"Zhimeng, is there any particular custom associated with touching the door studs at Zhengyang Gate?"

Zhuang Zhimeng smiled and explained to her mother-in-law.

"This is a custom in Beijing."

Over time, this has evolved into a form of blessing, wishing for a prosperous and numerous family.

"Then we have to go touch it. Can anyone touch it?"

"No, it's usually the women who touch the door studs."

"In that case, all the women should go and touch them, and we'll offer our blessings to the men."

"Okay, let's go to Zhengyangmen to touch the door studs tomorrow night, and we might as well go see the lanterns nearby."

"Okay, it's settled then."

An Qingbai overheard this just as he returned from his run.

"Mother, wife, what's settled?"

Shi Meiling waved her hand.

"We'll talk about it later. Go wash your hands and come eat. We'll be heading out after we finish eating."

"I see."

After Zhuang Zhimeng finished her own breakfast, she prepared the dogs' food and placed it in front of them.

Looking at the people eating in the restaurant, he asked.

"Who will go shopping later? We don't all need to go, just send a few representatives."

Shi Meiling agreed with her daughter-in-law's opinion.

"Zhi Meng is right, only a few people need to go."

Write down what you want to buy on a piece of paper, buy it all at once, and then calculate the cost at the end.

After finishing her work, An Tanli went downstairs for dinner and heard her younger brother and sister-in-law's advice.

"In that case, Zhimeng will drive four people shopping, while the rest of you will stay home."

Shi Meiling clapped her hands.

“Why don’t all the women go, plus Lao San, who will help carry the things?”

"Haha, I think it's a good idea. Aber will definitely be fine."

An Qingbai smiled as he looked at his wife, who was laughing heartily.

"Okay, I'll help carry the things."

Qian Yunshuang and Hu Yuelan were delighted to hear this, as they could ride in their younger brother's car again.

"Mom, I'm going upstairs to tidy up and grab a bag."

"Mom, I'll go upstairs to get my bag too."

Shi Meiling nodded.

"Okay, you guys go ahead. We'll set off once you're down."

An Qinghua and An Qingsong quickly finished their meal, then took out paper and pen, wrote down what they wanted to buy, and handed it to their third brother.

"Third brother, this is what I want to buy. If the price is right, I'll buy it; if it's too expensive, I won't."

"Third brother, this is what I want. Buy it if you can."

An Qingbai took the two pieces of paper and looked at them.

"Okay, I'll make sure to buy it."

An Qingbai asked his fourth brother.

"Qinglin, do you want to buy anything?"

An Qinglin looked at his third brother with a look of surprise and delight.

"Does Third Brother mean you'll give it to me if I want it?"

"It depends on what you want."

"I want a Hero brand fountain pen."

Before An Qingbai could agree, Zhuang Zhimeng waved her hand.

"Qinglin, your third sister-in-law is seeing you off."

"Really? Third Sister-in-law?"

Zhuang Zhimeng nodded.

"Really, your third brother will listen to me. If I say I'll give it to you, he definitely won't object."

An Qinglin looked at his third brother.

An Qingbai looked at his wife with affection, then at Qinglin.

"That's right, I have no objection to your third sister-in-law giving it to you."

An Qinglin smiled and thanked Zhuang Zhimeng.

"Hehe, thank you, Third Sister-in-law."

Yangyang quickly ate all the rice from his bowl, ran to his third aunt's side, and asked while petting the dog.

"Third Aunt, would you like to buy something for Yangyang too?"

Zhuang Zhimeng burst out laughing.

"Haha, Yangyang, you little rascal, what do you want to buy?"

Yangyang took out the red envelope that Zhuang Zhimeng had given him to change his address.

"Third Aunt, the money you gave me is just enough to buy things."

I want some picture cards. I saw they sell them at the supply and marketing cooperative. Could you buy some for me?

Zhuang Zhimeng held down Yangyang's little hand.

"Okay, Third Aunt knows. Yangyang wants to buy the picture cards, right?"

Your aunt will buy it for you, so you don't need to pay. You can save this money for other things later.

Yangyang grinned, and Zhuang Zhimeng suddenly noticed that Yangyang was missing a tooth.

When did Yangyang lose his tooth?

Yangyang felt embarrassed and quickly covered his mouth.

An Qinghua laughed.

"He insisted on eating candied hawthorn a couple of days ago, and as a result, he took a bite and his tooth fell out."

He hasn't dared to smile much these past couple of days.

Qian Yunshuang came downstairs and heard the man being patted.

"Don't keep making fun of Yangyang, he'll grow back in time."

Yangyang made a face at his father.

"Hmph, Father, you always make fun of me."

"Haha, alright, alright, Dad won't laugh at you anymore. If anyone laughs at you again, tell me, and I'll beat them up for you."

Shi Meiling walked over and slapped her son on the back of the head.

"You're the only one in our family who makes fun of Yangyang, so who else would you beat up?"

Yangyang laughed as he watched his father get beaten.

"Hehe, Dad, I have someone backing me up."

An Qinghua rubbed the back of her head and muttered to herself.

"I just smiled."

Shi Meiling patted her eldest son on the shoulder again and called to the others.

"Let's go shopping."

Zhuang Zhimeng and An Qingbai, both daughters-in-law, stood up.

Five people set off to go shopping.

When they returned, each of them was carrying a lot of things, with An Qingbai carrying the most.

As soon as they entered, An Qinghua, An Qingsong, and An Qinglin went to greet them.

An Qinghua looked very surprised.

"Mom, are you moving? You bought way too much!"

Shi Meiling took a sip of water before explaining to her sons.

"It just so happens that the store is having a promotion; you can enter a prize draw if you spend a certain amount."

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