Chapter 311 New Year's Visit to Grandma's House

Chapter 311 New Year's Visit to Grandma's House

"Xiao Chuan..." Grandma's voice suddenly became a little hoarse, her eyes instantly welled up with tears, which flowed out like a flood. "It's my Xiao Chuan who's back. I didn't see wrong. It really is my Xiao Chuan!"

Shen Xiaochuan quickly stepped forward and held the two elderly people tightly, afraid that they might fall due to their excitement.

His voice choked with emotion: "Grandma, I'm back. I missed you all so much!"

Grandma's tears fell like beads from a broken string, and she said with trembling lips, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

“Child! You have no idea how much I’ve worried about you every time your parents and sister come to visit for the New Year over the years, hoping to see you, but I’m always disappointed…”

"Alright, alright, stop crying. It's the New Year, don't let the child feel burdened." Grandpa said, wiping his eyes as he tried to hide his emotions.

"Come in, come in quickly, have some hot tea to warm you up." The two aunts greeted them warmly, bringing over steaming hot tea and snacks.

Meanwhile, the two uncles hurriedly ran to the chicken coop and caught another plump chicken.

They came to the center of the courtyard, and with swift and skillful movements, they wielded their knives.

Before long, the chicken had been slaughtered and all the blood had been drained.

At noon that day, the Ma family's dining table was laden with a sumptuous feast, the aroma of which was so enticing that it made one's mouth water.

Ma Amu didn't hesitate to take out a bottle of good wine that his brother-in-law had given him and give everyone a glass.

After dinner, everyone sat together and continued to chat happily, discussing everything from family matters to national affairs, including Shen Xiaochuan's interesting experiences in the army and things Shen Xiaoxiao should pay attention to when she goes to university.

Although no one understood it, it didn't dampen their enthusiasm.

Time passed by unnoticed, and Grandma and Auntie were already busy in the kitchen preparing dinner so that Shen Xiaoxiao's family could finish eating early and go home before it got dark.

After finishing their meal, Shen Xiaoxiao's family prepared to go home, still carrying large and small bags in their hands.

These were carefully prepared return gifts by the two aunts, filled with various dried goods such as shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, and dried bamboo shoots, all of which were ingredients they had picked themselves from the mountains.

As Shen Xiaoxiao and her family were about to leave their home, her grandmother suddenly called out to her and handed her a thick red envelope.

Grandma smiled and said to Shen Xiaoxiao, "Little girl, this is a little something from your grandpa, grandma, and your two uncles and aunts. Take it."

Shen Xiaoxiao looked at the red envelope in her grandmother's hand with some surprise, then turned to look at Ma Aning beside her, as if asking whether she should accept it.

Ma Aning smiled and nodded.

Shen Xiaoxiao slowly extended her hands and carefully accepted the red envelope, saying, "Thank you, Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunts." Her voice revealed a hint of gratitude.

Just then, the youngest cousin noticed the red envelope in Shen Xiaoxiao's hand, and a hint of envy flashed in his eyes.

My cousin innocently asked, "If I want to get into a good university in the future, will Grandma give me a red envelope then?"

His words made the whole family laugh. Grandma replied lovingly, "Of course! As long as you get into a good university, Grandma will definitely give you a big red envelope."

Ma Aning stepped forward and patted his head, saying, "As long as Liangliang gets into university, your aunt promises you a big red envelope."

Upon hearing his grandmother and aunt's reply, the little cousin became as excited as a bird and immediately exclaimed, "Yay! It's a deal then! I'll go study hard now and try to get into a good university!" After saying that, he ran back to his room like a gust of wind and began to study diligently.

"Xiaoxiao, are you leaving so early on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year? Isn't that too early? We have some things to take care of on the fifth day, so we might not be able to see you off." Ma Amu looked at Shen Xiaoxiao with a worried expression, his tone revealing a hint of unease.

Shen Xiaoxiao quickly comforted them, "Uncle, Grandma, don't worry. I'm not alone. My brother is also going to Kyoto to report for duty, so he can come with me." Her voice was gentle and reassuring.

"Then we can rest assured! Xiao Chuan, take good care of your sister on the road; she's never traveled far before." The group gave her a final, concerned instruction.

The family walked and chatted on their way home.

Suddenly remembering something, Shen Xiaoxiao turned to her parents and said, "Mom and Dad, aren't you coming to Kyoto with us this time? You can go and see my new house!"

Shen Zishan smiled and shook his head, explaining, "We won't go this time. With your brother with you, we're at ease."

"Besides, round-trip tickets are so expensive, and you need a letter of introduction, which can't be kept for too long. It's too much trouble. Let's wait until next time we have the chance to go."

Ma Aning chimed in, "Yes, your dad is right. We'll definitely have a chance to go sometime."

Time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, it's already the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.

Around 3 a.m., Mr. and Mrs. Shen Zishan got up and began preparing breakfast.

They made a large batch of dumplings and carefully prepared many white steamed buns. After steaming them all, they wrapped them in thick oilcloth to keep them warm.

"Mom, why did you make so many buns? Can we finish them all at once?" Shen Xiaoxiao plopped down at the table, grabbed a bun without any hesitation, and took a big bite.

"These buns are for you, put in your precious little house. It keeps things warm, right? When you get hungry, you can sneak them out and eat them," Ma Aning explained with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up, and she immediately stuffed the remaining 100-plus buns into her space.

Then, the brother and sister ate more than ten dumplings with great relish before patting their bellies contentedly.

Ma Aning carefully checked her luggage to make sure that everything she needed to bring was ready.

Basically, she put all her belongings into the space; there were only two bags of luggage and a few pieces of clothing on the surface.

"Do you have enough money on you?" Ma Aning asked with concern.

Before Shen Xiaoxiao could answer, she took out all the money from her pocket without hesitation and prepared to put it in Shen Xiaoxiao's hand.

"Mom, you know I've never been short of money, and I even have a lot of money left over from buying the house," Shen Xiaoxiao said, seeing that she still didn't believe her. She waved her hand and placed a large pile of cash on the table.