"Yes, it only takes ten minutes."
As Zhuang Zhimeng spoke, she led Jiang Yanxia upstairs.
After entering the house, Jiang Yanxia greeted Zhimeng's family.
"Happy New Year, Uncle and Aunt! Happy New Year, Second Brother Zhimeng! Happy New Year, Junjun!"
Hao Caiyun also responded.
"Happy Chinese New Year, Xiao Jiang! Stay home and relax these next few days!"
"Okay, Auntie, I'll do as you say."
Zhuang Xingzhou and his two brothers all nodded in response.
"Mom, I'll take Xiazi to my room to put the clothes down first."
"Alright, you can go ahead."
Jiang Yanxia went to Zhuang Zhimeng's room, opened the bundle, and took out the gifts.
"Zhimeng, these are local specialties from Mengge'er's hometown."
We figured we'd definitely have to see the elders, so we prepared a set for each side.
"Hehe, that looks like quite a lot! It's rare that you've put in this effort."
"Isn't this the proper thing to do? How can you visit your elders empty-handed during the Lunar New Year?"
"Okay, we'll go out after you're all packed. You can then personally deliver the gifts to my parents."
"I only brought a few pieces of underwear, and there's not much else to pack."
"Let's go to the living room and see if we need any help."
"OK."
"Uncle, Auntie, these are local specialties we brought from Meng Ge'er's hometown."
"It tastes good; it's just a small token of our appreciation. We hope you two won't find it offensive."
Zhuang Xingzhou laughed.
"Hehe, Xiao Jiang, don't be so polite."
We're happy you came, and we're pleased with whatever you brought.
Hao Caiyun waved her hand.
“You’re so kind. Your uncle is right. Whatever it is, we’re happy to receive it.”
Jiang Yanxia smiled.
"Hehe, then I'm relieved. I was just worried that you two wouldn't like these local specialties."
Zhuang Xingzhou and Hao Caiyun both stated that...
"No, don't worry."
"Mom, what are you doing?"
"I'm hurrying to sew a quilt for you!"
Our family provided two quilts as part of the dowry. One is already ready, but the last one is still a little short.
"It was originally your sister-in-law who was supposed to prepare it, but didn't she go back to her parents' house today?"
"Mom, should I do it?"
"I don't need you. You can finish it during the day tomorrow. Who sews their own wedding quilt?"
Zhuang Zhimeng thought for a moment and then looked at his father again.
"Dad, what are you doing?"
"Oh, me? I need to straighten my clothes."
"I have to be efficient and organized for Yaya's wedding."
"Can you flatten it with an enamel mug?"
"Then I don't have anything else to do?"
"I have an electric iron in my room, have you forgotten?"
"Oh right, I really forgot. Yaya, quickly get it for Daddy."
Zhuang Zhimeng went inside and took out the electric iron, handing it to her father.
He then approached his second brother and younger brother.
"Are you cutting out the character for 'double happiness'?"
Zhuang Zhiwu and Zhuang Zhijun both glanced at her.
"Little sister, isn't it obvious?"
"Sis, you're asking a bit too much."
Zhuang Zhimeng smiled.
"Hehe, I just came here specifically to check on you guys!"
"Hehe, little sister, thank you for your concern, but I don't really need it right now."
"Hehe, sis, I don't really need your concern right now."
Jiang Yanxia watched from behind, covering her mouth and chuckling to herself.
Zhuang Zhimeng looked around but couldn't get involved, so she simply asked her mother.
"Mom, is there anything I can do?"
Hao Caiyun thought for a moment.
"There really is. You and Xiao Jiang should go get something to eat."
We have so much stuff at home; your aunt and your other aunt both brought back a ton of food.
"Once you leave, how long will it take for the three of us to finish eating?"
Zhuang Zhimeng looked at her mother helplessly.
"Mom, so all I'm good for is to eat?"
Hao Caiyun looked at her daughter and nodded.
"That's right, now all you have left to do is eat."
Zhuang Zhimeng smiled.
"Then Xiazi and I will cook tonight, and we'll cook tomorrow too. I'll cook a few more meals for you guys while I'm at home."
"Okay, then we're in for a treat."
"good."
Zhuang Zhimeng invited Xiazi to go get some snacks with her.
"Let's go, Xiazi, let's go eat."
The snack box was piled high with snacks, some of which Jiang Yanxia had never seen before.
Zhuang Zhimeng unwrapped a chocolate, put it in her mouth, and gestured with her chin towards Jiang Yanxia.
"Xiazi, take whatever you want to eat, eat whatever you like."
"Okay, I'm overwhelmed by all this, I've never seen so many of them before!"
"These are all local specialties of Tianjin on the left."
The items on the right are local specialties of Haishi.
The items in the middle are specialties of Beijing.
You can try one of each.
The chocolate I'm eating is from Haishi, and I think it tastes pretty good.
"Then I'll try the chocolate from Haishi too. Chocolate is hard to find these days."
"Yes, you can usually only buy it at the Friendship Store."
"You know what, chocolate is delicious. No wonder it's hard to buy and so many people go to great lengths to get their hands on it."
"Yes, if there is a need, we must find a way to buy it no matter how difficult it is."
Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia stopped eating after a while because they needed to prepare dinner.
Jiang Yanxia looked at the coal stove with great nostalgia.
"Seeing this coal stove reminds me of my home. My family also uses a coal stove for cooking."
"Yes, most working-class families cook with coal stoves in communal kitchens."
“That’s right. We don’t usually dare to cook meat dishes at home, because if we do, the whole floor will know.”
You're absolutely right.
And some neighbors even crowded around, staring expectantly, as if you'd be committing a sin if you didn't give it to them.
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