Knowing she couldn't escape, the green snake gave up struggling.

Oh well, the child only has this one day to be born, let it be.

Qin Jin'an happily put a small hat on the green snake, then ran to Qin Shi with the green snake in her arms: "Mother, Aunt, look how pretty Xiao Qing is."

The green snake coiled itself into a circle.

Qin was both amused and exasperated: "So beautiful! So beautiful! Xiaoqing is the most beautiful green snake in the whole world."

Surprised, Zhao exclaimed, "It's so beautiful!"

That's really amazing.

Even though I've seen it many times, I'm still amazed every time I see it.

In contrast to the aloofness of the Green Snake, the White Dots and the Horse were quite flamboyant and unrestrained.

They frolicked in the yard, they frolicked in the village.

All of Qin Jin'an's favorite dishes are available.

Spicy meat rolls, stewed fish, roast chicken...

The feast was as lavish as that of the Lunar New Year.

Qin Jin'an was dressed festively, and his fair skin looked healthy.

The longevity noodles were made by Qin herself.

"Come on, my dear, eat longevity noodles and you'll live to be over a hundred years old."

Qin handed the chopsticks to Qin Jin'an, and looking at her daughter's adorable face, she couldn't help but pinch her little cheeks.

Qin Jin'an smiled and nodded, then began to eat the noodles. There weren't many longevity noodles; it was all symbolic.

Snowy days bring early darkness, and while it's cold outside, it's warm and cozy inside.

"Yu Bao, we wish you a happy birthday and a carefree life every year."

Qin Tianhai smiled as he looked at Qin Jin'an, and the whole family raised their glasses to toast her, wishing her a happy birthday.

After eating and drinking their fill, the family gathered around the fire pit to warm themselves, and Qin Tianhai and Qin Yulin even drank some warm wine.

Qin roasted chestnuts for Qin Jin'an to eat.

Qin Jin'an nestled beside Qin Shi, being fed snacks from time to time.

The family was chatting and laughing, but Qin Jin'an wasn't really listening to what they were saying because Bai Diandian was just too much fun.

The chubby white dot lay at her feet, letting her knead and shape it as she pleased. The tactile sensation she had lost with Qi Yuanyou was found on the white dot.

Qin Jin'an pinched and patted the object, thoroughly enjoying himself.

When it was time to go back to her room to sleep, Qin played a lullaby for her.

Qin Jin'an's little feet rested against her soft, white belly as she drifted off to sleep.

As she drifted into a dream, Qi Yuanyou taught her to recognize characters.

Qin Jin'an slowly learned.

Qi Yuanyou asked, "Yu Bao, war has broken out in the Southern Frontier. Is your home safe?"

Qin Jin'an nodded: "It's safe, Yuanyuan, don't worry about me."

Qi Yuanyou still couldn't find Qin Jin'an, and he sighed.

"As long as it's safe."

Qi Yuanyou did not ask any further questions.

"Today is my fifth birthday."

Qin Jin'an suddenly said.

"Your birthday?"

Qi Yuanyou was a little surprised; he hadn't prepared any gifts.

"Fish Baby, I can't give you any gift, I'm sorry..."

Because he didn't know where she lived, he couldn't even give her a gift, and Qi Yuanyou felt guilty.

"It's alright, no need for a gift. You can wish me a happy birthday and a long life."

Qin Jin'an said with a smile.

"Happy birthday, Yu Bao! May you live a long and healthy life, and enjoy peace and happiness."

Qi Yuanyou immediately offered his blessings.

Qin Jin'an felt a warm glow in her heart. She yawned and said, "Thank you for your blessing. I'm so happy. Yuanyuan, I'm going to sleep now. Sweet dreams."

She and Qi Yuanyou had known each other for so long, but they only exchanged a few words when they met. Because Qi Yuanyou had lost weight, she went from lying on his stomach to lying on his back.

Qi Yuanyou knew Qin Jin'an was asleep, so he closed his eyes as well.

However, he remembered this special day in his heart: December 12th, Yu Bao's fifth birthday.

The peaceful days after returning home were the happiest time for Qin Jin'an.

I got up early in the morning and followed my mother into the city to work as a shopkeeper.

She still does fortune telling, but not many people do it anymore.

At noon today, a woman with a cool and aloof demeanor arrived at the shop and asked, "My young lady has asked a fortune teller to tell her fortune. She would also appreciate it if the fortune teller would come with me."

"I'm sorry, if your young lady wants her fortune told, she can come over here. There is an inner room in the shop. If that's inconvenient, she can also go to my house. My daughter doesn't go out."

Qin politely declined the woman's offer. To Qin, her precious child was already healthy, and all she needed to do was for her to grow up healthy and happy.

"Sister, I'll listen to my mother."

Qin Jin'an smiled slightly and obediently nuzzled Qin Shi.

Cailian glanced at Qin Jin'an, pondered for a moment, then turned and left.

She crossed the street to Qian Min's carriage and whispered, "Miss, she said if you want your fortune told, you should go to her house or the tea room in her shop..."

Qian Min frowned, thought for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, go ask her where she lives?"

She's been feeling uneasy these days; the Su family members are shameless, asking for money under various pretexts.

She had never met such a difficult person. Su Chang'an wrote to her saying that he missed her too much, and he seemed like a good-for-nothing.

Feeling exhausted, Qian Min thought about the things she had investigated and decided to do some calculations.

After receiving the instructions, Cailian returned to the shop to inquire about Qin Shi.

Qin gave an address.

I was thinking of taking my daughter to stay in the city today.

After noon, Qin Tianhai packed his things and went home first.

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), Qin Shi closed the shop and took Qin Jin'an to the courtyard.

This is a rented courtyard; it's not very big.

Qin Jin'an saw the gray rat as soon as he entered the house.

The gray rat was startled at first, but when it saw that it was Qin Jin'an and Qin Shi, it quickly ran out.

"Squeak squeak squeak—"

Fish Baby, it's been so long! I miss you so much.

Since Qin Jin'an had gone home and no longer needed it to bring food, it stopped looking for Qin Shi. The reason it came here was because it was safe here.

"Grey, you've lost weight."

Qin Jin'an touched the gray rat and felt that it had lost a lot of weight.

Qin took some food out of the cupboard.

The gray mouse looked a little embarrassed and squeaked at Qin Jin'an.

Fish Baby, I didn't do anything, can I still eat it?

Because it had been frequently seen around Qin Jin'an and Qin Shi lately, it had become quite different from other mice. When it wasn't bringing food to Qin Jin'an, it would listen to Qin Tianhai read aloud.

It no longer wanted to steal; it wanted to find food through its own efforts.

It's been hungry a lot lately, so it's lost weight.

It wants to be a well-behaved mouse.

"Sure, you're my friend. Friends help each other out, and who knows, I might need your help someday."

Qin Jin'an felt that the little mouse had become much smarter. Her eyes sparkled as she pushed the food towards the gray mouse with a sincere expression.

The gray mouse hugged the chestnut and pressed it against Qin Jin'an's palm.

Thank you, Fish Treasure.

Qin smiled; these special friends were her daughter's friends, and they all looked exceptionally adorable.

Qin went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Qin Jin'an was telling Gray Mouse about the happy things that had happened to her these past few days, while Gray Mouse listened quietly while munching on chestnuts.

Only when there was a knock on the door did Qin Jin'an pat Gray Mouse's head and say, "Goodbye, Gray."