They lingered in the room for half the day before finally getting up to tidy up.
It was already late when they left the house with their belongings, but luckily, Yuan Weihan’s current residence was closer to the city. The children knew they were going to visit Grandma and Grandpa today and were thrilled.
This way of address was just set by Luo Qiao, to differentiate between Luo Haotian and Yuan Weihan. From now on, Luo Haotian would be called Grandpa, and Yuan Weihan would be called Granddad.
When the family arrived, Yuan Jiaxing was already waiting at the entrance of the compound.
Yanyan called out from afar, "Uncle Jiaxing, we’re here."
After registering at the gate, Yuan Jiaxing led the way to a three-story building. The environment here was much better than the previous family compound, and each building was a separate unit.
Lu Yichen pointed to a building behind them: "The parents of your third sister-in-law live right behind."
Luo Qiao glanced over: "Should we make a visit then?"
Lu Yichen parked the car: "Sure, I’ll accompany you later. Let’s not take the kids; we don’t want to trouble the hosts with an unexpected visit during the New Year."
Luo Qiao nodded: "Okay, I’ll listen to Brother Chen."
As they talked, they saw Yuan Weihan and Tiong Shulan come out of the yard with smiles on their faces.
Yanyan and Yueyue had already opened the car door: "Grandma, Granddad, we’ve come to see you."
Tiong Shulan hastened her steps toward them: "Oh my, my little treasures, come out of the car quickly. Let’s go inside, Grandma has prepared lots of delicious food for you."
Tiong Shulan lifted several children from the car, checking on this one and touching that one—she couldn’t have been happier.
Lu Yichen took out the stuff they brought and handed some of it over to Yuan Jiaxing who was standing nearby.
Luo Qiao turned to the little ones and said: "Have you greeted everyone?"
The little ones chorused: "Hello, Grandma and Granddad."
Yuan Weihan beamed with joy: "Good, good, good. Come, follow Granddad home, you’re all such good children."
At this moment, the neighbors from both sides started to gather around, with someone asking: "Colonel, is this your goddaughter’s family?"
Yuan Weihan felt a sense of proud satisfaction, nodding with a laugh: "Yes, Qiaoqiao has been abroad for years and only comes back for a few days at a time, so she hasn’t visited much."
Tiong Shulan joined in with a smile: "This is my daughter, all that goddaughter talk, you’re just envious. Look at my grandchildren, aren’t they cute?"
"My goodness, are these twins and triplets?"
"Of course, my daughter and son-in-law are quite impressive, right?"
Such talk made Luo Qiao and Lu Yichen feel slightly embarrassed.
Meng Dongyao walked out from the yard, smiling at her nieces and nephews: "Mom, it’s so cold outside, let the kids come in and warm up quickly."
Tiong Shulan scolded herself: "Look at me, quick, quick, quick, let’s go inside."
She didn’t forget to tell the people outside the gate: "We’re taking the kids in first, we’ll catch up later."
As they entered the yard, the two little grandsons, Yuan Zhikai and Yuan Zhihong, ran down from the building: "Grandma, have cousin and cousin-brother arrived?"
Tiong Shulan looked at her grandsons running down: "Take it easy, don’t fall."
When the two kids approached, Tiong Shulan urged: "Aren’t you going to greet them?"
The two children politely said: "Hello, Auntie and Uncle."
Then they ran over to Yanyan and Yueyue. Yuan Zhikai began: "Cousin, why did you only come now? We’ve been waiting for so long."
Yuan Zhihong ran over and took Xiao Ye’s hand: "Cousin-brother, are you cold? Let me warm your hands."
Tian Hongye answered sweetly with a smile: "I’m not cold, thank you, cousin-brother."
Watching the interaction among the children brought smiles to all the adults’ faces, feeling that the cousins really shared a lovely bond.
Yuan Weihan walked at the back, chatting with Lu Yichen as they all entered the living room.
Luo Qiao looked at the home’s interior decor: "Mom, isn’t this place much more spacious than the old family quarters?"
Tiong Shulan, while holding the little ones on the sofa, replied: "Your father was already eligible for a place here because of his rank, but he stubbornly didn’t want to move and stayed in the military family quarters.
It wasn’t until his office location changed that he applied for a house and moved here."
Everyone sat down, chatting warmly, and the Yuan sisters-in-law were very talkative; they were very curious about Luo Qiao’s life abroad. Luo Qiao shared some stories, and everyone listened with great interest.
The children had already had a great time playing together a few days ago, and were even more overjoyed to be together again.
After chatting for a while, Tiong Shulan stood up: "It’s getting late, there are still a few dishes to cook, I’ll go and stir-fry them, and we’ll have dinner in a bit."
Luo Qiao also stood up: "Mom, let me help you."
Tiong Shulan waved her off: "Your sisters-in-law have already helped me with everything, the main courses have been prepared in advance, it’s just a few leafy greens that need to be stir-fried."
Luo Qiao smiled: "I’ve been abroad for several years and haven’t fulfilled my duties as a daughter. Today, let me stir-fry these few vegetarian dishes, so dad, mom, brothers, sisters-in-law, and little nephews can also taste my cooking."