"Grandpa, Happy New Year," Xu Nianhua greeted Grandpa Ji Xinghua as soon as she entered the house, "wishing you health and happiness in everything in the new year." Compared to the last time they had met, Ji Xinghua looked much more energetic and had put on some weight.
Ji Xinghua had known that they would come to pay a New Year’s visit and had been waiting at home in the new clothes his daughter had bought for him. Seeing his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren made him very happy.
"This must be Nianji’s Zhuangzhuang, right? What a fine-looking boy, really sturdy," Ji Xinghua instantly took a liking to the plump child in Zhou He’s arms.
Thanks to a good supply of breast milk, young Xu Yue had grown especially robust. Truly living up to his name, he was chubby and fair, which made everyone happy and fond of him.
"Yes, Grandpa, this is my son, Xu Yue, his nickname is Zhuangzhuang," Xu Nianji said with pride and self-satisfaction. Since he often worked as a delivery driver, he occasionally took on the role of a courier.
Whatever good things Ji Ying had, she would send to Ji Xinghua.
As Xu Nianji visited more frequently, his relationship with his grandfather grew closer. Before, Xu Nianji had shown Ji Xinghua photos of his son, but this was the first time he had brought the child to see Ji Xinghua.
"Hello, Zhuangzhuang." At Ji Xinghua’s age, he cared for little else but doted on children, particularly when the whole family was gathered together joyously.
For lunch, they ate at Ji Lin’s house, and in the evening, they had dinner at Ji Shuhong’s. This was Xu Nianhua’s first visit to the latter’s home. Ji Shuhong’s family all worked at the textile factory, and they lived in a house allocated by the factory. The house wasn’t large but was tidy and well-organized.
Xu Nianhua also saw two of her cousins whom she had not met before.
Ji Shuyan and Ji Shuting were both attractive and had brought their husbands and children. Honestly, Xu Nianhua couldn’t recognize everyone.
As for Ji Shuhong, who was about her own age and had only been admitted to South City Normal University, she looked down on him somewhat.
Xu Nianhua’s family was staying in a hotel. Both Ji Lin and Ji Shuhong had their own families to accommodate, and it would be too cramped, given that there were seven people in her family, both young and old.
"Mom, can big uncle and his family come back tomorrow?" Xu Nianhua had assumed they could return home the next day, but she had received a call from Ningbei. Ji Shuhong’s whole family was also coming.
Upon hearing this, Ji Xinghua immediately urged his daughter to stay. It had been a long time since the Ji family had had a reunion.
Especially Ji Ying, who had not seen her eldest brother Ji Lin for many years.
"There’s not much to do at home; we might as well stay a couple more days," Ji Ying wanted to stay.
Xu Nianhua and Xu Nian’an, both students, had nothing particular to do upon returning.
"Mom, Xiaohe and I tomorrow..." Xu Nianji didn’t quite know what to say when Ji Ying interrupted, "You and your wife should go back first. Xiaohe should visit her parents’ home for New Year’s greetings soon."
"Mom, it’s okay. Why don’t we stay one more day? It won’t matter," Zhou He felt it was rare to gather together, and Xu Nianji probably wanted to meet his big uncle too.
Previously, when discussing whether Zhou He, Xu Nianji, and Zhuangzhuang should visit South City, Ji Ying had mentioned they could go back to her parental home first.
But Zhou He decided to come to South City first.
To visit Grandpa’s house for New Year’s with the family was important, not to mention the little one had never met his great-grandfather.
Moreover, Zhou He knew that elderly people love to see their younger relatives.
"No, Xiaohe, we are already one day late. If we delay by another day, your parents will be unhappy," Xu Nianji couldn’t bear to go home and have his wife scolded by her own mother.