Little Miss Fortune: I Will Bring Prosperity to My Tang Family!-Chapter 97: Xiaolin Who Won’t Move On

Chapter 91

Xiaolin Who Won’t Move On

As soon as the greedy group saw that the food was ready, they quickly sat down in their places. They eagerly scooped rice and food into their mouths. Even the simple grilled mackerel was reduced to mere fish bones. Fortunately, they had saved a portion for the chubby child; otherwise, the greedy little one would surely have been upset.

Delicious food is irresistible to anyone, and if someone doesn’t eat enough and gets hangry, a fight is bound to break out.

"I never thought that just steaming mackerel and then grilling it over hot coals would be so delicious. I used to endure eating fresh grilled mackerel with dry, coarse meat for so long,"

Chang Sen, who was lying lazily on the porch, said grumpily. He had endured eating such grilled fish for years. Why couldn’t his little niece have been born earlier so he could have enjoyed delicious food sooner?

"Xiaolin, why don’t you come live with Uncle? Or maybe let Uncle live at your house so he can eat your cooking three meals a day,"

Guo Lu suggested to his little niece, who was sitting and scraping the flesh from a fragrant coconut, enjoying it immensely. He had gone to the trouble of collecting the coconut for her, so she would surely soften and agree to live at his house.

"Tianrong will come and chop your head off with an axe. Xiaolin, it’s better if you come live at my house,"

Tian Yi glared at his friend before turning to speak softly to his niece. There was no way he would let this smelly-faced friend snatch his niece away. The chubby-cheeked child had to live at his house, of course.

"Do you want me to hit you on the head?" Guo Lu turned to confront his friend, who loved to interfere.

As soon as Guo Lu started, the two of them began to bicker like children. Xiaolin could only look up in confusion. Why did her uncles suddenly start fighting? She was just enjoying her coconut. They were truly disrupting her peaceful mood.

Wu Zhong sighed wearily at the sight of his two foolish friends. They rested a bit to let their food digest before getting up to resume their unfinished work. They had been lazing around for quite some time, and if they didn’t get back to work, it wouldn’t be completed.

The two young men from the Zhou family and Huan Luwen also got up and walked around to inspect the squid drying racks with interest. The racks, made from bamboo, stretched out for dozens of meters and were a significant source of income for the Tang family.

Zhou Minglu and Zhou Mingwang had been studying in the capital for many years and had a variety of friends, including the children of nobles, wealthy merchants, and even royalty. Zhou Minglu had the idea to help his little sister trade with merchants in the capital. If he succeeded, his little sister would surely elevate him from just an acquaintance to a brother in her eyes.

"Xiao Wang, should we send a letter to our friends who run restaurants and sell dried food in the capital?"

"Why send them a letter?" Zhou Mingwang turned to look at his brother in confusion. He was talking to Huan Lu who was easier to approach than the twins so he was not aware of what his brother was saying.

"We can tell them about Xiaolin’s dried squid. They might be interested in buying it for resale. If we help Xiaolin with her business, she will definitely become closer to us," Zhou Minglu pointed to the dried squid lying flat in the sun. Zhou Mingwang thought for a moment before nodding enthusiastically.

"Go for it, big brother. I support you. Write the letter as soon as we get back," Zhou Ming Wang said.

"Alright!"

Unaware of their plans, Xiaolin was heading towards the elder’s hut. She had brought two grilled mackerel to share with the two elders. She didn’t bring any basil stir-fried dishes because Uncle Guo Lu had made them quite spicy, and she was worried that the elders, who weren’t used to strong flavors, might get stomach aches. Instead of strengthening family bonds, it could cause discord.

"Great-grandfather, have you had lunch yet?"

Xiaolin asked sweetly as she carried the plate of grilled mackerel into the hut where the two elders were chatting. Her sweet call made the elders smile warmly. It felt wonderful to have a cute little child call on them. They regretted that their sons didn’t have wives; otherwise, there would be many little grandchildren running around by now.

"Oh, little Xiaolin, we were just about to have lunch. Come eat with us. Today, we’ve made salted meat stir-fried with wild green onions and boiled duck eggs," Zhang Ren said, inviting her chubby little great-granddaughter who had come in with her cheeks shaking. She pulled the soft, plump child into a hug and kissed her cheeks affectionately.

"I already ate with the uncles, and I brought some grilled fish for you," Chubby Xiaolin said, placing the plate of fish next to their meal.

"Oh dear, you didn’t have to go to the trouble to bring us this," Zhang Ren said, patting the child’s round head.

"My uncles caught a lot of fish. Please try it. I steamed it before grilling it. I guarantee you the meat will be so good and not dry,"

"Then I must try it to see if it’s as delicious as you claim," Shi An said, laughing as he picked up a piece of the fish to taste.

"Oh, it is really tender and has a wonderful aroma. Try it, old woman," Shi An said to his wife, offering her a piece. Zhang Ren saw her husband enjoying the fish and took a bite herself.

"It’s as delicious as you said. My great-granddaughter is very talented."

"Hehe,"

Xiaolin didn’t stay to bother the two elders for long. She just invited them to come to her house for dinner. After they agreed, she walked back to the hut. Before going home, she planned to stop by Ling’s house to invite the two siblings to join them for a delicious meal.

Walking along the beach, Xiaolin looked at the colorful seashells. Being alone like this made her think of the past. Although more than a year had passed, she still missed the people she had left behind.

"Ahhh, Xiaolin, who won’t move on,"

Xiaolin sighed as she flopped down on the porch next to the twins. She rolled around lazily, feeling drowsy and yawning widely. She glanced at the three young men who were still inspecting the squid drying racks and chatting with the workers. She figured it would be a while before they wanted to go home, so she closed her eyes for a nap.

After about two hours, the chubby girl woke up. She noticed that the two Zhou brothers and Huan Luwen were now napping comfortably, while the twins had wandered off somewhere. Xiaolin got up, fetched water from the large barrel next to the hut, washed her face, and wiped it with the edge of her shirt.

"Xiaolin, you’re awake? Are you ready to go home? Your mother must be worried by now," Wu Zhong said, reminding his niece. Realizing she had been out for a long time, Xiaolin hurried to wake the three young men who were drooling in their sleep.

"What’s up, Xiaolin?" Zhou Minglu asked, still feeling groggy.

"It’s time to go home. We’ve been out for a long time, and my mother will be worried. By the way, where did Brother Lang and Brother Long go?" Xiaolin asked, looking at the three disheveled young men, not realizing her own appearance was just as messy.

"There they are," Huan Luwen pointed to the two older brothers walking along the beach.

"Brother Lang, Brother Long, it’s time to go home," Xiaolin called out, gathering her things and tidying herself up.

The six of them said goodbye to their uncles and headed back to the little house. Xiaolin wondered if her grandmother was already waiting at the gate with a switch in hand. She reminded everyone to come over for braised pork leg dinner, and the greedy group eagerly agreed.

When they arrived at the house, Xiaolin let out a sigh of relief, not seeing her grandmother waiting to scold them. Hearing noise from the back of the house, Xiaolin walked around to the back. Having been out and about, she was worried that she might bring dirt or debris into the house, which could make her younger brother uncomfortable.

She saw about ten chickens with their legs tied, lying on the ground next to the platform at the back of the house. Their clucking could be heard for miles. The recently returned girl could only stare in amazement. The two unrelated brothers, who had just come back from catching wild chickens, were lying on the platform, exhausted and covered in sweat, with bits of leaves and grass stuck to them.

"When are you going to put the chickens away, dear? They’ve been clucking so long it’s giving me a headache,"

Hui Ning complained as she came outside carrying her chubby son. She scolded her husband, who was lounging around instead of putting the chickens away first and then resting, leaving them to make noise for so long.

Meanwhile, little Xiaoyu, her chubby-cheeked son, waved his arms and legs and laughed heartily, as if the chickens’ clucking was his favorite song.

"Ah! Eh! Ah!" The chubby boy babbled happily.

"Can’t you see that Xiaoyu likes it?" Tianrong said, glancing up at his wife before receiving a stern look from Hui Ning.

Seeing this, Tianrong quickly got up and nudged his older friend lying next to him. Ever since his wife was pregnant with their son and then gave birth, she had become much stricter, a stark contrast to when she had their daughter. Back then, she was still the sweet wife who took good care of him, but now she was ready to snap at him at any moment. Just one stern look from her gave him chills.

"Alright, alright, I’ll put them away right now,"

Tianrong said hastily, carrying the chickens away with Lei San’s help, struggling all the while. Xiaolin watched her parents’ interaction with amusement, causing Hui Ning to laugh when she noticed.

"Where have you all been? You look like you’ve been crawling through the forest, and your faces are so red. Were you playing on the beach in the sun?"

"Yes, Mother. Where are Grandmother and Aunt?" Xiaolin asked, noticing their absence.

"Your aunt is at the Lings’ house, and your grandmother is watching over the braised pork stew for you. It’s been simmering since late morning, so it should be tender enough to eat without chewing by now,"

As her mother mentioned the braised pork stew, Xiaolin could smell the delicious aroma carried by the wind. The children, whose lunch had already digested, stood inhaling the tantalizing scent with closed eyes. Hui Ning looked at the greedy children and then told them to wash up before eating the tender braised pork.

Xiaolin was the first to run to the water jar at the back of the house, washing her face, arms, and legs until they were clean. She decided to take a full bath after eating. She stopped by to ask her grandmother if the kale had been picked to boil with the pork stew.

When her grandmother said no, the chubby girl grabbed a basket and ran with her belly bouncing to the garden beside the house to pick some kale. Once she had enough, she enlisted the help of the boys to peel the tough outer layers off the kale stems.

At that moment, those who had gone to work since morning returned, including Wu Zhong’s group, who all came back together. Shi Luo, Ling Heng, and Liu Hao were tasked with going back to their homes to fetch their family members to join in on the braised pork leg feast.

Xiaolin took on the responsibility of looking after her chubby little brother, who was in a very cheerful mood, moving his arms and legs while laughing heartily for quite some time.

Hui Ning, after entrusting her son to his older sister, went into the kitchen to help her mother because there were so many people today. Tianchen also ran into the kitchen to help his aunt and sister-in-law.

Soon enough, with everyone present and the food ready, each person received a plate of rice, especially the large men who got heaping plates of rice, braised pork, and vegetables. It was unclear whether Zhang Ruo was being generous or sarcastic towards the greedy group, but it was certain that one plate of rice would not be enough to satisfy them.

Xiaolin sat with her cheeks puffed out, eating the braised pork and rice. Her little mouth was glistening with oil, one hand holding a spoon and the other holding a mildly spicy chili to bite into for added flavor.

She also had half a plate of kale to balance out the richness because, although she loved eating, just braised pork alone was too greasy for her. The young men were also busy shoveling food into their mouths, not saying a word, especially the two Zhou brothers, who ate so voraciously that they seemed to forget all the manners their mother had drilled into them.

"Father," Xiaolin quickly chewed and swallowed her food, remembering that she had something to discuss with him.

"What is it, my dear?"

Tianrong was holding an empty plate, ready to go for a second helping, but his daughter spoke up before he could move. Seeing his younger brother get up to go to the kitchen, Tianrong handed him the plate. Tianchen sighed, accepting the plate and walking away.

"That brother of mine, sigh," Tianrong grumbled, finding his younger brother increasingly frustrating as he grew older.

"Father, I want to buy some coconut groves. Can we visit Uncle Zhou’s house tomorrow?" Xiaolin asked eagerly.

"Are you sure?" Tianrong furrowed his brows. His daughter wanted to own a grove? Even if it was just a coconut grove, it was still surprising.

"I’m not sure, but I want to talk to Uncle Zhou first. If we own the grove, it would be more convenient for us to harvest coconuts whenever we need them,"

"Even so, it might be difficult for common folks like us to buy a grove. But alright, let’s go talk to him," Tianrong agreed, although he was unsure if they could manage to buy it. Acquiring land, especially a grove, was no small feat for ordinary people without significant influence.

"Tomorrow, I will get up early with you, Father. We’ll visit Uncle Zhou first thing in the morning, in case the negotiations take a long time. In the afternoon, please bring me back. I’ll prepare chicken rice for you," Xiaolin planned enthusiastically.

"Then you’ll have to get up extra early,"

"Yes, Father," Xiaolin replied cheerfully.

Xiaolin then started dancing with joy. Even if the grove was expensive, she was confident that her father could afford it, especially with her own savings. She just hoped it wouldn’t be too pricey.

After everyone finished eating, the Zhou brothers decided to head home since they had been out since morning. Before they left, Xiaolin took them to pick some vegetables to take home and cook for their lovely aunt. The brothers smiled broadly, their eyes crinkling with happiness, as the Tang family’s vegetables were exceptionally fresh and delicious.

Xiaolin waved at the departing carriage, driven by Zhou Minglu. Once it was out of sight, she rushed to the bathroom to take a bath, scrubbing herself thoroughly. She sang loudly, so loudly that even her uncles, who were sitting and gnawing on pork bones on the platform, could hear her. Besides singing, she danced, her soft, chubby body jiggling with her every move.

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