a name for himself one day. He must be determined to focus on his studies.’

Yang Family had heard from He how diligent her son was, so she showered Zhang Yang with praise before turning to Gou Dan and Little Shitou. “You two should learn from your big brother Yangzi. If either of you could become a Scholar, your mothers would be overjoyed.”

Little Shitou glanced at Zhang Yang but said nothing. As for Gou Dan, the words went in one ear and out the other.

Another flurry of barks erupted outside. Everyone exchanged puzzled glances. Who could be visiting at this hour?

Qingmu got up, opened the door, and peered out. Three dark figures were standing in the snowy courtyard. A voice called out, “Qingmu, we’ve come with New Year’s greetings!”

Qingmu couldn’t make out who it was. “Come on in!” he called back. “How did you all finish your dinner so quickly?”

When they came inside, they saw it was Liu Xiaomei with her third and fourth older brothers—Liu Sanshun and Liu Sixun.

Yang Family was delighted. Liu Xiaomei was about Juhua’s age, and her clever, lively personality meant she and Juhua got along wonderfully. She happily offered them seats.

Liu Xiaomei first grinned and called out, “Auntie, Uncle Zheng!” before trotting over to Juhua. “I had to pester my mom forever to let me come out,” she said gleefully. “My Third Brother wanted to go over to Big Mouth’s, but I said it’d be much better to come play at your house, so we ran all this way. I haven’t seen you in days and really wanted to talk.”

Seeing how much Liu Xiaomei had clearly missed her, Juhua smiled and thought, ’I guess you could call her my bestie, huh?’ (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep