Winter in Beijing is as cold as ever.
After making a fuss in the evening, Zhao Qinglan woke up late.
Mrs. Sun, being an "experienced person," knew very well. She slept with her little grandson last night and didn't let the child come over to make noise this morning.
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, there was no food for sale outside, so Mrs. Sun prepared breakfast for everyone at home.
When Zhao Qinglan got up, she was the only one who hadn't eaten.
Thinking that everyone else was up while she was still sleeping, Zhao Qinglan felt ashamed even though she had given birth to several children.
After quickly eating breakfast and getting ready, my husband and I took our daughter, Xiaoduo, and our eldest child out the door.
They were going to pay their respects to Zhao Qinglan's mother-in-law, Liu Rumei.
Although all the shops that could be closed were closed, the buses were still running, so it wasn't difficult for them to get to the cemetery.
Li Huai had brought his wife and children here once before, which was Sanwa's first visit to his grandmother Liu Rumei's grave.
The third child is too young to understand things like life and death.
When he arrived at the cemetery, his older brother, Da Wa, told him that this was his grandmother's grave, and San Wa looked on with curiosity.
Li Huai didn't stay long this time. He had already said almost everything he wanted to say to his mother last time, so this time he only talked about happy things.
Seeing that he was not as heartbroken as before, Zhao Qinglan felt much relieved.
Although she had never met her mother-in-law, Liu Rumei, she always respected her and was also aware of her husband's feelings for her.
However, she didn't want her husband to be too saddened by the passing of the deceased.
After the worship ceremony, the family walked outside.
There's not much to do in Beijing on the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, but the festive atmosphere of the New Year is still palpable everywhere.
As they were leaving the bus station, they encountered an old man selling a large bunch of candied hawthorns.
The old man selling candied hawthorns was surrounded by many children who were drooling with desire.
Some children have the money to buy it, but most children don't.
After all, it's only the 29th today, and everyone hasn't received their New Year's money yet.
Seeing her own children staring intently at the candied hawthorns without even looking away, Zhao Qinglan smiled, went over, and bought a lot.
Besides the children, even the adults each had one.
Her generosity made the older brothers and their siblings the envy of the other children who were craving candied hawthorns.
To be honest, Zhao Qinglan hadn't eaten candied hawthorn in a long time.
She offered a skewer to her husband, but he shook his head and refused to eat it.
She assumed her husband didn't like it, so she took a bite of half of it herself.
The tart hawthorn berries mixed with the caramel coating are both sweet and sour, making them very delicious.
Just as she was savoring it, a head came over and ate the remaining half of it.
"Didn't you say you weren't going to eat?" Zhao Qinglan was dumbfounded.
"I'll eat what you leave behind; leave the rest for the children."
Anyone who didn't know better would think Li Huai was very fond of the children, if they ignored the smile in his eyes.
Zhao Qinglan only paused for a moment after seeing half a candied hawthorn before giving up on the thought.
The eldest son, seeing his father's behavior, couldn't help but feel a sour taste in his mouth. He wasn't sour from the hawthorn, but from his own father.
Sun and Sun Guangming were each given a string of candied hawthorns, which they found quite amusing.
Grandpa Dou waved his hand repeatedly, saying that he wouldn't eat it and that he would give it to the children.
"Grandpa Dou, who says older people can't eat candied hawthorns? I bought these candied hawthorns per person, so you have to eat them."
With no other option, Grandpa Dou reluctantly tasted his own candied hawthorn.
Seeing the lively atmosphere at home, Zhao Qinglan thought of Wei Hong, who was alone and lonely.
She glanced at her watch; it was almost lunchtime. She had no choice but to wait until after lunch to go find Wei Hong.
With plenty of ingredients at home, I can easily cook a whole table of dishes with just a little effort.
After finishing her meal, Zhao Qinglan didn't rest and immediately went to find Wei Hong.
Li Huai checked the time and walked out the door with his wife.
"I'll take you there first, then I'll go find Zhang Yu."
With the Sun family looking after the children, the couple can rest assured.
After taking the bus to Wei Hong's school, Li Huai watched his wife go inside before turning to leave.
Wei Hong wasn't the only student at the school who didn't go home for the Spring Festival; many students whose homes were far away and who couldn't afford the travel expenses stayed at the school for the holiday.
Zhao Qinglan only asked a few questions before she met Wei Hong.
It's been almost two years since Wei Hong went to university.
"Qinglan, what brings you here?" Wei Hong was very excited.
"Sister Wei Hong, you really are something. You knew I was in Beijing, but you still hid at the school and wouldn't see me," Zhao Qinglan joked.
"I won't bother you all during the New Year," Wei Hong said, feeling embarrassed.
Zhao Qinglan pretended to be angry. "Sister Wei Hong, do you not consider me a friend anymore, or do you not want to be Sanwa's godmother anymore?"
"Qinglan, that's not what I meant," she quickly explained.
"That's not what I meant. You're coming back with me today. I don't care what your reasons are, you have to come to my house for the New Year."
Wei Hong wasn't stupid; she could easily see through Zhao Qinglan's intentions. Upon hearing this, her eyes reddened slightly. "Qinglan."
"Alright, hurry up and pack whatever you need to take. You'll be staying at my house for several days."
Wei Hong nodded and led Zhao Qinglan into their dormitory.
Zhao Qinglan was quite curious about the current university dormitories and looked around as she walked around the school.
Seeing her expression, Wei Hong felt sorry for her.
"Qinglan, why don't you take the test again?"
Zhao Qinglan chuckled. "No need, I don't have the energy to study."
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