Qin Jian brought An Hao and Gu Shuangshuang back with him.
Zhang Yun had prepared a big table of dishes, and they had a lively meal together.
In the evening, Ning Yibin got hold of some movie and theater tickets, letting them choose what to watch.
The three of them opted for the movie, so Ning Yibin and Zhang Yun took the theater tickets and went to see a play.
The next morning, Ning Yibin and Zhang Yun overslept.
They had come back late from the play the night before; after sitting for such a long time, both were tired and had gone straight to bed after washing up, resulting in them oversleeping.
Thinking of the many people at home waiting for breakfast, Zhang Yun hurriedly got out of bed, foregoing even washing up, and rushed to the kitchen.
What she saw was An Hao, apron tied around her, skillfully chopping vegetables and cooking, while Gu Shuangshuang clumsily cracked eggs by her side.
"Oh my! Why didn’t you sleep in longer? Why get up so early during the vacation? I can handle the cooking, you two go out," said Zhang Yun, who was used to cooking breakfast on school days.
She had gotten used to it.
Besides, now that her son was finally back home for the holidays, she preferred her daughter-in-law to spend more time with him, and she was happy to take care of the cooking.
"Mom, let me do it! During school, I can’t help with cooking, but now that I’m on vacation, I should take care of these things. You should go for a walk now that you’re up; breakfast will be ready in half an hour," said An Hao with a smile.
"You go instead! I have plenty of time on my hands, and I can go out any time."
"Mom! Don’t argue with me. I know you love me, but you have to give me a chance to love and honor you too, right?" An Hao said, as she put down the kitchen knife, wiped her hands, and pushed Zhang Yun out of the kitchen.
Gu Shuangshuang watched enviously, "I’ve only ever seen mothers-in-law who complain about their daughters-in-law being too lazy to cook. This is the first time I’m seeing a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law vying to do the work. An Hao, you’re so lucky. I want to find a mother-in-law just as good in the future."
Zhang Yun, already pleased at heart by how sensible An Hao was, beamed even more brightly upon hearing Gu Shuangshuang’s words, her face blooming like a flower.
"Shuangshuang, this is about empathy," An Hao said with a smile. "My mother-in-law is kind to me, so I am kind to her. That way, two kindnesses are better as one."
"That’s right, certainly," Zhang Yun said, patting Gu Shuangshuang on the shoulder. "Both you and An Hao are good children. An Hao will be happy, and so will you."
"Yes, I believe you, Auntie!"
The breakfast was ready, Qin Jian returned from his morning run outside, and Ning Yibin also got up.
An Hao brought the breakfast to the table; there was millet and sweet potato porridge in the pot, steaming white flour buns on the strainer, and four plates of fresh vegetables, all delivered regularly by An Ping.
This kind of breakfast was light and tasty, suitable for all ages.
The family gathered around the table, ready to eat. They had just picked up their chopsticks when a knocking sound resonated from outside.
"Who could it be so early in the morning?" Zhang Yun wondered.
"I’ll go take a look," said An Hao as she put down her chopsticks and got up to open the door.
When she opened the door, to her delight, she found it was Tian Niu standing there: "You... weren’t you supposed to arrive tonight?"
"Hello, Sister-in-law!" Tian Niu greeted An Hao with a beaming smile. "To surprise Gu Shuangshuang, I bought a nighttime bus ticket and boarded a night earlier."
"That’s great, too great! Shuangshuang will be so happy she’ll jump for joy," An Hao said, then called out to Gu Shuangshuang, who was in the dining area, "Shuangshuang, come quick! Army Captain Tian is back!"