One year ends with the sound of firecrackers, and the spring breeze brings warmth to the wine.

On the morning of New Year's Eve, as soon as Qiao Chu came out of the system study room, he heard bursts of firecrackers coming from outside. Every household in the alley got up early, and after the adults had a simple breakfast, they started to work in the kitchen.

Today is the day of family reunion. Relatives from far away places have returned home to gather together. In order to prepare a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner, everyone has brought out their own unique skills, which often takes a whole day.

It was a rare day that the children did not stay in the hot pot bed. They could not wait to get up early in the morning, put on their beautiful new clothes, steal a few bites of delicious food from the kitchen, and then take their own small firecrackers and poppers, go out to call their friends, laugh and play, play games, and set off firecrackers. It was very lively.

The New Year is so lively...

Qiao Chu has already forgotten how he spent the last New Year. After Qiao Weimin passed away in her previous life, she had no relatives or friends. For her, there were only two differences between Chinese New Year and ordinary days. The first was that the overtime pay was three times the usual amount. The second was that she could not get a taxi when she went out to work because taxi drivers would stay at home for a few days to rest during the Chinese New Year. So, during those days, she could only go out early in the morning wearing flat shoes, walk to the company, sit in front of the computer in the empty office, and taste the loneliness alone.

However, this year is different. Now she has good friends and her father around her, so she will definitely have a warm and lively New Year!

Qiao Chu left the room and there was no one at home. Although today is New Year's Eve, Qiao Weimin still insisted on opening the store. However, they agreed yesterday that the store would only be open for half a day, and he would come back in the afternoon to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner for Qiao Chu.

There was breakfast on the table. After Qiao Chu took a few bites, he did not go back to his room to study immediately, but went to the kitchen instead. She had to prepare the ingredients simply first, kill the fish, remove the shrimp threads, and wash the vegetables, so that she could put them directly into the pot when Qiao Weimin came back. Otherwise, it would be too tiring for him to prepare so many dishes by himself.

Qiao Weimin really kept his word and came back just after noon. However, there was another person behind him...

"Auntie Wang? Why are you here?"

Qiao Chu was both pleasantly surprised and shocked. She didn't expect to see Wang Xiufen today, and in her own home.

Wang Xiufen felt a little uncomfortable. Unlike her usual generosity and friendliness towards Qiao Chu, she was even a little evasive and timid today. "Uh... Xiao Qiao... I'm here to help. I... I'm a great cook. I'll show you my skills today!"

After saying that, he rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen.

Qiao Chu looked at her from behind and thought she was acting strange today, so he asked Qiao Weimin, "Dad, what happened to Aunt Wang? Did she come here today to...cook?"

Qiao Weimin touched his head and scratched his face from time to time. Just like Wang Xiufen just now, he seemed a little awkward even though he was in his own home. He looked at Qiao Chu's puzzled face for a long while before he stammered, "Your Aunt Wang... uh... I felt sorry for her spending the New Year alone, so I asked her to come home with me. Uh... I haven't thanked her properly for what happened last time..."

This statement could only fool the 16-year-old Qiao Chu. Qiao (reborn) Chu stared at Qiao Weimin's face for a while, and suddenly understood. She went straight to the point and asked, "Dad, you and Aunt Wang, are you... together?"

Qiao Weimin was shocked. He didn't expect Qiao Chu's eyes to be so sharp. "No, no! We...we are just...trying to get along..."

After Qiao Weimin was discharged from the hospital due to gastric bleeding, he often visited Wang Xiufen’s small restaurant. Firstly, I wanted to thank her for saving my life, and secondly, my stomach really couldn't stand the damage. After suffering a serious illness, Qiao Weimin became much more open-minded. He no longer made do with instant noodles for every meal. Except for breakfast and dinner which he cooked at home, he would go to Wang Xiufen's house for lunch when he was in a hurry. Wang Xiufen knew that he had a bad stomach, so she often cooked for him and made some soups and porridge. After a while, the two of them developed a liking for each other.

Wang Xiufen is also a poor person. She is two years younger than Qiao Weimin. She has been married before, but divorced long ago. I heard that she was kicked out of the house because she was infertile and had not been able to give birth to a child in her husband's family after many years of marriage.

After the divorce, Wang Xiufen returned to her parents' home and lived with her elderly mother. She saved some money with her hard-working hands and opened a small restaurant. She was busy every day, and due to health reasons, she has been single ever since. Although some people had thoughts about her, they were scared away when they heard that she was infertile. Two years ago, her old mother also passed away, leaving her the only woman left in the world, lonely and helpless.

Seeing Qiao Chu's expressionless face and being silent and dazed, Qiao Weimin thought she didn't like it, so he quickly explained: "Chu Chu, we are just trying to get along with each other to see if you can get along. We have already agreed that if you don't like it, then forget it! It's enough for Dad to have you, and now the living conditions are good, Dad can raise you alone!"

Qiao Chu smiled and shook his head when he heard this: "Dad, I don't dislike it. You are only forty years old, and it is reasonable for you to find a companion. I am your daughter, not a burden or a nuisance to you. You don't have to give up your own life and happiness for me. You have the right to choose a partner to accompany you through the rest of your life. I will grow up and have my own life. I can't always be with you. Only a partner can accompany you. When I don't have time to accompany you, I will feel more at ease if you have a companion by your side. So, how can I not like it? Don't worry, Dad, I support you very much!"

Qiao Weimin was very surprised. He didn't expect Qiao Chu to be so sensible and say such mature and rational words. In his understanding, other children would strongly oppose it when they heard that their father had found a stepmother for them. In more serious cases, they would cry, make a fuss, or even threaten to commit suicide. He didn't expect that it would be so smooth for him?

It's all because he has a good daughter!

Qiao Weimin was both happy and relieved. He looked at Qiao Chu lovingly, "Chu Chu, don't worry. Dad will always put you first. No matter whether Dad and your Aunt Wang get together in the future or not, you will always be my only daughter."

His eldest daughter, Qiao Li, has already left with her mother, and it is not certain whether they will meet again in this life. Moreover, Qiao Li has only been close to her mother since she was a child, and her relationship with him, her father, is very dull. However, Qiao Weimin has no regrets, because he already has the best daughter in the world!

"You also know that your Aunt Wang is in poor health and will never have her own children in this lifetime, so we..."

"Dad!" Qiao Chu interrupted him rudely, frowning and saying to Qiao Weimin, "Please don't say such things, it's unfair to Aunt Wang! She must be very sad because of her poor health. We should comfort her instead of discussing her scars and even think that this is an advantage! Aunt Wang is enthusiastic, kind and hardworking, and these are her advantages. I will accept her, not because she can't give me a brother or sister to threaten my position, but only because of her, that's all!"

“Woo-woo-woo—”

The father and daughter were chatting enthusiastically when they suddenly heard crying behind them. Looking back, Wang Xiufen was standing at the kitchen door with a plate of food in her hand, tears streaming down her face.

The two hurried over, "Auntie Wang, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Xiu Fen, what's wrong with you?"

Wang Xiufen looked at Qiao Chu with tears in her eyes, and was touched. "Xiao Qiao, Auntie heard everything just now... Auntie didn't expect you to be so sensible... I..."

She didn't know what to say at this point.

Infertility has been a lifelong pain for Wang Xiufen. She has had a rough and lonely life, all because of it. It is not easy for her to make a living as a woman alone. The bitterness and pain she goes through cannot be understood by outsiders. During the day, I am so busy that I don’t even have time to drink a sip of water. After closing the door late at night, I still have to drag my tired body to face a deserted room where I can’t find anyone to talk to.

She also wants to find a companion, she is too lonely and too tired! However, who could accept her conditions? Every family values ​​having many children. Which family would not want to have a child after marrying a daughter-in-law?

At this time, Qiao Weimin appeared. Both of them were single, one was abandoned by her husband, and the other's wife ran away. They felt sorry for each other. Moreover, although Qiao Weimin is a little dull, he is very honest and family-oriented, and he is a man who can live a good life. More importantly, Qiao Weimin has a child, and that child is Wang Xiufen’s favorite, Qiao Chu. The more she looked at Qiao Chu, the more she liked him. She thought this child was very well-behaved and pleasing to the eye. She always wished she was her own child.

She also knew that Qiao Weimin loved Qiao Chu and was with her in large part because she was infertile.

Qiao Weimin is not smart, but he is definitely not stupid. He knew that if he found a stepmother for Qiao Chu, Qiao Chu would inevitably suffer injustice. After all, who would be kind to other people's children when they have no relatives or friends? Especially once she has her own child, Qiao Chu's situation will become even more difficult. Although he will always love her, women have so many tricks. There are always times when he can't see and places he can't discover. He can't take risks. He would rather live like this for the rest of his life than let his precious daughter suffer the slightest injustice. Therefore, he never thought of finding another one. Until some time ago, after getting to know Wang Xiufen, he began to have some feelings for her. He felt that this woman was different from his ex-wife. She was hardworking, kind, down-to-earth, and hardworking. She liked Qiao Chu, and... she was infertile.

It is undeniable that the last point is what touched him the most. If she never has her own children, she will definitely treat Qiao Chu as her own daughter, or even better!

His thoughts had just been revealed by Qiao Chu. Qiao Weimin felt a little embarrassed and ashamed, and suddenly felt too embarrassed to face Wang Xiufen.

In fact, Wang Xiufen had guessed what he was thinking. Although she didn't show any reaction on the surface, she couldn't help but feel sad in her heart...

However, Qiao Chu's words just now completely untied the knot in her heart. The grievances and pains that had been suppressed for many years suddenly flooded into her heart, and she couldn't help but burst into tears.

Her crying made Qiao Weimin and his daughter at a loss. They looked at each other and hurried forward to comfort her.

"Auntie Wang, please don't cry. Today is Chinese New Year, you should be happy."

"Yeah, Xiufen, I was wrong just now. I shouldn't have said that about you behind your back... Chuchu has already said that about me. I won't do that again in the future."

However, no matter how they persuaded her, Wang Xiufen couldn't stop crying.

After a long time, Wang Xiufen finally cried enough. She wiped her tears and showed a bright smile that had not appeared on her face for many years. She looked at Qiao Chu deeply and promised: "Xiao Qiao, Auntie will treat you well!"

She was a woman with low education and could not say anything pleasant to the ear, so she could only express herself through practical actions in the future.

Be sure to be nice to Xiao Qiao! Wang Xiufen swore secretly in her heart.

"Xiao Qiao, go and have a rest first. Auntie will call you when the meal is ready."

Wang Xiufen spoke to Qiao Chu gently, then her expression changed instantly and she shouted to Qiao Weimin: "Come into the kitchen and help!"

Qiao Weimin had a bad feeling. He felt that his family status was going to decline again, from the second to the third...

But fortunately, if you count from the back, there is no change. It is still the last, no different from before.

He comforted himself.

Qiao Chu had a good New Year. The house was very lively. The three of them had a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner and watched the Spring Festival Gala together. It was warm and harmonious...

New year, new atmosphere, every year will be better than the last!

Qiao Chu looked at the fireworks outside the window and said silently in his heart:

001, Happy New Year!

Thank you too...