Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 350 - 349: She Deserves Better

Seeing the village head and the clan leader, Old Liu and the others visibly relaxed.

Moreover, seeing how familiar Liu Ji was with Gongliang Liao and Qi Xian, they felt that the high and mighty scholars and noble sons were not so out of reach.

Liu Ji came forward to introduce his family to his teacher and senior brother.

Old Liu and Mrs. Zhang led the younger generation to greet Gongliang Liao and Qi Xian and presented their gifts, a basket of freshly roasted chestnuts with sugar.

Gongliang Liao was quite old, but had good teeth. Liu Ji peeled two for him on the spot. The old man’s eyes lit up clearly, he loved them, and asked the attendant student to keep them for him to enjoy later.

Don’t be fooled by Qi Xian’s youthful appearance; he was of higher seniority than Liu Ji. Jinbao and Jinhua treated him as an elder, kneeling down immediately, even the crawling Da Mao plopped onto the ground, startling Qi Xian.

However, he showed no sign of surprise, remaining composed and quickly asked the attendant student to help the three children up.

Being thus respected by the younger generation, the elder had to return the courtesy, giving Jinhua and Jinbao each a set of calligraphy tools, and Da Mao a jade pendant to play with.

This made Second Lang and Sanlang envious, wishing to kneel and pay respects too. Had they known that recognizing an elder came with gifts, they’d have joined in without arguing with their father.

Qi Xian cast them a stern glance, causing the brothers to awkwardly abandon their idea.

Gongliang Liao seemed not very talkative; the children never felt close to him. Da Lang once secretly told Qin Yao that seeing Gongliang Liao was like seeing a stern teacher from school.

Hence, with the adults’ permission, Da Lang and his two brothers, along with Jinbao, carried Da Mao off to the backyard to play.

Jinhua and Si Niang liked listening to the adults talk, sitting by their mothers and listening, appearing smart and well-behaved.

After all, Qi Xian was still a child. He loved hanging out with Da Lang and Second Lang. Seeing them going out to play while he had to sit inside pretending to be composed and dealing with compliments from the village head and clan leader, he almost cried from envy.

Liu Ji discerned his junior brother’s thoughts and jokingly whispered to Gongliang Liao, "Teacher, we start the banquet early in our village, and it’s about time. Shall we start?"

Gongliang Liao, not fond of dealing with so many people, nodded slightly and looked at Qi Xian, signaling him to check the kitchen and send someone to call them once everything was ready.

Qi Xian quickly understood it was Liu Ji’s suggestion and looked at him in surprise, hardly believing that Liu Ji would look at him with such a doting expression, like a child of his own.

Qi Xian glared at Liu Ji in annoyance, "I am not a child!"

With a restrained smile, he joyfully walked out.

"After all, he’s still a child," Liu Ji sighed.

A quarter of an hour later, a maid reported that it was time to be seated for the meal, and everyone moved to the backyard to dine.

The village head, clan leader, Old Liu, and Liu Zhong sat at the main table with Gongliang Liao, while Liu Ji, at the same table, was responsible for keeping the atmosphere lively, ensuring no discomfort among the guests.

Qin Yao noticed that Liu Ji could be quite useful at crucial moments, as the presence he created never left the atmosphere cold.

Qi Xian chose to sit with the children, while Qin Yao sat with the women, acting as a familiar face they could ask questions to, which made them feel at ease.

Since it followed the local customs, many formalities were spared, with the dishes being served in a village-style, without rituals like rinsing the mouth or washing hands before eating.

The hired chef did not disappoint Jinhua. After the meal, she believed what Si Niang had said — there was indeed meat in the world so delightful that it made one feel like floating on clouds!

After the housewarming feast, the Lotus Courtyard was considered officially settled in the Liu Family Village.

The village head and clan leader drank a few more glasses with Gongliang Liao, drunkenly holding his hands, expressing their gratitude multiple times, thanking him on behalf of all their ancestors, before being carried home by a guard.

Old Liu was not too drunk but slightly tipsy, held Liu Ji, and gratefully rambled about all the deities for protecting them, expressing tearful anecdotes of Liu Ji’s growth, until a black-faced Liu Ji forcibly dragged him away.

"Son, remember your old man’s words: It’s alright if you let down your ancestors or your parents, but you must never let down Yao Niang! Without Yao Niang, you wouldn’t be who you are today. Remember that!"

Old Liu smacked Liu Ji’s head, and the slightly drunken man didn’t hold back, making Liu Ji see stars, nearly fainting on the spot.

Standing by the door, Qin Yao awkwardly touched her nose, thinking it was unnecessary.

Liu Ji quickly covered his father’s mouth, stuffed him into Liu Zhong’s arms, and waved hastily for them to leave.

Liu Zhong nodded at Qi Xian, the host, said he was leaving, and then laboriously took his father away.

Mrs. Zhang, Mrs. He, and Mrs. Qiu bowed to the host before following with the children.

As the guests dispersed, only Qin Yao and her husband were left.

With school the next day, Da Lang and his siblings were taken to bed by Ah Wang by bedtime and were probably already washed up and asleep.

Liu Ji wiped the sweat produced from the heat on his forehead, smiled at Qin Yao, put his arm around his junior brother, and went inside to bid farewell to Gongliang Liao.

Unexpectedly, just after they said they were leaving, the seemingly drunk Gongliang Liao suddenly opened his eyes, fixing a sharp gaze directly on Liu Ji.

The penetrating look shocked Liu Ji, as though it pierced into his inner thoughts, causing him a momentary pause in breathing. Taking a deep breath, he weakly asked, "Teacher?"

"Come closer," Gongliang Liao said coldly.

Liu Ji quickly glanced at Qi Xian. Is this normal for the teacher?

Qi Xian frowned. Does that even need asking? Obviously not normal!

Apprehensively, Liu Ji moved forward two steps, prompting a glare from Gongliang Liao.

Immediately, Liu Ji fell to his knees beneath Gongliang Liao’s wheelchair, bowing his head, unsure of his mistake, but preemptively admitting fault.

Gongliang Liao hesitated with his raised hand but then tapped Liu Ji’s head with a "thump," sternly asking:

"Did you note what your father just said?"

At these words, not only was Liu Ji puzzled, but Qin Yao, standing at the door, also looked over in surprise.

"Remembered?" Liu Ji responded uncertainly, raising his head after the second blow, peeking quickly at Gongliang Liao.

Gongliang Liao’s face fell, asserting his authority, making Liu Ji hurry to lower his eyes.

Above him, he heard a voice threatening, "With a virtuous wife at home, treat her well. If you complain again, I won’t forgive you!"

Liu Ji gasped, looking up in disbelief, "Teacher, you, you!" being subdued by a mere new wheelchair?

"What of it?" Gongliang Liao coldly retorted, clearly knowing what Liu Ji was hinting at.

Was it all because of a mere new wheelchair?

It was a decisive, bold, kind-hearted, empathetic, considerate, and respectful extraordinary woman!

She deserves the best!

Gongliang Liao’s eyes, honed in power struggles, sharp as they were, made Liu Ji’s scalp tingle with fear, and he dared not question further. With a respectful bow and tearful response, he said:

"I will remember your admonition, teacher!"

Gongliang Liao was barely satisfied, raising his hand, "You may rise and go back to take care of your wife."

Liu Ji’s eyes widened in recognition; this familiar advice seemed like something Old Liu used to tell him too.

Leaving the Lotus Courtyard, on their way home, Liu Ji, having lost his greatest ally and feeling abandoned by the world, wore a blank, numb expression. What had he done to deserve this?

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, wondering if this was an unexpected gain?

With a slight smile, she thought, why shouldn’t it be~