On the afternoon of the third day of the twelfth lunar month, the cold wind howled.
Most of the odd-hour servants (non-boarding servants, including handymen) in Feng Mansion have left Feng Mansion.
Aiju dragged her heavy steps, one step at a time, towards home.
When she passed the gate of the house.
She stopped.
She vaguely heard a very vague voice calling herself.
She poked her head and looked around.
She didn't notice anything strange.
She lowered her head and just took a step forward.
"Aiju, I've been waiting for you for an hour, and you're finally here."
Aiju looked at the source of the voice and called out: Uncle Fan, what are you waiting for me here for?
Uncle Fan replied: Do you have anything to do while I'm waiting for you?
Aiju replied: No, no, no.
Uncle Fan said: Fortunately, I caught a glimpse of you through the crack in the window inside...
"Uncle Fan, what on earth do you want to see me for! If you don't look for me inside, you have to come here and wait for me." Aiju interrupted:
"You two come in, it's cold outside." Uncle Ping hid behind the door and shouted:
Fan Bo waved his hand and said, "You go in and sit down while Aiju and I go home."
Uncle Ping then said: It's already dark, why are you going to her house?
Uncle Fan responded: I want to talk to Qianqian about something.
"Crazy, two crazy, you are not afraid of the cold, I am afraid of the cold, you can't get in." Uncle Ping closed the door and read:
Aiju moved her steps and asked: What on earth is going on? Can you tell me first!
Uncle Fan called out: The day after tomorrow is my mother's 71st birthday, and I want to ask Qianqian to go back with her.
Aiju smiled and said: Grandma’s birthday, her 71st birthday, should indeed be celebrated.
Aiju continued: "I'm going to take two days off. I'll also accompany Qianqian back to celebrate her mother-in-law's birthday."
Uncle Fan walked up and replied, "No, there's no need to trouble Aiju. You and I are both servants of Feng Mansion. I understand the difficulties very well."
What's more, the third lady is still in confinement, so you have to stay with the third lady to take care of her.
Aiju thought for a while and congratulated: Then I wish my mother-in-law a long life and good health.
Fan Bo thanked him and said: Thank you Aiju for your blessing!
"Uncle Fan, please stand here for a while, I'll call the door." Aiju called:
Uncle Fan rushed to the door and shouted: Qianqian, open the door, I am your uncle.
Tudui opened the door and said, "Uncle Fan, please come in!"
Fan Bo took two steps aside and said, "Aiju, go in."
Aiju replied: Fan Bo, you go first.
"It's windy outside. If you two give in, I'll close the door!" Tudui shouted:
"You brat, hurry up and ask Uncle Fan to come in and sit down." Aiju said:
"Uncle, come in quickly." Qianqian said:
Uncle Fan raised his head and called out: Qianqian.
Aiju shouted: Fan Bo, please come into the house!
Uncle Fan stepped into the house.
Aiju locked the door and followed slowly.
Qianqian shouted: Uncle, come over here to warm yourself by the fire.
Shuishui said politely: "Uncle."
Uncle Fan stepped forward and said with a smile: "Shui Shui, you have grown taller again."
Shuishui said excitedly: Have I grown taller?
Uncle Fan touched Shuishui's head and said, "I've grown taller."
"Uncle Fan, drink tea." Tudui held over a bowl of tea and called:
Uncle Fan took the tea with both hands and thanked him: Thank you!
"The wind is weird today, blowing one after another, endlessly." Aiju gathered around the brazier and said:
Shuishui walked up to Aiju and said coquettishly: Mom, I want you to hug me.
Aiju hugged Shuishui and said: Shuishui has grown up. In two years, mother will not be able to hold you.
"Mom, you also have a bowl of hot tea." Tudui held a bowl of tea and called:
Aiju took the tea and shouted: Qianqian, your grandma will have a birthday the day after tomorrow. You and Uncle Fan will go back to your parents' home tomorrow to celebrate her birthday.
Qianqian echoed: I remember grandma’s birthday is these two days.
"Mom, can I go to the birthday party with my sister-in-law?" Shuishui asked:
Aiju replied: What are you going to do?
"Aiju, Shuishui wants to go!" Uncle Fan said:
"Uncle Fan, he is Shitou's brother, how can he behave like this!" Aiju argued:
Fan Bo was stunned and said: This!
Aiju whispered: I'm going to prepare some gifts - let Qianqian take them!
Uncle Fan shouted: Aiju, as long as Qianqian can go back.
Aiju responded: Qianqian should bring some gifts when she goes back to celebrate her birthday.
Uncle Fan replied: I said, there is no need to bring gifts, as long as Qianqian can go back.
Aiju continued: I still think so!
Fan Bo argued: If you insist on bringing a gift! You give Qianqian two kilograms of peanuts to take home.
Aiju muttered: This is fine.
Uncle Fan called out: Qianqian, you are going back with your uncle tomorrow and you don’t want to say anything!
Qianqian said: I won’t go back.
Fan Bo said: Qianqian, what did you say?
Qianqian reiterated: I won’t go back.
Aiju said: Your grandma's seventy-first birthday is the day after tomorrow. It doesn't make sense if you don't go back to celebrate her birthday. Not to mention your own family, others will point fingers behind your back.
Qianqian buried her head and remained silent.
Tudu called: Sister Qianqian, it’s your grandma’s birthday, you can’t go back.
No matter what, our brothers will accompany you back.
Aiju congratulated: Shut up.
The mound immediately closed its mouth.
Aiju advised: Qianqian, 71 years old is rare in a person's life. Your grandma is lucky to live to this age. You should take this opportunity to go back and have a good chat with her!
Qianqian said hoarsely: Mom, don't ask me to go back.
Uncle Fan called out: "Aiju, let's take a step to talk."
Aiju stood up and replied: Uncle Fan, wait a minute!
The mound was lit with lanterns and he asked: Sister Qianqian, why don't you want to go back?
Qianqian held her chin with one hand, as if she didn't hear Tudui speak.
Aiju took a flashlight and whispered: Let's go out and talk.
After a while, they came to the fork in the road in front of the house.
Fan Bo asked: Aiju, help me analyze it! Why doesn’t Qianqian want to go home with me?
Aiju thought for a while and said: What is Qianqian thinking? I'm not so sure either!
Uncle Fan responded: I guess! Qianqian doesn't want to go home, mostly because of "the three-part agreement."
Aiju continued: There are three chapters in the agreement.
Uncle Fan replied: Yes, the "three chapters of agreement" you promised to my father.
Aiju thought for a moment and said: I think so.
Uncle Fan took a breath and sighed: I will go back alone tomorrow.
My mother!
Aiju asked: What happened to my mother-in-law?
Uncle Fan continued: My mother keeps talking about Qianqian every now and then, and I wanted to take this opportunity!
Aiju replied: Qianqian is at my home, and she is welcome to come over at any time.
Uncle Fan argued: My mother is old and her feet are no longer in control.
Aiju scratched her temples and called out: "Let's go into the house!"
Uncle Fan rubbed his hands and said, "You go ahead."
Aiju stood at the door of the house and shouted: Qianqian, come out.
Qianqian opens the door...
"Qianqian, please give way." Uncle Fan said:
Qianqian took two steps back and asked: Mom, why did you ask me to come out?
Aiju responded: "You close the door, let's go over there and talk."
Qianqian closed the door and walked slowly.
Aiju raised her feet and said: Qianqian, what did your mother-in-law do to you?
Qianqian replied: Grandma is very good to me, she loves me very much.
Aiju asked: Then why don't you go back to celebrate her birthday?
Qianqian closed her mouth, but there was no reply.
Aiju called out: My mother-in-law is worried about you day and night, no matter what your reasons are! You should also go back to wish her birthday, or see her, or have a meal with her, even if you just say a word!
Qianqian choked and said: Does it make sense for me to go back?
Aiju muttered: You are still thinking about the "Three Chapters of the Agreement", right?
Qianqian wiped the corners of her eyes and replied: How could I not want to!
Aiju replied: What do you want it to do! Thinking about it will only create a shadow in your heart. As long as you keep your original intention, those rules and regulations!
"Mom, you want me to go back so much!" Qianqian shouted:
"Why do I want you to go back! It's your grandma's birthday, so you should go back." Aiju argued:
Qianqian was silent for a moment and replied: I will go back with Uncle Fan tomorrow.
Aiju said: There is no cooking in the house yet, I will go inside to cook.
Qianqian said: I put the rice for cooking at night on the water ladle.
Shuishui saw Aiju walking into the house and shouted: Mom, I'm hungry.
"Shui Shui, don't scream! Mom and I went in to cook." Qianqian came over and responded:
Aiju warned: Tudui, you and Shuishui take care of Uncle Fan, Qianqian and I...
"Although Aiju is busy, it's not the first time I've come to your house..." Fan Bo interrupted:
"Tudui, hurry up and pour tea for Fan Bo." Aiju walked towards the kitchen.
Uncle Fan replied: I still have some in my bowl.
Tudui said: "Uncle Fan, let me give you some more tea."
Fan Bo said, "No more. It's such a cold day and I don't want to drink too much water."
Tudui asked: Uncle Fan, how many tables will be set on my mother-in-law's birthday?
Uncle Fan replied: We won't hold a big banquet, we just get together as a family.
Tudu called: I will go back with you too.
However, my mother said it!
Uncle Fan then said: Tudui, you are very sensible. You are welcome in my home...
"Uncle Fan, I am also sensible." Shuishui said:
"Tudui, Shuishui, you are very lovable. I will take you with me another day!" Uncle Fan said:
Tudui replied: I'll go talk to my mother again! We brothers will follow you tomorrow!
Shuishui rushed to say: "Let's go back with my sister-in-law."
Uncle Fan replied: You brothers stay at home, I will wait for another day...
"Uncle Fan, what you said are all lies. You don't welcome us to your home." Tudui interrupted:
"Tudui, your mother just made it clear that you are not allowed to go to my house. If you want to make your mother angry!" Fan Bo argued:
Tudui responded: Why is my mother angry when we go to your house to play?
Uncle Fan pretended to be confused and grinned slightly.
Tudui called out: I heard from Sister-in-law Qianqian that she has several brothers and sisters. The day after tomorrow is my mother-in-law’s birthday, so they will be at your house too! I want to meet them.
Uncle Fan then said: This is easy, I can ask them to come over to your house to play. I have three sons and two daughters!
Tudu asked: Uncle Fan, how many children do you have?
Uncle Fan replied: I have three sons and two daughters. My two eldest sons both work outside and have families outside. My eldest daughter also works outside and has a family locally. My eldest daughter also works outside and has a family locally. The younger son and daughter stay at home, they are still studying.
Tudui boasted: Fan Bo is so lucky!
Uncle Fan replied: What a blessing! I have a lot of pressure.
"Uncle Fan, come to the table to eat. It's so late today..." Aiju came over with two bowls of vegetables.
"It's not late, it's not late, it's not even 10 o'clock yet." Uncle Fan replied:
Aiju responded: Feng Mansion’s dinner has already been eaten.
Uncle Fan then said: "It doesn't matter whether it's earlier or later!" When I'm at home, my family doesn't have food until this point.
Besides, dinner, dinner, eating later is called dinner.
Qianqian took the bowl and went to add food to everyone.
Tudui walked over and helped everyone serve food.
Aiju wiped the square table and shouted: Uncle Fan, hurry up and come around.
Uncle Wan took Shuishui's hand and said, "Shui Shui, let's go over and sit down."
Aiju moved the brazier and called out: I don’t have any food at home! I just fried up a few side dishes, and Uncle Fan must not dislike them. Which bowl of dishes do you like? You do it yourself.
Fan Bo responded: Aiju, we are colleagues, and even more so relatives, why are you so polite to me? You made me feel embarrassed to use my chopsticks.
Aiju smiled and said: Fan Bo, don't be embarrassed! you eat! you eat.
Uncle Fan held the vegetables and said, "Aiju, I hate red tape the most."
but! You and I are servants, and there are some rules we have to abide by.
In private, don't be so polite to me.
Aiju replied: Okay, okay, okay, I don’t want to waste my time, you can pick up the food yourself.
Tudu took his seat and shouted: "Uncle Fan, please eat more eggs. This bowl of eggs is delicious."
"Uncle Fan, I put the salt in the eggs." Qianqian said excitedly:
Uncle Fan took a piece of egg and asked: Qianqian, will you go home with me tomorrow?
Qianqian nodded and replied: I will follow you tomorrow.
Fan Bo smiled and said: Your grandma knows you are going back! She must be very happy.
Tudui called out: Mom, Shuishui and I will go together to pay homage to my mother-in-law’s birthday!
Aiju responded: If you want to pay birthdays to your in-laws, you can do so at home...
"We want to go to Fan Bo's house and salute our mother-in-law in person." Tudui replied:
Aiju made a face and shouted: What nonsense! How can there be such etiquette! You may want to go to Uncle Fan's house to play or wish you a happy birthday; wait until your brother comes back - let's talk.
Tudui said: If big brother doesn’t come back!
Aiju yelled: Your eldest brother will come back sooner or later, he will come back.
You little bastard.
Tudui whispered: Mom, I just said "big brother"! There is no need for you to be so cruel to me! I'm still not your son!
Aiju said angrily: You are not allowed to say anything.
Uncle Fan advised: "Aiju, calm down. Why are you so childish like a child?"
"Tudui, what are you talking about? Why are you mentioning your eldest brother? After hearing this, your mother will naturally..." Fan Bo continued:
"Mom is partial. Mom has always liked my eldest brother. Shuishui and I are just like superfluous. Mom has never cared about me." Tudui responded:
Aiju put down her bowls and chopsticks and slapped the mound of soil.
Uncle Fan shouted: "Love chrysanthemum."
The mound gritted his teeth and tears kept flowing.
Aiju stood stupidly, tears falling involuntarily from her eyes.
One minute, five minutes, Aiju sat down.
She lay on the table, crying.
Shuishui crawled on Aiju's lap and cried with Aiju.
Tudu pushed Aiju's arm and choked: Mom, I was wrong, I shouldn't have made you angry, I will never say big brother again...
"Mom, I don't allow you to be angry. I'm going home tomorrow. How can I rest assured when you look like this..." Qianqian wiped the tears from her eyes and said:
"Don't worry, you can say hello to your grandma for me. I wish her happiness like the East Sea and longevity as long as the Southern Mountains." Aiju cried:
Qianqian wiped Aiju's tears and comforted her: Mom, we are not crying.
Fan Bo leaned against Ai Ju and the others and shed tears quietly.
Aiju hugged Qianqian with one hand and cried: My good girl...
