It was still early, yet the old Liew estate was already packed with people.
For once, Mdm Zhang was being generous—she took out candles to light the lanterns so the busy courtyard would be well lit.
As soon as Clara and Lester arrived and set down their things, they were both roped into work.
Mdm Zhou called Clara over with her kitchen knife to cut vegetables, while Lester was pulled aside by Old Walter. The old man brought out a gift register made of red paper, instructing Lester and Logan to handle the accounts—Lester to record, Logan to receive the gifts.
The two disliked each other, but this arrangement meant they could keep an eye on one another.
Clara couldn't help thinking—brilliant.
"I'll cut the meat," she offered, twirling her kitchen knife in her palm before dragging a slab of pork onto the chopping board. She brought the blade down with a rapid bang, bang.
"Chunks or slices?" she asked as she worked, swift and precise.
Mdm Zhou froze for a moment before stammering, "M-minced… for meatballs later."
Sliced meat wouldn't be enough for so many guests, so the pork would be minced and mixed with vegetables to make meatballs for soup—one big bowl per table.
In this village, people seldom had meat all year round. A single pot of meatball soup was a feast.
Clara nodded—so the meatballs were the main dish.
Finding one knife too slow, she grabbed a second and began chopping with both hands, the blades rising and falling in rhythm, filling the preparation area with an unbroken drumbeat of thunk, thunk, thunk.
The sound was so intense it made everyone's teeth ache just to hear it.
In the span of just half an hour, Clara had minced enough pork—meat that would take others one to two hours to prepare—into a fine, fluffy consistency. The quality was obvious.
Mdm Zhou and the others gathered around, giving her a collective thumbs-up.
Confidence swelling, Clara gave her knives a flourish. "I'll handle the chopping. You all wash the vegetables and pass them to me."
Everyone laughed and agreed.
Inside the hall, Lester sat at the gift table. With no one arriving at the moment, he munched on peanuts and glanced toward the busy kitchen doorway. Clicking his tongue, he thought: so she's a bit of a show-off too.
The sky brightened, and today proved to be truly auspicious—a rare winter sun rose over the village.
The celebratory tea was already brewed. Villagers, having finished their morning chores, began arriving in waves—old and young alike.
Each time Logan received a gift, he called it out loudly, his voice carrying until nearly midday, when the last expected guests had arrived.
Lester's task was easier—he only had to write.
The village head and clan elder sat across from him, watching curiously as he wrote each name in a neat hand, like doting elders watching a child who'd just learned to write.
It was rare to see him so serious, so now and then they would offer words of encouragement—praising his penmanship and composure.
With praise flowing freely, it was easy to get carried away.
Before long, Lester spread out an extra sheet of red paper, dipped his brush, and—with exaggerated strokes—wrote a large, showy "Fortune" character.
Passing by with a dish, Clara caught sight of it. The calligraphy was dog-paddle sloppy—she almost felt sorry for the two elders, forced to praise him against their conscience.
Martha and Caleb spent the morning greeting guests. As the time approached, Martha ordered the kitchen to start cooking, and the guests were notified to take their seats.
Doreen handled the main cooking, Kate stayed in the house to look after the baby and host her family, and Clara, looking around, was surprised to find that she—half a hostess—was needed to direct others to set out tables, chairs, and bowls.
Luckily, as the owner of the mill, she had a certain authority—most of the village women happily followed her instructions.
She quickly organized a few idle women to arrange the tables and seating. When that was done, and with a moment to spare before the dishes were ready, she finally went to visit the day's little star.
Max was unusually alert today, awake and bright-eyed after a feeding. Perhaps sensing all the attention, his dark eyes roamed curiously about, though it was hard to say what he actually saw.
Rosie was in high spirits—her grandmother and uncle's family had come, bringing treats and toys in abundance.
Even better, her older cousins were happy to include her in their games—unlike Ryder and Ben, who always shooed the younger ones away.
Deb had also turned up at some point, trailing her cousin to enjoy the food and fun.
Spotting Clara, she ran over excitedly to show her bulging little pocket. "Mom! Have some crispy candy!"
Peeking in, Clara saw it stuffed with fried sugar crisps and peanuts—quite the haul.
She took one piece to humor her daughter, popping it in her mouth before she'd even tasted it. Deb quickly asked, "Is it good? Isn't it? Rosie's cousin says you can only buy this in their town."
Clara nodded vaguely. "Mm, tasty."
Grinning, Deb darted off when Rosie's cousin called from outside.
"Don't run too far—time to eat soon!" Clara called after her.
"I know! Just in the yard—big brother and the others are there," Deb replied obediently before vanishing out the door.
Clara moved to the bedside to play with Max for a moment before being introduced to Kate's family.
The questions about her came quickly—too quickly—and Clara excused herself at the first opportunity, slipping back outside.
The dishes were nearly ready when Doreen called for help serving.
Just then, an ox cart stopped unexpectedly outside the main gate.
A sprightly old woman and a couple in their late twenties stepped down. Spotting the children gathered near the gate, the old woman called tentatively, "Adam? Ben?"
Thinking they must be distant guests, Martha grabbed Caleb to help her greet them—then both froze mid-step.
Caleb turned toward the main hall and shouted, "Lester! Come here!"
Puzzled, Lester walked to the door—then stopped short at the sight of the three visitors.
Shock flickered in his eyes, quickly masked as he looked at Martha and Caleb.
They met his gaze, equally stunned. Who invited them?
Martha recovered first, her expression stiffening before she forced a smile. "In-laws! What a surprise—please, come in!"
The smile was too tight; the visitors could see her discomfort instantly.
Lester composed himself, greeting the old woman politely as "Mother-in-law," then nodding to the couple.
"Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law—it's been years. I trust you've been well? The children must be grown now? You've come at the perfect time—we're just about to eat, please, come in."
Brother and Sister-in-law nodded, helping their mother into the courtyard.
Lester reached to assist as well, but the old woman snorted coldly. "Lester Liew—married again and forgotten the old ties. You're really doing well for yourself now, aren't you?"
Then, turning to the children outside, her tone softened.
"Adam, Ben—bring your younger siblings over to meet your uncle and aunt."
The two boys led the confused twins forward. "Grandmother, Uncle, Aunt."
Standing under the eaves, Clara blinked in surprise.
It was the Mo family, Lester's former mother-in-law, along with his former brother- and sister-in-law.
(End of Chapter)
Enjoying the story? Get early access to new chapters on my Patreon: patreon.com/c/TinaWriterXD
Thank you for your support! 💛