Farm Girl's Manor

With fresh, delicious grape wine enhancing the spirits and a table full of sumptuous delicacies, the family felt exceptionally satisfied with this New Year’s Eve dinner. Even the three beasts were more excited than usual, circling around the table nonstop, and they didn’t reject the food thrown to them by anyone other than Mo Yan.

The New Year’s Eve dinner continued until six quarter hours past the dog hour before everyone took a break, feeling somewhat overstuffed. They rubbed their round bellies and walked several circles in the courtyard until they felt more comfortable, then returned to the cabin. They settled down beside the warm, glowing brazier to keep vigil, awaiting the arrival of the New Year.

With too many people for a single brazier, they lit two. Lixiu sat with a few of the younger ones, her face brimming with gentle smiles as she listened to their innocent chattering. Having experienced such misfortune and hardships, she found these simple and ordinary days were the happiest and most worth cherishing.

Tang Xin leisurely shelled melon seeds, her heart filled with indescribable satisfaction. The days at the Mo Family were almost beyond her wildest dreams. Though she was bought by the Mo Family and had entered into servitude, she didn’t feel like she was less than anyone else. With enough to eat and warm clothes to wear, doing some simple housework was enough; she didn’t even have to worry about being beaten with a cane, which was a day and night difference compared to her life with the Tang Family!

On a small table nearby, there were various snacks, and the family chatted while snacking in a harmonious and joyful atmosphere. Even the Yun Zhao siblings, who had been forced to leave their home, felt the full warmth and happiness of the moment.

After warming herself at the fire for a while, Mo Yan suddenly remembered that she hadn’t prepared anything for the livestock to eat. She rose and went to the kitchen, scooped up nearly half a basin of cooked rice from a pottery bowl, added a small spoonful of salt, and dumped all the unused greens, chopped fine, into it. After adding hot water and mixing it, she carried the wooden bucket to the livestock room in the backyard.

Little Black and Da HongZao were still chewing on the dry grass, while Da Huang, Little Yellow, and Maomao had snuggled up close together to sleep. Hearing the familiar footsteps in the courtyard, they all stood up at once, ears perked up.

As the door opened and they caught the scent of the rice mixed with the greens, they became excited and couldn’t wait to approach their owner. Fortunately, these big fellows were quite intelligent; they didn’t recklessly rush over to snatch the food, but instead waited by their troughs to be fed.

Mo Yan placed the wind-proof lantern on the windowsill and smiled as she patted their heads, then poured the food into their troughs. She also took out a large pile of various fresh vegetables from the Space, enough for them to have a feast.

The five large animals affectionately nudged their owner’s hand, then buried their heads and started eating heartily, filling the room with the sound of their chewing.

Looking at the horses and cattle with glossy fur and sturdy limbs, Mo Yan felt a deep sense of pride. There was no need to mention the two big Da Huangs; they were already healthy when purchased, and now they were even more robust and strong. The small calf had changed even more, not much smaller than an adult cow now, and would be definitely useful for next spring’s plowing.