"Aunt Jiang’s family is really nice," Xu Nianhua sighed. Due to Su Hong’en, she’s been to the Su Family a fair number of times, and each visit is met with their warmth and Jiang Wanru’s hospitality. Yet, she never feels any burden—Aunt Jiang’s family handles it beautifully.
Sometimes, when she dines with Aunt Jiang’s family, she feels like one of them, entirely at ease.
"Indeed, they are," Xu Nian’an agreed, knowing his younger sister often visits the Su Family. He thick-skinnedly went along too, and after meeting them, he felt reassured about his sister’s interactions with the Su Family.
Uncle Su’s hair was halfway gray, but he dressed quite casually. Aunt Jiang was particularly elegant, and Su Lie and his wife Fang Manyin came across as very approachable. Furthermore, according to what Xu Nian’an secretly inquired from Pei Yicheng, they were really good people who enjoyed doing charity and helping others.
The libraries of Beining University and the labs of Medical University were all donated by the Su Family.
Xu Nian’an believed that associating with such people had its benefits.
"I noticed Aunt Jiang likes dried bayberry and vinegar ginger. Next year, let’s have Mom make more and give some to Aunt Jiang," Xu Nianhua thought.
Xu Nian’an echoed, "Yes, I think the cured meats and smoked rabbit and chicken from our family are also delicious; we could bring some of those too."
Reciprocity was well-considered by the Su Family who seemed thoughtful of their family’s situation. They didn’t give overly expensive gifts, only very thoughtful ones.
For instance, what Jiang Wanru gave to the younger sister were rare delicacies—though slightly pricey, always within their means. Similarly, Fang Manyin gifted the younger sister clothes she personally designed and made, gifts that were both thoughtful and practical.
This time, during their trip home, Fang Manyin specially made woolen coats for their parents, one in black and the other in burgundy. The colors perfectly suited their parents’ age, and the styles were impeccable.
Xu Nianhua exclaimed over Fang Manyin’s craftsmanship and was immensely fond of the clothes. Hence, whenever she went to visit Hongen, she thoughtfully selected gifts that Hongen liked or found practical.
The siblings weren’t first-timers on the train; they were very experienced. With Xu Nian’an looking after Xu Nianhua, they returned safely to South City.
"Big brother, we’re here," Xu Nianhua said, carrying a backpack and some food, while Xu Nian’an managed the remaining two large suitcases and also carried a big backpack. Clearly, their homecoming was quite an effort.
Upon seeing them, Xu Nianji hurried forward to take Xu Nianhua’s belongings and offered them steamed buns he had bought, saying, "Hungry? I even got some soy milk on the train, have some to warm up."
"Thank you, big brother."
Xu Nianhua wasn’t only fatigued and hungry; though you could eat on the train, having had instant noodles last night, early in the morning, she didn’t want noodles again.
The meat buns were delicious, carrying the taste of home. Sitting in the car, sipping steaming soy milk, she smiled blissfully. Big brother was always so thoughtful; these buns and milk carried the family’s love.
"Big brother, you still need to pick up goods, right? I’ll take the younger sister first to visit grandpa. Our uncle and cousins brought a lot of stuff for grandpa as well as second uncle and little uncle," Xu Nian’an said after having six big buns and a cup of soy milk, finally feeling warm.