138 – Babies’ First-month Celebration (2)

Lei Tie’s reaction was practically the same as Qin Mian’s; he held the longevity locks in his hand to avoid his son’s discomfort.

Once again, Qin Mian invited, “Come in and sit down.”

Into the living room, the couple put Yuanyuan and Manman back in the crib.

The two babies seemed reluctant to leave their fathers’ arms; two pairs of round eyes looked at Qin Mian and Lei Tie. Their arms moved, legs pedaled, and mouths uttered childish sounds of unknown meaning.

“Yuanyuan and Manman, Daddies will come soon.” Qin Mian hurriedly patted them on the shoulders as he comforted them in a soft tone.

Lei Tie pushed the wind chime hanging on the crib. The jingling sound attracted the attention of the two babies; their eyeballs moved along the swaying wind chime.

Qin Mian and Lei Tie seized the chance to walk away.

Mu Chen secretly praised, that cold-faced Lei Tie also has such a ‘’tender’’ side. It made him spontaneously think of starting a family, and would be best also to have a lovely son.

While Qin Mian poured tea and Lei Tie prepared snacks, Nie Heng and Mu Chen looked at the living room; they envied Qin Mian and Lei Tie even more. This room did not look a bit luxurious and extravagant, so much so that it counted as untidy. However, the wall decoration and interior furnish, such as the settees, back cushions, rug… everything was random, revealing a casual and comfortable atmosphere, which eventually brought a warm atmosphere that made it hard for people to part with. Unlike their influential families’ homes, the only thing that made people feel the most profound was the ice-cold atmosphere.

Qin Mian placed two cups of tea in front of Nie Heng and Mu Chen before sitting down on the single settee. “I didn’t expect you two to come, so there’s neither Xihe’s Longjing nor Yunnan’s Pu’er, only homemade five-scented tea. A-Tie and I think it tastes pretty good. You two, have a taste.”

After putting down the snacks, Lei Tie sat on a round stool beside the crib and gently pushed the crib back and forth to make the wind chime produce a melodious and beautiful sound.

Feeling a bit funny, Nie Heng lifted the teacup. “Why did you think Mu Chen and I are such picky people?”

Qin Mian shrugged his shoulders, “That’s currently unknown.”

Mu Chen looked at the floating petals and tea leaves in the tea; it did not feel anything special. After taking a sip, he was astonished. “The tea tastes sweet and fresh, has an elegant aroma, and uplifts spirit after drinking. It’s not worse than those famous teas.” He subconsciously wanted to ask how it was made and what secret recipe it might be, but shut up in time.

“It must be unusual to get such praise from Mu-gongzi.” Nie Heng looked at him curiously; he also tasted and savored it carefully before he appreciatively said, “Really good.”

He asked half-jokingly, “Boss Qin, are you interested in selling its recipe?”

Seriously, he didn’t think of making money all the time. Qin Mian looked at Nie Heng with appreciation, “Thank you, we aren’t short of money.” This tea was made with three kinds of flowers and two kinds of tea leaves picked in the space. The taste was truly extraordinary.

“That would be a pity.” Nie Heng spread his hands.

As the three of them chatting, Nie Heng mentioned purchasing Leisurely Farmhouse’s fruits. The cherries and honey peaches seemed to be ripening again. He and Mu Chen had fixed their attention on this earlier.

Qin Mian looked at Lei Tie and hesitated, “This matter…”

Nie Heng put down his teacup and said in surprise, “Don’t tell me you renege on it and don’t want to sell your fruits to outsiders.”

Qin Mian waved his hand, “That’s not true. Recently, there’s a new plan, but it hasn’t been thoroughly considered. Well, I’ll talk to you two after I’ve discussed it with A-Tie. In a word, since I’ve promised to sell the fruits to outsiders, I won’t renege on it. And of course, as my friends, you two are prioritized.”

Only then did Nie Heng and Mu Chen laid down their worries.

Qin Mian looked at the sky, “It’s almost noon. A-Tie and I have to go out with our children. I don’t think you two are used to eating with strangers. If you two don’t mind, just wait a little longer. I’ll personally cook for you two.”

“Surely don’t mind.” Nie Heng stood up. “We’ll go with you and enjoy the countryside scenery in passing.”

Mu Chen didn’t want to sit in the house alone, so he also stood up, “Go.”

Qin Mian picked up the Yuanyuan. The small arm placed on his shoulder was soft.

Manman also liked to be held by his Old Dad; he bounced in Lei Tie’s arms. He might have just turned a month old, but he had great strength. One small hand waved, while the other hand grabbed onto Lei Tie’s clothes, for fear of falling. Lei Tie gently held his little hand and let him grasp one of his (LT) fingers.

The couple took off the four longevity locks and straightened the hats on the babies’ heads before carrying them out of the house.

Following behind, Mu Chen made faces at Yuanyuan and Manman. Yuanyuan looked at him without expression and turned his head; Manman, however, laughed so much that his small mouth opened wide.

Nie Heng looked at Mu Chen and laughed. He thought that Mu Chen was despised by Yuanyuan. Yet, reason told him that he thought too much; a month-old child couldn’t have such rich emotions.

On the grain-sunning ground, nearly all relatives and villagers were there. There were hundreds of people, and it seemed lively.

Seeing Qin Mian and Lei Tie show up with the children in their arms, everyone came over and greeted them with auspicious words. They looked at the two children’s faces and satisfied their curiosity. Then, praises came one after another.

The old man Deng, old lady Deng, Eldest Uncle Deng, and Second Uncle Deng were all here. Perhaps the old man Deng told something to the others, they didn’t come over for the time being.

“Brother Lei, Brother Qin, congratulations on your sons’ birth!” Zhang Dashuan was truly happy for Lei Tie and Qin Mian. He hung a silver longevity lock on each baby’s neck, all of which cost a tael.

Sister Zhang handed Qin Mian the bundle in her hands and said with a smile, “These are some small clothes I made for the two children. You two mustn’t disdain them.”

Qin Mian quickly received it, “How could we? We can’t thank you enough. Many thanks, Sister Zhang.”

Wu Di squeezed over and put silver bracelets on the little arms of the two babies with a broad smile. “These are a few regards from my wife and me.”

Over there, leaning forward on the table, Lei-Qin Li quickly wrote down the ‘’gifts’’ sent by everyone, to facilitate the reciprocation in the future, in other words, to send a gift in return.

Lei Daqiang, Du Shi, and Wei Shi did not appear.

To one’s surprise, Lei Xiangren gave a longevity lock worth a tael. It was not strange if one was to think about it carefully; this was not the washing-third ceremony’s ‘’add to the basin’’ where something that was given wouldn’t be returned. No matter how much or little he gave, Lei Tie was going to repay it in the future.¹

After the charcoal-burning formula was sold, Lei Xiangyi and Lei Xiangli had some money in their hands, so they could spend on presentable gifts; they both gave a tael worth longevity locks and also brought a scroll of a congratulatory poem that Lei Xiangzhi asked them to pass over. Even Lei Chuntao sent gifts. Due to fewer opportunities to go out [to buy things], she just sealed a tael each in two red envelopes.

Very soon, Yuanyuan and Manman had received a large number of gifts. The smallest gift was six copper coins strung with red strings. Although it was not much, it was the villager’s goodwill.

On such a happy occasion, no one indiscreetly asked the identity of the children’s mother.

After Qin Mian and Lei Tie said a few words on the occasion, they told the chefs to start the banquet and let everyone eat and drink well; there were enough food and wine.

Carrying the children in their arms, they came to the Deng family members.

Lei Tie said, “Grandpa, grandmother, eldest uncle, and second uncle, we have neglected you all just now.”

“It’s fine. I know you two will be busy today.” The old man Deng was smiling, not at all bothered by it.

“Here, these are for the two little babies.” The old lady Deng took out two red envelopes from her sleeve pocket with a smile. Back then, she also gave red envelopes to all her great-grandsons. It’d be unseemly to favor one and discriminate against the other, so she also gave them red envelopes.

Both Eldest Uncle Deng and Second Uncle Deng gave longevity locks made of silver.

Eldest Uncle Deng said, “Henceforth, live well.”

His nephew’s demeanor was much better than before, now that he had heirs.

At this time, Qin Mian vaguely understood that Eldest Uncle Deng didn’t like him before was mostly because he couldn’t have children, 💦sweat². But anyhow, it was a good turn that Eldest Uncle Deng accepted them.

Qin Mian said, “Grandpa, grandma, eldest uncle, and second uncle, go home with us.”

The old man Deng waved his hand in refusal. He had seen Nie Heng and Mu Chen earlier. When he saw the two men’s clothes and manners, he knew their identities were not ordinary. Supposedly, Qin Mian and Lei Tie would entertain the guests at home single-handedly. Therefore, he was afraid that both sides would be uncomfortable if they went.

“No need, we’ll eat here. It’s livelier and warmer. Go on with the things you are occupied with.”

The old lady Deng and Eldest Uncle Deng both nodded in assent.

Second Uncle Deng said, “Go ahead, your relatives won’t pick your gifts.”

Qin Mian had no choice but to smile, “Well then, A-Tie and I will excuse ourselves. Come a bit later, we’ll make up for the four elders.”

The servants had been briefed to treat the manservants and coachman brought by Nie Heng and Mu Chen well and give the leaving guests two red eggs per person after dinner. Qin Mian and Lei Tie led Nie Heng and Mu Chen back home.

What Qin Mian didn’t know was that as soon as they left, Lei Daqiang and Du Shi appeared in an ostentatious, vain manner of walking, without bringing any gift.

“Nie Heng and Mu Chen, you two can sit down. I’m going to cook with A-Tie. The ingredients have been prepared in advance, so the meal will be ready soon.” Qin Mian was about to put Yuanyuan back in the crib.

Mu Chen’s heart had been itching; he reached out his hands, “I’ll hold him.”

Leaning sideways, Lei Tie obliquely interposed between him and the crib. Then, he asked in all seriousness, “You have a son?”

Nie Heng laughed, “Hahaha…”

Mu Chen stiffened and the corners of his mouth twitched. “Is it amazing that you have sons?”

Qin Mian restrained a smile and explained, “Mu Chen, don’t take offense. He bears no malice.”

Mu Chen reluctantly sat back on the settee, “I know, he’s afraid that I don’t how to hold a baby and hurt your baby sons, isn’t it? All right, all right. Go to cook.”

Lei Tie didn’t make a sound.

Nie Heng was still smiling, “Lei Tie, you can rest assured. I’ll watch him and certainly won’t let him hold the children.”

Mu Chen gave him the stink eye.

Only then did Lei Tie put Manman in the bed.

The couple prepared tea, snacks, and fruits before going into the kitchen and bustling about.

As soon as the couple walked away, Mu Chen ran to the side of the crib, shaking the toys hanging above, “Little babies, look here, look here.”

Nie Heng sat quietly in the same place, thinking that Mu Chen was very childish. After a while, when he heard the babies laughing, he couldn’t help running over and squatted beside the crib, joining the ranks of teasing.

The arrival of Nie Heng and Mu Chen was unexpected. Qin Mian had planned to entertain the Deng family at noon, so the rice was cooked in the morning and only needed to reheat, while the ingredients had been washed and cut. With Lei Tie helping to watch the fire in the hearth, he quickly made eight dishes.

Nie Heng and Mu Chen wiped out the eight dishes as clean as pins. Covering their stomach with graceless movements, they reclined on the settee.

After sitting for a while, they left. Before leaving, they reminded Qin Mian not to forget what he had promised.

Qin Mian and Lei Tie invited the Deng family to have dinner at home and made up for the neglect.

On the grain-sunning ground, everyone had a sumptuous dinner and got two lucky red eggs. They all left, happy. The babies’ first-month ceremony ended smoothly. Uncle Fu led the servants to deal with the large and small things on the grain-sunning ground.

After Qin Mian and Lei Tie fed their two children ‘’dinner’’, they lay on the bed at leisure.

“A-Tie, you also come up with ideas.” Qin Mian was a little anxious.

His wife rarely couldn’t make up his mind. Lei Tie half-pulled the other person into his arms and asked, “About?”

“Now is the period when our children need us the most. At least until they’re three years old, we can’t keep them out of our hands. I wonder whether the new shop shouldn’t be opened for the time being, or should we just cooperate with Nie Heng and Mu Chen—we come out with pastry recipes and they’re in charge of the operation, the profit is split equally. This way, we only need to take care of our family affairs, as well as Double Xiang House and Eating Savory Restaurant.”

Lei Tie pondered for a moment before saying, “With children now, we can’t open another shop. If you don’t want to give up the recipes, you can open the bakery three years later.” The reason for that was, Qin Mian had to teach how to make many of the pastries in the bakery.

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