181 Returning home and running into an acquaintance
Huo Yanxi looked at Xie Ziyu and chuckled, "Was I this cute when I was little?"
One sentence was enough to appease both the mother and son.
Xie Yaoyao hummed in agreement, "You're super cute. When I first took you in, you were so well-behaved and timid."
“Back then, Grandma boiled eggs for me, and you looked into my bowl many times, but you never said you wanted to eat them.”
Even now, when Xie Yaoyao talks about her childhood, her heart softens unbelievably.
Huo Yanxi was so sensible back then that it was heartbreaking.
Huo Yanxi doesn't really remember what happened when he was a child, but he remembers how he felt at that time.
He felt that Chi Xiaoman was a little angel who had fallen from the sky. She didn't mind that he was dirty and took him home.
They gave him clothes to wear, food to eat, and finally, a home for him.
He was actually very scared at that time.
He feared that one morning he would wake up to find himself abandoned by a dirty trash can, never to see his little angel again.
Therefore, he dared not eat too much.
Even if the meat on the plate made him drool, he didn't dare to pick it up with his chopsticks.
Huo Yanxi didn't say anything, but Xie Ziyu suddenly handed over the half-eaten dorayaki in his hand, "Uncle, you're so pitiful, I'll share my dorayaki with you."
Huo Yanxi couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips slightly, and pushed his hand back, "Eat it yourself."
Xie Ziyu stuffed the remaining half of the dorayaki into his mouth, making his cheeks bulge. "What a pity, this blueberry flavor is really delicious."
Xie Yaoyao ruffled his hair. "Your uncle said he didn't want to eat it, but you stuffed it into your mouth. You have no sincerity at all."
"Men never need to be polite to each other, Mommy, you don't understand."
Xie Yaoyao smiled helplessly. Seeing that he finished the dorayaki in no time, she said, "Do you want to go look at other things?"
Xie Ziyu's eyes darted around, and his nostrils twitched a few times. "Mommy, I smell takoyaki. I want to eat takoyaki."
Xie Yaoyao also wanted to eat, so she took Xie Ziyu and went to queue up.
Huo Yanxi followed the two to the takoyaki stand, where there was a long queue.
They were at the end of the line.
Xie Yaoyao couldn't help but sigh, "There are so many tourists. Judging from their accents, they're not just from the coastal areas, but also from other places."
She turned around, her gaze filled with admiration, and looked at Huo Yanxi. "Mr. Huo, you are truly remarkable."
Huo Yanxi laughed and said, "If you keep praising me, you'll make me feel like I'm on top of the world."
“You are great to begin with.” After Xie Yaoyao finished speaking, she seemed to remember something, and her eyes showed a hint of sadness.
Huo Yanxi noticed this and asked her, "What's wrong?"
"I just suddenly miss my grandma. If she were still alive, she would be happy to see the small fishing village transformed into what it is today."
Huo Yanxi said, "Hmm."
In fact, ever since he learned about Manman's background and that she was switched at birth by Granny Chi's biological daughter, Granny Chi did not stop her because of her own selfishness. Instead, she brought Manman to live in this poor place where even turtles don't go ashore.
He had some resentment towards Granny Chi.
Although Grandma Chi has never skimped on Manman's food, clothing, or daily necessities over the years, they have deprived her of the time spent growing up with her biological parents.
This is also why he has been struggling with whether or not to tell Manman about her background after learning about it.
In fact, he knew in his heart that Manman wouldn't care about these things.
She is an easily satisfied person with low material desires and wants very few things.
She is content with just two people, three meals a day, and four seasons.
But he still felt sorry for her.
As the sun began to set, they finally reached the front of the line, only to find that the stall owner was their former neighbor.
The other person was stunned when they saw Xie Yaoyao, and seemed a little hesitant to recognize her. "You're Xiaoman?"
Xie Yaoyao immediately recognized the other person; she no longer needed to hide her identity.
She greeted the other woman openly, "Sister Hong, you've started a business too."
Sister Hong was in her early thirties, with delicate features, but her skin had the dark tan of coastal people tanned by strong ultraviolet rays, which made her look very approachable.
She said, "When did you come back? This must be Yanxi. Oh my, you've all changed so much, I didn't even recognize you at first."
Xie Yaoyao said with a smile, "Sister Hong has changed a lot too."
“Hey, we’re rough around the edges, working from dawn till dusk every day, exposed to the wind and sun. Unlike you office workers with your fair and delicate skin.” Sister Hong was a straightforward person and spoke loudly.
Xie Yaoyao was embarrassed by the praise, "How are you all? How's business?"
“It’s great. It’s just that you haven’t come back for several years. A few days ago, my mother-in-law heard that you were coming back to hold the seventh anniversary of Grandma Chi’s death and she cried. She said she missed Grandma Chi.”
When Xie Yaoyao saw people from her hometown and heard about Grandma Chi, she couldn't help but feel a little sad.
"Yes, seven years have passed since my grandmother passed away. Time really flies."
It feels like I just walked out of the university gates yesterday, but my mindset is like I've been through a thousand storms.
While chatting with her, Sister Hong flipped through the takoyaki on the baking tray.
Xie Ziyu stared intently at the takoyaki that was gradually turning golden.
She said, "Is this your son? He's grown so much!"
Xie Yaoyao lowered her eyes, put her hand on Xie Ziyu's shoulder, and said, "Yubao, call her Aunt Hong."
Xie Ziyu sweetly called her Aunt Hong. He wasn't socially awkward and was very good at handling people.
"Aunt Hong, your takoyaki smells so good! So many people are buying them, they must be really delicious."
Sister Hong was overjoyed by the praise and said with a smile, "Of course, I used to study cooking at New Oriental."
Xie Ziyu exclaimed "Wow!" and his eyes lit up, especially at Dubai Red Sister-in-law.
"I'm also a great cook, and my mom especially loves my cooking."
Sister Hong was taken aback, then burst out laughing, "How tall are you? Are you tall enough to reach the stove? Would your mother really let you cook?"
"Of course, my mom is busy with work and often forgets to eat. With me around, she won't go hungry."
Sister Hong was definitely not convinced. She looked at Huo Yanxi again and asked, "Yu Bao's father, are you really comfortable letting the child cook?"
Huo Yanxi felt a little ashamed, but still said, "As long as the child doesn't burn himself, I still support him."
The way Sister Hong looked at Huo Yanxi changed, but she didn't say anything.
She packed the takoyaki, and when Xie Yaoyao went to scan the QR code to pay, she desperately tried to stop her from paying.
“When Grandma Chi was alive, she used to bring us a lot of food. Alright, a few meatballs aren’t worth much, take them and go.”
Xie Yaoyao was amused and stopped arguing with her, lest it affect the people behind her from buying food.
She smiled and said, "Then I'll gladly accept your offer. Let's talk again when you're free."
"Yes, yes, you guys go explore other places. The little fishing village is developing very well now."
Speaking of this, Sister Hong felt very proud.
Xie Yaoyao waved goodbye to her, then took Xie Ziyu's hand and continued strolling down the street.
Huo Yanxi walked beside Xie Yaoyao, helping the mother and son to avoid the surging crowd.
He said, "The way Sister Hong looked at me just now made me feel like a scumbag."
Xie Yaoyao couldn't help but chuckle, "So, do you think you are?"
Huo Yanxi: "...Of course not. It's just that you and the children suffered a lot in the past, and I feel a little guilty. When I go back in a few days, I will have my lawyer draft an agreement."
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