Director Jin and Mrs. Guan changed into short-sleeved dresses and stretched on the sofa. "We're really getting old. We didn't do any strenuous work today."

I also have severe backaches and leg pains; I don't exercise regularly, so my body feels rusty.

Look at Chen Hong, she does more work by herself than all eight of us combined, and she still has to cook when she gets home. We can't compare, we really can't compare.

If my physique were a third as good as hers, I'd be satisfied.

It seems I'll have to schedule running exercises every morning and evening after we get back to Beijing. I think Yu Yang and the other kids are all in better physical condition than us.

Mrs. Guan smiled and said, "Everyone knows that running is good for your health. Since I was young, I have made a plan to exercise at least five times a year."

I can only keep running for a week at most before I give up! I always find reasons to convince myself to take it slow and that there's no need to rush when it comes to exercising!

Before I knew it, I was fifty. I was getting old, and the willpower and stamina to keep exercising were gone.

Upon hearing this, Principal Jin laughed heartily: "We teach our children every day that if we make a plan, we must complete it on the same day!"

I've made plans to exercise, but I haven't been able to stick to them.

Doing one thing a day is easy, but doing the same thing every day is difficult! That's why we keep telling our children that perseverance is key!

Madam Guan also laughed: "You must never say such things in front of the children."

The kids will definitely rebel after hearing that! We parents are all talk and no action!

Director Jin laughed heartily: "This is what Shandong people mean when they say: all talk and no action, but when it comes to actually wetting your pants!"

Madam Guan laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight: "You've only been here a few days, and you've already learned all the rural slang from Shandong?"

Hey Jin, have you noticed that Shandong people really have strong likes and dislikes? Many of their slang and rhymes are very vivid and exaggerated, which is quite interesting.

For example, how did this sentence get associated with wetting the pants? How interesting!

Director Jin also laughed: "What else is there, like a dog visiting another house and getting beaten with a stick, or a person visiting another house and causing trouble?"

What old cat sleeps on the roof, generation after generation;

"Girls from Weihai have such great temperament, so much skin and they never seem to age!" That's the most interesting part! Is that self-praise?

Two middle-aged and elderly women were so engrossed in studying local proverbs that they forgot all their exhaustion. This might be what is known as pain transference!

Chen Hong listened to their laughter and chatter in the living room while cooking in the kitchen. She was worried that they would be too tired and listless to cheer up!

Surprisingly, they were quite optimistic and knew how to find joy and have fun.

Everyone worked hard climbing the mountain today, and they're all exhausted by tonight. Chen Hong decided to cook something delicious to reward them.

First, cook a pot of rice, then steam the lobster, crab, and grouper.

Half a lamb's ribs are stewed, spiced beef is braised, grilled squid is grilled, bluefin tuna slices are seared, clams and oysters are cooked, and deep-sea eel pieces are served.

Finally, we added high-quality seafood such as sea cucumber, abalone, scallops, and prawns to make an enhanced version of the "Family Reunion" stew.

Finally, I made a big bowl of mixed fruit and vegetable salad!

When Guan Tao brought his three children home, apart from the two main dishes, lamb chops and braised beef, all the other seafood dishes were served.

The evening was long, and since there was nothing else to do after dinner, the children slowly ate their clams and oysters.

Chen Hong took out a bottle of wine made last year and poured a glass for Director Jin, Mrs. Guan, Xiao Yun, Fang Xiaoying, and Guan Tao.

The six of them were happily drinking red wine and eating seafood, living like gods.

Director Jin drank cup after cup, overjoyed. "Chen Hong, it was definitely the right decision to spend the summer vacation at your home this year."

After working for so many years, I've never had such a relaxing and enjoyable holiday!

Thank you for your care and warm hospitality.

Chen Hong clinked glasses with Director Jin. "It's not really about taking care of you or receiving you, but we're very happy that you've come."

Look how lively our house is now! I don't consider you outsiders, so please don't stand on ceremony and make yourselves at home.

Have fun, eat well, and don't be idle. We're all one family, so let's not talk about those two families' gossip.

"From now on, whether it's winter or summer vacation, come and stay for a few days whenever you have time. We have plenty of food and lodging now, so feel free to bring the kids!"

Mrs. Guan also clinked glasses with Chen Hong, saying, "Chen Hong, let's skip the formalities."

We'll definitely bring the kids again whenever we have time, so please don't complain!

Chen Hong smiled and said, "How could that be? The children are all grown up now, they don't need me to lead or carry them anymore."

You can even help me with the work. I'd be more than happy to have you come!

With so many of you helping me look after the house, I can go out to sea fishing without worry.

The group exchanged polite thanks to each other. Xiaoyun also stood up, holding her wine glass, and said, "We're all family, so let's not stand on ceremony."

My sister's fishing job is practically a freelance job; she has flexible hours, which means we'll have a great place to relax and vacation in the future.

Let's come and stay here as a group every winter and summer vacation from now on! My sister will provide food and lodging, we'll help her with some farm work, and get some exercise too—a win-win situation, everyone agrees?

Director Jin, Mrs. Guan, Fang Xiaoying, and Guan Tao shouted together, "Agreed! Agreed!"

Chen Hong pointed at Xiao Yun and laughed: "If you want to bring someone to help your sister with the work, just say so. Your sister will warmly welcome you!"

Everyone happily finished dinner, and tonight was another clean plate.

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