At the beginning of the winter vacation, Chen Chen knocked on the door of the Huang family with the joy of returning home. He specially brought back an English-style plaid scarf from abroad, as well as an exquisite little man dancing ballet on a music box and a bag of Haishi delicacies as a New Year gift.

"Wenjuan, I'm back." Chen Chen smiled and handed over the gift in his hand.

Xu Mengyao took the gifts and looked at them one by one.

"This scarf is so pretty, and the music box is so exquisite. Wow! And there's so much food! Chen Chen, you're really spending too much. To show my gratitude, let me treat you to a movie."

In the cinema, light and shadow intertwined, and the two chatted quietly. Upon learning that Chen Chen's grandfather and his family had moved from the mining area to the city, Xu Mengyao warmly invited him:

"It just so happens that your grandma's family has moved to the city. I heard from Grandma Qi that New Year's Eve in the city is especially lively, and everyone goes to the temple fair in the mountains at night. How about you join us to the temple fair on New Year's Eve this year?"

However, Chen Chen looked helpless and explained that his family had arranged a vehicle and he could only stay in Huanshi for a short week before returning to Haishi to spend the Spring Festival with his great-grandfather.

Xu Mengyao nodded in understanding. She knew from reading novels that large families had their own rules and constraints. Chen Chen was a child who kept everything to himself, so she had to comfort him:

"It's okay, it's okay. Hai City will definitely be more prosperous during the New Year. You can write to me and tell me about it then. Also, my uncle's family will be returning to Hai City after the New Year, so we can only go to the temple fair in the city on New Year's Eve, and we have to see them off the next morning. I promised to go see them, and we will definitely see them in Hai City. They don't have any relatives there, so if there is anything they need help with, you have to take care of them for me."

Chen Chen agreed without hesitation and said seriously:

"Don't worry, I'll leave you my home phone number. Just call me if anything happens." He paused and added, "You can call me if you have nothing to do."

"It seems I have to put installing a telephone at home on the agenda," she joked.

Chen Chen quickly waved his hand, "That's not what I meant. Installing a phone is still very expensive these days. I meant, you can use a public phone."

Xu Mengyao patted his shoulder and said with a smile:

"Don't worry. I know installing a phone isn't cheap. But don't forget, I'm a money-maker, and it's going to have to be installed sooner or later. I'll ask around when I get back, but let's not talk about this anymore and just focus on watching the movie."

At night, Wenxia sat under the warm yellow light, carefully holding a piece of butterfly cake that Chen Chen had brought back. She chewed it gently, the crisp texture and sweet taste intertwining in her mouth. Her eyes were fixed on the music box that slowly rotated on the table. The melodious tune echoed in the room, and the little figures inside the box danced gracefully. From time to time, she uttered childish exclamations:

“It’s delicious, looks great, and sounds great.”

These words came out of his mouth repeatedly like a magic spell, full of childish innocence and satisfaction.

Xu Mengyao was busy packing her luggage for tomorrow's trip. Occasionally she looked up at Wenxia, her eyes full of pampering and helplessness.

"You little thing, you've said these three words almost a hundred times." She smiled and shook her head, but there was no trace of blame in her tone.

"My elder sister, your sister Xiaomei and I are going to the city tomorrow. Do you plan to go with us or stay at home and play?" Xu Mengyao asked Wenxia while sorting her clothes.

Wenxia stopped what he was doing, thought seriously for a while, and then said with a smile:

"I want to play at home for a few days first. After lunch on the 30th, I'll go to the city with you guys and go to the temple fair in the evening!"

Xu Mengyao nodded in agreement.

"Okay, then you have to promise me that you won't just play around and do your homework. Also, don't go skating on the lake when it's cold. It's too dangerous."

She explained everything in detail, fearing she'd missed any crucial details, but there was no response for a long time. Puzzled, she looked over and saw the door sway gently. The Wenxia man, who had just been sitting and eating, was gone. Apparently, the little one had run out just as she'd begun giving instructions. Xu Mengyao smiled helplessly, shook her head, and continued with her work.

As soon as the holiday came, a large group of people were waiting for her, all ready to go, and everyone's eyes were shining with the desire and expectation to make money.

Huang's mother and Huang's mother were busy with the family's affairs.

"These meatballs need to be fried until golden and crispy. I'll send some to Wenbin later. He needs to have a taste of home while he's away from home."

As Huang Nai spoke, she skillfully flipped the food in the pot, splashing oil and filling the air with fragrance.

Huang's mother was frying meat sauce, preparing to mail it. "It's been two years, so fast!"

The north wind was blowing, bringing a biting chill. The two sisters took Xiaomei and Guizibadan to the city.

"The weather is so cold, and Xiaomei's legs are just fine. Let's not go and set up a stall this time and suffer. When the store is renovated next year, we can do business comfortably." Xu Mengyao said to everyone with a smile in the car.

Thus, the Qi family's courtyard became bustling with activity. The three of them gathered in front of the coal stove, the flames illuminating their focused faces.

"This popcorn needs to be cooked at the right temperature to be both fragrant and crispy."

Xu Mengyao demonstrated as she spoke, and steaming hot pots of golden popcorn came out fresh from the oven.

"Brother Gui, go to the cinema. There are a lot of people there, so popcorn will definitely sell well." Xu Mengyao assigned tasks.

"Brother Badan, just go to the Children's Palace. There are a lot of children and parents there, and no one can escape this sweet smell. You don't have to suffer the cold outside."

The air in the family compound was filled with the sweet aroma of popcorn. Children, sensing the signal, flocked to the scene, tried some, and then went home, dragging their parents over to buy more.

Grandma Qi and Little Maomao also warmly entertained everyone.

"Give us a few more pots. We have a lot of guests at home during the New Year, and this is the best snack!" an aunt said with a smile.

Another woman also said: "These two kids always sell good things. Not only do the kids like them, I can't stop eating them either."

Other families also joined the purchasing army, and each family ordered a pot as New Year's goods.

As expected, popcorn is a hot seller once winter arrives. Guizi and Badan quickly sold out and came back excitedly saying:

"The popcorn business is still good in winter. It's more popular than what we sell at the mine."

The three girls took turns making popcorn using two coal stoves at home. Their arms were sore after a day, so they gathered together and gave each other a beating.

Maomao imitated them, massaging their backs and muttering:

"Sister, you've worked hard. Maomao will rub it for you."

The childish voice and innocent actions made everyone laugh out loud.