Chapter 478: Chapter 478: You Can’t Bully People

The fact that this man was willing to do so much for her was proof enough of his love.

These chores were taking up too much of Zhao Nuanyue’s time, causing her to fall behind on her studies.

But the house was small. The front courtyard had been rented out to the neighborhood office under a five-year contract, so there was simply no room for a live-in housekeeper.

"Thank you, Yu Sen," Zhao Nuanyue said gratefully. "Once the lease for the neighborhood office in the front courtyard expires, we’ll have enough space. We can look for a housekeeper then."

Hearing Zhao Nuanyue’s words, Hua Yusen’s eyes lit up. He understood her concerns and said, "Nuanyue, if you’re worried about not having enough space, you don’t have to be. I know you signed that contract with Director Zhang from the neighborhood office in a hurry, but if you’re willing, I can speak with her right away and have her move out. We can tidy up the front courtyard, give ourselves more living space, and get the household staff we need."

"Huh?" Zhao Nuanyue was taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to say that. "If you make Director Zhang move out, wouldn’t that be abusing your power to bully her? We already signed a contract, and Director Zhang has helped me before. I’d feel terrible taking the courtyard back early."

"Haha..." Hua Yusen chuckled at her question. ’My little wife is so naive,’ he thought. "With my current status and position, do you really think I need to resort to bullying?"

"Haha..." Zhao Nuanyue laughed sheepishly. "Well, your status and position *do* let you bully people!"

"Alright, you don’t need to worry about this. I can promise you, Director Zhang will be more than happy to move out. She won’t have a single complaint," Hua Yusen said with a knowing chuckle, his smile holding a deeper meaning. "And I also promise you I won’t be abusing my power."

"Alright, you’re the man of the house. I’ll follow your lead," Zhao Nuanyue said with a smile. ’It’s 1976 now,’ she mused, ’a year destined for tremendous change.’

Time waits for no one. Zhao Nuanyue needed more time to study and couldn’t afford to spend so much of it on chores. To maintain their quality of life, she agreed to Hua Yusen’s suggestion.

"I’ll take care of everything. As for being the man of the house... I wouldn’t dare claim that title. In this family, we all listen to you," Hua Yusen said with a smile. With his back to Zhao Nuan Yang and Little Red Carp, he gave Zhao Nuanyue a wink.

Hua Yusen thought he had been subtle enough to fool Zhao Nuan Yang and Little Red Carp behind him.

Behind them, Little Red Carp rolled her eyes. ’Her brother-in-law sure has some nerve,’ she thought, ’flirting with his wife right in front of her younger brother and sister.’

Zhao Nuanyue didn’t dare trade flirtatious looks with Hua Yusen in public. She said, "Then from now on, the two of us will be in charge of Nuanyang and Little Red Carp. Especially Little Red Carp—she’s such a handful."

"Sister, how can you say that with a straight face? Look at what I’m doing! I’m not any slower than you. I’m working this hard to help because I feel bad seeing you so tired!" Little Red Carp protested, pouting as she grumbled, "And what do I get? You’re always saying I’m disobedient and too mischievous!"

Hua Yusen turned his head and saw Little Red Carp’s nimble little hands quickly shaping one pastry after another.

"Nuanyue, what you said was a bit harsh. Other kids Little Red Carp’s age are just running around making trouble; they wouldn’t even think of helping around the house. Look at her—she’s even helping you make pastries!" Hua Yusen said, disagreeing with his wife. "Little Red Carp might talk like a little adult sometimes, but she’s still a child. Children are supposed to be mischievous and innocent. We can’t take that away from her. We should let her be herself so she can have a happy childhood."

"Alright, alright, I’m the bad guy here, happy now?" Zhao Nuanyue couldn’t stand up to the three of them ganging up on her.

Little Red Carp looked triumphant and stuck her tongue out at her sister, declaring her victory.

Zhao Nuanyue wrinkled her nose back at Little Red Carp, playfully showing she wasn’t convinced.

The four of them chatted and laughed, and before they knew it, they had made two whole baskets of pastries.

Seeing it was still early, Zhao Nuanyue took out the wrapping paper and plastic bags she had prepared. She sorted everything they had made that day and began to wrap it all up.

Master Hu was Zhao Nuan Yang’s master, and Immortal Grass Hall was where Zhao Nuanyue’s master was, so the gifts for them were the most substantial.

The gifts included six and a half pounds of pork, four large fish weighing five to six pounds each, two pounds of fried melon seeds, two pounds of fried peanuts, six one-pound bags of pastries, two pounds of turnip balls, two pounds of meatballs, and two pounds of fish balls.

While not expensive, these were all practical, edible gifts. In this era of scarcity, they would help make their New Year’s feasts a little more lavish.

For Old Sir Qian and Old Madam Qian, they also sent a wide variety of gifts, though in smaller quantities. The gesture was just as heartfelt.

As for Wang Yuan, since she hadn’t visited Qingya Lake recently, Zhao Nuanyue simply left her off the list, not even considering sending her anything.

If Wang Yuan were to come bearing a gift, Zhao Nuanyue would return the favor out of principle, but she would never be the one to initiate the exchange.

Two large wicker suitcases were packed to the brim.

"Nuanyang, take the things in this case when you go to Master Hu’s tomorrow. It’s this year’s festival gift. Wish him good health and all the best for me." Zhao Nuanyue pointed to the wicker case on the right. "After you have lunch at Master Hu’s, come home as soon as you can and take this smaller case of gifts over to Old Sir Qian’s."

"Got it, Sister. I guarantee I’ll complete the mission tomorrow!" Zhao Nuan Yang agreed. It had been a long time since he’d last visited his master.

"Little Red Carp, are you coming with me to Immortal Grass Hall tomorrow, or are you going with Nuanyang to Master Hu’s?" Zhao Nuanyue asked. They would be splitting up, so she needed to plan where Little Red Carp would go.

Little Red Carp thought for a moment. "Hmm, I’ll go with you to Immortal Grass Hall, Sister. By the time we get back, Brother should be back from Grandpa Qian’s. Then he and I can stay home, and you and Brother-in-law can go to the Hua family’s place together!"

"You’re not coming with us?" Hua Yusen asked, surprised. "My parents are always talking about you two!"

"We won’t go. That’s your family gathering, so Little Red Carp and I will stay behind. We can just relax and read at home," Zhao Nuan Yang said. ’His sister was married now, and as the Hua family’s eldest daughter-in-law, there were probably private family matters they’d want to discuss at the end of the year.’

’It would probably be inconvenient for him and Little Red Carp to be there.’

"It’s really no problem. It’s just a get-together!" Hua Yusen, worried his brother-in-law was overthinking things, extended the invitation again.

"No thanks, Brother-in-law, we’re not going. I have a book to read at home!" Little Red Carp also shook her head. "Brother lent me a really good book called the *Earth Book*. The stories in it are so interesting! It’s full of cute monsters..."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.