CH 105

When Ms. Hua heard Zhao’er say they were becoming sworn brothers, she was overjoyed. Her son didn’t have any relatives of the same age, so he was very lonely. If he became sworn brothers with these people, he’d have someone to help him out in the future.

Fearing that they were just talking casually, Ms. Hua immediately went to prepare an incense table for them to kowtow.

The four of them kneeled neatly in front of the incense table, and Mo Yan followed suit, “I want to join in too.”

Lu Junming pulled her aside, “This is a matter between us men, you can’t join in!”

They reported their birthdays one by one. Lu Junming was the eldest, then Xiao Chuzi, then Zhou Liangsheng, and Zhao’er was the youngest. Mo Yan spoke up again, “I should be the third oldest, I’m older than Zhou Liangsheng.”

Lu Junming said towards Zhou Liangsheng and Zhao’er, “You can recognize her as your elder sworn sister, but I won’t be doing that.” [1]

At the end of the ceremony, you have to pay your respects to your older sworn siblings. In the end Zhou Liangsheng and Zhao’er both paid their respects to Mo Yan, but she didn’t pay her respects to anyone.

Ms. Hua beckoned them to eat quickly, and they all greeted her together, and called her “Godmother” respectfully. She was so happy that she was about to shed tears.

Zhao’er came over with cups, and Lu Junming poured wine, but only for him, Xiao Chuzi and Zhou Liangsheng. Mo Yan handed over her cup, “I want some too.”

Lu Junming pushed her cup away, “You’re girl, you can’t drink wine!”

Zhao’er also handed over the cup with a smile, “Brother, I want some too.”

Lu Junming said with a dark face, “You’re still young, you can’t drink!”

“You can only become sworn brothers after drinking together.”

Lu Junming raised his hand to hit him, but just ruffled his head, “You said that you’re sworn brothers if you eat together, but now you say you’re sworn brothers after drinking together, do you want to sleep together to become sworn brothers next?”

“I think it will work!” Zhao’er narrowed his eyes and smiled happily.

Lu Junming had to pour a little wine into his glass before Zhao’er let up. Since he received wine, Mo Yan couldn’t be left alone, so he had to pour some for her too.

They raised their glasses to congratulate each other, and it was extremely joyous.

Their faces were all flushed after just a little wine. Lu Junming had drank wine before, but he felt like this wine was particularly strong.

“Zhou Liangsheng, what kind of wine did you get?”

Zhou Liangsheng slurred, “I don’t know, my father has a lot of wine, so I just took a jar.”

They drunkenly finished all the wine, almost all of the lamb spine, and ate a lot of the meat that Zhou Liangsheng brought. They didn’t know who drank how much, but everyone was at least a little tipsy by the end.

Ms. Hua made congee, hoping that they would feel better after drinking it.

When she brought it out, she found that the children had fallen asleep leaning on each other. She had no choice but to drag them into the house one by one. Lu Junming was tall, but luckily, he wasn’t too drunk. However it still took a lot of effort to get him in.

The boys were put on the big kang, and Mo Yan was on Zhao’er’s bed. She took off their shoes and covered them with quilts. Looking at the children in this room, Ms. Hua felt joy. Her son had sworn brothers, and someone would take care of him in the future!

Lu Junming was the first to wake up after sleeping until the evening. Seeing Xiao Chuzi lying beside him, he nudged him awake.

Looking at Zhou Liangsheng and Zhao’er, who were still sleeping, he couldn’t help shake his head and laugh, “You were right, you become sworn brothers after sleeping together.”

He gently got off the kang and walked out. Mrs. Hua was deburring the small bamboo basket in the main room, scraping splinters off. Seeing Lu Junming and Xiao Chuzi come out, she immediately put it down, “You’ve woken up, do you want a bowl of porridge?”

Lu Junming replied, “No need, it’s getting dark, and we have to go back so my mother won’t worry. It stands to reason that sworn brothers should pay their respects to their parents. My mother hasn’t been feeling well, so I’ll invite them over in a few days.”

Zhou Liangsheng rubbed his eyes as he walked out, “Let’s go to my house tomorrow! There won’t be any guests at my house.”

Lu Junming didn’t see Mo Yan, so he asked Ms. Hua, “Godmother, where is Yan’er? Has she gone back already?”

She pointed to another room, “No, she’s sleeping on the bed.”

Lu Junming raised the curtain and saw that she was still sleeping. He walked over, squatted down beside the bed, and pinched her nose with his hand. Mo Yan couldn’t breathe and subconsciously raised her hand to grab his hand, awakened by his laughter.

“Despicable!”

“It’s getting dark, I’ll take you back.”

Lu Junming asked Xiao Chuzi to go back to lead the horse. Mo Yan remembered the original purpose of her visit today then.

“Lu Junming, I have something to trouble you with. Go to Xiahe Village and tell Brother Cheng that my father has arranged a marriage for my sister, and he’ll come to discuss marriage on the sixth day of the New Year. Tell him to also come that day.”

“Okay, then I’ll go tell him tomorrow morning.”

Mo Yan got up, straightened her hair and clothes, and then went out to see Ms. Hua, “Godmother, farewell.”

“You’re all children here, do whatever you want, but don’t drink elsewhere.”

“I understand, godmother.”

Ms. Hua’s heart was full of sweetness and joy when she called her ‘godmother’.

Zhao’er came out of the room yawning unhappily. It seemed like he didn’t like waking up in the morning. Mo Yan went over and pinched his cheek, “Zhao’er, are you unhappy?”

“No, I’m very happy to have brothers and sisters like you!”

Xiao Chuzi led the horse over, and Lu Junming and Mu Yan said goodbye and left. Zhou Liangsheng also went home.

When she got home, she was afraid that Mo Zenian would smell the wine, so Mu Yan hurriedly washed her face and changed her clothes, and poured a cup of tea to rinse her mouth.

Fortunately, Mo Zenian didn’t care about her and didn’t pay attention to her at all.

At the dinner table, the atmosphere was extremely awkward due to the extra Mo Zenian. Even Mu Feng didn’t dare to eat quickly, let alone joke around, and stared at Mo Zenian’s rice bowl. He immediately asked if he wanted more food as soon as it was empty.

Mu Zenian suddenly asked Mrs. Liang, “Your cough seems to be much better.”

“Yes, I’ve been taking medicine.”

“How much will it cost? My mother is so old and she doesn’t take medicine!”

Mrs. Liang slammed the bowl in her hands on the table, “Does age matter when taking medicine? Do you not like me spending your money? Did I spend a penny of yours, Mo Zenian? You want me to die quickly, so that you can make room for your mistress!”

“What nonsense are you talking about in front of the children!”

“You know whether I’m talking nonsense or not! Do you really think I’m a fool?”

Mo Zenian stopped talking, and the three children all understood that their mother was right. Their father had a mistress. No wonder he only came back once a year, and he only brought two thousand dollars back.

Mo Yan remembered what her sister said. The fortune teller said her father would have two sons, so did he have a son outside? Then Mo Feng might lose his status!

Putting down the bowl, Mo Zenian brought up discussing marriage on the sixth day of the New Year, “In the next two days, clean up the house and prepare for my boss coming over.”

Mu Ling also put down her bowl, “I won’t be at home on the sixth day of the New Year, you guys prepare without me!” After saying that, she stood up and went back to her room.

Post-translation notes: Why am I not surprised that Mo Zenian has a mistress. Also, Mo Ling can’t go I want to see Zhong Cheng slap Mo Zenian’s face for her ;-;

As always, thank you for reading!

[1] I think it’s pretty clear why he doesn’t want to swear her in as a sister. I also think it’s pretty clear that I, the translator, think Lu Junming and Mo Yan are pretty compatible.