Chapter 189: Chapter 189: New Year Countdown

"Then why did you cut up the New Year’s painting that Mom painstakingly bought?" Lin Qiu asked again. "Mom chased you with a shoe stitching awl for three streets."

"And you secretly grabbed two handfuls of red yeast rice, soaked them in warm water, dyed all ten fingers liver-colored, and smeared your cheeks red..." Lin Qiu recalled Lin Xue’s embarrassing antics; it was really funny. "Mom scrubbed your face for three days, but couldn’t wash off the red."

"...Alright, sis, please stop." Lin Xue covered her face, feeling she wasn’t that mischievous! "Was I really that naughty?"

How come she did so many embarrassing things in the eyes of Lin Qiu?

"Hahahahaha..." Fu Xiaoxiao struggled to hold back her laughter but finally couldn’t resist bursting out.

"Isn’t that right! If it wasn’t..." Lin Qiu’s smile froze, and she stopped mid-sentence.

If it weren’t for their parents’ accident, Lin Xue would surely have remained that little rascal...

"Oh dear! Let’s not bring up old stories." Lin Xue hurriedly changed the subject, not wanting to continue such a heavy conversation.

"What about you, Xiaoxiao? Any embarrassing stories from your childhood?" Lin Xue looked at Fu Xiaoxiao and asked.

"Me? Probably not." Fu Xiaoxiao rifled through her memories but found nothing happy related to the New Year.

"How could there be none?" Lin Xue was taken aback.

"Every New Year, I had to prepare things for the family, clean the house, cook, prepare dishes, fry meatballs..." Fu Xiaoxiao pondered; in her memory, New Year meant everyone else was happily celebrating while she was alone in the kitchen, preparing all the family’s food and doing all the chores.

No respite.

"...You did all of it?" Lin Qiu hesitated for a moment.

This seemed no different from her life in the Liu Family.

"Yes." Fu Xiaoxiao nodded. At first, Mrs. Fu helped, but after she learned, everything was handed over to her.

"They were so mean!" Lin Xue couldn’t quite express herself; the Fu Family plummeted in her esteem.

"Isn’t it better now? We’re celebrating the New Year together." Fu Xiaoxiao patted her hand, smiling.

"True." Lin Qiu and Lin Xue laughed in agreement; celebrating together like this was nice.

The three chatted and laughed, made three big trays full, and then a small hand reached over again. Fu Xiaoxiao gently tapped the little hand.

"Two more at most, no more."

"Hehe, thanks, Mom! Chenchen likes Mom the most."

Lu Chen, who expected to be scolded, was visibly delighted when he heard Fu Xiaoxiao actually allowed him two more, and hugged Fu Xiaoxiao, rubbing against her excitedly.

"Little foodie." Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled, ruffled his hair.

"Mom, can Liu Yang have one too?" Lu Chen asked expectantly.

"Sure." Fu Xiaoxiao agreed with a smile. "But promise me, no more sneaky eating, okay?"

"Okay." Having gotten permission, Lu Chen was thrilled, holding onto three pieces, running out of the kitchen with joy, shouting to the outside. "Brother, Brother Yang, look, I got some for you too."

"You rascal, you want a beatdown?" Lu Lin hurriedly covered his mouth, worriedly looking toward the kitchen.

Liu Yang ran out with a whoosh.

"Mom agreed to this, I won’t get yelled at." Lu Chen boasted, as he had gotten Fu Xiaoxiao’s permission, so it’s all legitimate.

"Really? Your mom is so nice." Liu Yang was surprised that Fu Xiaoxiao agreed; his mom was cooking too, but he didn’t dare steal any; he’d surely get beaten for it. "I just stole one and my mom beat me up."

Liu Yang showed them the red marks on his hand.

"I told you, my mom is the best mom in the world." Lu Chen puffed out his chest proudly.

Which made Liu Yang terribly envious.

"My mom is the best too." Liu Yang countered, turning and running back home.

That inexplicable competitiveness among kids wouldn’t allow him to lose.

Lu Chen and Lu Lin exchanged a glance, saw Liu Yang return home without taking his piece to share, just when they were considering sharing it between themselves, they heard a roar from next door.

"You gluttonous brat, I’m here slaving away, and not only won’t you help, but you sneaked food! Do you know how long I’ve been making all this?"

Several loud smacks followed by a wailing sound...

Liu Yang cried loudly, wiping his tears as he came over from next door.

Lu Lin and Lu Chen looked at each other, their gaze falling onto the last piece of candy, tacitly leaving it for the emotionally damaged Liu Yang.

What a rough time.

The 24th of the twelfth lunar month: sweep the house. Fu Xiaoxiao had already dragged two kids out of bed early morning, putting them in old clothes.

Lin Qiu and Lin Xue also came to the house early, the adults and kids turned the place upside down, cleaning every corner thoroughly.

"What’s this?" Lin Xue found something curious while cleaning the wardrobe.

Fu Xiaoxiao saw her holding her little camisole, explained with a smile, "It’s a little camisole."

"No wonder you’re different from us." Lin Xue, after hearing Fu Xiaoxiao’s explanation, looked at her upright and graceful figure, then at herself, who dared not stand tall due to wearing vests; no wonder there’s such a big difference between them.

"Where did you buy it? I want to try it too." Lin Xue looked at Fu Xiaoxiao, cautiously asked. "If it’s too expensive, then forget it."

Fu Xiaoxiao shook her head. "Not expensive, just some fabric. I made it myself."

"You... you made it?" Lin Xue couldn’t believe that Fu Xiaoxiao could make such a thing.

"Yes." Fu Xiaoxiao nodded.

"What’s going on?" Lin Qiu entered the room, puzzled, asking why Lin Xue had stopped.

"Sis, look what this is..." Seeing Lin Qiu, Lin Xue immediately showcased her little camisole like a treasure.

"This... is different from ours." Lin Qiu immediately recognized what the item was but wondered why it’s different from what they wore.

"Xiaoxiao said she made it herself." Lin Xue looked at Fu Xiaoxiao, eyes full of stars.

Fu Xiaoxiao, seeing the starry-eyed Lin Xue and Lin Qiu, felt a bit embarrassed under their gaze. "Shall I make two for you to try?"

"You really can? I’d love that. But whatever the cost we should pay it, even siblings have to be clear about things." Lin Xue excitedly grabbed Fu Xiaoxiao’s hand, thrilled to hear her willing to make two for them.

But excitement aside, they couldn’t skimp on the payment.

"I only have this five yuan; it’s all yours." Lin Xue didn’t hesitate to turn her pocket inside out, pulling out five yuan and stuffing it into Fu Xiaoxiao’s hand.

"Take it!" Lin Qiu smiled at Fu Xiaoxiao. "You can’t suffer losses; it’s a crafty job too."

"Then I’ll accept it and settle it later for you." Fu Xiaoxiao smiled at them, took out a ruler to measure them.

Lin Xue was thrilled, and Lin Qiu was a bit excited too.

They also wanted to stand tall like Fu Xiaoxiao; these things were always awkward, and due to various reasons, they couldn’t stand straight.

Fu Xiaoxiao looked at the two, gazed at the little camisole in her hands, her mind began to work actively.

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