"I will never abandon you; you are all my own grandchildren."
Han Fei wanted to go up and pat the head of this little boy who looked like a serious old man despite his young age.
Han Chengda dodged away with a dark expression, his eyes fixed intently on Han Fei: "I will earn money to support my younger brother and sister."
Han Fei found it amusing: "Leave the money-making to Grandpa."
“If you could make money, you would have gone back to the village long ago. Grandma has been waiting for you.”
Han Fei was speechless.
“As long as you don’t give up our custody, I will earn money to support my younger siblings and take care of you in your old age.”
"Don't worry, Grandpa will not give up his custody rights."
"I'm not going to school tomorrow, I'm going to pick up trash with you."
"Stop fooling around."
Before Han Fei could continue to persuade him, the stubborn young boy had already turned and left.
Han Fei sighed. It seemed he wouldn't be able to sleep. He had to figure out a way to make money.
Although I have 10,000 yuan, it's not enough to raise children, let alone seven.
When Han Fei arrived in the courtyard, he saw Old Man Xu there as well. Under the hawthorn tree, the two old men looked at each other, both wearing bitter smiles.
"Can't sleep?" Han Fei asked.
Old Xu nodded: "Seeing your grandchildren reminds me of my son."
“My son didn’t invite me to his wedding last year; he doesn’t recognize me as his father anymore.”
“A few days ago when I was picking up trash, I saw him and his wife from a distance. My daughter-in-law is heavily pregnant and should be giving birth soon.”
"I'll be a grandfather soon, sigh..."
Han Fei patted Old Man Xu on the shoulder: "It should be okay for you to see your grandson. If he won't let you see him, you can go to the hospital and see him secretly."
“I’m too ashamed to go. I look like a penniless scavenger in this state. My son would think I’m coming to him to live with him in his old age and he would kick me out.”
"Then make more money and regain your dignity. Let your son know that you're not asking him to support you in your old age, but genuinely want to atone for your sins."
"Me? I'm almost sixty, how much money can I still earn?"
Han Fei looked up at the hawthorn tree in the courtyard and suddenly smiled: "I'll help you make money."
"Take me to pick up trash?" Old Xu waved his hand: "Your hand speed isn't even as fast as mine."
"No, look up."
Old Xu looked up, following Han Fei's gaze. "What's wrong? Old Han, are you craving hawthorns?"
"I don't crave hawthorn, but many people do."
"Is your Calabash Brother craving hawthorn?"
"What I mean is, we pick these hawthorns, make them into candied hawthorns, and sell them at the gates of primary schools with many children."
"This...can make money?"
"The cost of growing hawthorns on the tree is minimal; it only requires some sugar and time. If sales are good, you can make a considerable amount of money in a day."
"But I don't know how to make candied hawthorn berries."
"I can."
In his previous life, Han Fei couldn't get used to white food abroad, but he did develop excellent culinary skills.
When he craved candied hawthorns, he made some himself and shared them with his friends at Christmas, where they received unanimous praise.
"Alright! I'll work for you then!" Old Xu took out 10,000 yuan and stuffed it into Han Fei's hand: "This money is yours. Whether you make a profit or a loss, I'll accept it!"
Han Fei and Old Man Xu were both action-oriented. For the elderly, the remaining years were already few, so they had to do what they thought of, because no one knew if illness would strike suddenly tomorrow.
Two old men picked all the hawthorns off the tree. Looking at the two baskets full of hawthorns on the ground, Old Xu sighed, "My son loved candied hawthorns when he was little."
"Once it's finished, I'll send him two skewers."
Old Xu smiled bitterly: "He won't accept it."
"Anyway, his wife has never met you and doesn't know you, so just pretend to be an old man delivering takeout."
"Okay, whatever you say!"
Late at night, sugar was boiled, and the sweet aroma spread, filling the entire building with a sweet fragrance.
Xiao Qi woke up from her dream, blinked her big, clear eyes, licked her lips, and followed the scent. On the way, she met Han Chengwu, who was rubbing his eyes and still half asleep.
"Brother Xiao Wu, does it smell like sugar?"
Han Chengwu made a shushing gesture to Xiao Qi and waved to her.
Two children peeked through the crack in the door, their bottoms sticking out. They saw two old men with a clear division of labor: one was removing the seeds from the hawthorns, and the other was boiling syrup.
"What are you doing?"
"ah!"
Han Rou's shout startled the two children, who rushed forward and tumbled into the doorway.
Han Fei paused in his sugar-boiling hands, looked up and saw Han Rou standing at the door, with two little cubs lying on the ground. He understood immediately; they must be three little gluttons attracted by the aroma of the sugar.
Han Fei waved to the three children and handed the two strings of candied hawthorns he had just finished making to Han Rou: "You three can divide them among yourselves."
Han Rou nodded obediently: "Okay, Grandpa!"
Looking at the gentle, cute little girl, Han Fei couldn't believe that she would become a big sister in the future, carrying a gun and seizing territory everywhere.
"Huh? Why is this string of candied hawthorns flat?" Han Chengwu asked, pointing to one of the two strings of candied hawthorns.
Han Rou whispered, "Don't expose Grandpa, he must have messed up this string of dumplings."
"Then you've misunderstood your grandfather. This flat candied hawthorn is much tastier than the other skewer."
"How is that possible?" Han Chengwu said in disbelief, "This is like a rotten hawthorn that has been trampled on. How could it possibly taste better than this bunch of plump hawthorns!"
Old Xu laughed and said, "Don't believe me? Then try it and you'll see. This is your grandfather's exclusive recipe, and it's sure to be a bestseller!"
Han Chengwu shook his head, looking disgusted: "I don't want to eat rotten hawthorns."
Little Qi said in her childish voice, "I believe Grandpa. Grandpa would never give us spoiled food!"
Han Fei was somewhat touched. This little girl was too trusting. Although he was their grandfather, they had only met today.
The little girl, with a look of grim determination, opened her mouth, let out a soft "Aww!" and took a big bite of the hawthorn. Her eyes lit up instantly, and her cheeks puffed out: "So delicious~"
"Really?" Han Chengwu saw his sister eating with relish, slurped his saliva, and leaned over to take a bite. But Xiao Qi suddenly pulled her hand back and hid the flat candied hawthorn behind her back.
"Little Seven, just give Fifth Brother a bite?" Han Chengwu coaxed, "Just a tiny bite, just the tip of your little finger."
Xiaoqi glanced at him, then at the flattened candied hawthorn, and finally, the possessive little girl shook her head decisively: "No!"
Han Rou asked, "Is it really that delicious?"
Xiao Qi held a flat, candied hawthorn stick to Han Rou's mouth and said in a childish voice, "Second Sister, eat!"
Han Chengwu looked incredulous: "Xiao Qi, you're treating me differently!"
Han Rou took a small bite, her eyes lighting up: "It's easier to bite, and flat candied hawthorns are softer, sweeter, and more fragrant. How can this be?"
She took a bite of the round candied hawthorn: "This one is more sour and very hard."
Han Fei explained with a smile: "Because it has been boiled, the sourness and astringency of the hawthorn have been removed. After being flattened, it is easier to bite. Therefore, flat candied hawthorn is more suitable for the elderly and children with poor teeth."
Han Chengwu was so hungry for it that he tried to coax his little sister for a long time, but couldn't get even a bite. He could only dawdle over to Han Fei's legs, tug at Han Fei's clothes with his little hand, and plead pitifully, "Grandpa, can I have a bite of this candied hawthorn? I really want some!"
Old Xu, standing nearby, chuckled, "I wonder who it was that just now looked disgusted and said, 'I don't want to eat rotten hawthorns!'"
Han Chengwu's chubby little face instantly turned red, and after stammering for a while, he suddenly burst into tears.
The loud cry woke up the other children, who rushed to the kitchen.
When Han Chengda saw Xiao Wu standing next to Han Fei wailing, he pushed Han Fei aside without thinking and shielded Han Chengwu behind him. He stared at Han Fei fiercely like a wolf: "If you don't want to support us, I'll take my younger brother and sister and leave right now. You're not allowed to bully them!"
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