Chapter 86: The Little Golden Monkey and the Little Brown Bear Perform

The next day, at noon.

When Lin Xiaodou returned home from work, she saw someone standing at her door.

It was Liu Yan’er, whom she had met on New Year's Day two days before.

Perhaps the weather was too cold today; the girl's nose was bright red from the chill.

“Xiaodou, you're back!”

As soon as the little girl saw her, she ran over with a beaming smile.

“Are you cold? Come inside quickly.”

Lin Xiaodou brought her inside and hurriedly poured two cups of hot tea from the thermos—one for herself, and one for Liu Yan’er.

“Thank you, Xiaodou,” Liu Yan’er said.

“So what brings you here at noon?” Lin Xiaodou asked.

Liu Yan’er sighed. “Oh, I don't know what's going on. Since this morning, my right eyelid has been twitching nonstop. You know the old saying—if your left eye twitches, it’s good luck; if your right eye twitches, it’s bad luck. I’m worried something might happen. I don’t dare mention it to my mom since my sister-in-law is pregnant, which is a big deal for our family. If I start talking about unlucky omens, my mom will scold me to death. So I could only come here to vent.”

“Eyelid twitching is pretty common,” Lin Xiaodou reassured her. “It could just be from not getting enough rest.”

Liu Yan’er suddenly understood. “I had nightmares all night last night, so I really didn’t sleep well!”

The memory left her a little shaken. “What’s odd is, my sister-in-law was in my dream, chasing me with a knife the whole time. I was nearly scared to death.”

Lin Xiaodou laughed. “Are you really that afraid of your sister-in-law?”

“Of course not!” Liu Yan’er pouted. “It’s just that now she’s pregnant and the whole family treats her like a treasure. I’d rather not get into conflict with her right now.”

After all, her parents had longed for a grandson for so many years—they could not afford any mishaps.

“How’s the matter of your sister-in-law’s brother’s marriage going?” Lin Xiaodou asked.

Liu Yan’er snorted. “Probably not happening!”

She became animated as she recounted everything that happened after her sister-in-law returned home yesterday.

When Lin Xiaodou finished listening, she was stunned.

This eldest sister-in-law of the Liu family was truly the ultimate doting sister! For her brother’s sake, she had turned the family upside down, doing everything she could to empty her in-laws’ pockets. If it weren’t for the child in her belly, she would have been thrown out long ago. Someone as oblivious as her was truly frightening—whoever married her was doomed.

“How did your brother and your sister-in-law meet in the first place?” Lin Xiaodou couldn’t help but ask.

“A few years ago, my brother returned home for a visit and happened to see my sister-in-law fall into the river. He jumped in to save her,” Liu Yan’er explained.

“After he saved her, her family latched onto him, claiming he had ruined her reputation and had to marry her. Worried it would affect my brother’s future, my parents had no choice but to accept the marriage.”

Lin Xiaodou let out a sympathetic sigh. Liu Yan’er’s brother certainly hadn’t been lucky.

“You don’t know how stingy my sister-in-law’s family is. Back then, they opened their mouths and demanded a bride price of sixty-six yuan, and my family ended up giving it. But when my sister-in-law came to our house, she brought nothing with her—just a towel and a washbasin. How could she show her face with so little? All the neighbors and relatives who came to the wedding saw it. They might not have said anything out loud, but behind our backs, they laughed at us. Our family lost all face that day.”

Recalling those events from years ago still left Liu Yan’er fuming.

Lin Xiaodou twitched her lips. It seemed every member of Liu Yan’er’s sister-in-law’s family was quite the character.

She simply couldn't understand how Liu Yan’er’s brother tolerated someone like that. Now, to think he even joined his wife in tormenting his parents—Lin Xiaodou was speechless.

Of course, she couldn’t complain in front of Liu Yan’er, so she kept her thoughts to herself.

The team leader and his wife would have a hard life ahead, stuck with a son and daughter-in-law like that.

Liu Yan’er pouted. “Let’s stop talking about my family—it just annoys me. I don’t even want to go home.”

“Good timing,” said Lin Xiaodou. “I was about to make lunch. Why don’t you stay and eat with me today?”

She had eaten Liu Yan’er’s White Rabbit milk candy two days ago, so she might as well repay her with a meal.

“Really? I’ve never tasted your cooking before!” Liu Yan’er cheered up at once, her gloomy little face lighting up with a smile.

Lin Xiaodou smiled too. “Of course! But I’m just making something simple, so don’t be disappointed.”

“Not at all!” Liu Yan’er shook her head eagerly.

How could anything made by her fairy-like big sister taste bad? Even if it wasn’t delicious, she’d eat every bite!

While Lin Xiaodou cooked, Liu Yan’er helped out in the kitchen.

After a while, a commotion sounded from the living room.

Liu Yan’er glanced outside. “Xiaodou, do you have a guest?”

Lin Xiaodou shook her head. “No, that’s my pet.”

As she spoke, a small, adorable monkey appeared at the kitchen door.

Its big, round eyes blinked as it tilted its little head, curiously observing Liu Yan’er.

“Xia—Xiaodou, is this your pet?” Liu Yan’er was so surprised she stammered.

The little monkey almost seemed like a spirit in disguise; it stared at her intently, which was a bit unsettling.

“Yes, don’t be afraid. It’s very well-behaved,” Lin Xiaodou said, beckoning the little golden monkey. “Little Mischief, come here!”

The little golden monkey trotted over obediently.

As soon as it arrived, it hugged Liu Yan’er’s leg, rubbing against her and making her squeal with delight.

“Wow, it’s so well-behaved! How adorable!” she exclaimed. Then, noticing its outfit, she asked curiously, “Xiaodou, why did you dress it like this?”

“Well, it’s been watching a lot of local opera lately and likes to dress up this way,” Lin Xiaodou explained.

The little golden monkey wore a floral padded jacket and a headscarf.

“Little Mischief, show our guest your headscarf trick,” Lin Xiaodou said.

Immediately, the little monkey grinned, took off its headscarf, tossed it into the air, and balanced it on one finger, spinning it rapidly. Soon, the dangling scarf formed a colorful disc, spinning and dancing in the air. The little monkey even switched hands and danced as it spun the scarf, displaying practiced skill.

“Oh my god! That’s amazing!” Liu Yan’er was so astonished her mouth dropped open and she applauded enthusiastically, clapping until her hands were sore.

And that wasn’t all.

Suddenly, a round little brown bear waddled in from somewhere, wearing a denim vest and a strange hat, joining the monkey in its dance.

“Th—this…” Liu Yan’er was once again speechless with amazement.

Lin Xiaodou smiled. “This is my other pet, Dadai. Lately he’s become obsessed with western cowboys.”

Liu Yan’er didn’t quite understand, but still exclaimed, “How cute!”

Cuddling the fluffy golden monkey with her left arm and hugging the chubby little brown bear with her right, Liu Yan’er couldn’t resist letting out a joyful squeal.

“Ahhh—Xiaodou, I’m so happy, so happy!”