Chapter 316 Group Photo of the Three Families (tushumi.cc)

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year in 1961, Xiao Jiu was taking a nap while hugging a warm water bottle when her mother knocked on the door and came in with hot water.

"Stop sleeping, you lazybones! The snow outside is really thick. Your brothers went out to play in the snow early this morning."

They're all nagging me to wake you up, saying they want to build you a snowman, including your older sisters.

They're all excitedly having a snowball fight outside, their cheeks flushed. You're the only one missing! Hurry up, I've made you a steamed egg.

"Once you're full, hurry up and run out to play!"

While Xiao Jiu was still having a hysterical episode, her mother placed a warm towel on her face and washed her face and hands.

She regained consciousness quickly and asked in a hoarse voice, "Is it going to stop or not?"

"It's raining, but not heavily, and it's fast. Everything outside is covered in white, it's so beautiful."

"Oh, right, get up and let Mom dress you up nicely. Your fifth sister said she wants to take a family photo!"

After Xiao Jiu finished tidying up, Sister Cui Mei also came over with her most inconspicuous little camera.

This camera, commonly known as a point-and-shoot camera, uses color film. It can take pictures, but to get the photos developed, she'll have to find a place that can develop color photos.

She explained the situation, saying that it was borrowed color film, and she would find a way to develop it and send it back after she returned to Beijing.

This year, the whole family was able to get together for the Spring Festival, but now it's almost time to say goodbye again. Here's a family photo of the Tao family and another of the Tang family.

When it was the Tang sisters' turn to take a photo, Zhao Lingli cleverly arranged for Xiao Jiu to sit in the first row, squatting between the eldest and second eldest sisters.

The moment the nine sisters broke into smiles, Tao Zui pressed the shutter, perfectly capturing this beautiful moment.

Just as Cui Mei and the others were discussing how to take a group photo, there was a commotion at the door. The moment the door was pushed open, everyone froze.

"Oh my god, Xing-gege, Yue-gege, you're back! Wow, that's great, that's great!"

Xiao Jiu excitedly rushed towards Zhou Yue. After not seeing him for so long, she practically jumped onto him like a cannonball.

Zhou Yue was amazing; he perfectly coordinated by holding her in his arms. Perhaps feeling that being held by the waist was unseemly, he immediately switched to a princess carry.

He didn't even notice when he lost his luggage; in short, he missed the little one in his arms terribly!

After the Tao family gathered around, Tao Zui casually took the small bottle of wine and tapped her on the forehead.

"You're such a grown-up, how can you let anyone hug you like that? You're a girl, you should be more mindful of your image."

Xiao Jiu pouted, "Brother Yue isn't just anyone, what's wrong with giving him a hug?"

As he spoke, he jumped off Tao Zui's body, excitedly moved between Zhou Xing and Zhou Yue, and hooked one of their arms, looking at them with great delight.

The little one's adorable appearance amused Zhou Xing and Zhou Yue, but when they saw their grandparents coming over, they quickly went up to greet them.

"Happy Chinese New Year, Grandpa and Grandma! I hope you're both in good health. My brother and I originally planned to come back before the New Year, but we had to postpone our trip because of the snow in Chongqing. Luckily, we didn't miss it and everyone was here. I just saw you taking pictures, didn't I?"

"Oh, that's great! Come on, let's all take a group photo. You two brothers can take one standing in the old house too."

Tao Changyi quickly asked the uncle next door to help take the photos, and Tang Cuimei taught him how to take them for a while.

With a click, the three families captured precious images in front of the Tao family's old house amidst the rare snow scene.

Afterwards, the nine sisters led the Zhou brothers to the old house, first taking photos of the two brothers, and then the two brothers took photos of the nine sisters.

Then Xiao Jiu ran between Zhou Xing and Zhou Yue, sticking out her pigtails and calling out "cheese" with a grin.

The two brothers returned this time wearing military overcoats and caps; their attire alone immediately boosted their presence and charisma.

Although carrying a military-style backpack is somewhat cute, it appears much more understated compared to the burgundy cotton-padded jacket, red headband, and red cotton shoes.

'Luckily it wasn't red pants,' otherwise it would have been so awkward.

"Red and green, a perfect match, haha!"

After taking the photos, Cuihua and Cuiju went to Zhao Lingli to discuss what to do for lunch.

"Let's make dumplings, and a few other dishes too. It's rare for these two kids to come back, so we should at least make a couple more dishes."

Tao Changyi chimed in, "Let's prepare a few more snacks to go with the drinks. I'll have a drink with the kids later. Let's make this meal more substantial."

When Zhou Yue and Zhou Xing arrived at the main room, they began taking out gifts, starting with pastries and tea for their grandparents.

Afterwards, he gave Zhao Lingli a red headscarf and Tao Changyi local liquor from Shancheng and Harbin.

"We don't have any gifts for the brothers. With so many sisters, we didn't know what everyone liked, so we bought a bunch of red hair ties and hair accessories. Take a look and see if there's anything you like,"

Zhou Xing took out a small cloth bag with an embarrassed look. Xiao Jiu opened it and took a look. Good heavens, it really was full of hair accessories.

"Wow, this is the most festive thing to wear during the Chinese New Year. Xing Ge and Yue Ge, you guys are so thoughtful. Sisters, hurry up and pick one."

Cuihua was a little embarrassed, "You've gone to so much trouble!"

"Sister Hua, isn't that being too formal? We're all family, isn't this what we should do?"

Cuihua was born in 1937, which is the 39th year of the Zhou Dynasty, so she should be called "elder sister".

Zhao Lingli took out the fried dough leaves, sesame candy, meatballs, and sweet and savory snacks she had made for the New Year.

"Isn't this a coal stove? Put it on it to warm up and have some to eat while we go cook."

Just as Xiao Jiu was about to go over to help, Zhou Yue handed her a paper package: "See if you like it."

"For me?" Xiao Jiu turned around in surprise, just in time to meet Zhou Yue looking at her with a smile in his eyes.

"Yes, this is for you, for our youngest sister. I had to fight a bunch of old women for it."

The package was opened to reveal a bright red wool scarf in a very pure color, which looked quite valuable.

Tao Zui glanced at the side and her eyes suddenly widened.

"This was bought in Harbin, right? I wanted to buy a set for my wine, but I couldn't get close enough to it."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yue chimed in with a complaint, "It's a hot item, the color is perfect, and it'll be festive to wear during the New Year. If I weren't strong and not wearing my military uniform, I might not have been able to snatch it. It's a pity the hat is gone; I only managed to grab a scarf."

Xiao Jiu rubbed the towel against her face, looking delighted: "Wow, it feels so good, Brother Yue, thank you!"

"No need to thank me. I was so busy buying scarves that I didn't even think about buying hair ties or anything. I didn't expect my brother to have this thought in mind. It's really rare."

Zhou Xing gave him a cold look. "So you're allowed to go out with your comrades? I'm not allowed to go with them? Everyone else has bought things, and if I don't, it'll seem like I'm not fitting in. I'm not only going to buy things, but I'm going to buy more than them."

I'm not very good at choosing things, so the waiter had to help me pick them out.

Tao Zui broke down in a second after hearing this: "Everyone else buys them for their partners, but you buy a whole bunch! Not only do you fit in, but you've also saved face!"