Chapter 48 - 048. Lianshan gives gifts to express gratitude
The reason the eight brothers Fulu, Shou and Xi are so proactive is all thanks to the second sister-in-law Su Hongying.
Lianshan went up the mountain at night, caught two rabbits, and then caught a half basket of small miscellaneous fish down the river. Early the next morning, he packed everything and took it to Liu Shouyi’s house, straight up saying he wanted to express a bit of gratitude for the second sister-in-law’s help.
Su Hongying didn’t bother with any polite refusals, she smiled and accepted the rabbits and little fish: "Perfect timing, these two rabbits’ skins can be taken off and your second brother can prepare them when the weather cools down a bit, along with a few that are kept at home, to make a small fur jacket for the children’s aunt to wear. The small fish are good for making soup, and can be simmered with some wild vegetables to make a nourishing broth for the aunt to drink a couple of bowls. On the other hand, the rabbit meat isn’t suitable for the aunt as she is pregnant, so we might as well prepare it – send one to my maiden family to express your thoughts. And the other can be stewed with some potatoes; later you and Lian Hai, Lian Yue and their family can come over.
It’s rare to have some meat; everyone can satisfy their cravings together!"
"Please don’t, second sister-in-law, you really shouldn’t do this! These fish, these rabbits were caught to thank you. For Shuzhen, I can go catch more later – no one will be shortchanged, least of all her. Brother Da Fu and the others helped me a great deal, and a rabbit cannot express such gratitude. Once I return the borrowed wood, mud bricks, and roofing grass. Someday I will take Lian Hai and Jianshe into the mountains to find some good things and reward my eight good brothers." Lianshan repeatedly waved his hands, feeling that such a small gift shouldn’t demand the whole family to come over for dinner; how could he be so shameless?
He quickly said there were things waiting for him at home, urged Su Hongying to turn over the basket containing fish, and dashed home without giving her half a chance to invite their whole family over to eat rabbit meat.
Su Hongying shook her head with a laugh: Does the little guy think this shakes off the sister-in-law’s desire for reciprocal relations and bringing families closer?
You can run away, but you can’t escape! Didn’t he know?