"Huh?" It would be a lie to say Liu Man wasn't disappointed. Seven days had passed since the New Year, and Zhao Aiguo was becoming increasingly cold towards her. Did he not like her anymore? Well, she was fat and not pretty! Maybe he had met a good person. Although Liu's father had already said that Zhao Aiguo was too busy with work, she still felt uncomfortable.
Zhao Aiguo was wronged! He had been in closed-door study for two and a half months, and only received the notice yesterday! This prevented him from personally picking up his little darling, and he repeatedly told his parents to make sure to pick up Liu Man.
When they got home, Mr. and Mrs. Zhao asked Liu Man to take off his shoes and sit on the kang (a heated brick bed). Then, the elderly couple each took out a red envelope and handed it to Liu Man, saying, "Happy New Year, Xiao Man! Grandpa and Grandma wish you academic progress and even greater success!"
Liu Man quickly shook his head, "No need, Grandpa, Grandma, I'm already twenty, I can't take any more New Year's money!"
Zhao's mother glared at Liu Man, pretending to be angry, and stuffed the two red envelopes into her hands, saying, "Even if you're eighty, your grandfather and I are still alive, and you're still a child! Your uncle and aunt will give you some when they come back this afternoon! By the way, since you haven't started school yet, you're staying at home, in Aiguo's room. Anyway, he's not home!"
Liu Man's face flushed red instantly. Zhao's father said cheerfully, "Little Man, what do you want to eat? Grandpa will make it for you!"
Upon hearing the word "food," Liu Man's mouth watered. "I want to eat bandit-style pig liver! Grandpa makes it sweet, but it just doesn't taste right to me. And braised lion's head meatballs..." He realized he might have said something wrong and lowered his head shyly. Zhao's mother laughed, "What's there to be shy about? Eat whatever you want! We're happy when you eat a lot. Here, I'll make you some braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens too!" Liu Man nodded vigorously. Zhao's father happily tied on his apron, "Okay, chat with your grandma for a while. Grandpa will make it right away. Everything's ready; it'll be done in a bit!"
Liu Man quickly opened his luggage and said, "Grandpa, this is a gift from my grandpa and parents. See if you like it." He then took out a set of Yixing teapots, a box of tea, and a jar of wine, saying, "This is drunken crab made by my grandma. Please try it."
"Oh! Great! I'm so lucky! Please thank your grandparents for me!" She glanced at the items with a happy expression, then carefully put them away.
Zhao's mother smiled and said, "Look how happy he is!" Liu Man took out a silk scarf, a light blue satin vest, and two boxes of pastries, saying, "Grandma, this is for you, and these are some local pastries. Please try them!"
"Oh my! It looks so good! Thank you! Grandma loves it!" The more Liu Man looked at it, the more she liked it. While Liu Man was eating a bunch of peanuts and melon seeds, Zhao's father brought out the dishes, including a plate of spinach and vermicelli with peanuts.
I wonder where he's been up to all this winter. After all, his family didn't get to eat spinach during the Lunar New Year! As soon as Liu Man saw the vegetables, he was so happy, he was a completely different person. He ate two bowls of rice with gusto, and patting his bulging little belly, he felt so happy.
After dinner, I helped clear the table and wash the dishes. When I came back, I saw that Mr. Zhao was already dressed, holding a purple clay teapot in one hand and a box of pastries in the other, saying, "After dinner, I'm going out for a walk!"
Zhao's mother nodded, "Go ahead! Go ahead!" After everyone left, Zhao's mother smiled and said to Liu Man, "The older you get, the less profound you become, always showing off! By the way, Xiao Man, Grandma wants to discuss something with you!"
Liu Man nodded and said, "Grandma, please tell me!"
Zhao's mother smiled shyly and said, "I heard from Aiguo that you are an excellent student. If you get any awards or certificates in the future, could you bring one back for Grandma? Grandma wants to put it on!" If there is any regret in this life, it is that there is no award certificate issued by the school in the family! Liu Man thought it was something serious and said, "Okay! I still have an excellent student award certificate that I got last semester in the dormitory. I didn't bring it back. I will bring it to you when school starts."
Zhao's mother was overjoyed and quickly pulled her to Zhao Aiguo's room.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
