Xu Nian’an immediately said, "Little sis, you still have me now."
Xu Nian’an wore an expression that begged ’please don’t leave me behind,’ which made everyone burst into laughter, and Xu Nianhua said, "That’s fine, seeing as Second Brother hasn’t found a Second Sister-in-law yet, we will all live on the second floor, and you better not bully me!"
"In all conscience, when have I ever bullied my little sis?" Xu Nian’an exclaimed dramatically, making everyone laugh even more, their mouths unable to close from amusement.
Xu Nianji and his wife Zhou He were also talking about the house-building affairs of the day, with Zhou He saying somewhat nervously, "Nianji, please talk to mom and dad. I really don’t have any thoughts of separating."
She truly considered Xu Qinghe and Ji Ying her own parents.
No, even closer than her own parents.
"Xiaohe." Xu Nianji comforted her, patting her shoulder to ease her anxiety, "I understand what mom and dad mean. They also hope we’ll live in harmony in the future. Even if we live apart, we will only be next door."
Xu Nianji pulled her into his arms, "From childhood to adulthood, mom and dad have suffered a lot, so when they are capable, they don’t want the hardships they’ve endured to be experienced by us again."
"Mom and dad always think of us first, Xiaohe, I..." Xu Nianji didn’t even know how to express his feelings at that moment.
"In the future, we will properly honor our parents," Zhou He said earnestly, looking up, with the memory of their parents’ kindness etched in her heart, vowing to honor them from now on.
Xu Nianji nodded affirmatively. Under the flickering candlelight, Zhou He’s face appeared soft and hazy, warming Xu Nianji’s heart, and he bent down to kiss her.
"Nianhua, aren’t you coming home for Small New Year today?" Ji Ying had chopped a lot of streaky pork and leg meat today, planning to make cured meat and sausage, and had also set aside a few pounds of streaky pork, to make crispy pork.
With New Year fast approaching, there were still no preparations made for the festive goods, and the cured dishes had not yet been started. Ji Ying had been incredibly busy as soon as she got home.
"Mom, I have made plans with Sister Wei today, that’s our teacher’s daughter, to celebrate together," Xu Nianhua explained, "Second Brother, let’s go visit Teacher Lin together."
Xu Nian’an looked at Xu Nianhua with a puzzled face, not understanding why she chose Small New Year’s Day to visit their teacher.
"Little sis, won’t the teacher be upset if we visit his home during Small New Year?" Xu Nian’an asked as he followed Xu Nianhua on foot to the county. On the way, he expressed his doubts.
"Why would he be? It’s just the three of them in Teacher Lin’s family. Our visit will make it more lively."
Xu Nianhua said confidently, knowing this because after the incident years ago, both Teacher Lin and Madam Lin fell ill, and she heard many people say that due to Lin Wei’s incident, a happy home had just fallen apart.
"What should we buy to take with us?" Xu Nian’an’s first thought was alcohol, but he immediately shook his head and said, "No, alcohol won’t do, Teacher Lin doesn’t seem to drink."
"I think Teacher Lin will drink, but as for Madam Lin..."
Xu Nianhua paused, then said, "If we bring expensive gifts, Madam Lin won’t accept them. It would be better to bring something practical that she can’t refuse."
"What would that be?"
"Meat," Xu Nianhua replied without hesitation, "Once you buy the meat, can you return it? And isn’t it something you can leave for a dish at noon?"