"Two circles."
"Pong! Fifty thousand."
"I've won."
A round ended, Liu Yui picked up a piece of cloud cake and took a bite, having spent all her change, she tossed a large bill to let them break it themselves.
She picked up the cup and took a sip of tea, the afternoon sun combined with the gentle breeze, bringing a perfectly pleasant laziness.
At the kitchen door, Aunt Liu lifted a large stone, placed it on the jar, to pickle the family's next season's pickles.
Uncle Qin was building in the field in front of the dam, planning to make a flower house.
When we lived in the university staff compound, the old lady insisted on planting vegetables where flowers should be, now in the countryside, there's plenty of space for planting vegetables and grains, now she wants to grow so flowers.
Li Sanjiang saw this scene in the morning and got a bit angry, asking: "Can you eat flowers!"
The old lady replied directly: "Alii wants to see flowers."
Li Sanjiang quickly said: "Hmm, it's good to grow so flowers, as long as there's enough grain at ho."
The ga continued.
Granny Hua asked, "Why haven't I seen Marquis Sanjiang?"
Liu Jinxia: "Went to sit for a ceremony."
Granny Hua: "Saw him wandering around the village this morning."
Liu Jinxia: "You're talking nonsense, who expects soone to die in advance?"
Granny Hua: "I didn't an that."
Liu Jinxia: "Sitting there is just a start, once soone leaves, soone must run things and play the host."
Granny Hua: "Understood, no wonder."
So families, with not many relatives, not a large family, lack a host, so they invite experienced people like Li Sanjiang to manage things from the start. Today there's no funeral, when the real ceremony happens, Uncle Qin and Shan Hou will bring paper effigies and tables and benches to help out.
Liu Jinxia reached for a piece of cloud cake, put it in her mouth, chewing and laughing:
"This is tasty, brought ho two pieces yesterday, my Xiang Hou and Little Cui Hou each had a piece, they ate it happily, today I want to get more from Sister Liu."
Liu Yui: "If the kids like it, that's fine. When we finish, let Ah Ting count what's left, I'll pack them for you to take ho."
Liu Jinxia: "Okay, thanks."
In this business, understanding people is essential, Liu Jinxia has long seen that Liu Yui is not soone who fusses. If you want sothing, just ask her directly, no need to be shy.
Granny Hua, even more straightforward, asked: "Is there still so of that mung bean cake from last ti?"
From the kitchen door, Aunt Liu called: "That's gone, I'll pick up goods tomorrow morning, you can eat it tomorrow afternoon, also the golden thread pastry that Aunt Lian's kids like, I'll have more prepared."
Granny Hua laughed: "That's good, but not too much, I live alone, give more to Lian Hou, she has a larger family."
Granny Hua is a widow, ever since she t Liu Yui, she's been unreserved with Sister Liu, truly treating her as an older sister.
Liu Yui treats her differently too, often calling her "crazy granny," known for her bad temper, Granny Hua doesn't get angry here, instead, responds with a cheerful smile.
Wang Lian blushed and said: "How can I be so shaless, oh how can I."
Every ti she cos, she takes things away, only sending so ho-cooked dishes and helping out with chores. She knows she's taking advantage but doesn't want to face it, yet thinking of her family situation, every ti she returns ho after these gatherings, the grandchildren look at her expectantly, hoping she'll bring back so treats.
A new round started, Wang Lian had no cards.
Liu Yui's hand paused suddenly while drawing a card.
The card turned in her hand, reflecting light into everyone's eyes around the table, then she inserted the card into the seam of the table with a flick of her fingers.
Liu Jinxia, Granny Hua, and Wang Lian all stopped their actions, their expressions unclear.
After finishing her actions, Uncle Qin stopped his work, straightened up, and looked toward the village entrance.
Aunt Liu stopped cutting vegetables, spinning the knife like a flower in her palm.
Seven clear, straightforward killing intents were approaching.
Last ti such a situation occurred at ho, it was when Lin Shuyou's master and grandfather ca.
However, that pair intentionally revealed an official's aura, they were here to demand explanations, carrying authority but not hostility, allowing room for Zhuangzhuang to negotiate, giving the old lady a chance to ease off.
If that pair ca like today, full of killing intent, it's said that not even Li Zhiyuan pleading personally could keep the family shrine intact, no matter how eloquently they beg.
Even the misunderstanding itself is not important, doesn't need explanation.
This is really not just about family reputation but the Dragon King family's long-standing presence, enemies scattered throughout Jianghu, if you show weakness, countless threats will swarm in crazily.
Alii's situation is the best example, it's due to the total collapse on the spiritual side of the Qin and Liu Families.
Li Zhiyuan wants to remove the household, but must entice the opponent to first say "want to destroy your entire family," not because he doesn't understand Jianghu rules, but because he has no choice.
Firstly, he is crossing the river, with heavy karma, and he's significantly watched by the Heavenly Dao;
Secondly, now he has a clear tacit agreent with Heavenly Dao, he dared to confront True Monarch Pu Du undersea and stare at Ksitigarbha because he knows Heavenly Dao needs him to declare his stance.
Therefore, the young man must pursue procedural justice in his actions, he has no choice, with Heavenly Dao watching from behind.
User Comments
0 comments from readers