The main thing is, putting aside personal reluctance, Pei Yicheng is responsible, talented, and has good character. He treats Nianhua very well. Last summer, Jiang Wanru even remarked that Nianhua is blessed, and the two of them seem perfectly matched.
"Grandma, when is Aunt coming back?" Su Hong’en didn’t get an answer from Fang Manyin, so he came running to ask Grandma Jiang Wanru.
"Hongen, wait a little longer. Aunt will be back soon." Jiang Wanru kindly patted Su Hong’en’s head. Seeing her eldest grandson gradually becoming more like other normal children, her mood was exceptionally good. She said, "Hongen, why don’t you continue teaching your brother to draw, okay?"
"Okay." Su Hong’en glanced at Zhuangzhuang, who was following behind him, and then ran back to the corner to continue drawing with Zhuangzhuang.
Mostly, it was Su Hong’en doing the drawing, while Zhuangzhuang was making mischief. Even Fang Manyin worried that Hongen might get angry, but surprisingly, Su Hong’en was very patient.
This warm and beautiful scene almost brought Fang Manyin to tears.
"Zhuangzhuang, stop bothering your brother!" Zhou He, watching from the side, was eager to pull her chubby son back. Look at how well others are drawing, while her chubby boy kept messing with Su Hong’en’s supplies, accidentally spilling paint on the drawing paper.
However, Su Hong’en was very patient, and Zhou He kept praising him for being sensible.
Knowing the inside story, Fang Manyin felt more grateful to Xu Nianhua. Without Xu Nianhua’s guidance over the past year, Su Hong’en would still only enjoy immersing himself in his own little world. How could he be seen as sensible now, being praised by Zhou He?
...
"Stir-fried small river shrimps taste so delicious, you can add a bit of chives with them."
"And the sea bass is most suitable for steaming. Sprinkle a little shredded ginger and scallion, it’s incredibly tasty!"
Xu Nianhua looked at Pei Yicheng’s basket and felt tempted!
Seeing her eager expression, Pei Yicheng knew that buying the river shrimps and sea bass from the old man was a good decision. He asked, "May I have the honor of tasting the fish and shrimp you cook?"
"Of course, let’s go home, I’ll cook them for you." Xu Nianhua agreed without hesitation and urged, "Let’s hurry back home. I’ll cook for you, and by the way, why not buy some beef ribs at the market? Let’s make a braised beef rib dish."
She remembered that Pei Yicheng liked beef ribs.
"Alright."
Pei Yicheng added, "Let’s also get a pound of beef." Beef was Xu Nianhua’s favorite.
When Xu Nianhua and Pei Yicheng returned with their hands full of groceries, they heard laughter inside the house before even entering. As she walked in, she asked, "Mom, do we have guests? Just in time, Yicheng and I bought some river shrimps and sea bass, they’re really fresh!"
Jiang Wanru heard Xu Nianhua’s voice.
"Aunt Jiang?" Xu Nianhua initially thought it was a lady from the village. Seeing Jiang Wanru sitting in the living room, she thought she was seeing things. As she walked into the living room, wasn’t Zhuangzhuang playing with toys with Hong’en and Fang Manyin, alongside Su Xi?
"Aunt, Happy New Year." Hearing Xu Nianhua’s voice, Su Hong’en put down his paintbrush and dashed towards Xu Nianhua.
"Hongen, Happy New Year."
Xu Nianhua was also quite shocked. She was holding groceries in her hands, so hugging Hongen wasn’t convenient. She smiled and said, "Aunt Jiang, Sister Manyin, Happy New Year. Su Xi, why didn’t you let us know you were coming? When did you get here? Have you been waiting long?"
Why did Aunt Jiang look at her so excitedly?