At Millers’s family in Wellwater Village, Amanda, with the help of neighbors, set up three tables of food to treat those who had helped today. Of course, the invitation wasn’t just for men; the women in the family were also brought along, and everyone tacitly agreed not to bring children. The family planning policy had only been implemented for a couple of years, and with few children, if they called all the kids home, three tables wouldn’t be enough.
In the main room, one table was set up, with Uncle Daniel sitting at the head.
Uncle Daniel didn’t bring many people; besides his wife, there was only his grandson, Carson.
Those who came for the meal were surprised at the abundance of dishes: braised pork ribs with potatoes, scrambled eggs with chives, dry-fried mud loach, crucian carp soup with tofu, stir-fried pig liver with green onions, and stir-fried greens with garlic. In the center of the table was a large bowl of lamb noodles as the main dish… William hadn’t bought good meat, so he simply brought back some lamb.
The lamb noodles were piled high, with generous slices of lamb.
Even during the New Year, there wasn’t such a lavish spread.
William also placed cigarettes and liquor on each table, making the invited villagers gasp in surprise.
“Brother William, you’re being too extravagant today.”
“This table of dishes is unbeatable!”
Uncle Daniel didn’t feel disappointed, laughing and saying William was wasting money after earning a bit.
William raised his glass, “Uncle Daniel, I’m really happy today! Elizabeth is different from my little sister; she has always been submissive. It’s also my fault for being reckless and ignorant when I was young, not having the ability to support her… You know, my parents passed away early, and both my sisters married poorly. I was a scoundrel!”
Before he even took a sip of wine, William had started a self-criticism meeting.
What he said wasn’t false; Uncle Daniel nodded in agreement:
“You were quite a scoundrel when you were young, but fortunately, you became sensible after starting a family. Your wife has worried a lot.”
Amanda hadn’t even taken off her apron. Hearing the village head’s affirmation, she felt a bit embarrassed. She had been married once before William, but her in-laws had rejected her for not giving birth in ten years, driving her out of the house. Later, she was introduced to Miller’s family, but William was already over thirty and still didn’t understand. There were many times she cried under the covers.
Fortunately, the birth of their son made William more responsible, and life at home had improved in the past two years. William had also become more considerate of her.
William immediately expressed his gratitude for his wife’s management of the household.
Amanda treated his younger sister and niece well, and William was aware and grateful.
Uncle Daniel then brought up the matter of Scarlett and her mother’s household registration, “I’ll accompany you to take care of this in the next couple of days; it’s better to get their registration moved back as soon as possible.”
Elizabeth felt a bit awkward, but when Scarlett poured her a glass of wine, she took a small sip.
Of course, the guests wouldn’t be so oblivious; they thought whatever they wanted but said Elizabeth had endured hardships and that good days were just around the corner.
Scarlett and her mother sat together, and on the other side was Carson.
Scarlett’s heart stirred, “Brother Carson, I have something I want to ask you in a bit.”
Carson, holding his spoon, didn’t dare to pick up any food. It wasn’t that he hadn’t interacted with girls his age; his classmates were about the same age as Scarlett, but none of them looked like her… Sitting next to Scarlett made his face flush red, but fortunately, his sunburn from working in the fields hid it.
Thinking that Scarlett wanted to ask him something, he hurriedly replied, “Okay,” his voice barely louder than a mosquito.
“Scarlett, come over and talk to your uncles and elders!”
William called her, and Scarlett happily ran over, while Carson watched her back, feeling his heart race.
Carson didn’t drink alcohol, so he was seated at a table with several aunties and sisters-in-law.
Whitaker Scarlett stood up, and Carson, still gazing at her, prompted Julie, who interacted with Whitaker Scarlett more often, to tease him, “What’s wrong? Thinking of getting married?”
“Fourth Aunt, nothing like that!”
Fortunately, Elizabeth and Whitaker Scarlett weren’t around. Carson hastily denied it.
Julie chuckled, “Your Uncle was your age when we had our children! There’s no shame in wanting a wife!”
Carson’s face flushed crimson. He knew the village aunties liked to tease young men; there was no malice in it. Carson gradually calmed down, “I still have to study. I won’t look for a partner until I get into university.”
University was difficult to get into.
