Itās just modifying a blueprint, Liang Hongmei couldnāt figure out why it took so long, but the two of them seemed quite happy when they came down from the second floor.
Lin Wan originally thought of having Wang Leqin stay for a meal at home, but unexpectedly, she was eager to change the design and left in high spirits.
Watching their excited expressions, Liang Hongmei shook her head helplessly, "Just fixing a drawing, is it worth getting this happy?"
"Mom, you donāt know, Wang Leqin has become so obsessed with design that she forgets to eat and sleep. I guess she hasnāt taken any formal courses. Itās a bit scattered. But the fact that she can make such clothes through self-study, sheās really a genius. Did you know? She actually went to learn embroidery from an old master to achieve a specific effect with her garments."
"Really, does she have that much patience?" She usually looks so arrogant and is not easy to get along with. But today, she was very polite when visiting their home.
"When a person becomes obsessed with something, itās not about patience anymore; itās about love. Loving something makes everything a pleasure."
Liang Hongmei rolled her eyes at her, "You have a way with words. I really donāt understand you all. Your brother is on holiday starting tomorrow. Your dad will be back tonight, so no worries. So is your sister-in-law. Itās just Xiao Yi still missing now. Is this task of his dangerous or not? Why hasnāt he been back for so long? Mom is really worried."
"Mom, he said heād definitely make it back within these two days." Who isnāt worried? Han Yi, he tells her itās not dangerous, probably just so she wonāt worry. When is any of his missions not dangerous?
The mother and daughter fretted for a while, and could only do other things to divert their attention.
Mom made a few small shrimp dumplings for Little Star, and the little one seemed quite delighted.
"This place doesnāt compare to our home or S City. We have mountains and water at home; whenever we want to eat, we can just catch something in the river. Even if they are small, we could still catch a few. When we were in S City, Xiao Huang never let us run out of seafood. Itās not the same here. Here itās all flat plains, and itās hard to even find a small hill, let alone rivers with fish and shrimp. They do have it, but itās scarce and very expensive."
"Mom, each place has its own merits. Havenāt you noticed, there are no hot pot places here? Not even a big private restaurant. If our shop opens next year, it will definitely be a hit. I was thinking, opening a stir-fry restaurant might be better. But itās too tiring for you alone. Letās stick with hot pot; itās easier."
"Iāve realized now, there are plenty of ways to make money here; itās just that we donāt have the energy for it."
With the whole family gathered, it was barely past three when Mom started to prepare the meal. She made a braised chicken herself, a big portion of stewed lamb feet, and a carp soup.
Men always appreciate a wife whoās good at cooking. It tastes great. Even the food outside canāt compare to home-cooked meals.
Even Grandpa and Grandma have grown fond of Momās cooking. Mom, being a good daughter-in-law, always makes some elderly-friendly dishes at home during the day and takes them to the elderly couple in a thermos.
All these years, sheās never fulfilled the duties of a daughter-in-law, so now that she has the chance, sheās certainly not going to slack off.
Liang Hongmei still feels grateful to the elderly couple, mainly because when she and Guozhi reunited, they didnāt oppose it or mind a daughter-in-law from the countryside.
This deeply moved her. Sheās not highly educated and canāt express herself well, so she can only show her feelings through actions.
There are many in the second brotherās family, so the thermos Liang Hongmei bought is a big one. The second brother and the two children at home can also get a taste.
Ever since she tried Momās cooking, once Auntie sees Mom, sheāll drag her to the kitchen to learn culinary skills.
But she gave up after learning for a while; making something delicious is troublesome. The process is too cumbersome, there are many ingredients used each time just a little, and itās a hassle to prepare. She simply gave up.
"Letās pack up, and leave early the day after tomorrow. Xiao Yi should be on his way back; he might arrive tomorrow." Lin Guozhi has been keeping an eye on his son-in-lawās situation. Itās been wrapped up several days ago. There were some hiccups in between, but all to Han Yiās advantage. This time he has indeed made a "good haul".
"Weāve mostly packed up; which car are we taking back? Can our whole family fit?" Weāre bringing a lot of stuff this time. Just the familyās clothes are quite a lot, plus the clothes Xiao Wan prepared for everyone and lots of food and necessities.
"Iāve arranged a pickup truck. The front can seat our family, and the back can hold things."
"Dad, how much is this pickup truck? We want to buy one too." Such a car is sturdy, and when Little Star grows older, they can visit here during vacations.
"This car belongs to the military. Why do you need a car? You canāt even drive."
"I can learn if I canāt drive." Honestly, she couldnāt drive in her past life. Given the chance this life, she must learn well.
"Xiao Wan, thereās an automobile factory in Z City, Dongfeng brand. Not sure if they have anything like this. After the New Year, when we come back, Iāll take you to have a look." Mu Qing grew up here and is very familiar with the place.
"Sure, sister-in-law."
"Xiao Wan, being alone over there and buying a car is likely to attract envy." Lin Yinghui frowned and said.
This was a consideration when they bought the large truck initially, but now they think itās not such a big deal. "Mom, in another half a year, Ai Yi and I will graduate, and then Iāll live with Ai Yi on the base. Having a car would be convenient for trips to the city."
"Then weāll wait another half a year, no need to rush." Lin Guozhi, not at ease with his daughter, decided firmly for her.
Lin Wan didnāt argue; after all, a few months will zoom by.
As long as Dad is around, thereās no place for her with Little Star. At night, she had a good sleep.
The next day, Dad took them to Grandpaās house. Today was the Little New Year, a year where the elder brotherās family gathered, and it was the fullest the Lin Family had been. If it werenāt for the children needing to pay respects to their in-laws, this year would definitely be bustling.
"Grandpa, Grandma, donāt be sad. From now on, our family will spend every year with you." Lin Wan, with her sweet little mouth, made the two old folks beam with smiles.
"Now, all we need is for you two and Xiao Yuan to be transferred back, and then our whole family can reunite."
Exactly, in a couple of years, their family would all be here. She doesnāt know when in her past life Han Yi came here or for what reasons, but eventually, they all stayed here.
After barely greeting the family, Lin Yuan pulled Lin Wan away, "Xiao Wan, I heard Wang Leqin visited you yesterday."
"Ah, yes, she came to ask me some things about clothing."
Lin Yuan frowned incredulously, "She went to your home to ask you for advice?"
Seeing her expression, Lin Wan knew she didnāt believe it. She cleared her throat, folded her arms, and lifted her head with a smile, "Yes, she came to ask for advice."
"Sheās always been so arrogant, walking with her eyes on the sky, as if everyone owes her. Did she say anything rude at your house?"
"Not at all, her attitude was great, we had a pleasant chat, and she spoke quite well."
"Really? Wow, thatās really strange. She can actually speak nicely to someone?"
Lin Wan laughed, "Donāt believe it? After the New Year, letās meet up together, you can see if itās really like I said."
"Sure, I definitely want to go. I want to see what itās like when Wang Leqin speaks with a smile."
Lin Wan teased, baffled, "What kind of grudge do you have against her, paying so much attention to her?"
Lin Yuan rolled her eyes, "Iām just curious. She has been the subject of discussion among the girls in our courtyard since childhood. I guess Iām used to it."
"..."
The whole family happily had a reunion dinner, and Grandpa regretted that Han Yi couldnāt make it on time.
It made the grandkids pout, and they all started whining to Grandpa one after another.
In the evening, the younger ones came out to set off firecrackers. It was so lively with sparklers.
After eating dumplings, although they stayed a while longer at Grandpaās, everyone eventually headed back home.
Dad cycled the tricycle with them, mom, and Little Star, while brother cycled with his wife.
Though winter here isnāt as cold as S City, itās still minus three or four degrees.
Mom wrapped Little Star with a small blanket, but the child was persistent, trying hard to poke his head out.
Liang Hongmei laughed and pointed at the little rascal, helplessly letting her be.
Meanwhile, Lin Wan and Liang Hongmei were busy in the back with the kid, not paying attention to what was coming head-on.
Suddenly, they heard a manās voice and before they could look up, they heard the clanging sound of metal falling.