Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaoxiao frowned slightly. Just as she was about to say something, she heard the old man's voice beside her.
"Hmph, you prepared the things yourselves, not Xiaoxiao who asked you to. If you think you've worked so hard, then keep the food for yourselves. It's not like Xiaoxiao can't live without your food." The old man snorted heavily and said to the mother and daughter in an annoyed tone.
Xia Ri's gaze unconsciously drifted to Han Chengjun beside her. Seeing his embarrassed expression, she hurriedly explained, "Dad, I did this of my own volition, I didn't mean anything by it..."
"Grandpa, I didn't mean anything by it, and what I said was the truth. Can't I even tell the truth now?" Han Meng looked very aggrieved, as if she was about to burst into tears if the old man said another word.
"Ahem... These past few days, our two families have been eating and living together. We can just eat together, there's really no need to be so formal," Han Qiulin, who had been sitting the whole time, said weakly.
He had just overheard the mother and daughter talking and felt a headache coming on. Judging from his uncle's expression, his uncle was even more overwhelmed. If it weren't to avoid embarrassing his uncle, Han Qiulin wouldn't have spoken up for the mother and daughter.
When he was very young, his older brother was taught skills by his grandfather. He didn't have many playmates. His uncle often took him out to play. Back then, his uncle was such a carefree person. Unlike now, he seems to live like he's just a shell of a person.
He felt sorry for the mother and daughter, but not for them.
Bai Hehua also disliked the constant atmosphere at home, so she quickly said, "Chengjun, this year will be the same as before. Our whole family will stay here to keep Grandpa company. I've already tidied up the kitchen, and I'll just do a quick tidy-up of your rooms."
"You can tidy up yourselves later. Qiu Lin is right. All of this is for eating together, so just enjoy the meal."
Both sides' expressions softened somewhat upon seeing the steps forward offered by Han Qiulin and Bai Hehua.
Xia Ri quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, sister-in-law is right. I was just being nosy."
Han Meng stood to the side, wanting to say something, but when she met Xia Ri's eyes, she immediately shut her mouth.
It's almost time to rest and chat; it's time to prepare dinner for the whole family.
Lin Xiaoxiao wanted to go to the kitchen to help Bai Hehua, but her mother-in-law refused. With so many people in the family, there was no need for Lin Xiaoxiao to come and help with the housework.
“You’ve had a lot going on these past few days. There are almost ten people at home. We don’t need a pregnant woman like you to do any work. You can go outside and chat with Grandpa, or just sit and rest.”
"Then I'll go and call Han Qiushi in to help," Lin Xiaoxiao said with a smile.
"Whatever you want, call whoever you want." Bai Hehua replied, then turned and called out to the living room, "Xia Ri, I need your help here."
Upon hearing this, Xia Ri came over to pick vegetables, her expression not particularly pleasant.
Han Qiushi was called in by Lin Xiaoxiao and assigned to pick vegetables by Bai Hehua. He glanced at Xia Ri and said, "Auntie is back, so I can help out."
Xia Ri had always held this future leader of the Han family in high regard, knowing full well that she needed to cultivate a good relationship with him. "Alright, let's have a chat. I heard you've been transferred to the capital recently, you must be busier than before?"
"Yes, things are just as busy here as they are over there," Han Qiushi replied with a smile. "Does Auntie still teach in Haishi?"
"Not anymore. My health hasn't been as good as it used to be these past two years, so I retired and am resting at home," Xia Ri said.
Back in Haishi, she passed the teacher's exam through Han Chengjun's connections and taught at a school ever since, but she doesn't do that job anymore.
She used to look for a job to impress Han Chengjun; if she could, she wouldn't want to face those rascals every day.
Han Qiushi: "Health is the most important thing; you should get more rest."
Xia Ri smiled slightly, thinking that Han Qiushi was indeed worthy of being the successor of the Han family. His words and actions showed a broad perspective, unlike Han Qiulin, who kept glancing at her with his eyes open.
After picking the vegetables, it was time to wash them. Seeing Bai Hehua's unpleasant expression, Han Qiushi said, "Auntie, you should go and rest. I can help with things here."
"No need, no need. I brought some seafood with me this time, so you should try my cooking." As she spoke, she took the vegetables from Han Qiushi's hands and started washing them.
Xia Ri wasn't this proactive just now, but after chatting with Han Qiushi for a couple of minutes, she became very enthusiastic. Bai Hehua couldn't help but roll her eyes behind her back.
Xia Ri wasn't stupid. She always knew in her heart that the Han family didn't like her. She couldn't change that, and probably couldn't anyway. So, she decided to keep a proper distance.
Her final thought was that she could dislike it, but she couldn't hate it, otherwise the relationship between the two families would become even more strained, and she would end up with nothing.
If she didn't have this much time during the summer, she and Han Chengjun wouldn't have such a big daughter.
The old man felt a little better after seeing Xia Ri leave his sight and Han Meng being solemnly lectured by Han Chengjun.
"Xiaoxiao, we're all magnanimous people, we won't stoop to the level of those petty people," the old man said to Lin Xiaoxiao with a cheerful smile.
"Grandpa reacted quickly just now; I didn't even have time to react. People say pregnancy makes you stupid for three years, and other women only develop these symptoms after giving birth. How come I'm only two months old and already have these symptoms?" Lin Xiaoxiao didn't directly address the old man's words but instead said something to ease the atmosphere.
"You, someone like you, still call yourself stupid? How are you going to make Qiu Lin live in the future?" Han Qiushi immediately chimed in.
"That's enough!!" Han Qiulin roared from the side.
The atmosphere in the house finally improved completely.
Lin Xiaoxiao wasn't oblivious; she just felt that since the matter was over, there was no need to bring it up again.
My uncle has finally come back, and the old man must be looking forward to living together. If I'm petty, the family conflicts will only get worse. If things are like this right after we meet, what will happen in the future?
Lin Xiaoxiao wanted to give face to her uncle, not to those two people.
As long as it doesn't harm my own interests, it's fine. It's only a few days anyway, so just do a good job of putting on a good show. As long as the bottom line isn't crossed, there's no need to tear each other apart at the drop of a hat.
If they cross the line, Lin Xiaoxiao won't let them off the hook.
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