Xinhua and Xinyu filled their cups to the brim, while Xinyue and Xinqi only gave them half a cup. The four little ones were overjoyed, taking a sip from their cups and then squinting their eyes to savor the taste.

Hawthorn beer is also a type of carbonated beverage. Although it has "beer" in its name, it does not actually contain alcohol. Moreover, it has a nice sweet and sour taste, and kids get addicted to it as soon as they start drinking it.

"You shouldn't drink too much of this stuff. You're still young and growing. It's not good for you to drink too much. Just have a couple of sips to satisfy your craving."

Seeing that her two grandsons seemed about to gulp it down before pouring it out, Wang Chunxiu quickly reminded them.

Upon hearing this, Sheng Xinhua and Sheng Xinyu immediately put down their cups and sipped them slowly, reluctant to drink them all at once.

"Eat more vegetables. There's so much delicious food. Your grandpa and dad worked so hard to make it. Try some." Zhou Qinglan served the children food, coaxing them to eat more.

These kids, probably because of the Lunar New Year, didn't eat as heartily as usual, and were picking and choosing their food.

"Qingyue, don't just drink, put some food on Xiaoxue's plate. It's her first time at our house, she might be too shy to eat."

Wang Chunxiu glared at her son, signaling him to take good care of his girlfriend.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingyue quickly put a chicken leg on Han Manxue's plate and a piece of good fish belly meat.

"Xue'er, come to my house and feel at home. Don't be shy. My parents are very kind to you. Eat whatever you want. If you can't reach something, just tell me and I'll get it for you."

Zhou Qingyue looked at his girlfriend beside him, so beautiful he didn't know what to do.

"Mmm, mmm, I know. You don't need to put so much on my plate. I'll just help myself to whatever I want to eat," Han Manxue said shyly, her face flushed.

After finishing the meal, Han Manxue took the initiative to clear the table and was about to wash the dishes when Zhou Qinglan stopped her.

"Xue'er, just sit still, you don't need to do anything."

“Yes, yes, you don’t need to do any work. Just sit and chat with us.” Wang Chunxiu smiled and pulled Han Manxue to sit down.

Han Manxue stayed at the Zhou family's house for a while longer. Seeing that it was past three o'clock and she would miss the last bus if she didn't leave soon, she hurriedly got up to say goodbye.

"No rush, no rush, you can play a little longer. I'll have your brother-in-law drive you back to the county later."

Having your own car is so convenient; you don't have to take a bus.

"Sister, there's no need to trouble your brother-in-law. The road to the county is difficult to travel, and it takes three or four hours to go back and forth. By the time we get back, it will be dark, which is too dangerous."

Han Manxue was too embarrassed to trouble Sheng Xiping, so she insisted on leaving.

Wang Chunxiu knew she couldn't keep the girl, so she quickly put the watch she had prepared in advance on Han Manxue's wrist.

Han Manxue was taken aback and hurriedly tried to return the watch to Wang Chunxiu, but was stopped by Wang Chunxiu and Zhou Qinglan.

"Xue'er, your aunt liked you the moment she saw you."

You've been with Qingyue for so long, and he never mentioned it to me. If he had told me earlier, I would have given you this watch long ago.

This is a token of my appreciation. If you don't accept it, it means you don't respect me or the Zhou family.

The sign, meaning a record, indicates that the Zhou family has taken a liking to Han Manxue and agrees to the marriage.

Zhou Qingyue whispered a few words in Han Manxue's ear, and Han Manxue could only blush as she accepted the watch.

"Thank you, Auntie. I'll be going now. Uncle and Auntie, if you have time later, please come to the county for a visit."

Sheng Xiping handed the car keys to Zhou Qingyue, asking him to drive Han Manxue to the station. "Don't rush, drive slowly."

"Okay, brother-in-law."

Zhou Qingyue took the keys, happily pulled Han Manxue out the door, drove her to the bus station, bought her a ticket, and watched her board the bus before feeling at ease.

Zhou Qingyue went to see Han Manxue off, while Zhou Qinglan and Wang Chunxiu went to wash the dishes and tidy up the kitchen.

Men who cook are often careless; they can manage one thing but not the other.

The pot wasn't washed, the spatula was left inside, and there were still some unused chopped green onions on the cutting board. A brush was carelessly placed on the stove, along with some spilled vegetable soup from serving the food.

The mother and daughter chatted as they tidied up, mainly talking about Zhou Qingyue and Han Manxue.

Wang Chunxiu was quite satisfied with this girl, but she didn't know what the Han family thought of Zhou Qingyue.

"Mom, don't worry. Our Qingyue is good-looking, tall, and has a decent job. If they don't like someone like her, what kind of person does the Han family want?"

Zhou Qinglan had a lot of confidence in her younger brother. Regardless of his character and family background, Zhou Qingyue was a good match for Han Manxue. Logically speaking, the Han family had nothing to complain about.

The mother and daughter worked and talked in the outer room, while in the east room, Sheng Xiping and Zhou Mingyuan coaxed the two little girls and chatted casually.

"Dad, I'm thinking of opening a comprehensive timber processing plant in Songjianghe. What do you think?" Sheng Xiping brought up the matter seemingly casually.

"The main reason is that I've been in the south for the past two years, and I haven't been able to take care of anything at home. I've left everything to Qinglan."

It's not good for my husband and me to always be living apart. I'm thinking we should come back and do something.

"Dad, do you think this will work?" Northeast China isn't like Shenzhen. We don't know if it's allowed to run a small business now. Sheng Xiping needs to ask Zhou Mingyuan first.

Zhou Mingyuan, being in that position, knew more about things than Sheng Xiping.

"Yes, coming back was the right thing to do. No matter how well the South develops, it's too far from home and inconvenient."

"It's not just Qinglan and the child; your parents are getting old too, and you and your siblings are all away from home with no one to take care of you. That won't do either."

Zhou Mingyuan couldn't be happier for his son-in-law to come back and develop his career. What couple is it that always lives apart?

You can manage for a year or two, but that's not the way to live in the long run.

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