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Lady Yang sighed, tremblingly stood up, lifted the lid of the cauldron, and scooped out the freshly boiled hot water before tossing a handful of dried vegetable leaves and a few stick bones into it.

That was to be their family’s New Year’s Eve dinner. For the New Year, the third son didn’t bring anything back with him, only a few stick bones. When she asked for his wages, he said he had fallen sick in town and spent it all.

Lady Yang sighed, if it’s gone, then it’s gone; one couldn’t possibly let a sick son not see a doctor.

As for Boss, in the past, in order to settle things regarding Lin Yongle, he had made extensive use of silver, and his wages had all gone to paying off debts.

It was necessary to pay them off, for several creditors were blockading the door for their silver, and Boss did not want to be the village’s laughingstock.

With no silver, they could only make do with such meals.

Lady Yang added another log to the stove, it was damp and immediately produced a thick cloud of black smoke that almost made her cough out her lungs.

Wiping away tears caused by the coughing, Lady Yang suddenly thought of the second son, who would always send silver and grain reliably for every New Year and festival.

Amongst her sons, only the second was most knowledgeable in living life and the most dutiful.

Even if he himself couldn’t afford a meal, he would obediently hand over his silver.

Alas, such a good son, and she had driven him out from home.

Instead, the ones sequestered at home, two sons, were worse than the other, what a misfortune!

The stove no longer emitted smoke, but Lady Yang’s tears just wouldn’t stop falling.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang inside the house, and Lady Yang shuddered, not bothering to wipe her tears, she hurriedly ran inside.

"Old man!"

Just as she entered the room, she indeed saw the bowl next to Lin Jianling’s hand shattered on the ground. Lin Jianling’s undebilitated hand was shakily reaching around, mumbling incoherently under his breath.

"Old man, what are you trying to do?"

Lady Yang scrambled onto the kang bed, bending close to his ear to listen carefully.

Lin Jianling’s health was deteriorating, he spent most days in a dull stupor, barely ever fully alert, half-asleep most of the time. Although unwilling to admit it, Lady Yang knew very well, the old man didn’t have many days left.

While each household shut their doors to celebrate the day, no outsiders knew what was happening within the old Lin family residence. The village was still filled with festive joy, brimming with the happiness of families reuniting during New Year’s.

On New Year’s Eve, as evening approached, snowflakes silently drifted down once more, the whole of Lin family hollow instantly covered in a blanket of white, enshrouded in a silent world of ice and snow, giving an impression of tranquility.

By noon, Lin Yi had already brought Lao Fan over; as soon as he entered, Lao Fan’s eyes began to dart towards the kitchen.

Xiao Linshuang chuckled: "Master, it’s not time to eat yet, and you’re already looking for prey? Hehe, just wait, my big sister is not like those chefs from Fuman Building, her eyes are oh so sly, don’t expect to swipe even a tiny bit from under her nose."

Hearing his innermost thoughts voiced by his young apprentice, Lao Fan’s face couldn’t help but show his embarrassment, coughing as a show, he grunted: "Who says I’m looking for food? I had my fill of a whole table of good food at noon, I’m not hungry at all!"

As Lin Yi fed the horses, he glanced up at the sky, his lips pursed. Not hungry? Who was it that kept asking him about what delicious dishes Lin Yuan had made all along the way?

Inside the kitchen, Lin Yuan busied herself while listening with a laugh to the exchange between the old and young food enthusiasts outside.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate the New Year; it was just a pity that Xia Zheng was missing, she wondered what that fellow was up to now. Whether he missed the meals she cooked?

During the reunion dinner that evening, Lao Fan and Lin Yuan’s family sat together, joyously talking while they ate, and even the little tyke, Lin Yongyan, seemed especially spirited, incessantly babbling at the sight of dishes laid out on the table.

Xiao Linshuang giggled and deliberately picked up a soy-sauced pork knuckle, swinging it teasingly in front of the toddler, inciting him to reach out with his chubby little hands in desire.

"Want to eat? Want to eat? Cry out for Third Sister to hear if you want it, quickly, quickly!"

Xiao Linshuang rubbed the soy-sauced pork knuckle against the little one’s mouth, and before he could open his mouth, she took it away again, almost bringing the little guy to the brink of tears.

Lin Wei chuckled and intentionally sidled up next to Lady Liu, telling the little one, "Third Sister’s the worst, deliberately making things difficult! Come now, little brother, stop playing with Third Sister. Come to Second Sister, I dote on you."