Grandma Yan sensed the distance between herself and her child, and said with a self-deprecating smile, "Sigh, you can't be separated from your child, or you'll become estranged."
Yan Daqiang, carrying a bag, led a few others, including Dongnan, over. They placed the bags on the aisle of the car. Dongnan, probably used to being a teacher, started taking attendance as soon as they got on the bus.
Seeing that Wu Jinban hadn't boarded the bus, he urged him to hurry up: "I'm going with Ai Dang and the others. Dad, come on up, there's still room for one more person. Liu Jin and Wu Jinban can squeeze in."
Wu Jinban stood under the car and refused to get on. He ran to Xinan's side, grabbed Xinan's clothes and said, "Dad, I want to go with you."
Southwest glanced at his son, then at Liujin, who was chatting animatedly with Nannan. He knew his son was upset, so he picked up Wujinban and said, "Come on, Dad will take you for a bike ride."
Yan Xiaonan had always been paying attention to Wu Jinban. She didn't like Wu Jinban always being a little follower, especially since he was a boy. As he got older, what was the point of always running after others? He should have his own thoughts and shouldn't just do whatever Liu Jin said.
So she kept her weight down. If the child got angry or sad, there was still hope. But if he still came running up to her, she would have to talk to her second brother.
Thank goodness, it's good that you know how to be sad. She quickly picked up the basket and ran to Wu Jinban: "Wu Jinban, Auntie brought some delicious food. You'll be the first one I give you. Do you like it?"
When Wu Jinban saw the rice cakes in the basket, memories suddenly flooded back: the rice cakes her grandmother made were delicious. "Auntie, where's Grandma?"
Yan Xiaonan touched Wu Jinban's face: "Grandma is waiting for you at home. Grandma was afraid you would be hungry, so she specially asked me to bring you some food. Here, take a piece of rice cake to fill your stomach."
A smile appeared on Wu Jin's face. He reached out and took a piece of rice cake, chewing it slowly in his mouth. As soon as Liu Jin saw the rice cake, he ran over, grabbed a piece, and stuffed it into his mouth, as if he wanted to swallow it whole. His eagerness was too much to bear.
"Liu Jin, can't you learn from Wu Jin Ban? Look how politely your brother eats. You, on the other hand, are too hasty. People will say you have no manners." Yan Xiaonan corrected Liu Jin's mistake while intentionally helping Wu Jin Ban build his self-confidence.
Liu Jin glanced at Wu Jinban and saw that he was indeed eating very politely: "Little brother, I was wrong, I will learn from you."
I was overjoyed to hear Wu Jin say that I actually do things right sometimes. My aunt is so kind of me; she praised me.
Tang Xiaoling watched this scene with very complicated feelings. Southwest had been contradicting her lately, saying that she didn't know how to educate children and that she had made the children lose their sense of self. Although she didn't know what self-identity was, she could still see the confidence that flashed across Wujin's face just now.
No wonder the children are all so fond of Nan Nan. It turns out Nan Nan is so good at coaxing children. I'd like to ask her for advice sometime. Duo Duo's temper is getting worse every day. I wonder where she went wrong.
Southwest felt a warmth in his heart. Nannan was always his best little sister. She was teaching Wujinban how to be a little man. He touched Nannan's hair and smiled, "Nannan, your second brother misses you. Have you missed your second brother?"
Nan Nan nodded: "Second brother, I miss you, I miss Wu Jin Ban and Duo Duo, and I also miss eldest brother and Liu Jin. I'm relieved that you're all safe and sound. You can give Wu Jin Ban to me. It's very inconvenient to ride a bicycle with a big child."
Southwest looked at Wujinban. Wujinban hesitated for a moment, then let go of Southwest and followed Yan Xiaonan into the carriage. He sat to Nannan's right, while Liujin sat to his left. He had taken over his grandmother and aunt. Wujinban felt that he was starting to hate Liujin.
Yan Xiaonan found it amusing; their friendship had capsized. Wu Jinban was like his second brother—meticulous and sensitive, keeping everything to himself, but with an exceptionally broad mind.
Liu Jin is a careless child. He hasn't realized yet that he has unintentionally hurt his younger brother's feelings. Once his initial enthusiasm fades, he will think about his brother. At that time, he will be sad. Well, it's good that he has high emotional intelligence, not high IQ. It's time to teach him a lesson.
The car stopped at the entrance of the courtyard house. Xuemei looked at the painted beams and carved pillars of the courtyard house. Houses like this must be very expensive in Beijing. Nannan is indeed a capable person. Tang Xiaoling got out of the car with Duoduo in her arms and looked at the courtyard house.
Cuihua was already waiting at the door. When she saw them coming, her eyes crinkled with laughter. As soon as Liujin saw Cuihua, he ran over to her and said, "Grandma, Grandma, I've come to see you. Did you miss me?"
Cuihua hugged Liujin. It's true that you have a deep bond with children you've raised yourself. Wujinban also ran up to her: "Grandma, I just ate a piece of rice cake. It was so delicious. Thank you, Grandma."
Cuihua picked up Wu Jinban in one scoop: "Good boy, your parents have raised you so well, you are so polite."
Wu Jinban wrapped his arms around Cuihua's neck and said, "Grandma, I like you."
Cuihua hugged Wujinban tightly: "I like you too."
Xuemei and Tang Xiaoling rushed up to her: "Mom, you look much prettier than you did in Mushroom Village. The capital is a better place, it's so nurturing. And Dad too, he looks like a city person now."
Cuihua nodded in agreement: "Life here is convenient. We can use water without leaving home, and there are even electric lights."
Xuemei smiled. Although her home in the county town was small, life was really more convenient than in her hometown. There was water, electricity, and a coal stove. She could take a bath at the school's bathhouse. No wonder everyone wanted to be a city dweller.
"Mom, this place is too small, it's not even as big as our old home." Tang Xiaoling looked around and felt that her old home was better, where she could grow some vegetables and fruits in the middle of the front and back yards.
Grandma Yan laughed from behind; this child is quite sentimental.
Yan Xiaonan led Xuemei to the third room of the rear house, and Tang Xiaoling to the fourth room: "Sister-in-law, these are the rooms prepared for you. The first room is for my eldest uncle, the second room is for my second uncle, and these three rooms are for my three older brothers. My third brother is not here, so Yan Ge and Yan Zheng will stay here for the time being."
Yan Xiaonan opened the door and let them put their luggage inside first. As for Fu Bao and Duo Duo, Cui Hua and Xiao Qiang had already taken them to the courtyard to play with Liu Jin and Wu Jinban.
Yan Xiaonan glanced at Liu Jin and, sure enough, the silly boy knew that Wu Jinban was angry and was trying his best to flatter Wu Jinban. Wu Jinban was indeed like his second brother; after rolling his eyes twice, he made up with Liu Jin.
Xue Ying ran out of the kitchen. It was too hot in the kitchen, and even with an electric fan, it didn't help much. Fortunately, most of the dishes were ready, and now it was just a matter of serving them.
The long-awaited family reunion dinner officially began in the courtyard. Glasses clinked and laughter filled the air. Everyone's face was filled with the joy of being together, including Yan Erqiang, who felt for the first time how wonderful it was to have a big family.
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