Chapter 219: Kiss Me and I’ll Tell You?
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“1f it wasn’t for the Earth God’s secret protection that gave me this ability to foresee the future, I’m afraid that Mother would have already…” Ji Zhao’s words stopped abruptly.
Zhao Lanhua nodded slightly. “It’s all thanks to you, Ah Tao. Otherwise, I’m afraid Mother wouldn’t have been able to escape this calamity.”
‘Mother, after the new year, we still have to go to grandfather’s house.” Ji Zhao smiled faintly and said softly, “At that time, you have to cry properly.’
‘Cry?” Zhao Lanhua frowned in confusion. “Why should I cry? How?”
A sly smile quickly flashed across Ji Zhao’s face. Then, she moved closer to Zhao Lanhua’s ear and whispered a few words.
‘Alright.” Zhao Lanhua nodded vigorously. “That’s what we’ll do!”
‘Mother, don’t be unhappy. Don’t punish yourself with other people’s mistakes.” Ji Zhao held her hand and looked at her with a warm and considerate gaze.
After Ji Zhao’s explanation, Zhao Lanhua’s mood had become much clearer.
Seeing that Zhao Lanhua had completely thought it through, Ji Zhao’s mood became much lighter. When she hummed a light tune and returned to her room, Shen Yao had just spread out his brush and ink.
‘Are you happy?
‘Mm-‘t Ji Zhao, who was beaming with joy, couldn’t wait to walk to his side. She hugged his arm tightly and snuggled into his arms. “1 just told Mother is braver than I thought!’
‘How did you persuade Mother?” Shen Yao put down the brush in his hand and gently hugged her shoulder as he asked with a gentle smile.
‘Mm…” Ji Zhao suddenly raised her head and looked at him. A mischievous smile appeared in her almond-shaped eyes. “I’ll tell you if you kiss me?
‘Are you sure?” Shen Yao raised his eyebrows inadvertently and tapped the tip of her nose with his right hand. There was a faint smile on his face.
Facing his smile, Ji Zhao inexplicably felt a little flustered.
‘Nevermind… Umph..
Before she could say the word ‘no’ , her lips were sealed.
Unlike his usual gentleness, Shen Yao was exceptionally enthusiastic today.
At this moment, Ji Zhao felt like a fish that had been dragged ashore. Her entire body was weak and he was already out of oxygen.
‘Ah Tao.” Shen Yao reluctantly let go of her. Then, he leaned close to her ear and gently bit her earlobe. “After the new year, you’ll be sixteen.’ Ji Zhao, who was held tightly in his arms, could not help but tremble.
Shen Yao, I want to go to the toilet.
Hearing the implication in his words, Ji Zhao thought of a way to escape.
It turned out that after the new year, she would be sixteen!
No wonder Shen Yao was overly enthusiastic today.
Looking at her fleeing back, the smile in Shen Yao’s eyes deepened.
When it was almost noon, the entire Shen family came to the central room and wrapped dumplings happily.
‘Mother’s dumpling skin is still the best!” Ji Zhao said in admiration as she looked at Zhao Lanhua, who was rolling out the dumpling skin.
‘That’s right. The dumpling skin that Mother rolled out is not only round, but the size is also just right.” Sister-in-law Shen smiled and said, ‘But Ah Tao, come and take a look. How are the dumplings I made?”
‘Mine too!” Second Sister-in-law Shen couldn’t wait to show the round and chubby dumpling in her palm. “Ah Tao, take a look. Does it look good?”
‘Yes, they’re all good-looking!” Ji Zhao praised with a smile. “Not only are the two sisters-in-law good-looking, but even the dumplings they make are top-notch!”
‘My sisters-in-law are beautiful and skillful-”
Ji Zhao started a wave of flattery. Those pleasant words were like a surging river that flowed endlessly. Zhao Lanhua and her two sisters-in-law were overjoyed.
The family worked together and wrapped several types of dumplings.
Zhao Lanhua even secretly added copper coins to some dumplings.
‘According to the customs of Shanghe Village, whoever eats dumplings with copper coins will definitely have good luck next year!” Zhao Lanhua said happily. “Let’s go and cook dumplings!’
By the time the dumplings were served on the table, it was almost midnight.
The family ate the dumplings happily.
Ji Zhao was the first to eat the first dumpling with a copper coin—
‘Ah Tao’s luck is really good!” Second Sister-in-law Shen immediately cast an envious gaze.
Shen Yao followed closely behind. He also ate a copper coin.
Half an hour later, the family was full and put down their bowls and chopsticks in satisfaction.
“I only placed a total of eight copper coins. I didn’t expect Ah Tao to eat six alone.” Zhao Lanhua couldn’t help but sigh. “Ah Tao, you’re really lucky!”
Ji Zhao grinned.
She carefully put away the copper coins. After noon, she used the excuse that she wanted to take an afternoon nap and locked herself in her room.
Ji Zhao found a ball of bright red string from the sewing kit. After twisting it open, she lowered her head and began to work on the bracelet seriously.
Her fingers weaved through the bright red string. In a short while, she finished weaving two bracelets. The copper coins passed through the middle of the bracelet, making it look playful and cute.
Shen Yao should like this New Year’s gift, right?
After carefully putting away the two identical bracelets, Ji Zhao couldn’t help but laugh.
Before 3 pm, the entire Shanghe Village became lively.
The village chief, Shen Menghu, brought the men from the village to the vicinity of the ancestral hall. According to the ancestral rules, every family in the village had to place a long string of firecrackers outside the ancestral hall.
When the elders in the village calculated the right time, the village chief lit the fuse.
“1f firecrackers are very loud from beginning to end, it means that Shanghe Village will welcome an even better year next year,” Shen Yao explained softly as he held Ji Zhao’s hand and walked towards the ancestral hall at the end of the village.
“It’s going to be fun, isn’t it?”
‘Yes.” Shen Yao nodded slightly.
When it was close to midnight, Shen Menghu lit the fuse on the long firecracker.
Crack! Crack!
The crisp sound of firecrackers resounded through the world!
Ji Zhao subconsciously covered her ears and looked at Shen Yao standing beside her with a smile.
According to the ancestral rule of Shanghe Village, every family would produce a large bowl of dumplings on New Year’s Eve and cook them together on the chef’s stove in the ancestral hall.
After eating the dumplings happily, night had already fallen.
‘Ah Tao, follow me.” Shen Yao smiled and grabbed her wrist, walking towards the back of the mountain.
Just as Ji Zhao was feeling confused, Shen Yao suddenly took out a red cloth from his pocket and gently covered her eyes.
‘Shen Yao?”
‘Shh!” Shen Yao smiled and placed his index finger on her lips. He smiled gently. ‘Ah Tao, I want to give you a gift..’