In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve.
This was Gu Lingling's first New Year since her rebirth, and it was a year without the scolding of Old Mrs. Gu and the pretense of Wang Meili. Content orıginally comes from 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱
Gu Lingling felt extremely cheerful and cooked several dishes in one go, including a braised fish.
The fish was sent by Wang Shuxia's family, as both she and Liu Jianping's workplace gave out a fish.
In previous years, at this time, Gu Chunli and Liu Xiufeng would symbolically return with their son Gu Zhouzhu, and by the first day of the new year, they would have left again.
But this year, due to the fallout from the borrowing grain incident, Gu Chunli hadn't shown up since then.
However, Gu Chunmei had returned a few times, and each time she'd give Gu Chunli a good scolding before feeling satisfied.
Gu Lingling's eldest aunt, Gu Chunxia, because she married quite far away, found it inconvenient to return. Every year, she would set off from her in-laws' home before dawn on the second day and only arrive at the Gu Family in the afternoon.
After eating lunch, she would rush back, reportedly reaching her home by midnight.
"Grandpa, if my aunt comes back this year, let them stay the night at our house before leaving," Gu Lingling said.
In her past life, before her eldest aunt got married, she had been very kind to her. Even after Yao Ruanqian passed away, Gu Lingling remembered that every year when her aunt visited, she would secretly slip her a few coins.
However, her aunt's family wasn't wealthy at all.
"Alright." Old Sir Gu nodded.
Old Mrs. Gu didn't taciturn eldest daughter, but Old Sir Gu did. Every year he hoped they would stay a night, but unfortunately, the house was too crowded, and there simply weren't enough rooms.
This year was different, with just the three of them, grandfather and granddaughters.
Early on the second day, Gu Lingling got up and started preparing. Gu Chunmei had clearly expressed that she would definitely return to her family home on the second day this year.
Not long after breakfast, Gu Chunmei's voice was heard.
"Dad, second brother, Lingling, we're back." Gu Chunmei's voice arrived before she did.
"Aunt, uncle." Gu Lingling ran out to greet them, "Chao Yang, Jiaojiao."
"Sister Lingling." Li Chaoyang greeted shyly, while Li Yujiao turned her head away, avoiding Gu Lingling's gaze.
"This girl." Gu Chunmei tapped Li Yujiao on the head, "What? Forgot to greet people?"
Only then did Li Yujiao begrudgingly mumble a soft "cousin."
"Come in, I made something delicious for you." Gu Lingling wasn't at all bothered by her awkward demeanor.
Whether in the past life or before, every time Li Yujiao came over, seeing Gu Juan bullying her stupidly, although she was also angry at her, she would still stand by her side against Gu Juan.
Li Yujiao awkwardly tried to pull away from Gu Lingling but was led into the house.
"Sister Lingling, did you make all these?" Li Chaoyang looked surprised at the snacks on the table: little sesame balls, fried dough twists, and meatballs. There's also a plate of something soft and sticky he had never tasted before.
Li Chaoyang was only a little over a year younger than Gu Lingling, so he was understandably amazed at her ability to make so much.
He couldn't help but glance at his sister, recalling that he had never seen Li Yujiao cook.
"Try and see what you like. I'll pack some more for you to take home." Gu Lingling loved seeing others enjoy the food she made.
"Hmph, she made all these? I doubt it." Thirteen-year-old Li Yujiao initially intended to act proud and not eat, but seeing her brother munch one after another, she couldn't resist trying one as well.
"Did your grandmother make these?" Li Yujiao knew that Gu Lingling's grandmother was quite skilled.
"I learned from my grandmother. How about it? Not bad, right?" Gu Lingling said with a smile, "I've learned a few signature dishes too, I'll showcase them at lunch."
"Humph, who cares." Although she still doubted it in her heart, Liu Yujiao didn't stop reaching for the sweet pastries, they were simply too good.