The housewarming meal was also known as the "Thank You Banquet." As the name suggested, it was to thank everyone for their help during the construction and to apologize for any trouble caused to neighbors.
To show his seriousness, Zhu Shunyao had specially invited a chef from the town to cook. With policies becoming more relaxed, everyone was happy to join in the festive occasion.
There were many people in the village. At least a third of them were invited to eat. This included the Xie family, the Qi family, the Cheng family, and Zhu Shunyao’s good friends and leaders from the Xie Xinlian factory. Counting them all, she needed at least thirteen or fourteen tables. Zhu Shunyao decided to prepare fifteen tables to be generous.
Since Zhu Shunyao had returned to the Third Branch, he treated Zhu Guifu like a nephew treats an uncle—just a relative. This attitude made Zhu Guifu very unhappy. He thought Zhu Shunyao was an ungrateful wolf, believing he had raised them only to receive no gratitude.
Zhu Shunyao did not care about Zhu Guifu’s thoughts. Even if he knew, he would just smile. Some people felt good about themselves their whole lives. It was impossible to change that now, so there was nothing to say.
"Congratulations, congratulations." The guests’ faces showed sincere blessings.
Everyone knew Zhu Shunyao’s situation. It was not easy for his family to turn things around. They had not built a standalone building, as few people did now. Zhu Shunyao’s family had built a high single-story house. Having such a house was already good. It showed the family was developing. In this era, very few families had high single-story houses.
"Thank you, thank you." Zhu Shunyao had been smiling all day. The new house was ready, and a new member was coming soon. So, Zhu Shunyao was very happy every day.
"A-Yao, you have finally made it out," Luo Wenhua said, handing over the gift money. Her eyes were full of smiles. As her aunt, she had seen how hard Zhu Shunyao had worked. When Xie Xinlian gave birth to Zhu Yanli, it was the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. The weather was hot, and she had to stay in a straw hut. She was so stifled she felt sick. Thinking of those days, Luo Wenhua felt heartache for her niece. Now, seeing they finally had a new house, she was very happy. "Next month, A-Lian will give birth. I will come then. Your mother and I will take turns caring for A-Lian."
"That will trouble you, Auntie," Zhu Shunyao agreed. Originally, if Zhu Shunyao were the eldest son of the Fourth Branch, Luo Wenhua would have to consider the Zhu family’s feelings before helping. Now that she belonged to the Third Branch, and there were no elders there, it was natural for her aunt to come help.
"What trouble?" Luo Wenhua waved her hand. "I am taking care of my own niece."
Zhu Shunyao scratched her head, embarrassed. "I spoke wrong. I will not be polite with you, Auntie."
"That is right," Luo Wenhua said, her eyes smiling more. "Alright, you stay busy. I will go look at your house."
"Okay. Please feel free, Auntie." Zhu Shunyao let Luo Wenhua in.
"Just looking at the outside, the house looks good," said Cheng Baokun’s family as they arrived.