When Wang Yitong returned home and saw that the bed sheets and quilt covers in her bedroom had been changed to new ones, she felt very warm in her heart. She knew that these were all prepared for her by her mother, Chen Yin, who was always so thoughtful and hardworking.
Wang Yitong finished washing up and lay down on the soft new sheets, her mind racing. She recalled the happy times she spent as a child at her grandmother's house, filled with laughter and joy, and her uncle would play with her. Especially during Chinese New Year, she always looked forward to her uncle's return from out of town. He would bring them lots of delicious treats and take them to buy firecrackers and hand-cranked fireworks...
Thinking of this, Wang Yitong lamented that she still didn't know the bittersweet taste of childhood, and her mind suddenly recalled SHE's song "Don't Want to Grow Up." Growing up means taking on more responsibilities, facing more challenges and pressures, but it also brings maturity and resilience. She misses the carefree days and those simple, pure joys, but she also understands that life is a journey of continuous progress, with no turning back. Looking in the mirror, her eyes reveal a new story. She's no longer the child afraid of growing up, but an adult striving to move forward in life.
I might lament, wishing I could stay in that moment where I didn't want to grow up, but I also know that it's the growth I've gone through that has made me who I am today. Although I'm no longer young, I can still hold onto that yearning for innocence. In this complex world, I continue to hold onto my old dreams and move forward with determination.
With thoughts in mind, Wang Yitong fell asleep.
The next morning, Wang Yitong slept until she woke naturally, but her biological clock still told her to get up at 8 a.m. Her father went to the market to buy frozen cakes, steamed buns, and leaf cakes for breakfast, and Chen Yin also made soy milk using a soy milk maker.
Wang Yitong woke up sleepily in her thick pajamas, drank a glass of warm water, and then sat at the dining table to eat breakfast. "Dad, this frozen cake is still better from my second aunt's place. My second aunt is coming over today, so you can ask her to bring some over to vacuum-pack, and then I'll take some to Shanghai."
Wang Yitong spoke as she called her second aunt, who picked up the phone. "Aunt, are you guys up yet? When you come over, bring me some of your frozen cakes and peppercorn-flavored chicken wings. Make sure they're vacuum-packed. I'll take them to Shanghai. Thanks, Auntie."
My second aunt also got her driver's license, but my cousin Wentian usually drives. They also bought a Buick. My second aunt and her family sold the house allocated by my second uncle's company and bought a three-bedroom apartment on the top floor of an elevator building with a garden in the center of the district. My second uncle usually lives there and it's close to work.
Second Aunt Chen Jie said to her husband, "Tongtong came back to Leshi from Shanghai yesterday. She just called and said she wants to try the frozen rice cakes and peppercorn-flavored braised chicken wings here. When we go to my eldest sister's house, we'll buy some vacuum-packed food from that store and bring them over. I remember it's open in the mornings these days, so I'll drive to the street to buy some. When Tiantian wakes up, tell her to get up early and clean up."
"I understand. You go ahead. I'll prepare the sausages and bacon for mom and the others, and Tongtong will take them over when the time comes. Remember to buy some fermented tofu and dried radish as they are appetizers." Second uncle said to Chen Jie who was leaving.
When my second uncle was young, he was a drunkard, a whoremonger, and a gambler. He was the youngest in the family, with three older sisters. His parents were both power plant employees, and they all loved this older son. My second aunt was also a hot-tempered person when she was young, and the two of them often quarreled. Fortunately, they still loved their child Wen Tian very much, and did not dislike her just because she was a daughter. When my second aunt lost her job, it was my eldest sister-in-law who helped find a job. The two elders often came to help take care of Wen Tian. My second aunt Chen Jie was grateful for the kindness of her in-laws, so she tolerated her husband's misbehavior.
Fortunately, she eventually retired. Although her business in the district wasn't going well, she started making some money after going to Chengdu to help Wang Yitong with her business. My second uncle has returned to his family life at this age. Although he now loves to smoke and enjoys it, he no longer goes out to have affairs. Especially now that Chen Jie earns more than him and is increasingly dating and dressing up, he feels more and more compelled to do so. He usually goes to Chengdu to see Chen Jie and Wen Tian on holidays or during his shifts. He also wants to wait until he retires and go to Chengdu to take care of his wife and children.
After breakfast, Wang Yitong and her parents pulled a shopping cart to the nearby large vegetable market to buy vegetables. This vegetable market is the main shopping place for residents in the surrounding area, and many people come here to buy fresh ingredients every day.
As they entered the market, they saw numerous stalls displaying a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Besides fruits and vegetables, many stalls also sold home-raised chickens. These chickens were raised by the stall owners themselves, without the use of hormones or antibiotics, resulting in delicious, nutritious meat. Wang Yitong's parents selected a plump rooster and bought all the eggs.
At the market, Wang Yitong also saw some traditional handicrafts, such as bamboo weaving, straw weaving, and wood carvings. These handicrafts were all made by the stall owners themselves and were very beautiful and practical. Wang Yitong selected some handicrafts and woven baskets to take to Shanghai.
Wang Yitong also saw some ugli oranges and pomelos she'd been craving, so she bought some and put them in the shopping cart her parents brought. Chen Yin said the cart was a gift from Blue Moon when she bought laundry detergent, and since they needed it at home, she bought a few tubs of it. She'd take any leftovers back home to Chengdu.
Wang's father was thinking about the lunch menu. He decided to make a mutton hot pot and a fish hot pot, one spicy and one non-spicy, so that they could satisfy everyone's different tastes. After choosing the ingredients, the family quickly returned home. Wang's father and Chen's mother began to busy themselves with packing, while Wang Yitong took the opportunity to walk around the neighborhood and familiarize herself with the environment.
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