Duoshou quickly grabbed a bowl and placed it under his frozen pear, catching the bursting pear juice and stopping Duole from trying to catch it with his mouth.
Duo Shou handed him the bowl: "If you don't know how to eat frozen pears, just like your older brother, put the frozen pears in the bowl and eat them with a spoon."
Duole was lamenting that the sweet pear juice was being wasted, but upon hearing his third brother's words, he immediately put the frozen pear into a bowl.
Dorje, who was just as impatient as him, also had some juice spill out. Seeing his younger brother's disheveled appearance, he quickly put the frozen pear into the bowl.
Duoxi, who said he was feeling bloated, had already finished a frozen pear. Seeing his two younger brothers' expressions, he grinned and mocked, "Duoji, Duole, you two are so useless. You can't even eat when there's food."
Dorje refused to admit that he was useless, pouting as he retorted, "You've eaten before, but this is my first time. Next time I eat it, it definitely won't be the same as this time."
When Dorje last ate frozen pears at home, he was not yet two years old and had almost no memory of it. He had long forgotten about eating frozen pears that time, so he thought it was the first time he had ever eaten them.
The second day of the Lunar New Year is the day to visit one's maternal home. The whole family, including Xia Jingrong, followed Xia Taishun and Gao Xiujuan to Gao Tianmu's house to pay New Year's respects.
Gao Tianmu was straightforward. Upon seeing them, he said, "Oh, you're finally here. If you had come any later, I would have gone to your house to urge you to come."
Xia Taishun greeted him with a smile: "It's only a little past nine o'clock, how is it late? You're just too impatient."
Gao Tianmu: "How could I not be anxious? Shujing hasn't been back for more than ten years. This time he finally brought his wife and children. I've been wanting to see him for a long time."
Gao Shujing stepped forward and said, "Uncle, I'm sorry, I've been busy these past few days since I got back, and I only had time to come over today."
I spent the first few days in Wuhan getting ready. The first day I was busy with personal hygiene. The second day I took a group of kids out to play in the snow all morning. The afternoon and the next two or three days were spent preparing things for the Spring Festival.
They only notified Xia Taishun a week in advance that their whole family was coming.
With the current supply shortage, a family of nine coming to stay for half a month will consume a lot of food alone.
Upon receiving their notification, Xia Taishun and the others began preparations, tidying up their rooms and preparing daily necessities and food.
Because of work commitments, the room's necessities and some staple foods were prepared before Gao Shujing and the others arrived. The dishes were prepared after Gao Shujing arrived.
Gao Shujing hadn't been back for over ten years, and he brought his whole family to visit his uncle Gao Tianmu. They couldn't just go over like Gao Guojing, as if it were a casual visit.
Since it was Yu Rujia's first time visiting Gao Tianmu's home, they had to prepare gifts to show their respect.
Gao Tianmu scrutinized him for a while, then patted him on the back: "It's been over ten years since I last saw you. You haven't changed much, except your face is starting to look more and more like a woman's. Where's your wife?"
Gao Shujing's appearance was already exceptional, and his skin was too good. Apart from being too tall, if he wore women's clothing and sat still, no one would doubt that he was a man.
Gao Shujing pulled Yu Rujia to his side and introduced her, "Uncle, this is my beloved Yu Rujia."
Yu Rujia said gently, "Uncle, Happy New Year. I've heard a lot about you from Shujing, and I've wanted to visit you for a long time. But some things have kept me from coming until now. I hope you can forgive me."
Gao Tianmu laughed heartily, "We're family, so let's not stand on ceremony. You're a good man. I've heard about your situation from your third uncle and aunt. It's admirable that you've taken on such a heavy responsibility at such a young age."
"Look at these children, all so strong and lively. You've worked so hard."
“I’m a rough man and I don’t know how to be polite. Just say this: in my home, you’re like family. If there’s anything you don’t like, just say it. If you keep quiet, it means you don’t consider us family.”
The pocket watch that Gao Guojing had taken from him was snatched away by the original owner of the body. When Gao Tianmu found out, he looked down on the original owner for being so short-sighted.
However, the series of things Yu Rujia did after the Xia family's incident successfully changed his opinion of her. He even said that Gao Guojing was too petty, and that it was unbecoming for a grown man to argue with a girl.
At that time, Gao Guojing was still very frustrated. After visiting Shangfen Brigade, he became a loyal fan of Yu Rujia and felt that whatever she did was right.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the children wished Gao Tianmu a Happy New Year before taking their seats.
Gao Tianmu: "For the army, for the people, take your cousin Duofu and the others out for some fun."
Two dark-skinned teenage boys came out. The older one said cheerfully, "I'm Gao Weijun, this is my younger brother Gao Weimin, and my cousin Duofu. I'll take you out to play."
A group of children went out, leaving a group of adults talking here.
He Yan asked warmly, "Rujia, the Xia family has all returned to Kyoto. Are you planning to move back to Jiangcheng?"
As a loyal fan of mugwort soap, He Yan has a special fondness for Yu Rujia, who makes it.
The braised meat seasoning and hot pot seasoning made by Yu Rujia are also their family's favorites.
He Yan sincerely hopes that she can stay in Jiangcheng for a long time, so that it will be much more convenient for her to use soap and seasonings in the future.
Yu Rujia: "Auntie, we have a lot of things to finish in the countryside and can't get away for the time being. We'll have to wait a bit longer."
He Yan: "You've been in the countryside for so many years and suffered a lot. You have a high school education and excellent medical skills. When you come back after you've finished your work there, go and register at the military hospital. With your medical skills, you'll definitely be able to get a job."
Gao Xiujuan picked up the conversation: "After they finish their work, Lao Xia wants the young couple to go to Beijing. Our family has been staying in Jiangcheng for decades, leaving the elderly in the care of the eldest and second wives. Lao Xia feels very bad about it."
"Guojing and I don't know if we'll ever be able to transfer back to Beijing. Shujing and his wife's jobs aren't as fixed as ours, so it's good that we let them represent our third branch of the family to take care of our father-in-law."
He Yan was somewhat disappointed that Yu Rujia couldn't come to Jiangcheng to stay for a long time: "I was thinking of waiting for Rujia to come here so I could spend more time with her, but Uncle Xia really needs someone. He must be eighty years old this year, right? Is he still in good health?"
Yu Rujia: "Grandpa is seventy-nine years old this year. He is in good health and can manage daily life without any problems."
Xia Yuanqiang practiced the "Bright Moon Heart Sutra," and although his practice was only so-so, he was still able to maintain his health. His current physical condition was no worse than that of a person in their fifties or sixties.
The family had lunch at the Gao family's house and chatted for half the afternoon before returning to Xia Taishun's house.
Duolu excitedly pulled Yu Rujia and said, "Auntie, Brother Weijun said that they train with the soldiers every summer and winter vacation. Can I go in and train with them?"
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