Cao Wenxiu smiled as she looked at her beloved granddaughter.

"It's rare that Yaya still remembers that her grandma loves to eat water chestnuts. Every year, water chestnuts are only sold on New Year's Eve."

Since Ya Ya brought it up, she and Xiao An will go and buy some.

Let's all eat together. It feels like something's missing if we don't eat water chestnuts during the Lunar New Year.

Once you leave the military compound and walk into the alley next to it, you should be able to find vendors selling water chestnuts as they go from street to street.

I remember that in previous years, vendors would come to this alley to sell their wares.

"Okay, let's go out and take a look."

Zhuang Zhimeng and An Qingbai walked out of the military compound together, chatting as they went.

"Brother Qingbai, Xiazi and Mengge will be here in the second year of junior high school."

Go home and ask your second uncle or cousin if we can borrow their car.

Upon hearing this, An Qingbai looked at his fiancée with surprise and delight.

"Zhizhi, do you mean you can drive a car?"

"Hehe, didn't expect that, did you? I learned it from my grandpa a long time ago. I have no problem picking someone up at the train station."

"Zhizhi, you are really amazing. I feel like there are always countless surprises waiting for me in you."

"Of course! You're absolutely thrilled to have found me!"

"Yes, you're right, you really are my darling."

"Hehe, it's good that you know."

Then remember to go back and ask. If that doesn't work, I'll have to borrow Grandpa's car.

However, Grandpa's car was a military vehicle, and the license plate clearly indicated it belonged to a high-ranking official, so I couldn't just drive it around like that.

"Don't borrow Grandpa's car anymore. I'll go back and discuss it with my second uncle."

If he doesn't go out, we can borrow him for a while.

"Whether Second Uncle agrees or not, Brother Qingbai, please give me a call so I can make arrangements in advance."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely tell you. I'll call you by tomorrow at the latest."

"Okay, by the way, is our wedding room decorated yet?"

"The decorations are almost done. Second Uncle has set up our wedding room on the top floor."

There was no one else on that floor, only us.

"That's good, it won't bother anyone."

"Baby, I'll be able to marry you in a few days."

I get so excited every time I think about it that I haven't been able to sleep well for several nights.

Seeing that no one was around, Zhuang Zhimeng took her fiancé's hand.

"Honey, get plenty of sleep these next few days. I don't want you to be listless when you marry me."

An Qingbai and his fiancée held hands tightly, their fingers intertwined.

"Don't worry, this is the most important moment of my life, and I will definitely come to marry you with full energy."

"Okay, I'll wait for you to come and marry me."

The two shook hands for a while before letting go.

After leaving the compound, the two walked to a nearby alley.

As soon as I reached the alley entrance, I heard, "Water chestnuts for sale! They're big and easy to peel!"

Zhuang Zhimeng laughed.

"Yes, there really are. They started selling quite early this year."

"Zhizhi, when were they usually sold in previous years?"

“In previous years, it was usually at dusk, when it was quieter and you could hear the vendors shouting.”

The two walked to the vendor's location.

"Buy water chestnuts."

"Here you are, have you both prepared all the New Year's goods?"

"Hehe, everything's ready."

"Okay, I'll weigh it for you."

Water chestnuts were 12 cents a pound at the time, and Zhuang Zhimeng bought ten pounds of water chestnuts.

She plans to store some in the warehouse so she can have some to eat whenever she wants.

After buying the water chestnuts, An Qingbai asked his fiancée.

"Zhizhi, does water chestnut mean 'fully prepared'?"

"Yes, that means once you've got all the water chestnuts, you've got all the New Year's goods ready, and you can have a peaceful and worry-free New Year."

"There really is a reason behind everything!"

"Yes! Beijing has a lot of rules and regulations."

The two had just returned to the compound when Ping An and An came looking for them.

"Auntie, Uncle, you went to buy water chestnuts without inviting us."

"That's right, you guys just go on your dates and don't take us with you."

Zhuang Zhimeng smiled.

Give the water chestnuts to Brother Qingbai.

Holding her little nephew's hand.

"Shall we go back and eat water chestnuts now? Auntie will peel them for you."

"Okay, then we have to eat two before we can forgive Auntie."

"Brother is right, each person should eat at least two."

"Alright, alright, you can each have two."

An Qingbai watched the three women, aunt and niece, discussing things amicably from behind and laughed. It was truly amusing.

Zhuang Zhimeng led her nephews into the house.

"Grandma, we've bought the water chestnuts. Would you like some now?"

"Okay, let Xiao Wang wash it! We only eat this once a year, so I'm really looking forward to it."

"Okay, I'll take it to the kitchen."

After washing the water chestnuts, Zhuang Zhimeng brought the whole basin to the living room, and anyone who wanted to eat them could take some.

Zhuang Zhimeng picked up a peeled one and handed it to her grandmother first.

"Grandma, please eat."

"Thank you, Yaya."

Then he peeled the shells for his nephews and handed them to them.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Just as I was about to peel one for myself, a peeled water chestnut was handed to her.

Zhuang Zhimeng happily accepted it, looking at her fiancé.

"Hehe, Qingbai, you should have some too, it's very sweet!"

"good!"

While eating, Zhuang Zhimeng realized she hadn't seen any of the other elders in the family, so she asked her grandmother.

"Grandma, where are my mom and the others?"

Cao Wenxiu pointed to the restaurant.

"All six of them are making dumplings at the restaurant!"

"Oh, I was wondering why I hadn't seen anyone."

Grandma, shall we go see the military arts troupe's performance tonight?

"Yes, I go to see it every year. Unless there are special circumstances this year, I'll still go see the performance."

Zhuang Zhimeng deliberately asked her fiancé.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!