"Uncle Zeng, won't you get bored waiting for us?"

He shook his head. "No, I've been watching you two play the whole time."

"Annie, what would you like to eat?"

"Mom, aren't we going home for dinner?"

"Yes, Mom is treating you to dinner today. What would you like to eat?"

"Mom, actually I just want to go home for dinner."

"Okay, but we didn't prepare anything at home, so we probably don't have any food left."

"Let's just eat whatever's available?"

"Alright, let's go home then. Your Uncle Zhao is here too."

It was almost nine o'clock when the three of them finally got home. When Shen Yunfang heard that they hadn't eaten yet, she immediately went to the kitchen to make them some hand-pulled noodles. Annie was really hungry and ate a bowl. Shen Yunfang was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. It made her very happy that her cooking was appreciated by others.

Zhao Hao sat down next to Annie, keeping her company. Shen Yunfang also helped him serve a bowl, so it wouldn't be too awkward. Originally, there were four people at the table, but three of them were eating, and it would be too uncomfortable for one person to watch.

Annie was too tired today. After dinner, she sat on the sofa and didn't have the energy to play wildly with Zhao Haozheng.

"Annie, if you go to the amusement park again, I'll go with you, okay?"

"Really, Uncle Zhao? Do you have time?"

"Of course! Shall we go out every Friday night?"

"Of course, it's a deal."

Zhao Hao was satisfied; he could finally go to the amusement park. He'd always wanted to go, but it felt strange to be a grown man like himself among all the kids. So he'd never gone. Now, with Annie covering for him, he was sure to have a great time.

Zhang Hongmei helped Annie take a bath and change her clothes. Annie fell asleep before her hair was even dry. She must have been very tired.

Zhang Hongmei went into the bathroom and even had a nice nap before leaving.

He even woke his little girl up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. "Mommy, why aren't you asleep yet?" The little girl was still half asleep, but she didn't forget to care about him.

"Mom will go to sleep soon too."

The next morning, Zhang Hongmei took Annie's hand and wanted to take her to the market with Shen Yunfang.

Annie was naturally excited; she'd never been to a farmers' market before. Of course she wanted to go. Zeng Zhongkang was definitely going, and Zhao Haozheng insisted on coming too, but the two girls didn't share the idea and decided to stay home and read.

They didn't ride bikes; the four of them followed behind Shen Yunfang, strolling around the market. The hall was bustling with people, and Zhang Hongmei held Annie's hand tightly, afraid of being separated from her.

"Mom, it's so dirty in here!" Annie was disappointed, not knowing that the market was like this.

“Annie, that’s how markets are. But I think it’s alright here, not messy. Once everyone leaves, someone will definitely clean up.”

Annie didn't say anything, but she still looked very disgusted. When she saw Shen Yunfang buying fish, she refused to go over there no matter what.

There was nothing they could do, so the four of them made an appointment with Shen Yunfang to wait at the door in a little while.

"Annie, let's go buy fruit. It should be cleaner there than here."

But there are only a few kinds of fruit available now, so you can only buy a few of each kind. If you compare them, it should be very expensive.

Zhang Hongmei explained to Annie why fruit is expensive, and Annie listened attentively, saying, "Mom, I will never waste fruit again."

"Yes, that's a good child." The four of them then strolled to the condiment section, but since Zhang Hongmei didn't have what she needed, they bought salad dressing, which was optional.

"Mom, let's go outside and wait for Aunt Chen!"

"Okay, let's wait outside, but it's a bit too cold."

Shen Yunfang bought a lot of things today because guests are coming to her house tonight. Hongmei had specifically instructed her to buy some things, and the kids would also be coming tomorrow, so she bought 20 jin of pork, 20 jin of beef, a few beef bones, two fish, shrimp, abalone, sea cucumber, and shark fin.

Zhang Hongmei and the others waited outside for quite a while, but Shen Yunfang didn't come out. In the end, Zhao Haozheng couldn't wait any longer and went in to look for her.

When the five returned, only Annie and Zhang Hongmei were empty-handed; the other three were carrying loads full.

"Aunt Chen, why did you buy so much meat?"

Shen Yunfang smiled and explained to her, "It's because your mother said we're having guests over!"

"Mom, are Grandpa, Mom, and Dad coming over for dinner today?"

"Yes, and Wyattroy is coming too. My fellow countrymen are coming tomorrow as well."

"Will there be so many people again tomorrow? I want you to take me to the amusement park again! We can't go if we have guests at home."

“Annie, I’m free tomorrow, how about I take you there?” Zhao Hao offered his services.

Annie tilted her head and looked at Zhang Hongmei with a particularly longing expression.

"Yes, but we'll have to ask your dad tonight."

"Okay, Mom. Uncle Zhao and I can go to the amusement park tomorrow. Mom, can we go for the whole day?"

"Annie, do you have the energy to play? Don't tire yourself out."

“Hongmei, I think Annie’s suggestion is pretty good. We can have lunch out again.”

“Okay, Annie hasn’t had fried chicken or cola this month, so you guys can go and treat yourselves.”

After Annie got home, she followed Zhao Haozheng around like a shadow, becoming his little tail.

For lunch, Shen Yunfang steamed cornmeal cakes, which Zhang Hongmei thought were alright. However, Annie didn't like them much. Luckily, she also steamed flower rolls, and Annie and Zhao Haozheng were finally full.

In the afternoon, Annie followed Zhao Haozheng closely, and Zhang Hongmei took the opportunity to design a small game.

I had heard of arcades when I was a child in my previous life, but I had never been to one. I didn't know what games were played there or what games I could play. I just wanted some simple puzzle games. As for the others, I'd have to find someone to research them.

She was alone in the study when she read Zhang Shouyi's letter, and her heart felt sweet. Zhang Shouyi's sweet words touched her once again.

At six o'clock in the evening, Carlos and Wyatt arrived on time, and drove into the yard one after the other.

When we got out of the car, we greeted them, mainly because the Beths were there; they were our elders, so of course we had to greet them.

Zhao Tiancheng and Wang Xinyi came out to greet them, and Zhang Hongmei also came downstairs.

Everyone sat in the living room exchanging pleasantries. Annie nestled in her father's arms and whispered to him how happy she was.

Seeing his lively and cheerful daughter, Carlos smiled genuinely. This was the kind of energetic daughter he wanted to see most; Annie had matured too early, which had been too exhausting.