Song Qi'an came to Zhou's Snack Shop as soon as he returned to town because he wanted to talk to Zhou Sui.
He couldn't come over for the past two days because of Tang Jia. Now that Tang Jia has finally gone back, Zhou Meimei has arrived.
He barely exchanged a few words with Zhou Sui, but Zhou Meimei kept interrupting.
Finally, the Zhou family got into his car, and because Li Qiuju was there, Song Qi'an didn't say anything.
As they were getting out of the car, Zhou Sui asked, "Is there something you want to say?"
She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt that Song Qi'an seemed to have something to say.
Zhou Dayong and Li Qiuju, who had already gotten off the bus, looked over when they heard this. Song Qi'an forced a smile.
"It's nothing, Xinfeng and I will just come over early tomorrow to help out."
Before Zhou Sui could speak, Li Qiuju waved her hand at him, saying, "We don't need your help."
"Come over early tomorrow, okay? Sui Sui and A Xu are all home. You young people will have fun together."
Zhou Sui listened silently to herself, not thinking that Song Qi'an could possibly have anything to do with them. He had been working for a long time and probably saw them as little kids.
Song Qi'an obediently responded and watched the Zhou family members go inside.
Zhou Sui was walking at the very back. As she turned to close the door, she saw Song Qi'an still watching them.
"See you tomorrow." Zhou Sui smiled and waved to Song Qi'an.
Those three simple words instantly dispelled Song Qi'an's gloomy mood: they could meet again tomorrow, and they could still have a chance to talk.
The next day, after lunch, Song Qi'an led Zhao Xinfeng toward the Zhou family's house.
Zhao Xinfeng, who was forced to carry the things, asked in confusion.
"Brother, aren't we going to Zhou Sui's house for dinner?"
Look at what he's carrying: Milo, malted milk powder, bags of fruit, and beautifully packaged candies and cookies.
What intrigued him even more was, "When was this bought? How come I didn't know?"
Song Qi'an glanced at him, not wanting to offer any further explanation.
"It's not right for us to show up empty-handed when someone invites us to dinner."
That's true, but they brought way too much stuff; it doesn't seem like they were going to eat at a neighbor's or friend's house.
Instead, it felt like visiting the home of some important person, as if they were afraid of bringing too little and being criticized.
"But it's only two o'clock now, aren't we going to have dinner?"
Zhao Xinfeng yawned as he spoke; he should have been sleeping in bed at this time.
"Go and lend a hand." Song Qi'an looked at his cousin with disdain.
"Stop eating and sleeping all day. Have you practiced the boxing routines I taught you before?"
The moment this topic was brought up, Zhao Xinfeng was no longer sleepy and had fewer questions.
Since Song Qi'an returned from military service, he has treated him like a raw recruit, making him practice boxing and doing weight training.
Zhao Xinfeng told him more than once, "I'm the only son in our Zhao family, so you'd better go easy on me."
Unexpectedly, Song Qi'an was fearless, saying, "It just so happens that I have now left the Song family, so it should still be in time to change my surname to Zhao."
What else could Zhao Xinfeng say? He had to grit his teeth and keep practicing, since Song Qi'an was more popular than him.
When the two brothers arrived at the Zhou family's house, they only saw Zhou Dayong and Li Qiuju in the yard.
When Song Qi'an handed the large and small packages to Li Qiuju, Li Qiuju refused repeatedly, saying, "You child, why are you being so polite? Take these back for your grandparents to eat. We've bought everything for our family. You're being too formal."
With many children in the family, money used to be tight, but now that money is more readily available, Li Qiuju brings food home every few days, ensuring that her children never go hungry.
"Don't worry, Auntie, I still have some at home. Usually, it's just my grandpa and a few others at home, so they don't eat much. I just brought some over. I don't know if it suits your taste."
As Zhao Xinfeng listened to Song Qi'an's words, he couldn't help but think to himself, "Who can just grab so much that they can fill all four hands?"
Li Qiuju thought so too; she could tell at a glance that many fruits were not cheap.
"Please sit down first, Auntie will get you some water." After inviting the two children to sit down, Li Qiuju carried the things to the kitchen.
Zhou Dayong was tending the fire in the kitchen when Li Qiuju came in and said, "Little Song is really too kind. Look at all these things he's carrying; they must cost several hundred."
“We’re just treating someone to a meal, and we’re making them contribute all this.”
These things would be quite remarkable even if you were to visit relatives and friends during the Chinese New Year.
Li Qiuju felt extremely indebted, as she often took rides from her, and it was only right that she treat her to a meal.
Zhou Dayong didn't think as meticulously as she did. "Xiao Song is a good kid. She's very polite. We should cook for her nicely and help her out whenever we can."
Li Qiuju felt that this wasn't the case, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong. The person was still sitting in the main room, so she put her things down and hurriedly took the tea over.
"This is chrysanthemum tea that Sui Sui made. She said it's good for reducing internal heat. You two should try it and see what you think." Li Qiuju gave each of them a teacup.
Song Qi'an took a small sip. "Not bad, it tastes pretty good."
Zhao Xinfeng took a big gulp and felt a bitter taste in his mouth. It tasted good, but since Song Qi'an said it tasted good, he didn't dare to say anything.
"By the way, Auntie, where are Sui Sui and the others?" When Li Qiuju went to get water earlier, he looked around outside. The other rooms were closed and it sounded very quiet. He wondered if they were there.
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