Crossing Over to Yamada Love

When they arrived at Old Liu's place, he was squatting by the wall, puffing on his cigarette. Seeing Liu carrying her things, he quickly took them from her.

"Changhai's family, why did you buy so much stuff? Is there something you need? If you need anything from Uncle Liu, don't hesitate to let us know." Old Liu was clearly puzzled by the amount of things they had bought.

"Yes, thank you for your trouble, Uncle Liu. We're not holding any ceremonies at home, so these are just for food." Liu's voice was soft, clearly showing some embarrassment.

“Grandpa Liu, it’s because my aunt earned some money doing embroidery. She thought that my grandparents and second grandparents are getting old, so she wanted to give them some fine grains. Also, my uncle isn’t feeling well, and the doctor said he should eat some meat, otherwise his body might not be able to handle it. And my third aunt and the others always complain that the vegetables at home aren’t good, so she gritted her teeth and bought some meat to satisfy everyone’s cravings.” Mo Lan explained fluently.

"Changhai's family is truly filial. They don't forget their elders after making money, and they treat your second branch of the family well too. It's rare to see such a family." Old Liu smiled broadly and gave Liu a thumbs up.

"It's nothing, I don't deserve Uncle Liu's praise." Liu's face was a little red, but she couldn't explain herself.

"Grandpa Liu, have you had lunch yet?" Mo Lan asked Old Liu.

"Yes, I've eaten. I brought some flatbread from home with me."

"Grandpa Liu, here, have this." Mo Lan handed two meat buns that they had brought to Old Liu.

"This won't do, Lan'er. Grandpa thanks you for your kindness, but I can't accept it." Old Liu said gratefully, quickly refusing.

"Here you go, Grandpa Liu. We're taking so many things back with us, and we'll have to trouble you to deliver them to our doorstep," Mo Lan said in a cheerful voice.

“We’re all from the same village, it’s only right that we deliver it to your door. Don’t be so polite, kid.”

“That won’t do. Grandpa and Grandma always say that people should repay kindness. We’ve only asked Grandpa Liu for help, and we’ll feel bad if you don’t accept it.” Mo Lan brought up her grandparents.

Liu, who had been silent until now, spoke up: "Uncle Liu, please accept it. I'll need your help a lot in the future. It's just a small token of Lanlan's appreciation; she'll be upset if you don't accept it."

"Alright then, Uncle Liu will shamelessly accept it. Thank you, Lanlan." Old Liu gratefully took the paper package, opened it, and saw that it smelled delicious. It was made of white flour. He smelled the meat inside and was even more grateful. He quickly wrapped it up again and put it in his pocket, thinking that he could take it back for the children to enjoy.

Mo Lan saw that Old Liu was reluctant to eat the food, but instead wrapped it up and put it away. She didn't try to persuade him otherwise. Adults usually save the good food for the children, not for themselves. She understood.

She gave him steamed buns for two reasons: first, she needed help with all the things she had to take back; second, she thought Old Liu was a nice person, and since he had an oxcart, she would need his cart many times in the future. Making friends with him now would be convenient later.

"Auntie, they haven't returned yet. Let's go for a walk again." Mo Lan couldn't stay any longer. She pulled Liu Shi along, ready to leave again.

“You’ve already bought so much stuff, where else do you want to go? Besides, so much stuff is here. We have to keep an eye on it.” Liu didn’t really want to move, also because she was afraid Mo Lan would waste more money.

"It's alright, I'll watch over the stuff, you guys just go ahead," Old Liu readily agreed.

"Thank you, Grandpa Liu. Auntie, let's go." Mo Lan excitedly pulled Liu Shi and started walking around again.

Of course, they wouldn't go empty-handed; what woman goes to the market without buying anything? This time, they brought back five pounds of brown sugar, ten sticks of maltose candy, some sugar balls, some fine salt, and two pieces of soap.

The time spent buying fine salt and soap was excruciating for Liu. Each small piece cost 50 coins, but Mo Lan insisted, so she reluctantly bought them.

The brown sugar orchid is meant for the family to drink; it's good for nourishing the blood. The reason for buying five catties is that they're afraid the second wife's family will take it all if they buy too little, leaving nothing for the first wife's family. Don't think they wouldn't do it; if they really took it, the first wife's family wouldn't fight them to get it back. So, it's better to buy more orchids than not. Better safe than sorry.

Ah, if only we had separated from the family, I could have bought as many things as I wanted. Unlike now, I have to calculate everything before buying anything.

As Mo Lan walked, she thought to herself, "Little San'er will definitely be happy to see Tangqiu. I don't think he's ever had Tangqiu before." A pang of sadness welled up in Mo Lan's heart.

When they returned, they found that Aunt Erdan was already there, looking through the things they had bought.

"Hey Erdan, stop touching these things! These are other people's things, why are you rummaging through them?" Old Liu was anxiously wringing his hands, but he didn't dare to pull the person away because she was a woman...

"I'm just taking a look, Uncle Liu, why are you in such a hurry? I won't break anything." Aunt Erdan said nonchalantly.

"Changhai's family, you're back. This, this is really..." Old Liu's honest face turned somewhat embarrassed when he saw them, probably because he felt bad for not stopping Aunt Erdan.

"Yes, it's alright, Uncle Liu doesn't blame you." Liu's words were gentle and pleasant. She didn't blame Old Liu.

"Sister-in-law Changhai, you've struck it rich! You've bought so much stuff. There's meat, fish, rice, and flour. Are those steamed buns in that bag? They smell so good. I haven't had any for lunch yet. Could you give me a few to satisfy my craving?" Aunt Erdan leaned closer, looking at Liu Shi eagerly.

"Auntie, do you know how many people are in my family?" Mo Lan asked before Liu Shi could reply. She had no choice but to ask, afraid that Liu Shi would be embarrassed to agree to go out.

"How many people are in your family? Your eldest son's family plus the second son's family, that's quite a lot. Let me count, two plus two plus six, that's ten. And then there are two plus four from the second son's family, making a total of sixteen people, right? Why are you asking this, girl?" After counting the people, Aunt Erdan rolled her eyes at Mo Lan, clearly not understanding why she was asking these questions.

"Auntie said there are sixteen people in our family, and these few buns aren't enough to eat even if we take them back. If we give them to Auntie, what will we eat at home? How about we go to Auntie's house for dinner tonight?" Mo Lan looked at Aunt Erdan innocently.

"You're such a stingy girl. All I wanted was a steamed bun from you. You wouldn't give it to me, but you wanted your whole family to come to my house to eat. How much do you all want to eat? My family doesn't have that much rice to feed you. Besides, didn't you buy rice, noodles, fish, and meat? Are you worried about not having enough to eat tonight?" Aunt Erdan was startled at first, then pouted.

"The rice, noodles, fish, and meat are for Grandpa and Grandma, and Second Uncle and Second Aunt. Uncle isn't well, so we need to nourish him too. Even we don't get to eat these things. But Lanlan isn't craving them. Lanlan doesn't want to eat meat." Mo Lan said, inwardly despising herself. She always had to speak like a child. And she had to act silly and cute.

"You little brat, you're not greedy at all, but you make it sound like I am. Can't we just not have the buns? You bought candy, right? There's so much, you can't possibly finish it all. Give me a few pieces, I'll take them home for the kids. Is that alright?" Aunt Erdan's eyes were now fixed on the candy in Mo Lan and the others' hands.

"Okay. Let me count how many extra. I'll give them to Auntie when it's time," Mo Lan readily agreed. Then she started counting on her fingers. One for Grandpa, one for Grandma, one for Second Grandpa, one for Second Grandma... one for the young mistress. One for Uncle after he takes his medicine.

My uncle takes his medicine every day, and there's still a month until his next trip to town. A month is about 30 days, which isn't enough. He's still short a lot of medicine. Mo Lan frowned.

"Auntie, my uncle finished his medicine tonight and he still has 3 sticks left. I'll give them all to you. But starting tomorrow, he still needs 29 sticks of candy to help with the taste of the medicine. Can I go to your house every day to get some candy?" Mo Lan looked at Aunt Erdan with expectant eyes.

Aunt Erdan's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! She gave me three candies and wants to come to my house every day to get more? I'm losing out big time! I don't have any candies at home. Who knows what this girl might want, say she promised, and then take it? Kids don't understand the value of things. It's not worth it."

"Isn't it enough that your aunt doesn't want you anymore? You're so young, I don't know who you learned this from. Being so possessive of your food, you'll never be able to get married when you grow up." Aunt Erdan muttered discontentedly.

"Sister-in-law, don't worry. Whether Lanlan gets married or not is something we elders will take care of. You should worry about your Yueya." Liu's face darkened.

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