1990, Reborn as a Beachcomber, From Rascal to Brilliant Guy

"Snoring~ Snoring~"

Soon after, the entire hall was filled with the sound of people drinking porridge, which is also called "eating porridge" locally.

At first glance, it may seem a bit rude, but the feeling of drinking porridge in big gulps and sweating profusely is a custom deeply ingrained in the bones of the people on Canglan Island.

Especially on a summer evening, if you can sit at your doorstep, drinking porridge and enjoying the sea breeze, the feeling is simply wonderful.

"By the way, Ah Shui, my uncle came back this morning and said that Ah Qing gave birth to a baby boy. I've already prepared some red eggs and sent them to our relatives and neighbors. I also sent a message to Ah Qing's family. Don't forget to celebrate the third day after her birth."

"Oh? Thank you so much, Second Sister-in-law, I almost forgot."

Lin Shuisheng was slightly taken aback when he heard Li Chanjuan's words, and then hurriedly thanked her.

According to their local custom, when a child is born, people send red eggs to relatives and friends to announce the good news.

If the baby is a boy, the gifts given will be in even numbers, usually 6 or 12, and firecrackers will be set off.

If the baby is a girl, the number of gifts given is odd, usually 3 or 5.

Putting aside everything else, just looking at the number of eggs shows how much importance is placed on boys.

As for "doing the three-day ritual", there is also a saying called "washing the three-day ritual".

This means that on the third day after a child's birth, water is boiled with mugwort leaves, pomelo leaves, old ginger, and scallions, cooled to a warm temperature, and then used to bathe the child.

In addition, a round pebble or a weight should be placed in the bathtub, and while bathing, a blessing such as "May your heart be safe and sound; may your skin be intact and not easily frightened" should be recited, which means that the child will be brave and not easily frightened in the future.

After washing, take a peeled hard-boiled egg and gently roll it over the child's head, face, hands and feet, symbolizing "wealth rolling in and freedom from illness and disaster".

Next, the child is dressed, and the child's grandmother holds the child while they worship the family ancestors and the gods of the husband and wife, announcing the addition of a new member to the family and praying for their protection.

In addition to these family customs, on the day of the birth, the maternal grandparents' house also requires women to send baby clothes, baby carriers, red eggs, pork, rice wine, and other items, a custom known as "sending gifts on the third day."

If a boy is born, an extra rooster will be given as a gift.

It is clear that whether a child is a boy or a girl is not a private matter for the couple, but rather a matter of face for two extended families, or even an entire clan.

Especially in their village, according to clan rules, only male members can be allocated clan property, such as dividends from ship shares and compensation for land expropriation.

If a child is born, then there will be no money at all.

That's why some more pragmatic people think that having a child is a money-losing proposition.

"Let me make this clear first: you went to the county to give birth yesterday, and your family has already given you 200 yuan. Whether it's the third day after delivery, the twelfth day after delivery, or the postpartum period, don't expect your family to pay any more money for you."

Lin Yaoguang put down his chopsticks and looked straight at Lin Shuisheng with a very serious expression.

Before Lin Shuisheng could say anything, Lin Haisheng frowned.

"Father, this isn't right. Everyone knows Ah Shui is broke and in debt. He's about to celebrate his third birthday in a couple of days. Where are you going to get him the money?"

"That's right! Dad, my eldest brother is right. These three-day celebrations and the month-long celebration are all important matters. If we don't do them well, won't people laugh at our family?"

At this moment, Lin Chaosheng also put down his chopsticks and agreed with Lin Haisheng's opinion.

Lin Yaoguang's face darkened instantly as he watched his two sons argue back, and he slammed his hand on the table.

"What? Are you planning a rebellion?"

In an instant, the hall fell completely silent.

Whether adults or children, most were startled by Lin Yaoguang's sudden outburst of anger and couldn't understand why he was so angry.

Only Lin Shuisheng and Huang Suzhen knew that Lin Yaoguang must have been provoked by the gossip in the village.

In addition, Lin Shuisheng has never made much progress, and his eldest and second sons have openly disobeyed him, which is why he couldn't control his temper and exploded.

"Dad, don't be so angry. I'll figure something out myself."

Lin Shuisheng gently put down his chopsticks and looked at Lin Yaoguang with a calm expression.

After saying that, he gave his two older brothers a look that said "don't say anything more," picked up the eldest son who had finished his porridge, and went back to his room under the dim light.

Lin Haisheng and Lin Chaosheng, the two brothers, looked at their younger brother's back and then at their father, who still had a sullen face, and both frowned.

In their view, no matter how useless Lin Shuisheng was, he was still their younger brother, and it was only right that they lend a hand when he encountered difficulties.

Besides, Lin Shuisheng wasn't going out to eat, drink, gamble, or smoke; he was doing it to prepare for his child's first birthday and one-month celebration. Forcing Lin Shuisheng to find his own way, like Lin Yaoguang did, was simply too inhumane.

Just as they were thinking about how to discuss with their wives to secretly give Lin Shuisheng some extra money, Lin Shuixian suddenly put down her chopsticks, said "I'm full," and then got up and ran to Lin Shuisheng's room.

At this moment, Lin Shuisheng was standing in front of the wardrobe, rummaging through clothes.

"Third Brother, what are you doing?"

Lin Shuixian entered the room and saw Lin Shuisheng throwing his clothes onto the bed one by one, a look of confusion in her eyes.

"Ah Xian, you've come at the right time. Quickly help me find Jiao Jiao's clothes."

When Lin Shuisheng saw Lin Shuixian, he immediately pulled her over as if she were his savior.

"Hey! Third Brother, I already put Jiaojiao's clothes outside the shower room, what are you looking for here?"

Lin Shuixian rolled her eyes, her face full of speechlessness.

"Um...you mean, she only had that one set of clothes to change into?"

Lin Shuisheng was slightly taken aback and turned to look at Lin Shuixian with some disbelief.

"What else? You didn't buy her any new clothes this year. The clothes she's wearing are even altered from Ah Hua's old ones!"

Upon hearing her third brother's words, Lin Shuixian couldn't help but roll her eyes again.

Immediately afterwards, a hint of doubt appeared on her face, and her phoenix eyes sized up Lin Shuisheng.

"Hey Third Brother, you've been acting a little strange these past few days?"

"Oh dear, I've gotten so confused by your sister-in-law's childbirth situation!"

Lin Shuisheng's heart skipped a beat, then he waved his hand and made up some excuse to brush it off.

However, Lin Shuixian was not so easily fooled. She grabbed his hand and asked in a deep voice:

"Third Brother, tell me honestly, are you having an affair?"

"No, what are you talking about? Am I that kind of person?"

Lin Shuisheng glared at Lin Shuixian, forcefully shook off her hand, and angrily turned around to stuff the clothes back into the wardrobe.

"Hmph! Don't think I don't know, Sister-in-law Guixiang has always had her eye on you!"

Lin Shuixian stared at her third brother's handsome face, snorted softly, and looked resentful.

Sister-in-law Guixiang?

Upon hearing this title, Lin Shuisheng paused in his movements, and an image of a captivating and alluring figure flashed through his mind...