EBE Chapter 226 Year of Reunion
Chapter 226 Year of Reunion
Zhuang Chaoying was carrying two bags.
Lin was also carrying two bags, with Huang's parents following behind, looking at the street scene of Suzhou.
At this moment, the sky was getting dark. Zhuang Chaoying looked at her watch and saw that it was already past five o'clock.
Zhuang Chaoying called A-Ling yesterday, excitedly saying, "A-Ling, Mom and Dad are coming to Suzhou for the New Year, and our whole family can get together again!"
Huang Ling, on the other end of the phone, was so excited upon hearing the news that her voice trembled slightly. "Really? That's wonderful! I'd better get ready."
At this moment, they finally arrived at the entrance of the courtyard in the alley of Suzhou.
Zhuang Chaoying raised her hand and pushed open the courtyard gate.
As we entered the courtyard, Mr. and Mrs. Huang looked exceptionally energetic, wearing the ski suits that Chao Ying had bought for them.
Zhuang Chaoying shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Ah Ling, Xiao Ting, Tu Nan, come out and see who's here!~~~"
Hearing the sound, Huang Ling was startled for a moment, then reacted, put down the yarn she was knitting, and quickly ran out of the house. "Dad, Mom!" She didn't know if it was because she was getting old, but she felt that she was prone to tears over the smallest things. Her eyes immediately reddened, and she rushed forward to hug her mother tightly.
"Mom, come in quickly, I've already prepared dinner."
Hearing the commotion, the children rushed out of the room in a flurry.
Song Ying said with a smile, "Aunt Huang, Uncle Huang, you two look to be in good spirits. You haven't changed much in two years."
Mother Huang wiped away her tears. "Little Song, your sweet tongue is still so endearing. You haven't changed at all, you've just gotten old!"
Xiaoting and Tunan came out of the house and called out to the man. "Grandpa, Grandma!"
Lin Dongzhe also greeted them very politely. "Grandpa and Grandma."
"Oh, my good children!" Huang's mother hugged the two children tightly, and tears streamed down her face again.
Xiaoting reached out and wiped away her grandmother's tears. "Grandma, please stay a little longer this time. We all miss you and Grandpa."
Mother Huang nodded hurriedly. "Yes, yes, stay longer, stay longer!"
Mr. Huang reached out and patted Lin Dongzhe on the shoulder. "You little rascal, you've grown quite a bit taller in the past two years."
Lin Dongzhe smiled at Grandpa Huang. "Grandpa, my mom knew you were coming, so she made two bowls of steamed pork with rice flour. She'll bring them over to you in a bit."
"Okay, okay, Xiao Song, you're very kind."
Just like last time, Mr. and Mrs. Huang enjoyed family time here during the day and returned to the new courtyard at night.
Zhuang Chaoying has had a much easier time lately, as the elderly couple buys groceries for her every morning.
Huang's parents would also compete to cook all three meals a day.
Every time they cooked, Huang's mother skillfully stirred the food at the stove while Huang's father assisted her. The two would occasionally have a quiet argument about how to make a dish.
Zhuang Chaoying and A Ling are not abusing the elderly. They just want the elderly to have something to do and not be too idle. If they are idle, their health may suffer. They can also feel their presence in the family and know that they are still needed by their children.
He doesn't need to watch over his three mischievous kids while they do their homework or tutor them at home, because Tu Nan is there for them.
Zhuang Chaoying has really become a hands-off manager.
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Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it's Lunar New Year's Eve.
Huang's mother was leading Huang Ling and Song Ying in making glutinous rice balls. There were glutinous rice dough and fillings on the table.
As Huang's mother skillfully kneaded the glutinous rice balls, she shared her expertise with the two girls. "These glutinous rice balls need to be kneaded just right so that they will be soft and delicious when cooked."
Huang Ling and Song Ying studied diligently, occasionally teasing each other.
Mr. Huang was writing couplets on red paper with a brush in the yard.
Lin Wufeng and Zhuang Chaoying stood behind Huang's father and looked at the couplets he had written. Zhuang Chaoying was really surprised that his father-in-law had so many talents. His calligraphy was strong and vigorous, with elegant strokes.
After finishing writing, Mr. Huang gently put down his brush and admired his work.
"Two or three firecrackers herald the new year; four or five plum blossoms herald spring throughout the land; the horizontal scroll reads: Auspicious air fills the door."
Father Huang called to his beloved grandson, "Tu Nan, Grandpa has finished writing, so take it aside and let it air out."
"coming!"
Tu Nan was leading Xiao Ting in tidying up the house. The two of them cleaned the room spotlessly and wiped the windows until they shone.
Tu Nan dusted off his hands, quickly walked into the courtyard, carefully picked up the couplets, and placed them on the drying rack to the side.
He laid out red paper, dipped his brush in ink, pondered for a moment, and then wrote another piece with a flourish.
Lin Wufeng read it aloud: "Plum and bamboo bring peace and spring is in full bloom; the cradle and the mother tree flourish and longevity is abundant; the horizontal scroll reads 'Happy Family.' Good, Uncle Huang not only writes good calligraphy, but also this couplet."
Mr. Huang laughed and waved his hand. "It's nothing special, I just like to practice calligraphy in my spare time."
Song Ying stood to the side, her eyes fixed on the couplet. "Uncle Huang, this is extraordinary. The calligraphy is so beautiful. I think it's quite remarkable."
Lin Wufeng looked back at his wife, shook his head, but couldn't help but smile, his eyes filled with doting affection.
Huang Ling laughed so hard she almost fell over, her stomach aching. "Song Ying, your mouth is as sweet as honey. Don't tease me anymore, or I'll laugh myself to death." She patted Song Ying's shoulder gently as she laughed.
Song Ying laughed too. "Sister Ling, just be happy. You have your parents with you for the New Year."
Huang Ling nodded.
This year marks the first time Huang Ling has spent the Lunar New Year with her parents in Suzhou in the sixteen years since she came here. Huang Ling felt a pang of sadness as she looked at her busy yet happy family. She was touched by the thoughtfulness of Chao Ying, who had brought her parents to celebrate the New Year with her.
But when she thought about how her grandparents treated Chaoying, she felt sorry for Chaoying.
The things her grandparents did to favor Ganmei were like thorns pricking her heart. She secretly glanced at Chaoying, who was drying cured meat, and resolved to treat Chaoying even better in the future.
At this moment, Lin Dongzhe was standing on a chair, trying his best to paste the couplets correctly.
Xiaoting held the paste in her hand and carefully directed the process from the side.
Lin Dongzhe turned to look at Xiaoting beside him. "Xiaoting, Brother Tunan, look, isn't it right?"
Xiaoting stood behind Lin Dongzhe, took a few steps back, tilted her head, and squinted her eyes as she looked him over. "A little to the right, a little higher, okay, this is the spot." She said, gesturing with her hands as she spoke.
Tu Nan wrote "rag" in the pool, then turned to Lin Dongzhe and instructed him, "Lin Dongzhe, be careful, make sure you're standing firmly on the chair."
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