Chapter 105: I’ll Just Call You Aunt Sufen

Chapter 105: I'll Just Call You Aunt Sufen

Wang Sufen readily called out, "Third Sister."

Wei Sanniang responded with a delighted "Ai," and took out a silver bracelet, slipping it onto Wang Sufen's wrist. "... As a gift for your dowry."

The silver bracelet was heavy, and once on her wrist, it was clear it was genuine and substantial.

Wei Pozi and Wei Sanniang sat with Wang Sufen for a while, chatting about the old days of the Wei family.

Xingxing had played outside until she was a bit tired, so she didn't go out again. Instead, she climbed up onto a stool, poured herself a bowl of water, and sipped half of it.

Wei Pozi and Wei Sanniang didn't avoid Xingxing, as she was just a little girl of three, and Xingxing was always well-behaved, never repeating what she heard to others.

After a short chat, it was soon time for the banquet to begin.

As the bride, Wang Sufen went out to make an appearance. The crowd outside cheered, some praising Wei Laosi's good fortune in marrying a young wife, and others urging Wang Sufen and Wei Laosi to kiss.

Since both were not first-time brides or grooms, and they were in the countryside, everyone was quite boisterous.

Wei Pozi shielded Wang Sufen from the crowd, scolding them with a smile, "There are still children here! If you want to make noise, wait until tonight in the bridal chamber!"

Everyone laughed heartily, and the matter was dropped.

Wang Sufen scanned the tables with her eyes and quickly returned to the room.

Wei Pozi picked a few dishes for Wang Sufen, placed them in two bowls, and brought them into the room.

There was also a steamed bun.

Wang Sufen looked somewhat troubled.

"What's wrong?" Wei Pozi asked, handing Wang Sufen a pair of chopsticks.

Wang Sufen worriedly said, "I haven't seen Feng. Is he really unwilling to recognize me as his stepmother?"

Wei Pozi noticed how much this mattered to Wang Sufen and thought for a moment. "He might still be busy. If Feng comes later, I'll have Xingxing come in and tell you."

Wang Sufen nodded in agreement.

Wei Pozi then took Xingxing out to join the banquet.

In the room adorned with the character for joy, Wang Sufen was left alone.

After a while, Wang Sufen began to eat the food and steamed bun on the table, her expressionless face slowly moving through the meal.

Halfway through the banquet, Xingxing, who had burped softly, entered the room.

Wang Sufen, who had already eaten and was sitting by the kang, felt a twinge in her brow. "Is Feng back?"

Xingxing shook her head and walked over to Wang Sufen. "Uncle hasn't returned yet. Xingxing came to keep you company."

Though Wang Sufen was somewhat disappointed, seeing the little girl looking at her so sincerely made her speechless.

After a moment, Wang Sufen shook her head and smiled. "I don't need anyone to keep me company."

Xingxing tilted her head, looking at Wang Sufen. She couldn't quite explain why, but she felt that this aunt seemed very sad.

However, since Wang Sufen said she didn't need company, Xingxing didn't leave. Climbing onto a stool with her short legs, she took out the nine-ring puzzle that Liu Ge'er had bought her in town and started playing with it.

Wang Sufen hesitated to speak.

But with Xingxing sitting there quietly, playing with the nine-ring puzzle without making a fuss, the only sound in the room being the faint clinking of the puzzle, she had no reason to ask her to leave.

Wang Sufen let her be.

A little while later, Ju Geer came in and saw Xingxing playing with the nine-ring puzzle. He exclaimed, "There you are! Grandma saw you weren't around and sent me to look for you!"

Ju Geer then turned to Wang Sufen and called her "Fourth Aunt" smoothly. "Fourth Aunt, Grandma asked me to tell you that Uncle Feng has arrived and is drinking outside. After the banquet, he will come to offer you tea."

Wang Sufen was slightly taken aback. After a moment, she smiled. "Alright, I understand."

...

Wei Laosi, who had married a beautiful new wife today, was both happy and proud, drinking every toast offered to him.

Others envied him. "... A few months ago, you were as poor as a church mouse, but now your son has become successful and you've married a new wife. Brother Wei, your life is truly enviable."

Wei Laosi, feeling accomplished, drained another cup of wine. "That's right!"

Others flattered Wei Laosi and toasted him again. "Brother Wei, I heard your new wife came through your son's connections." The man winked, full of mischief. "If your son encounters such good fortune again, don't forget about your brother."

Wei Laosi, tipsy and disoriented, laughed and cursed, "Go to hell," before boasting proudly, "She's my son's wife. If you want another one, find your own son!"

The dinner table was lively with laughter and toasts.

Wei Feng arrived late and was forced to drink several cups of wine, leaving him dazed and confused.

Previously, when he was collecting hides, few people in Jiangdian Village respected him. Now that he had become a henchman for the gambling den, they all treated him with respect.

Wei Feng felt a mix of emotions, but the alcohol made him feel somewhat proud.

He drunkenly pushed away another person trying to force more drinks on him, remembering his father's instructions. "I... I won't drink anymore. I need to... go offer a toast to my new stepmother!"

The others stopped forcing drinks on him and let Wei Feng stagger towards the main room.

When Wei Feng entered the room, he could still be heard mumbling, "We're about the same age, so I won't call you mother. I'll just call you Aunt Sufen..."

Wei Feng then closed the door behind him.

The main house was as quiet as ever, no different from before.

Today’s feast was arranged by Wei Feng, who had invited a master chef from the county to prepare it. Unlike the feasts in the countryside, everyone ate and drank to their heart's content.

Even Wei Pozi and Wei Sanniang joined in the festive atmosphere, each drinking several cups of wine.

Only Xingxing, who had been pulled out of the main house by Ju Geer earlier, was stacking up shells from stir-fried clams, but after a while, she began to look back at the main house with a distracted mind.

She couldn’t help but mutter, “Uncle Feng has been inside for quite a while now, why hasn’t he come out yet? Xingxing still wants to play with the nine-linked rings inside.”

Seeing Xingxing’s lack of enthusiasm, Ju Geer wasn’t interested in playing with her either: “Then go play with the nine-linked rings inside. I’ll find someone else to play with.”

Xingxing didn’t catch the hint that Ju Geer was sulking. She simply said “oh,” patted the dirt off her clothes, and ran towards the main house.

She gently opened the door of the main house. Not knowing how to address Wang Sufen, Xingxing remained silent and tiptoed into the room.

However, the moment the little girl turned around and saw the scene inside, she was utterly terrified.

— Uncle Wei was lying on the ground, something stabbed into his abdomen, blood soaking a large part of his clothes, his life hanging by a thread.

And Wang Sufen, clutching a jar of wine, with a mad expression on her face that Xingxing had never seen before, was splashing it all over the room!