The Xiao sisters spent a New Year in Suzhou that was completely different from their time in Kyoto. The weather was as warm as spring, and the flowers were in full bloom... Xiao Yao's new teeth had also grown out, and she could finally speak whatever she wanted and laugh whenever she wanted. Nothing could make Xiao Yao happier than this.
The Tong family also took advantage of the New Year to entertain relatives and friends. The two beautifully dressed little sisters naturally won countless praises as soon as they appeared. The women's eyes were all attracted by Xiao Yao, and some even secretly asked where this child came from and why they had never seen her in Suzhou before.
"These are the two young ladies from my aunt's family." Qian introduced them enthusiastically.
"Is she the lady from Kyoto?" After hearing what Qian said, Mrs. Tang looked at Xiao Yao carefully again. Could she be the guest her son specifically asked to invite? Could it be that her son, who never took girls seriously, would treat this lady... If she hadn't been concerned that this was someone else's home, Mrs. Tang almost screamed out loud.
She finally figured out why her son took the initiative to ask to visit the Tong family today. The reason was probably because of the girl in front of him! Mrs. Tang re-examined Xiao Yao with a critical eye. She was too thin, not tall enough, and too flamboyant. She didn't have the gentleness and elegance that a girl from the south of the Yangtze River should have... In a word, she was not worthy of her child prodigy son.
"I wonder which families these two young ladies come from?" If her family background can be a help to her son in the future, she would consider it.
"General Xiao's Mansion."
Mrs. Tang vaguely remembered that her husband once said that General Xiao was born in a humble family and had no roots or foundation, but at least he held a high official position. Anyway, her son and the girl were still young, so they could talk about the future later. Perhaps there would be something better waiting for her son. There was no rush.
Xiao Yao walked around in front of the adults and then sneaked back to the backyard. It was more comfortable to stay there, organizing the picture albums and chatting with the master. It felt much better than having others visit and comment on her works.
She was enjoying a leisurely and contented life, but Tang Hao, on the other hand, had fallen into a state of absent-mindedness. Ever since he unexpectedly met Xiao Yao in the bookstore, her clear, lively eyes had seemed to have taken root in the young man's heart. Now, whether he was reading or resting, Tang Hao would always consciously or unconsciously think of the girl whose eyes were brighter than glass.
He knew she lived in Tong's house, but he had no chance to meet her. He had asked his mother to invite her before, but the answer he got was that the lady from Kyoto was ill. If he hadn't been afraid of being unreasonable, Tang Hao couldn't help wanting to visit Tong's house. Fortunately, his mother later told him that Doctor Qiao Hui had already visited her, which gave up Tang Hao's idea of visiting Tong's house.
Today, he finally got his wish and entered the Tong family, but apart from a quick glance when he saluted Madam Tong, he had no chance to interact with her again. This made Tang Hao feel unhappy. How could he see that girl again? This was a difficult problem before him. How could he think of a solution?
Under her eldest grandson's guidance, Madam Tong observed Tang Hao from the shadows. Contrary to Mrs. Tang, she felt the boy was unworthy of her granddaughter. A child prodigy? Who knew what he would be like when he grew up? He wasn't as handsome as Xiao Jia Silang, nor as handsome as her grandson Xiao Yi. He was truly unsuitable for her granddaughter in every way.
A few days later, the Tang family sent an invitation, stating that the Tong family and Miss Xiao were invited to attend the old man's 80th birthday party.
"And he invited us." Xiao Yao said in surprise.
"Yes! Please invite you and Ruyi to attend the birthday banquet of the old man of the Tang family. If you don't want to go, grandma will help you decline the invitation." Mrs. Tong actually wanted to say, Ping'an, you must not go, because a young master in their family has set his eyes on you, and grandma is really worried!
"Would it be bad if I didn't go?" People invited him with "good intentions" and it was the old man's birthday, so how could the younger generation refuse?
"Go, go, you can also take advantage of the old man's blessing, maybe Ping An will recover soon!" Old Master Tong didn't believe it. Their granddaughter was so young that they could do it. Besides, were his family members just decorations? They couldn't even take care of a child. He was looking forward to the Tang family proposing a marriage, or a matchmaker, for no other reason than that he hadn't seen his old in-laws for some time and missed them very much!
Mrs. Tong would be so angry that she would faint if she knew what her husband was thinking. She was so worried that her in-laws would cause trouble. But this man is actually looking forward to the arrival of the fearless General Xiao. Do you think this life is too boring?
"What kind of gift should Ruyi and I prepare?" Xiao Yao hesitated. "I've never celebrated an 80th birthday before! What kind of gift can express my feelings and make it look solemn?"
"Grandmother will prepare all these things. You don't have to worry. Just treat this banquet as an ordinary gathering and don't take it too seriously." Mrs. Tong didn't want her granddaughter to take the Tang family's banquet too seriously. Why should she give them such a big face?
"Sister, do you think your other tooth might fall out when you go to the Tang family?" Xiao Yuan asked worriedly.
Xiao Yao subconsciously covered her mouth. How could she have forgotten about this? If she lost a tooth while eating, it would be a huge joke.
"Let grandma see." Mrs. Tong pulled her granddaughter over and looked at and studied it carefully in the light projected in.
"Three, it won't fall off within two days, so don't worry, it's safe." Before Mrs. Tong could speak, Mr. Tong took a look and said irresponsibly.
Although she was deprived of the right to speak, Mrs. Tong had to admit that there was some truth in what her husband said. Her granddaughter's teeth seemed to be very strong and it should not be a problem for them to last for a day or two. Even if they fell out, so what? Changing teeth was not a shameful matter.
"Remember to eat less at that time. Even when you eat, choose some soft and tender dishes to taste. Also remember not to eat anything that is too cold or too hot." Mrs. Tong instructed carefully.
"You think peace is..." Old Master Tong looked at the little fat boy Xiao Yuan next to him and closed his mouth vigilantly.
Mrs. Tong glared at her husband. It seemed that he had become too familiar with Xiao Ruyi. He even said everything in front of her. If he made the child cry, she would see how you would back down.
"Grandma, don't worry about my sister. She is not like me, greedy and playful. Don't worry, I will always accompany my sister. If there are hard, cold, or hard food, I will help her finish it." This job is good! I like it very much.
Seeing Xiao Yuan with stars in his eyes, Mrs. Tong and Xiao Yao swallowed all their words of comfort.
Old Master Tong hugged Xiao Yuan happily, and turned around to tease his wife, "See, the fat boy himself doesn't mind, so I don't know why you are so nervous."
On the 16th day of the first lunar month, all members of the Tong family except a few babies went out, as everyone wanted to witness with their own eyes how the 80-year-old birthday boy celebrated his birthday.
Xiao Yao wore a light green dress today and a simple beaded flower on her head. She rarely chose green clothes. One reason was that she didn't like them very much, and the other reason was that as a modern person, she had some psychological trauma about this color.
Mrs. Tong spent the entire morning choosing an outfit for her granddaughter. She feared a dress too formal might spark some people's fantasies, while too casual might seem inappropriate. After trying three or four outfits, she couldn't find one she liked. It wasn't that Xiao Yao looked bad in them; quite the opposite. They all looked so good, it was hard to choose.
The rest of the Tong family found Mrs. Tong's behavior incomprehensible. She didn't want to choose anything luxurious, nor did she want to choose anything exquisite. From the look of her, it seemed that the more tacky and ordinary her granddaughter's appearance was, the better. How could this seem like something only an enemy would do?
But Old Man Tong seemed to be deliberately opposing his wife. When he saw his granddaughter dressed up, he began to praise her, "Ping An looks really good in this dress. It's refreshing and elegant. You should wear clothes of this color more often in the future."
Mrs. Tong wanted to cover her husband's mouth. She had spent the whole morning picking out the most ordinary and common clothes for her granddaughter. Now, all her efforts were wasted because of this sentence. It seems that having a granddaughter who is too outstanding can sometimes be a headache.
Nanny Ruan also changed her habit of never accompanying her little apprentice to the banquet, and came out personally today to escort Xiao Yao. Xiao Yao had no idea what they were worried about, she always thought she was just a child, who would worry about a preschooler who was still wet behind the ears!
Xiao Yao didn't think about Yun Can in the past and Tang Hao now, because she forgot that people in ancient times would get married when they were teenagers. In modern times, teenagers are a good time to study, and the gap is too big, Xiao Yao is still a little confused.
As an insider, Mr. Tong saw the nervous look of his wife and Aunt Ruan, and he silently despised them. Do you two want to protect Ping An with the look on your face? In front of you, the old in-laws are on high alert, and behind you, a group of people are on high alert. Little Ping An, you are really capable. You don't have to do anything to mobilize everyone to revolve around you.
Sitting in the carriage, Xiao Yuan whispered to Xiao Yao, "Sister, do you think Grandma and Aunt Ruan are acting a little strange today?"
"Really?" Xiao Yao asked in confusion, having no idea that she was the culprit.
"I guess they are nervous because they are afraid that you will lose your teeth and make a fool of yourself in other people's homes. It would be great if you didn't have to replace your teeth, then no one would have to worry about it." Xiao Yuan said seriously.
Could you please not remind yourself that this is not something you can control?
However, Grandma and Nanny Ruan were obviously not such boring people. There must be something else that made them nervous. Xiao Yao felt that it had nothing to do with her.
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