After finishing her last class, Xia Qingqing had just walked to the bike shed when she saw a familiar figure: "Sisi, what are you doing here? Did you come here specifically to see me?"

"Yeah, I have something I want to tell you," Wang Sisi said with a smile.

Since Xia Qingqing stopped living in the dormitory, it's not as convenient for Wang Sisi to find her anymore. Before, she could go to the dormitory to find her at night, but now she has to wait for her at the parking shed.

"What's up? Want to come over to my place? We can have dinner there, and I'll take you home after dinner," Xia Qingqing invited with a smile.

Wang Sisi shook her head: "No, I can eat at the cafeteria later. I wanted to ask if you're going back to your hometown this summer. If you are, we can buy tickets together."

That way they can chat together on the way. Last winter vacation, Wang Sisi went back alone, and she was so bored on the train for those two days.

Xia Qingqing was taken aback, seemingly unaware of how quickly time had passed: "I'm not entirely sure yet, but if we go back, our whole family will go together. I'll ask my parents tonight and tell you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, I'll wait for you at the cafeteria entrance tomorrow at noon," Wang Sisi nodded with a smile.

"Are you really not coming to my house for dinner? Didn't you say my mom's cooking is delicious?" Xia Qingqing invited again, not giving up.

Wang Sisi subconsciously swallowed when she thought of Zhang Hongyan's cooking. She did miss her aunt's cooking, but it would be too much trouble for Xia Qingqing to pick her up and drop her off if she went to eat there. She reluctantly declined, saying, "I won't go today. I'll go and try my aunt's cooking when I have a day off."

"Alright, then come again next time. I'm going back now," Xia Qingqing waved to Wang Sisi.

"Okay, ride slowly and be careful on the road."

After Xia Qingqing parked her bicycle at home, she went straight to the kitchen.

Zhang Hongyan, who was washing vegetables, looked up when she heard the noise. Seeing her daughter return, she smiled and said, "I'll start cooking soon. You don't need to help here. Go inside and rest."

Xia Qingqing stood still and asked, "Mom, didn't you say you wanted to go back to your hometown for summer vacation? Summer vacation is about to start, are we still going?"

"Summer vacation is coming so soon?" Zhang Hongyan paused in her washing of vegetables.

“Yes, our school will be on holiday after the exams next week, and Gou Dan’s school should be about the same,” Xia Qingqing said.

Zhang Hongyan nodded to indicate that she understood: "Okay, after you two are on vacation, we'll go back to our hometown."

She and Xia Heping had already discussed this matter, and they both felt that it would be better to go back to their hometown during the summer vacation.

Summer vacation should be longer than winter vacation, so they can stay at home longer. Otherwise, with train tickets being so expensive, it's really pointless to go back to their hometown for only a few days.

Moreover, although it's a bit hot in the summer, it's much more convenient than in the winter. Not only is it chilly in the winter, but it's also inconvenient to go out if it snows.

Xia Qingqing nodded and said, "Then I'll talk to Sisi, and we'll buy train tickets together."

"Great! Speaking of which, I haven't seen Sisi in ages. Why don't you invite her over to play?"

Xia Qingqing replied helplessly, "I just invited her to come over for dinner, but she didn't want to come, saying she'd come next time she has a day off."

In fact, Xia Qingqing understood that Wang Sisi probably didn't want to trouble her, but she couldn't force her to come if she didn't want to.

When Gou Dan learned that he would be going back to his hometown for summer vacation, he grinned from ear to ear: "Great! I can finally see Da Niu and the others. I wonder how they are doing back home."

It's been almost a year since he last saw Da Niu and the others. He wonders if Da Niu has been studying well without his supervision.

Zhang Hongyan looked at Xia Heping: "When we have some free time in a few days, let's go to the department store together to buy some snacks and share them with our relatives and friends. It's a token of our appreciation."

Xia Heping naturally had no objection: "Sure, we'll buy some durable food then, since food spoils quickly in hot weather."

Upon hearing this, Gou Dan immediately said, "I also want to bring gifts for Da Niu and the others. Mom, take me to the department store with you."

"What do you want to bring them? Do you have money?" Zhang Hongyan asked curiously.

"Of course I have money," Gou Dan snorted twice, his little expression full of arrogance.

His little stash of money is 3.78 yuan. Part of it comes from lucky money he received during the Lunar New Year. His parents and sister occasionally give him some pocket money. Although he spends most of it, he doesn't spend it much and has managed to save some.

But what should he bring for Da Niu and the others? Candy? Snacks? Dried fruit? He already has all of these things at home, so he doesn't need to spend his own money to buy more.

But if he gives away things from home, it doesn't feel like he's giving a gift, and it doesn't seem like he's being thoughtful.

Dog Egg rolled his eyes. He was really stupid. If he couldn't figure it out himself, he could have asked someone for help.

He looked at Xia Qingqing with a grin and asked, "Sister, what do you think would be a good gift for Da Niu and the others?"

Xia Qingqing blinked and casually said, "How much money have you saved? How about we give each of them a comic book? They can keep these as souvenirs, and they'll think of you whenever they see a comic book."

Although many children in the village used to play together, Gou Dan only had a few really good friends: Da Niu, Shun Zi, Xiao Hu, and Pang Pang. I suppose Gou Dan's savings should be enough to support him giving each of them a comic book.

"Yeah, that's right! How come I didn't think of that? Let's go with that then," Gou Dan said happily, then thought to himself...

Zhang Hongyan and Xia Heping listened quietly without raising any objections. Their son was willing to use his savings to give gifts to his friends, and as parents, they had no objections whatsoever.

Adults have social interactions, and children certainly do too.

Comic books were available at the supply and marketing cooperative, so Gou Dan didn't need to go to the department store with his mother.

Without having to accommodate their son's schedule, Zhang Hongyan and Xia Heping went to the department store two days before returning home and bought a lot of things.

First, we should definitely bring some gifts to thank the families who helped look after their houses.

Then, Zhang Hongyan suggested sending some things to the old house.

No matter how cold their relationship with the old house is, it cannot be denied that Grandma Xia and Grandpa Xia are Xia Heping's biological parents, and as their children, they must be filial to them when it is their turn.

Buying something doesn't cost much, and when it's something you can do easily, there's no need to leave yourself vulnerable to being used against you.

Xia Heping wasn't ungrateful; knowing that his wife was doing all this for him, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.