Zhang Hongmei drove directly to Er Ya's house. She hadn't seen her child for several months and wondered what had become of her.

The house was bustling with activity. Li Cuihua was overjoyed to see her grandson, Cheng Ping'an, who was almost a year old. He wasn't walking very steadily yet, but he dared to walk. Even when he fell, he didn't cry; he would happily get up and continue.

Cai Peilin and Lu Yue were also there. They were quite happy to see Zhang Hongmei arrive.

“We went to the hospital to deliver food this morning and saw Zeng Zhongkang’s child.”

"Hehe, your baby is due soon. By the way, I'd like to ask your opinion: are you planning to use Aunt Chen, Aunt Yang, or someone else?"

What's the difference?

"If you use Aunt Chen and Aunt Yang, you'll have to wait another month. If you want someone else, I'll have them come over this afternoon."

The couple are both very easygoing and don't care much, with Cai Peilin being particularly direct.

“We have plenty of food and drink at Uncle San’s house, so there’s no rush. I only have a month-long vacation this time, and I’ll have to get back after the fifteenth. So, you should find someone with experience.”

"Okay, then let Aunt Chen come over in a month."

Cheng Ping'an hugged Zhang Hongmei's leg, looking at her longingly.

"Ping An, do you want me to hug you? Then call me Auntie."

The little guy can understand what I'm saying now. He looks very anxious, his face is all red, but he still can't make a sound.

Zhang Hongmei didn't stay for lunch; the four people in her family were still waiting for her.

"Sister Er Ya, if you have time, take Ping An to the compound." Zhang Hongmei instructed Er Ya before leaving.

Time flew by. It was Lunar New Year's Eve. Zhang Shouyi, Gu Chuanming, and Zhang Xingguo went to offer their condolences and greetings to the people below.

Only the mother and her six children remained in the family.

Liu Jingsong is already able to take good care of the four children. Zhang Hongmei doesn't need to worry about them at all.

They didn't get home until after nine o'clock. Zhang Xingguo gave each of the five children a model made of bullet casings.

I really like the big pine tree, but I don't like the four small ones because they are too heavy to carry.

Finally, I managed to coax the four of them to sleep.

"Grandpa, they won't sleep until you come back."

"Hehe, my child is so thoughtful, sensible and smart."

Knowing that they wouldn't get much to eat down there either, they kept dumplings at home.

There's no tradition of staying up all night on New Year's Eve in our family, so after eating, everyone went back to wash up and rest.

The sound of firecrackers outside was deafening. Zhang Hongmei lay in Zhang Shouyi's arms, watching the fireworks outside.

"Honey, shall I take you out to see some things? Shall we set off fireworks?"

"No, it's too dangerous. It's just a fleeting moment. We can see it just as easily from our homes."

"Since you don't want to go out, then grant my wish!"

On the second day, the first day of the Lunar New Year, Zhang Hongmei had difficulty getting up and could only drink a cup of water, half of which was taken by Zhang Shouyi.

The children have already developed a habit. They never stay in bed and get up promptly at seven o'clock. The old lady returned home on the 28th, so it's Gu Chuanming and his son who take the children out for exercise in the morning.

The four little ones lined up in the living room and ran laps, with Liu Jingsong helping them count. Perhaps because they count every day, even they could count to one hundred.

This is also Gu Chuanming's pride. No matter what the child is like, because he's his own son, he sees excellence in everything.

No one came to pay New Year's visits on the first day of the Lunar New Year, so the whole family gathered in the living room and played games with the younger child.

Zhang Shouyi finally had some free time today, but the younger ones didn't respect him at all. They completely ignored him.

"Hongmei, you should go and pay New Year's visits this year, right?"

"That's right. At least I have to go to my great-grandmother's family and my third aunt's family."

"Bring more gifts, our family can't eat that much."

"I know, will the professors be coming again this year?"

“Yes, I told them to come on the third day of the Lunar New Year so as not to delay you. You couldn’t go last year because your child was young, so it would be unreasonable not to go this year.”

"I understand, Grandpa."

The family sat together for dinner, and Zhou Shixiong was there of course, and he was always making Gu Chuanming angry.

“Hey, this is my home, Mr. Zhou.”

"So what if it's your house? I come here every day."

I'm not going to talk to you on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

They bicker like little kids, which is really interesting to listen to.

Early on the second day of the Lunar New Year, the family of seven set off. Their first stop was the old lady's house. Everything was prepared well in advance.

When the four children saw their ancestor, they wanted to rush up to her, but remembering their mother's instructions, they knelt obediently on the kang (a heated brick bed) and kowtowed. Only then did they happily surround the old lady.

"Ancestor, let's go home!"

The old lady stroked her third son's head with satisfaction, "Yes, Grandmother will be going back in a couple of days."

"Hongmei, we'll eat at home today. I'll go make some fried dough for the kids first."

"Big sister, I'll go help."

"I don't need you, I don't need anyone. I've already prepared the dough."

Zhang Shouyi sat to one side, watching the old and young on the kang (a heated brick bed), a gentle smile on his lips.

Just then, the sound of strangers talking suddenly came from the courtyard.

Xiao Li went out, took a look, and came back.

"It's Zheng Jixian and his family who came to wish the old man a Happy New Year."

The old lady sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) with a frown. How did Zheng Jixian know that his family had moved here?

As she spoke, Hu Aifen smiled and led the family of three inside.

Zhang Hongmei saw Zheng Meinu again and wondered how this beautiful woman had changed so much.

Zheng Wenhui clearly saw Zhang Hongmei, and she was also stunned.

As soon as Zheng Jixian entered, he bowed to the old lady sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Grandma, Happy New Year!"

"Okay, okay, quickly sit down and warm up."

"Grandma, I'm Jingze's classmate. We went to university together. We've been learning to play chess with my grandpa since we were little."

"Oh! Then quickly sit down. How old is the child?" Who is that old lady? Her eyelashes are practically nonexistent. She thinks she can pull off those little tricks here?

"Grandma, I don't have any children yet?" Zheng Wenhui's face changed, and she stammered out the words.

Her grandmother couldn't stand it anymore. This girl was stupid; after teaching her for so many years, she still hadn't made any progress.

"Auntie, you're in such good health, you look so robust."

"Hehe, thanks a lot. Hurry up and take off your shoes and get on the kang (heated brick bed)."

Zheng Jixian was an honest man, and said somewhat awkwardly, "Auntie, I only found out that your family had moved back after I met Brother Changhe on the street, so I took the liberty of coming to bother you."

"It's okay, I'm just back to help my wife Hongmei take care of the kids. I might go back to my hometown anytime."

Looking at Zhang Hongmei, who was sitting on the ground smiling, Zheng Wenhui felt an indescribable sense of frustration. She then stole a glance at Zhang Shouyi and immediately lowered her head.