| TBBOTOF | 309
Tang Li's eyes sparkled brightly, full of spring-like affection.
She seemed a little shy and bashful, adding to her charm.
When she walked to the gate, she paused, then quickly walked towards the house in surprise and joy. "Dad? Auntie? Are you back?" she called out, her voice filled with excitement.
Wang Cuicui heard her voice and lifted the curtain to look outside. Seeing Tang Li's eager steps, as if she wanted to break into a run, she commented with a hint of scolding, "You're about to get married, so walk properly! If others see you like this, they'll laugh at you!"
If it weren't for the smile in her eyes, her words might have sounded a bit intimidating.
Tang Li, carrying a small basket on her arm, quickly approached Wang Cuicui and flung herself into her embrace.
Wang Cuicui quickly reached out to catch her, her face also full of smiles.
Tang Xu came out of the house, saw Tang Li, and asked, "What were you embroidering? You've been gone all this time, and Dad and Auntie have already finished their meal."
"Nothing much—just a pillowcase and a handkerchief," Tang Li replied, her cheeks turning rosy. She took out a bright red pillowcase from her basket and said shyly, "My hands are not as flexible as her’s, so I asked her to help me fix it a bit."
Tang Xu shook out the pillowcase and glanced at the design of mandarin ducks frolicking in the water. He suddenly teased, "These two ducks look quite lively"
Tang Li froze, her smile instantly collapsing.
Wang Cuicui raised her hand and smacked Tang Xu. “What do you mean ‘ducks’? Those are clearly mandarin ducks!”
“Brother!” Tang Li stomped her foot angrily.
Tang Xu grinned at her and said, “I’m just teasing you. Of course, they’re plump and lively mandarin ducks. I’m not blind, you know.”
Tang Li huffed, then happily took out a few embroidered handkerchiefs and handed them to them. “I’m going to find her again tomorrow and ask her to help me fix the duvet cover.”
Wang Cuicui raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you taking up her time? Won’t her family have complaints?”
“No, not at all. Her mother is very welcoming. She even gave me some snacks to take home. She said that when their chickens and ducks grow bigger next year, they’ll sell them all to us,”
Tang Li said as she turned to her brother. “Are we planning to buy even more chickens and ducks next year?”
Tang Xu nodded. “When Wu Hong comes back, we’ll ask him about the sales situation at the Yongcheng store. Depending on the numbers, we might add more.”
“Our family’s braised dishes are so delicious; business must be great,” Tang Li said, her eyes lighting up as she thought about the trip to Yongcheng next spring. “Brother, are you coming with us? You should come.”
Tang Xu shook his head. “If I leave, who’s going to take care of the family? Besides, my three kids are still young and they need someone to take care of them.”
Tang Li pouted and muttered, “Brother has never been out of the village.”
“When you guys are settled and the children are older, I’ll have my chance to travel. We’ll talk about it later,” Tang Xu said as he lifted the curtain and went inside.
He helped Wang Cuicui straighten out the kang bed. “You two are heading there to establish yourselves, so make sure you can stay put for the long term. Focus on settling in first.”
“Ah Yao said that since we’ve decided to go, we need to do it properly and think about the future,” Tang Li said, sitting on the edge of the kang. She glanced around the room, puzzled, and asked, “Where’s Dad? Where did he go?”
“Where else? He went to go play with his grandchildren. As soon as he finished eating, he headed over there. I told him to lie down and rest for a while, but he wouldn’t listen,” Wang Cuicui sighed.
She was stitching the duvet cover and quilt together to keep the cotton inside from shifting.
After a couple of stitches, she raised the needle and gently slid the tip across her scalp. Smiling, she said to Tang Li, “These past few days, your dad’s been so worried he hasn’t been able to sleep well. He’s afraid you won’t get everything right before you leave.”
“What’s so hard about getting it right?” Tang Xu yawned, then sat down.
Watching Wang Cuicui’s quick and efficient stitching, he said, “The furniture’s all made and brought back, the wedding dress is almost done, and the wedding quilts and other items are all newly made. What else is there to prepare?”
Tang Li nodded in agreement.
Wang Cuicui sighed and poked each of them lightly on the forehead. “That’s why I say you two don’t understand a thing. Have you prepared the items for the bottom of the chest? Things like pots, bowls, and utensils? Those all need to be a brand-new set. They’ll need them for their daily life after marriage. Liu Yao isn’t marrying into our family, so you can’t cut corners. And what about shoes and bedding? You can’t just have one set of each.”
Tang Xu blinked, then pouted.
Wang Cuicui raised an eyebrow. “What? Got something to say?”
“When I got married, it wasn’t this complicated,” Tang Xu scratched his face. “Why so much trouble?”
“This is trouble?” Wang Cuicui glared at him. “Ah Li is getting married—it’s not something to take lightly! Especially since everyone in the village knows we’ve made some money. If this wedding isn’t handled properly, and the dowry isn’t prepared well, people will laugh at us.”
“I didn’t say we wouldn’t prepare a dowry. I just didn’t think we’d need to prepare so much,” Tang Xu muttered, scratching his head. He glanced at his sister and asked, “How many pairs of shoes did you make for Liu Yao?”
“One pair. And one pair for myself,” Tang Li replied with a slightly helpless look. She wasn’t particularly skilled at needlework, and over the past few months, she had rushed to finish their wedding outfits and shoes.
The idea that just one set wouldn’t be enough hadn’t even crossed her mind.
“Make another pair,” Wang Cuicui said, turning to her. “Can you manage it?”
Tang Li shook her head. “I can’t. I’ll just buy some from the town instead.”
“Right, just buy what’s missing tomorrow,” Tang Xu said. “Ask Ah Dong to drive the cart and take Liu Yao along. Get whatever you’re missing. There are only a few days left, so don’t try to make it yourself.”
Tang Li nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, I can’t make another pair. My hands are already covered in blisters!”
Wang Cuicui sighed. “Fine. I’ll go with you tomorrow.”
After chatting a bit longer, Tang Xu glanced at the sky and got up. “I’m heading back to cook. Auntie, when you finish up here, you can come over and help. Ah Li, come along and help me.”
“Alright,” Tang Li replied obediently and followed him.
When they arrived home, Tang Xu had just stepped into the backyard when he faintly heard the cheerful laughter of children. He raised an eyebrow and turned to Tang Li. “Dad doesn’t seem tired at all.”
“How could he be tired?” Tang Li glanced over and saw their father, Tang Erhu, carrying Xiao Bao on his shoulders while chasing after two other kids. She couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Dad’s got plenty of energy!”
Tang Xu caught sight of the scene and couldn’t help but shout, “Dad! Put Xiao Bao down!”
Tang Erhu stopped in his tracks, turned around, and brought the three little ones over.
Tang Xu quickly walked up and reached out to take Xiao Bao. “He’s heavy now! He might strain your neck, what if you drop him?”
“Drop him? Nonsense! Scram; we’re having a great time!” Tang Erhu stepped back to avoid him, looking annoyed. “Go cook and stop bothering us.”
Tang Li covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Tang Xu was speechless but still cautioned, “Fine, carry him if you want, but don’t run! It’ll be dangerous if you fall.”
“Yeah, yeah, got it. Now move out of the way,” Tang Erhu replied dismissively. He kept Xiao Bao on his shoulders and continued chasing his other two grandkids. This time, however, he didn’t run but instead took larger strides.
Tang Xu observed for a while and, seeing that his father was taking his advice, felt reassured.
Still, when he went to the front yard and spotted Tang Yang, he called him over to keep an eye on them.
After all, their father could be a bit unreliable at times.
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