Chapter 58: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 58: New Year's Eve Dinner
The New Year's Eve dinner at the Yan family was unusually quiet. With her father present, Daohua couldn’t help but remember the slap she received in the pavilion earlier. Not only could she not help setting the mood, but just staying seated was already an act of great restraint. She could still hear the ringing in her ears and feel the burning sting on her cheek.
If her father had shown even a slight sense of father-daughter affection, he wouldn’t have hit her so hard.
As for a father like him, she no longer wished to invest any more emotional attachment.
Yan Zhiyuan tried to lift the atmosphere at the table, but Old Madam Yan had little enthusiasm, and Madam Li didn’t respond either. The younger ones—only Daohua and Yan Wenkai had a bit of wit and humor, but both of them remained silent tonight. Yan Yile was lively, but nothing she said could stir anyone’s interest.
Thus, this year's New Year's Eve dinner quickly came to an end.
"Alright, you all go back to your rooms to keep the vigil," said Old Madam Yan, her tone indifferent.
Yan Zhigao immediately smiled and said, "Mother, how can we leave? We’ll stay here to keep you company."
Yan Zhiyuan also chimed in, "Yes, mother, let us stay with you."
Old Madam Yan didn’t want to dismiss her sons' filial piety, so she didn’t say more, but turned to the three daughters-in-law. "The children are still young. They don’t need to stay up. Take them back to sleep."
Seeing the bored looks of her children, Sun Shi smiled. "I’ll take them back and come back to keep you company later."
Seeing Yan Yishuang, and Yan Wenbin’s pitiful gazes, Yan Zhigao, thinking of Concubine Lin eating the New Year’s Eve meal alone, said, "Mother, I’ll take Yishuang and Wenbin back to Shuangxin Courtyard. We’ll be back soon."
Old Madam Yan waved her hand indifferently, gesturing for Wu Shi. "Wenhui is still young, take him back to sleep."
Before Wu Shi could speak, 6-year-old Yan Wenhui ran up to his grandmother, hugging her leg and whining, "Grandmother, I want to stay up with you and Big Sister."
Seeing her grandson, Old Madam Yan smiled and patted his little head. "If you’re sleepy, you need to tell your mother. You’re still small, so you can’t stay up too late."
Yan Wenhui nodded vigorously and ran out to find Daohua and the others.
Soon, Yan Zhigao and the others left, and the room quieted down once again.
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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Yan Zhiyuan looked around. The third brother wasn’t talkative, the eldest nephew was reserved, and his eldest sister-in-law was fine in previous years, but this year he didn’t want to provoke any bad luck.
After scanning the room, Yan Zhiyuan felt frustrated. With so many people in the room, he couldn’t find anyone to talk to.
Well, everyone would just stay silently up for the night.
"Grandmother!"
Suddenly, Daohua entered with Yan Wentao, Yan Wenkai, and little Yan Wenhui.
When Old Madam Yan saw Daohua, a smile appeared on her face. "You’re in such a hurry, not ladylike at all. Where have you been?"
Daohua shook a set of playing cards in her hand. "I was afraid you would be bored keeping vigil, so I specially went to get this."
Old Madam Yan’s eyes lit up, and even Yan Zhiqiang, who had been sitting still, smiled and walked over. "Just what we need! Mother, how about we play 'Solitaire'?"
"Let’s go!"
Old Madam Yan, who had shown little interest before, suddenly came alive. With a wave of her hand, she eagerly began shuffling the cards, much to the astonishment of Yan Zhiyuan and the others.
The cards were made by Daohua using playing cards from her previous life. In the old house, when there weren’t many entertainment options, she used to play "Solitaire" with Old Madam Yan to pass the time during the New Year. Over the years, "Solitaire" became one of Old Madam Yan's favorite pastimes.
Yan Zhiqiang and Daohua were both well-versed in the game and sat down quickly.
Daohua smiled. "Grandmother, is there a prize?"
Old Madam Yan grinned and took out her purse. "If you’re lucky tonight, you might just win my purse."
Daohua and Yan Zhiqiang exchanged a knowing smile.
As Daohua and the others were about to start drawing cards, Yan Wenkai became anxious. "Sister, what about us?"
Daohua replied, "You can watch first. Once you learn, you can start a new round."
The game of Solitaire was easy to pick up, and Yan Wentao liked it too. He immediately said, "Sister, do you have more cards? Give me some, I’ll teach Wenkai how to play."
Daohua pulled out another deck of cards and handed them to Yan Wentao, then waved to Madam Li. "Mother, come over. I’ll teach you how to play. Later, you can play with Grandmother."
"Alright!"
Madam Li smiled and sat next to Daohua.
Meanwhile, Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai went to find Yan Wenxiu, pulling him to start a new round.
Before long, only Yan Zhiyuan remained sitting, looking awkward.
Seeing his mother and the not-so-sharp third brother enjoying the game, Yan Zhiyuan wandered over to his three nephews, curious to see how they played. After watching for a while, he became interested and insisted on joining them.
When Yan Zhigao returned after sending off Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin, the previously quiet room was now filled with laughter and chatter that could be heard through the curtains.
Upon entering, he saw his wife and third brother playing cards with Old Madam Yan, all with big smiles on their faces. On the other side, the second brother was also playing cards with Wenxiu and others, the group laughing and joking around.
His eldest daughter was walking around with a smile, occasionally offering tea and snacks to everyone, followed by little Wenhui, who mimicked her every step.
Everything was so harmonious, as if the cold atmosphere from the previous year’s dinner was just an illusion.
"Eldest Brother, why are you so late? Come, play a round with Mother," Yan Zhiqiang suddenly said, pulling him to his seat.
Yan Zhigao glanced at his mother and wife, smiling. "I don’t know how to play. Third Brother, you’ll have to teach me."
Yan Zhiqiang immediately replied, "It’s very simple, look, Mother and I can already play."
Hearing this, Old Madam Yan gave her eldest son a glare. "What do you mean by that? Are you saying I’m just as clumsy as you?"
Yan Zhiqiang immediately begged for mercy. "Mother, you’re the county magistrate’s mother, and you raised Daohua, such a clever girl. Who would dare say you’re clumsy?"
Old Madam Yan snorted, clearly letting him off the hook.
After a few rounds, Yan Zhigao got the hang of it and said, "This game is quite interesting. It’s a good way to pass the time."
Yan Zhiqiang grinned. "Exactly. In the old house, New Year’s Eve was so boring. Daohua made these cards, and everyone in the family loved playing."
Yan Zhigao was surprised. "Daohua made these cards?"
Old Madam Yan shot him a side-eye. "Your daughter is clever, but only you would mistake something ordinary for a treasure."
Yan Zhigao was helpless. "Mother, I didn’t mean it like that. I do favor Yishuang more, but I don’t ignore my eldest daughter."
Old Madam Yan glanced at Daohua, who was sitting beside Yan Wenkai, holding little Yan Wenhui while eating snacks. "I warn you, if you ever lay a hand on Daohua again, I’ll take her and go back to the old house. I won’t let you see her again."
Yan Zhigao sighed. "Mother, I was wrong. I was angry at the time, but you can’t expect me to apologize to my own daughter, can you?"
Old Madam Yan coldly snorted, not saying another word.
(End of Chapter)
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