Zhang Miao's father sighed upon hearing this: "Yes, they don't want me as a burden, so they're afraid our family will fall apart."
This time, Zhang's mother also realized: "Yes, this has become a good thing now."
Mr. Zhang said with a wry smile, "That's right, who knows if it's a blessing or a curse? Alright, they've all left, let's cook, the children must be hungry."
Zhang's mother also hurried out to cook, as it was indeed getting late.
On the other side of the street, Zhang Guifen walked with her mother for a while, still feeling resentful. She looked at the old lady Zhang and said, "Mother, what do you mean? Didn't you used to look down on my sister-in-law for not having a son? Why are you not saying anything today?"
Grandma Zhang looked at her daughter with a face full of disappointment and said, "Are you stupid? Your brother is paralyzed and can't have any more children. Are you planning to let your sister-in-law have a child with someone else? Besides, your brother is paralyzed and your sister-in-law is driven away. Are you going to take care of your brother?"
After hearing this, Zhang Guifen fell silent.
Grandma Zhang continued, "Don't get involved in your brother's family's affairs anymore. If they're doing well, you'll benefit from it. If they're not doing well, your sister-in-law will have to take the blame. Can't you use your brain?"
Zhang Guifen understood this time: "I understand, Mother." Then she reached out to take the fabric from Old Madam Zhang's hand: "Mother, this fabric is nice, can I have half of it?"
Grandma Zhang didn't let go: "Don't you ever think about taking things from your husband's family home. I've never seen you take anything from your husband's family home to your parents' home."
Zhang Guifen said, "Mother, am I doing this so that I can save face in my husband's family?"
"Come on, you're so domineering at your parents' house, but you're always being bullied at your in-laws' house. I'm just fed up with your antics. You should just go home."
"Mom, I'll have a meal at your house before I leave. My brother promises to bring you some chicken later."
"Can't you be a little more sensible?"
...
The mother and daughter went back, chatting amongst themselves.
Hua Kai and the other two had lunch at Zhang Miao's house and caught the afternoon bus back to the city.
As I looked out the car window at the flowers blooming along the road, I was lost in thought.
Ever since Hua Qingyi held hands with Zhang Miao today, he has been in a daze, feeling that something is wrong with him, and he keeps thinking about the times he spent with Zhang Miao.
Hua Qingyang got tired of making a fuss and fell asleep in a daze.
Once they arrived in the city, Huakai woke up her younger brother to let him rest a bit before getting out of the car and feeling cold.
They arrived at the station quickly, got off the train, and since it was still early, Huakai took them to the shop to take a look.
Ye Yifan arrived just before the end of the workday. Tomorrow is the last day of work, and then it will be the Little New Year. Hua Kai and the others will all have a holiday, and Hua Kai can go back to the village tomorrow afternoon.
Ye Yifan still has to work for a few more days, but he has already arranged with Huakai to take them back to the village tomorrow afternoon. He asked Huakai to pack their things during the day and buy everything they wanted.
Of course, when Ye Yifan came, he was sure to take them out to eat, so they wouldn't have to cook anymore. Since Hua Kai and the others were going back to the village, they had eaten all the food available in the city these past two days, and there wasn't much left at home. Otherwise, Hua Kai and the others were planning to eat out anyway.
After dinner, Ye Yifan took them back to their rented apartment.
Then he called Huakai into the house, wanting to speak with her alone for a few minutes.
Once inside, without closing the door, Ye Yifan handed an envelope to Hua Kai: "Use this money for the New Year. We'll officially distribute the profits after the New Year."
Hua Kai naturally didn't need to refuse, and accepted the money, saying, "Do we need to be so formal with each other?"
Ye Yifan hugged Hua Kai and said, "Indeed, we are family."
Hua Kai quickly broke free from Ye Yifan's embrace: "The door isn't closed. My brother is here. He's too curious."
Hua Qingyang asked from outside, "Sister, what do you think of me?"
Hua Kai said to the person in the outer room, "I told you you're handsome and smart."
Hua Qingyang said happily, "I think so too."
Hua Kai and Ye Yifan looked at each other and smiled.
The next day, Hua Kai asked Hua Qingyi to take her younger brother to buy some more New Year's goods, while she went to the two stores to do a final inventory and summary.
I got off work at 3 pm. The holiday officially starts tomorrow, and we'll go back to work on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year.
Originally, we were planning to give everyone a holiday on the 27th or 28th, but Huakai felt it was unnecessary. In the days leading up to the New Year, not many people are looking at large furniture; most are starting to buy food. By this time, most people have already bought their clothes, so we're giving everyone an early holiday to rest and get back into the swing of things for the new year.
They returned to their rented house and checked the water and electricity. Ye Yifan then arrived.
His workplace distributed a lot of New Year's goods, which he brought along. He said that his grandfather receives many gifts every year and doesn't need these, so he sent them all to Huakai's family.
While it was still early and before it got dark, they hurried back to the village.
As soon as they arrived at their doorstep, they smelled the aroma of food. Hua Wanjiang came out when he heard the noise and said, "You guys should have just taken the bus back yourselves. Why bother Xiao Fan to drive you?"
Ye Yifan said, "Uncle, I just brought the New Year's gifts I received for the holiday, and I also wanted to come over for a meal, so I came."
Hua Wanjiang said with a smile, "It's not easy for people to eat at home. I'll ask your aunt to cook a couple more dishes for you later."
Ye Yifan said, "Just eat whatever you have at home, no need to trouble yourself."
As they spoke, everyone carried their things inside.
Hua Wanjiang looked at the items and said, "If Xiao Fan keeps buying, our family can open a small shop."
Ye Yifan said, "It's almost Chinese New Year, so it's normal to buy more."
Hua Kai said, "Anyway, it doesn't matter who buys it or not. We're all family here, so let's not stand on ceremony. I'll go to the kitchen to help my mom cook and make a couple more dishes."
Hua Wanjiang said, "It's getting late, and it will be dark after we finish eating. Xiao Fan, don't go back today. Tomorrow is the Little New Year, so let's have some fun here in the morning before you leave."
Ye Yifan didn't refuse at all: "That's fine then, I won't be in a hurry."
Hua Kai discovered that Ye Yifan was really quite informal, treating her like family.
Once inside, the house was bustling with activity. Hua Kai was in the kitchen helping Gu Lan Yan cook, and the house instantly became joyful.
The next day was the Little New Year, and Gu Lanyan got up early and started preparing the meal.
Hua Wanjiang bought lanterns this year, red plastic lanterns, and had Hua Qingyi and Ye Yifan help him hang them on both sides of the front door. They strung up the wires, tested them, and they worked well. With the red lanterns up, the atmosphere instantly felt like the New Year.
Gu Lanyan had prepared the meal early, fearing that Ye Yifan would be late, so she prepared it early, but it was very plentiful.
After breakfast, Ye Yifan went back to the city, saying he would come over when he had time, since he still had a few days before returning to the provincial capital.
After seeing Ye Yifan off, Hua Kai's family got busy, as there were quite a few customs associated with the Little New Year.
Around noon, Li Jing arrived. She had just come back and came to say hello, and also to let Hua Kai know that everything was fine in the provincial capital and that she could rest assured.
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