Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty-Chapter 47 - 46 Visiting

Chapter 47: Chapter 46: Visiting

Chapter 47 -46: Visiting

Time quickly passed to July 23rd, Alu had been away to the capital city for half a month already, he should be due back soon. From the start of noon, Chen Ming would sit under the tree making baskets, glancing towards the east occasionally. Under the midday heat, he would only briefly go home to nap, then he’d continue to gaze eastward. It wasn’t until the setting of the sun that he realized they wouldn’t be returning, that he would retreat back to the house in disappointment.

Afu soon began to feel a sense of anticipation, coming out often to look towards the east. Even Dabao, who was in the west of the village walking the birds and picking up firewood in late afternoon, would bring Qi Qi and Hui Hui to wander in the east before heading home.

At the beginning of late morning on the 24th, Afu was making mattresses on her bed, and Dabao was practicing his writing. Suddenly, they heard Chen Ming, who was sitting under the eaves, asking, “Who are you looking for?”

A strange man’s voice loudly asked, “Excuse me, where is Chen Dabao’s house?”

Looking out the window, Afu saw a horse carriage parked at the entrance, and Yang Chao was leaning out the cart window, looking around.

To herself, she thought how unreserved Uncle Yang was. Her family didn’t have any deep relationship with him, yet he had really sent his son over?

However, a visit is a visit, especially when it’s from the child of your business partner. As she descended from the bed, she said to Dabao, “Son, hurry up, Yang Chao is here.”

Hearing this, Dabao quickly dropped his brush and ran outside, shouting, “Brother Yang Chao.”

Getting out of the cart, Yang Chao grinned broadly, saying, “Dabao, I missed your Hui Hui.”

Chen Ming was still stunned, unsure of how his grandson was acquainted with the young master of a rich family. Afu also came out and laughed, saying, “A distinguished guest has arrived, please come in.” She then explained to Chen Ming that the child was the young owner of the Xile restaurant.

Hearing this, Chen Ming also hurried to join in welcoming them.

Accompanying Yang Chao was a teenager named Li Dong, as well as Uncle Yang who was driving the carriage. They brought with them two pieces of meat, four pig trotters, two packages of candy, and a big basket of grapes.

It seemed that they planned on having lunch at their house.

Dabao asked, “Why isn’t sister Qian here?”

Yang Chao replied, “My father didn’t feel comfortable letting my sister come, so he let me come alone.” He honestly added, “If I have fun this time, I’ll bring my sister next time.”

Afu told Dabao to keep them company and play in the New Courtyard, where Qi Qi and Hui Hui were waiting boredly for their little master on the perch. Jin Yanzi was not at home, she had gone to the mountains.

Afu made them hawthorn soup and washed the grapes for them. She began to cook the rice, while Chen ming helped with the fire.

Seeing Hui Hui and Qi Qi, Yang Chao was delighted. Especially when he saw Qi Qi’s eyes gleaming, he said, “Qi Qi is really beautiful, just as pretty as my sister.”

Petting Qi Qi’s fur, he confessed, “I asked my father to buy two parrots, but despite a lot of coaching, they won’t speak. They’re far worse than Hui Hui and Qi Qi.”

Dabao was even prouder, saying, “Qi Qi, recite ‘Du Kang’.”

Qi Qi shook its head and chirped, “What can dispel worries? Only Du Kang can.” Its voice was just like Chen Ming’s.

Hui Hui wouldn’t be outdone, it hopped around shouting, “Dabao needs to pee, Dabao needs to pee.” Its voice was just like Dabao’s.

Dabao blushed, and Yang Chao laughed until his stomach hurt.

While they were playing, Shitou arrived. He was there to deliver milk. His family’s cow had given birth to a calf two days ago. When Afu heard this, she went to Mrs. Changgen to ask if they could buy some milk to give Alu when he came back.

Mrs. Changgen grumbled, “What’s so good about that stuff that it needs to be bought? No one in our family likes to drink milk, we don’t like the stinky smell. From now on, I’ll send Shitou over with some milk everyday; that kid has eaten plenty of good things from your house.”

For these two days, Shitou would bring a small gourd of milk every morning.

Afterward, Chen Dabao led Yang Chao, Shitou, and Li Dong to the eastern part of the village for bird-watching. Two birds flew in the sky, while three people chased them on the ground.

Sometimes, they ran through a small grove of trees; at other times, they ran across the narrow field paths crisscrossing the fields. With the paths being somewhat narrow, Li Dong would slow down and lead Yang Chao.

Under the blue sky, the two birds would occasionally hover close to the ground and then fly high in the sky. When they got close to Tang Garden, Chen Dabao yelled out, “Don’t go there, come back.”

Qi Qi and Hui Hui made a detour and flew back.

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When they all returned home, they were soaked in sweat.

Chen Afu had prepared hot water. She bathed Yang Chao and Dabao, changed their clothes, and wiped the sweat off Shitou. She asked him to stay for lunch.

She dished out red-cooked pork, slippery meat slices, quick fried Chinese cabbage, mixed eggplant with pickles, and pig’s trotter soup. She also made a side dish—milk-flavored, fried pumpkin pancakes.

Under a tree in the new courtyard, Chen Afu served Dabao, Yang Chao, and Shitou, while Chen Ming stayed in the old courtyard to eat and drink with Uncle Yang and Li Dong.

Yang Chao exclaimed that the food here tasted better than the dishes at his family’s restaurant. His little mouth was smeared with oil, especially from the pumpkin pancakes, which he loved.

Chen Afu laughed and said, “If you like it, come visit more often. Aunt Chen will cook for you.”

Yang Chao unceremoniously nodded and said, “Okay, next time I’ll bring my little sister too.” He added, “Aunt Chen, my sister loves tasty snacks. Could I take some pumpkin pancakes home for her?”

Chen Afu nodded and said with a smile, “Sure.”

Chen Dabao gorged on the red-cooked pork, while Shitou kept gnawing at the pig’s trotters. These two kids have truly satisfied their craving for meat.

After eating, Yang Chao clung around to play a little longer. He felt reluctant to leave Dabao, and even more reluctant to leave Hui Hui and Qi Qi.

Uncle Yang persuaded, “The master instructed the young master to leave after lunch. If the young master disobeys, he won’t be allowed to come next time. But if you behave yourself, you can come again.”

Then, Li Dong carried a reluctant Yang Chao onto the carriage.

Chen Afu brought a basket of fresh vegetables and a parcel of fried pumpkin pancakes to the carriage, saying, “Here are vegetables just picked from the garden. Enjoy the freshness.”

When Shitou left, Chen Afu packed a small bag of candy and a bag of pumpkin pancakes for him to take home.

After a busy morning, Chen Ming and Dabao were a bit fatigued, resting on the bed. Chen Afu cleaned up the kitchen and rubbed salt on the leftover piece of pork, then left it to cool under the eaves.

When she finished, she saw a cart approaching her house. Mrs. Wang was seated on it, with Alu lying on it.

Excited, Chen Afu yelled out, “Dad, Mom and Alu are back!” She dashed toward the gate.

She helped Alu get off the cart and took a few packages from it. Mrs. Wang paid 200 cents to the driver. After Dabao brought him a bowl of water, the driver was sent off.

Alu could already walk with the help of crutches. Chen Afu held his face, which was gaunt, making his eyes appear larger and his dimples deeper. His face was fairly pale, but he looked spirited.

If he were Chen Dabao, Chen Afu would definitely kiss him twice. However, considering Alu was already ten years old and afraid of startling him, Chen Afu merely gently rubbed his cheeks and said sadly, “Finally, Alu is back. Sister has missed you a lot these days.”

Alu blushed and whispered, “Sister, I’ve missed you, Dad, and Dabao, too.”