Zeng Zhiyu was overjoyed to see his father, and the two laughed and joked around the house. Wang Ying was cooking in the kitchen.
She has learned to cook from Aunt Yang, and the food tastes pretty good, according to the father and son.
After putting the child to sleep after dinner, Wang Ying told Zeng Zhongkang about Zeng Zhiyu going to Hongmei's place to study.
"It's great. Children don't learn much in kindergarten anyway, so it's better to stay with Hongmei. If they pass the assessment in the future, they can even go up the mountain."
"Zeng Zhongkang, did you suffer in the mountains before?"
"It was tough, but you really learned a lot."
"Lu Jing also means the same thing, wanting Qingyang to come up the mountain as well, but Cai Peilin doesn't know that yet."
"This isn't a place we can just go whenever we want. We have to go through an assessment. Even the four members of Hongmei's family have to pass the assessment before they can go."
Let nature take its course.
The same conversation took place at Cai Peilin's home. "Lu Jing, I have no objection; if the child is willing, then so be it."
On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, Er Ya called Zhang Hongmei and asked her to bring her two children over for dinner.
"Sister Erya, I won't go. I'll go over for dinner when Sanya comes back."
The main reason was that Zhou Shixiong wasn't feeling well, and she needed to go and keep the elderly man company.
"Hongmei, I'm fine, I just don't have an appetite."
"That's why I brought Liu Qiang along. My son and I will eat with you. Didn't you say that watching the little guy eat makes you feel hungry again?"
"How about I cook for you? Your favorite big slice soup?"
"Okay, go do it."
Zhang Hongmei mentally prepared herself for a long time, but in the end, she still added a drop of the spiritual spring water to the cooking. This was equivalent to diluting it dozens of times, so it shouldn't be too noticeable.
Each of the three of them had a bowl, and Zhang Hongmei even added a poached egg. In any case, Zhou Shixiong ate two bowls.
Zhang Hongmei didn't cook much, and there wasn't a single thing left; she ate it all up.
“Hongmei, I have an appetite when you cook.”
"Okay, I'll cook you some porridge tonight. The three of us can have minced meat porridge."
"I invited them all over for dinner tonight, and I feel much better."
"Okay, I'll have Secretary Li inform them in a bit."
In the afternoon, Zhang Hongmei read the newspaper to Zhou Shixiong. Liu Qiang sat beside her, reading comic books.
When cooking porridge for dinner, Zhang Hongmei still added a drop, so that each person would have just the right amount for a bowl.
That evening, Zhang Hongmei told Zhang Shouyi about it.
"Hongmei, promise me you won't take any more risks in the future. This is the only time, and it will never happen again."
"Yes, I understand. I'm worried he won't make it through."
Zhang Shouyi remained silent. He could give the old lady a drink, but he dared not give it to Zhou Shixiong. It wasn't because of his position, but because he feared Zhou Shixiong would find out and it would be detrimental to Hongmei.
"You can't do that again."
"Yes, there will be no more."
By the time the 25th of the month, Zhou Shixiong had become much more energetic.
"You're happy because you know the children are coming back."
"I think so too. I'll definitely make something the kids love to eat on the 29th."
"Uncle, we're going to visit my great-grandmother on the first day of the Lunar New Year and will be back on the fifth."
"Go ahead, since there's a plane, it'll only be a few hours, you should go and take a look."
"Uncle, I won't be able to come and visit you for the next two days. A friend of mine is back, and I'm going to introduce her to someone."
"Hehe, my Hongmei has this hobby? She can even be a matchmaker?"
"On one side is my sister, and on the other side is my friend." Zhang Hongmei thought to herself that she had indeed acted as a matchmaker several times.
On the morning of the 26th, Zhang Hongmei led Jinsong and Liu Qiang to Liu Maocai's house.
"Uncle, you're on holiday too, right?"
"Yeah. I won't start working until my third year of junior high. Jingsong is all grown up now, almost as tall as his great-uncle. Our Liu Qiang has also grown taller."
Liu Maocai distributed firecrackers to the children and let them play in the yard.
"I'm telling you, be careful when you play. Even if it doesn't make a sound, don't touch it with your hands. If anyone can't do that, then don't play."
The children assured Zhang Hongmei and, after receiving permission, happily went to the yard.
"Uncle, how about I get you a motorcycle too?"
"No, my old arms and legs are too weak, I'd rather ride a bicycle."
In the kitchen, Li Cuihua and her son were busy cooking, while Zhang Hongmei sat to the side chatting with Liu Maocai.
At ten o'clock, Cheng Guangxu picked up Sanya on his bicycle.
"I knew my family would cook delicious food for me."
Li Cuihua looked at her youngest daughter and said, "She's gotten darker and thinner."
"Mom, I'm fine. Dad, don't I look more energetic?"
"Yes, my youngest daughter is very energetic."
Pengfei smiled at Sanya and said, "Auntie, you're finally back! My grandparents have missed you so much."
"Yes, my Pengfei is a big kid now. Jingsong is too, he's almost taller than his aunt."
Ping An, why are you smiling?
"Auntie, I only like you because you're pretty."
"You little rascal, you're quite the smooth talker. But your auntie loves to hear it."
Sanya squatted down in front of Cheng Zhiyuan and asked, "Do you still remember your aunt?"
"I remember, Auntie, I remember you."
"Hmm. Such a good child. Is this kid from Brother Er Lengzi's family?"
“Yes! His name is Liu Qiang,” Zhang Hongmei laughed from the side. Everyone who knew Er Lengzi could tell.
"I knew it. He looks exactly like that idiot."
"Liu Qiang. This is your aunt."
Hello, Auntie.
The dinner table was bustling with activity. Liu Maocai and his wife, in particular, were very happy. Liu Maocai even made an exception and drank a glass of wine.
Cheng Guangxu, the son-in-law, naturally had to accompany him, but after just one sip, his face turned completely red.
"Guangxu, if you can't drink, then don't drink." Li Cuihua felt sorry for her son-in-law.
"Hmm, I haven't tried it."
The whole family gathered around a table, creating a special festive atmosphere.
After the meal, Zhang Hongmei took the two children home so that the family could have a good get-together.
After getting home, I called Song Zigan. "My friend is back. Can you treat us to lunch tomorrow?"
"No problem. Shall we go for hot pot again?"
"Okay, see you tomorrow."
The next day, Zhang Hongmei took Sanya to the hot pot restaurant. On the way, she told Sanya not to be nervous.
"Sister Hongmei, you're just too nervous."
"Really? I am a little nervous. My sister is also at the age where she needs to find a boyfriend."
Sanya found Zhang Hongmei's appearance amusing, and her slight nervousness disappeared.
The manager personally delivered it upstairs. Song Zigan had already arrived and was momentarily stunned when he saw Sanya enter, but he quickly recovered.
"Welcome, welcome!"
Sanya looked at Song Zigan in front of her, her heart racing. This was the person she had always liked. And now he was right in front of her.
Song Zigan smiled and extended his hand. "Song Zigan."
Sanya shook hands back, "I am Liu Sanya!"
Song Zigan noticed that the little girl's palms were damp, and he found it quite amusing; the girl was nervous.
"Please sit down. It is a great honor to treat you to dinner today."
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