Chapter 99: The Whole Family Goes to the City
Before Luo Shi could speak, Li Shi slapped Wen Nong on the back. “If you don’t set up your stall, what do you think you’re going to do?”
Wen Nong shrank his neck. Once his mother spoke, he knew he had no chance, so he lowered his head in resignation.
Luo Shi glanced at him and said, “No matter what, money still has to be earned. You’ll run your stall as usual tomorrow. After we finish shopping, we’ll go to the docks to find you.”
Wen Yao had told her there were plenty of good things at the docks. She wanted to see if she could find some bargains.
Wen Nong only wanted to slack off a little, not really go play. Since Grandma had spoken, he gave up the idea and resolved to work hard.
Luo Shi then looked at Wen Jun. “Are your master and Shopkeeper Qiu finished with their work? How are they spending the New Year?”
Wen Jun nodded. “That noble guest already left. My master originally planned to return to the capital for the New Year, but suddenly changed his mind. Shopkeeper Qiu is alone, so they’ll likely celebrate together.”
Luo Shi looked at the family and thought for a moment. “Tomorrow, ask your master and Shopkeeper Qiu if they’d like to celebrate the New Year at our home.”
Wen Jun asked carefully, “Grandma, is that alright?” He had wanted to invite them himself. After all, New Year was livelier with more people. Just three of them celebrating together would be lonely.
Luo Shi shot him a sideways glance. “He’s your master—half your father. Why wouldn’t it be alright?”
Wen Jun beamed and bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Grandma.”
Satisfied, Luo Shi turned to her other two sons and daughters-in-law. “In the past, your eldest brother dragged you down, but times have changed. You’ve seen what he’s done for the family.”
She paused, then continued, “What’s past is past. No one is allowed to bring it up again. Your father and I still have some savings. This year, your New Year gifts will include an extra strip of meat and a piece of cloth.”
“Really, Mother?” Li Shi was thrilled. Her son was earning money, and her mother-in-law had become generous. Life felt wonderfully comfortable.
Cai Shi didn’t dare say much, but her bright eyes revealed her happiness. Being remembered by their mother-in-law warmed both women’s hearts.
Luo Shi glared. “Cooked.”
Her blunt correction made everyone burst into laughter. Li Shi quickly apologized, grinning. “I was just surprised! What’s that phrase Yao taught us? Something about showing on the face?”
“Joy showing on the face,” Wen Ying supplied.
“Yes, yes, that’s it. Thank you, Mother!”
Cai Shi also thanked her shyly. Luo Shi merely hummed in response and glanced at Wen Xiuyi’s family of four before looking away. Without a wife, they didn’t even need to visit in-laws.
She continued arranging matters. “We still haven’t worn the clothes made from the fabric Doctor Jin gifted us, so we won’t make new clothes this year.”
No one objected.
They then planned New Year gifts for relatives, the reunion dinner menu, and tomorrow’s shopping list. Luo Shi dictated while Wen Xiuyi wrote everything down.
After reviewing the list, Luo Shi suddenly asked, “Eldest, why does your handwriting look different now?”
Wen Xiuyi’s heart skipped a beat. Wen Yao and Wen Jun instinctively clenched their hands and looked at him.
Luo Shi couldn’t read, but she recognized his handwriting. Back when he was promising, the family treasured everything he wrote. Later, when he fell into disgrace, she burned it all in anger.
Memories and abilities could be inherited—but handwriting was different. Wen Xiuyi had practiced calligraphy in his past life, and his style carried a distinct character he couldn’t change.
He quickly replied, “I practiced because this style looks nicer. Since everything’s settled, let the children sleep early. We have to get up early tomorrow.”
He changed the subject quickly, afraid she would ask more. Luo Shi didn’t pursue it and waved everyone off.
Before bed, she lit three incense sticks at the family altar and muttered prayers to the ancestors, thanking them for how things had turned out.
Old Wen, lying inside, ignored her and only wondered which sons would have to walk tomorrow so Da Huang wouldn’t be overworked.
The next morning, Wen Nong’s stall food had already been loaded onto the ox cart by Wen Xiuyi and his brothers. Da Huang was calmly eating grass.
Old Wen: “…My Da Huang.”
In the end, only Luo Shi and the children rode the ox cart. Everyone else was ordered to walk.
After dropping Wen Nong at the docks, they left the ox cart there for him to watch and began strolling through the city empty-handed.
Wen Nong tied his apron and watched them leave with a pitiful expression.
The city was bustling with New Year crowds. Shops overflowed with goods, and even street stalls were more numerous than usual. The entire main street buzzed with festive joy.
As planned, the family split into two groups.
Wen Jun’s family went to Jishi Hall to invite Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu and buy their own supplies. Luo Shi and Old Wen took the other sons shopping. They agreed to meet at the docks in the afternoon.
At the entrance of Jishi Hall, they saw Shopkeeper Qiu escorting a middle-aged man out, saying politely, “Tell your master I appreciate his kindness. But New Year is for family reunions—I won’t disturb him. Thank you for thinking of me.”
The man bowed and left in a carriage.
When Shopkeeper Qiu turned back, he saw the family at the door. His smile became much more genuine.
“Ah, Datou is here!”
