From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 750: Chapter 752: The Gu Family

"Mother," Gu Yuanshui said, quickly trying to lighten the mood after sensing the old lady’s low spirits. "How much New Year’s lucky money are you planning to give us this year?"

"You’re already a grown man, and you have the nerve to ask for that?" Li Cuicui spat at him playfully. "Now that your mother is getting on in years, shouldn’t you be the ones showing me filial piety?"

"That’s different! We absolutely should honor you both," Gu Yuanshui laughed ingratiatingly. "It’s just that ever since we were little, the thing we looked forward to most was the New Year. Whenever this time came around, you and Father would always give us a red envelope. We brothers looked forward to it all year long."

The brothers seemed to recall those fond memories, grinning foolishly.

"You’re still bringing up the past? Our family was poor back then. Being able to give you one or two copper coins was already pretty good. But you bad boys would immediately turn around and buy candy from the peddler at the village entrance, and then come back to get a beating from me."

Li Cuicui also remembered those scenes. Pointing at her sons, she said to her daughters-in-law, "These ones never learn their lesson. They only remember the food, not the beatings, and yet they still had to go through it every single year.

"Now that they’re all grown up, they actually want to bring up the past again? Are their old habits acting up?"

Now it was Gu Yuanjin and the others’ turn to feel embarrassed. They only wanted to tease the old lady, not dig up their dark history.

They had never even told their own wives about these things. Looking at the women’s disbelieving eyes, they figured a round of mockery was inevitable.

"Mother, there are still some children here. Let’s not bring up the past."

Li Cuicui glared at Gu Yuantu. "It’s exactly the right time to let the children know that you also did ridiculous things when you were little! It’ll save you from pointing fingers and lecturing these kids every day.

"You usually spout a bunch of grand principles, never realizing that you were much worse than them when you were their age."

They say grandparents dote on their grandchildren, and that saying couldn’t be more true. Now, Li Cuicui absolutely couldn’t stand seeing her sons and daughters-in-law disciplining their grandchildren. They weren’t committing heinous crimes, so why did they always threaten them with the family rules?

Just a few years ago, everyone was only focused on filling their stomachs. Where did all this talk of family rules come from?

Seeing that the old lady was getting off-topic again, Gu Yuanshui was pushed forward to save the day. "Mother, didn’t Old Seventh have someone deliver some mushrooms earlier? We can stew a big pot of mushroom soup tonight. The flavor is incredibly fresh; I’m still thinking about it."

"Have you already used up all the ones I gave you before?" Li Cuicui glared at her son. "You brothers, have you been going out and showing off again?"

"Mother, we really can’t help it.

"You don’t know how sensitive these people’s noses are. They’re like dogs! I couldn’t hide it even if I wanted to!

"Every time things are delivered from Old Seventh’s side, these people stare at our house, looking for a free meal. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be running over here every few days to hide..."

At this point, Gu Yuanshui quickly covered his mouth. He had spoken too fast and spilled the beans!

What was there for Li Cuicui not to understand? She shook her head. "So my place has become a refugee camp."

All that talk about filial piety and wanting to accompany the elderly—it turns out this was the real reason.

"Mother, let’s not talk about that," Gu Yuanhuo walked over and put his arm around the old lady’s shoulders. "Is tonight’s menu set yet? If anything is missing, we’ll go prepare it."

Li Cuicui replied, "It’s just the same dishes as previous years. If you feel like something is missing, go to the kitchen and arrange it yourselves.

"I’m old now, and I don’t know your preferences. On a day like today, as long as I have it here, you can go ahead and make it."

"Mother is so generous," Gu Yuanshui said, helping the old lady inside. "Mother, how about we take a stroll through your storehouse first? Old Seventh always prepares so many good things for you; let us broaden our horizons..."

"I knew you were just thinking about my things..."

Seeing that the old lady had been coaxed into a good mood, everyone started helping to tidy up the courtyard.

In truth, the older female servants had already finished these chores. They were just setting out the things they had brought over in the courtyard. After tonight, a lot of people from the village would definitely come over early tomorrow morning to offer New Year’s greetings.

The old lady was stingy every year. She only set out a tiny amount of things, and after just a few families visited, the tabletop would be empty.

They had long been experienced with this situation. By putting the things in the courtyard now, the old lady would at most scold them a few times, but at least tomorrow the children wouldn’t leave empty-handed.

Sure enough, upon turning around, the old lady found the tabletop filled with melon seeds, dried melon slices, and other such snacks. She shot her sons a glare.

"Even if you put out more of these things, it won’t be enough for them to devour. Showing a little token gesture for the New Year is enough. Who else lets people haul things away like we do?"

Thinking of the past, Li Cuicui couldn’t help but add another sentence, "In the past, when you went to offer New Year’s greetings, other people would just stuff one item into your pockets, and that was it. It was nothing like this, letting everyone grab handfuls."

"Mother, isn’t it because our days are better now? If we act like we did in the past, it won’t look good." Gu Yuanshui grabbed a dried melon slice and tossed it into his mouth. "You don’t want the tabletop to be completely bare when the people from town come over, right? That wouldn’t sound good if word got out."

Li Cuicui sighed. "It’s not that this old lady is stingy. It’s just that no matter how much you put out, it’ll all need to be replenished eventually. Otherwise, there really will be nothing left when the townspeople come."

Ever since Old Seventh became an official, it seemed as if these people thought that taking more things from her home would bring them more good fortune. This was especially true for those mischievous kids, who would sometimes even invite their relatives. A bunch of unfamiliar faces would all come running into her home.

Li Cuicui felt that there were more and more unfamiliar faces coming to offer New Year’s greetings every year. Sometimes, even those just visiting relatives and friends in the village would drop by for a quick turn.

During these few days of the New Year, she could forget about having any peace and quiet in this courtyard.

"It’s just everyone wanting to share in our family’s good luck. Besides, this time, we brothers have prepared a comprehensive enough supply. Let them take as much as they want."

Over the years, the Gu family brothers had earned some Silver, and they had become much looser with their purse strings. Otherwise, if it were the first few years, they truly might not have been this generous.

"It’s just a bit strange. Why hasn’t anyone from town come over to deliver gifts yet?" Hu Dong would rush over early in the morning every year, but now it was already past noon.

Li Cuicui also found it a little strange. Representing Old Seventh and his wife, Hu Dong would prepare a gift for the family every festive season, and mostly he came early. How could it be that he still hadn’t arrived today?

"Eldest, go take a look in town in a bit. If you encounter anyone needing help, you can lend a hand."

"Alright," Gu Yuanjin readily agreed. "Then I’ll go to town to take a look first. If there’s anything you need brought back, I can pick it up for you later."

The other brothers quickly said that everything was prepared and there was nothing they needed brought back.

Gu Yuanjin immediately set off with his long-term follower. He was also a bit worried that Hu Dong might have run into trouble.

Old Seventh and his wife lived so far away, so they still had to help keep an eye on things at home.

The road from the village to the town was now built to be very smooth. It didn’t take him long to arrive at the town gates.