Touched, Qiao Xiaoni stepped forward and hugged Li Meihua.

"Mom, don't worry, I'll be back during winter break. I'll definitely take good care of myself while I'm away."

You should also take good care of yourself at home. Don't overthink things when you have nothing to do; if you think too much, your gray hairs will start appearing again.

Li Meihua stroked her daughter's face: "I've remembered everything you said, and you must remember what I said too. What can you do? What can't you do? Don't take what I said to heart and forget it."

My daughter is a strong-willed person, and they're young and impetuous; they haven't even gotten their marriage certificate yet. I hope nothing goes wrong and they won't be too embarrassed to tell their family.

Qiao Xiaoni instantly understood what she meant, and obediently nodded in agreement without saying another word.

Su Chenhao went outside to wash his face, and then brought back a bucket of water to cook dumplings.

Their custom is that children must eat dumplings before going out, symbolizing good fortune.

The chive and pork dumplings were quickly cooked, plated, and served. No one had much of an appetite, but thanks to Qiao Xiaoni's encouragement, everyone ate a little.

It was time to leave. We had made arrangements with them, and the taxi had arrived.

Everyone was busy for a while. After putting the luggage in the car, they didn't know what to say.

Li Meihua and Qiao Haisheng stood beside the taxi, watching with tears in their eyes.

Qiao Xiaoni opened the car window and waved to them: "Go back!" She felt a pang of sadness, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Su Chenhao waved to them, "Don't worry, I will take good care of Xiaoni and I will never let her suffer any injustice."

Li Meihua and Qiao Haisheng nodded repeatedly, watching the taxi leave. Overwhelmed with sorrow, they could only hug each other.

Tao Chunfang and Qiao Dashan didn't cry; they kept waving at the taxi until it was out of sight.

Su Chenqiu stood at the very back of them. Her brother was really gone, and she didn't know when they would see each other again. Another piece of her heart was missing.

Qiao Manli looked left and right. Everyone's expression was not good. All she knew about her aunt's trip was that she had gone to a very far place and it was inconvenient for her to come back.

They might not be able to come back for months or even a year. The thought of having no one to play with instantly upset them, and their eyes reddened as they burst into tears.

Qiao Manli hadn't cried in a long time, and her crying startled everyone. After a moment of shock, they quickly tried to comfort her.

Qiao Manli choked up, "When will my aunt come back? No one will tell me stories anymore, and no one will teach me to write and do math."

Tao Chunfang hugged her daughter: "Why did it take you so long to realize? Your aunt went to school and will be back during winter vacation or Chinese New Year this year."

"Don't cry, you won't be pretty if you cry."

Su Chenqiu: "Manli, as long as you don't cry, I'll play jump rope with you today."

"Really?" Qiao Manli stopped crying instantly. After all, she was young and playful, and her emotions came and went quickly.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the child had stopped crying.

Su Chenqiu: "Go inside and get the rope. We'll play jump rope outside. I mean what I say."

Qiao Manli wiped away her tears and ran back to her house to get her jump rope.

Tao Chunfang looked at her daughter and then at Su Chenqiu, feeling a huge difference between them, and then remembered that he was also just a child.

"Chenqiu, your brother is gone, leaving you with us. It's not that he doesn't want you, but that he has more important things to do."

If you encounter any trouble outside, you can tell us. Don't keep it to yourself, okay?

Su Chenqiu nodded to indicate that he understood; he was well aware of how good they were to him.