Chapter 354 The Orphanage's Lies: The Handsome Flower Boy 54
Facing the main gate are three main rooms, with three side rooms on each of the east and west sides. In the center of the courtyard stands an old locust tree, under which are stone tables and benches.
Several red lanterns hung under the eaves, their warm yellow light illuminating the entire courtyard.
This looks like the houses where landlords lived over the past few decades—no, even better and brighter than those houses.
"This, this is where we live?"
The elder sister-in-law's voice trembled, "My God, we still live in a mud-walled house! There's no house this nice in the whole village!"
Shen Ci nodded and smiled, and said, "Make the arrangements for the family."
"Yes, we'll stay here for the next few days."
The main house is for my parents, the east wing is for my eldest brother and sister-in-law and their family, and the west wing is for my second brother and sister-in-law and their family.
Don't worry, there are enough rooms here; even one person can have their own room.
She pushed open the door to the main room, where the lights were bright and the furniture was plentiful.
A carved wooden bed, a large wardrobe, an eight-immortal table, and a grand master's chair. The bed is covered with brand-new sheets and quilts, and it will be cleaned spotless by then.
"Are all these new?"
As Chen's mother touched the smooth satin quilt, she couldn't believe her hands were too rough; she worried they might snag a thread later.
How much money will my daughter spend on all these new things?
"Of course, how can we use the old stuff if it's not family coming over?"
Shen Ci then took her brother and sister-in-law to see the side rooms. Every room was clean and tidy, and even the children's rooms were furnished with everything they needed.
The second sister-in-law's eyes reddened, feeling a little sorry for her. Unlike the eldest sister-in-law, who had taken care of her younger sister, she hadn't done anything special. It was only because she married into the Shen family that she was able to experience these things.
That's really lucky.
"Little sister, how much will this cost?"
"Second sister-in-law, don't say such things."
You've come all this way, you should stay comfortably.
Oh, right, the kitchen is over there, and the toilet is in the southwest corner.
Suddenly, Mother Shen thought of something. Everyone in the family had been arranged, but what about her daughter?
"Ni'er, where do you live? And what about Jin Nian?"
“Jin Nian and I live near the school, but the houses there are too small to accommodate so many people.”
It's spacious here, you'll feel comfortable staying here.
Jin Nian comes over on weekends, and I'll take him to stay there so it's convenient for him to go to school.
Shen Ci explained that this large family definitely wanted to live together to make it more lively, and that they felt safer with more people around.
We all came from Shenjia Village together and have lived together for so many years. It's hard to adjust to suddenly separating them.
Ms. Shen was a little reluctant, but when she thought that her daughter's house might be too small and that she would only cause trouble if she went there, she accepted the arrangement.
The next morning, Shen Ci set off with his whole family. Since they were going on a trip, they naturally wanted to take this opportunity to see the capital properly.
The first stop, of course, is Tiananmen Square.
When they finally stood on that open square and looked up at the portrait of the great man and the national emblem hanging on the city gate, both of Shen's parents had tears in their eyes.
Mr. Shen straightened his Zhongshan suit, which Shen Ci had just bought for him yesterday. He stood ramrod straight, muttering to himself.
"This life has been worthwhile."
Children ran around in the square, counting the reliefs on the Monument to the People's Heroes.
Lu Jinnian took the initiative to tell his younger cousins about history, acting as their guide.
Lunchtime at Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant.
The roast duck was roasted to a glossy, crispy perfection, and the skin was sliced right there on the spot. Since there were many people in my family, we booked a private room. It was all family, so we didn't feel uncomfortable.
The Shen family, a dozen or so people in total, were stunned. Shen Ci taught everyone how to roll duck meat, scallions, and sweet bean sauce in thin pancakes. She was the first to roll one up and hand it to her mother.
Chen's mother took a bite, and the crispy, fragrant taste filled her mouth, making her both cry and laugh.
“Even an old woman like me can eat this.”
"Mom, there will be plenty of delicious food to come."
Shen Ci rolled up another one for Shen's father, which was very fair.
Seeing the Shen family's reaction, and the large table of food, Lu Jinnian was reminded of himself back then.
It was the same when he first came to eat with his mother.
My mom always brings surprises to everyone and takes care of everyone; she's amazing.
This time, he can help his mother take care of the other family members.
I visited the Forbidden City in the afternoon.
As they entered the Meridian Gate and passed through the Taihe Hall Square, the Shen family was speechless with awe at the red walls and yellow tiles of the building. This was the imperial city, the place where the emperor used to live!
Ordinary people would never have dared to dream of such a thing before, that they could even enter the palace! They never imagined they would have such an opportunity in their lifetime!
Shen Guodong touched the white marble railings of Jinshui Bridge, repeatedly giving instructions to his children.
"Study hard, and come work in Beijing in the future!"
If my own child could be half as successful as my younger sister, that would be enough.
After shopping and having some food and drinks, Shen Ci took the whole family to Wangfujing Department Store.
Without further ado, they provided everyone with a new set of clothes from head to toe.
The parents wore dark-colored Zhongshan suits and woolen coats, the older brother and sister-in-law wore fashionable polyester shirts and trousers, and the children wore sailor shirts, overalls, and floral skirts.
Everyone has one! No one is left out.
The eldest sister-in-law touched the smooth Dacron fabric, her hands trembling. This was more expensive than the dress she wore for her wedding.
"This is too expensive, little sister, you really can't accept it."
"Sister-in-law, please put it on."
Tomorrow we're going to the photo studio to take a family photo, so everyone needs to dress smartly.
On the third day, they went to the Summer Palace.
While rowing on Kunming Lake, Mr. Shen hummed a tune he used to know when he was young, as if he had put aside all the hardships of farming and raising children over the years.
There are no people who don't know how to enjoy life, only people who don't have enough money to enjoy it. Not having to work, eating, drinking, having fun, and experiencing new things every day—that's a really comfortable life.
Mother Shen and her two daughters-in-law leaned against the railing, pointing and laughing at the Fragrant Buddha Pavilion in the distance.
The children chattered on the boat, while Lu Jinnian sat quietly at the stern, watching the shimmering lake with a faint smile on his lips.
This is the epitome of peaceful and serene life.
In the afternoon, Shen Ci indeed led the whole family to Da Bei Photo Studio.
This is the most famous photo studio in Beijing, with many photos of celebrities hanging in the window.
The photographer was an experienced man, and when he heard that a family portrait of more than a dozen people was to be taken, he specially brought over a tall photo stand.
"The old man and woman sit in the middle, the son and daughter-in-law stand behind, and the children squat in front. Yes, that's it."
"Smile, everyone! Say cheese!"
"eggplant--"
The flash went off, freezing the moment in time.
Mr. and Mrs. Shen sat in the center, smiling broadly. Shen Ci stood behind her parents, one hand on her mother's shoulder and the other gently embracing Lu Jinnian.
The brothers and sisters-in-law stood on both sides, while the children squatted or sat in the front row, each with a happy smile on their face.
Everyone in this family is here, not one is missing; this is true reunion.
This black and white family photo was later framed by Shen's mother and hung in the center of the main room of the old house, which she would show off to everyone she met.
"This photo was taken of our whole family in Beijing!"
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