When Li Long came ambling back, he found a whole yard full of children playing.
Who... were all these kids?
Li Juan, Li Qiang, Hongqin-and who else? Weren't those Xueqin and Xueping?
Well!
Li Long slapped his forehead. He had forgotten all about his second older brother's family!
He had been busy with Sister Yang's affairs these past few days. Once that was over, he had given himself a chance to unwind, then gotten busy processing medicinal herbs, and completely forgotten his second older brother's family.
Hearing the laughter inside, Li Long knew his second older brother had arrived.
Not just his second older brother-his sister and brother-in-law had come too. Hongqin had stayed here for a week a few days earlier before being taken home. She had missed her parents.
Now that she was back, she must have come with his sister and brother-in-law.
Li Long pulled three ten-yuan notes from his pocket and handed them to the three children.
"Here, this is your New Year's money from your uncle!"
The three children immediately dropped to their knees and kowtowed to Li Long. He couldn't stop them. Once they got up, they ran inside-to hand their New Year's money to their mothers.
For safekeeping.
The big notes were always saved. Li Qiang seemingly hadn't been allowed to spend his own New Year's money until fifth or sixth grade.
When the door opened, the first person he saw was his sister, Li Xia. Seeing Li Long, she smiled and stepped out of the doorway.
"You're back, Xiao Long! Hey, had quite a bit to drink?"
"Yes, a few glasses." Li Long smiled. "When did you get here, Sis?"
Behind Li Xia stood his second sister-in-law, Chen Lirong. Li Long greeted her too. "Happy New Year, Second Sister-in-Law!"
Shy, Chen Lirong