Jiang Si initially wanted to help in the kitchen, but as soon as she stepped in, Mother Huo shooed her out.
"We've got this covered here. No need for you youngsters to help," Mother Huo said.
Fourth Aunt Huo chimed in with a smile, "That's right. You rarely get time off, so go relax in the living room for a while."
With that, Jiang Si didn’t insist further.
Just then, Huo Tingzhou arrived.
"What’s wrong? Did the little ones wake up?" Jiang Si asked.
"No, I just checked—they’re still asleep," Huo Tingzhou replied. "Tinghuai is looking for you. He wants to schedule a time for your interview."
Jiang Si felt a pang of guilt upon hearing this.
The interview was originally supposed to be completed last month, but she had been busy with her design drafts and postponed it.
"I’m sorry for the delay," she apologized when she met Huo Tinghuai later.
"Cousin-in-law, no need to be so formal," Huo Tinghuai said, surprised to learn that Jiang Si had been involved in the design of the foreign affairs hotel.
As luck would have it, his newspaper had just received an interview assignment the day before.
The task, assigned by the Ministry of Construction, was to interview Comrade Shen Dong—the chief designer of the foreign affairs hotel project.
Rumor had it that the interview would be published as a front-page headline, underscoring the importance the higher-ups placed on the project.
But now wasn’t the time to discuss that. Huo Tinghuai adjusted his glasses.
"Cousin-in-law, here’s our interview schedule for the week. Let me know when you’re free so I can prepare in advance."
Jiang Si glanced at it. "How about tomorrow?"
The matter had already been delayed for a month, and she didn’t want to push it further.
Huo Tinghuai hesitated, instinctively looking at his cousin for guidance.
Huo Tingzhou also seemed uncertain for a moment.
A brief silence fell over the room.
Noticing their hesitation, Jiang Si didn’t press further.
"If tomorrow isn’t convenient, we can do it the day after," she offered.
"It’s not that," Huo Tinghuai said after a pause, finally nodding. "Tomorrow works."
They then discussed the details of the interview.
As per protocol, the newspaper would prepare some questions in advance.
"Cousin-in-law, these are the likely questions. You can prepare your answers beforehand."
"Also, the interview is scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow."
"You and Cousin can come directly to the newspaper office’s west gate. I’ll be waiting there."
Jiang Si was surprised. "He can come in too?"
"Yes, that’s fine."
Before leaving, Huo Tinghuai added, "For the interview, it’s best to wear a dark-colored Lenin suit. Keep your hairstyle simple."
"Got it," Jiang Si nodded.
They exchanged a few more words until Suisui and Zhaozhao woke up, ending their conversation.
"What were you two whispering about earlier?"
Back in their room, Jiang Si teased, "Exchanging glances right in front of me—did you think I wouldn’t notice?"
Huo Tingzhou sighed. "That’s not what we were doing."
But Jiang Si wasn’t having it. "What’s going on?" she pressed.
Under her probing gaze, Huo Tingzhou had no choice but to confess. "Their newspaper has another interview tomorrow morning."
"Another one?" Jiang Si was momentarily confused.
Huo Tingzhou explained, "The interviewee is the chief designer of the foreign affairs hotel."
"So? What’s the big deal?"
Jiang Si gave him an amused look. "I’ve already told you—I don’t care about things like that."
"I know you don’t."
Huo Tingzhou wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently rubbing the pad of her index finger.
He just felt a little heartbroken for her.
Though he didn’t say it aloud, Jiang Si understood his thoughts.
"What can we do? It’s not like I can steal his design and put my name on it," she joked, patting his hand.
"Let’s drop this topic. No more mentions of it, ever!"
"Instead, let’s focus on what to wear for the family portrait this afternoon."
This would be their first formal family portrait as a family of four.
The one taken back on Qiongzhou Island didn’t count—that was just a casual snapshot.
"What should we wear?" Jiang Si mused, eyeing the closet full of clothes with slight frustration.
"How about this?"
Huo Tingzhou picked out a red high-neck wool sweater, paired with a long black cashmere coat and a fitted plaid cashmere skirt.
The outfit was undeniably stylish and high-quality, but Jiang Si hesitated.
"Won’t this be too much?"
"It’s fine. We’re just taking photos at home—no one will mind."
Huo Tingzhou then pulled out a red scarf and a pair of black Mary Jane shoes.
His wife had only worn this outfit once before—back in Shanghai.
He had wanted her to wear it during their wedding last year, but she had held back, worried about appearances.
His eyes gleamed with persuasion. "Sweetheart, why not try it on?"
At her age, Jiang Si couldn’t resist such temptation. She changed into the outfit immediately.
Thanks to post-pregnancy changes, the fit was snug around the bust but otherwise perfect.
"You look beautiful," Huo Tingzhou said sincerely. "Let’s go with this."
"Okay." Jiang Si was pleased with the choice too.
Once her outfit was settled, Huo Tingzhou’s was quickly decided as well.
For formal occasions, she preferred him in a Zhongshan suit.
Though, with his build and frame, he looked good in anything.
The twins were dressed in the red cotton-padded jackets Father Huo had bought for them—styled like traditional Tang suits.
Paired with matching tiger-head hats, the little ones looked absolutely adorable.
When the family of four descended the stairs, the lively chatter in the living room instantly quieted.
All eyes turned toward them, filled with admiration.
Just moments ago, everyone had been debating what to wear for the family portrait.
Now, the decision was made for them.
The patriarch declared, "Well, no need to overthink it. Let’s all dress like Third Brother’s family."
Grandma Huo nodded in agreement. "Sounds perfect."
After a lively lunch of traditional Beijing-style hot pot, everyone retreated to their rooms to rummage through their wardrobes.
By the time the photographer from the state-run studio arrived, the entire household—young and old—was dressed to the nines, beaming with joy.
The photo session began.
The photographer arranged everyone’s seating.
The patriarch and his wife sat in the center, holding Suisui and Zhaozhao.
Father Huo, Mother Huo, and Huo's fourth uncle and his wife flanked them.
The younger generation sat cross-legged in front.
The rest of the family stood in rows behind them.
With a click, the camera captured a moment of reunion and happiness—thirty years in the making.
The entire afternoon was bustling with excitement at the Huo residence.
After taking several sets of family portraits in different styles, it was time for each branch of the family to have their photos taken separately.
Aside from the Huo family, the happiest person present was undoubtedly the photographer from the studio.
At this time, the studio was managed by the state-owned catering service company, and while the employees weren’t directly affected by whether business was good or bad,
the studio still had to pay rent and a certain percentage of taxes every month.
Add to that the cost of film wastage,
which meant they had to maintain a steady income just to keep operations running.
Since the "People’s Photo Studio" had opened its doors, they had never encountered such a lavish client.
Color photography was already expensive, and on top of that, the patriarch wanted enlargements and extra prints.
The final bill was so high that even the photographer was taken aback.
Fortunately, before he could even mention it, Father Huo proactively settled the payment.
After all, he had recently gotten a promotion and a raise.
But even without that, he would have gladly spent the money.
At his age, nothing brought him greater joy than having his whole family together.
Jiang Si also felt incredibly happy—though she would have been even happier if a certain someone hadn’t been quite so… enthusiastic the night before.
Thankfully, it didn’t interfere with the important matters.
The next morning, Huo Tingzhou punctually dropped her off at the west gate of the National Daily News.
As if fate had a twisted sense of humor, the moment Jiang Si stepped out of the car, she came face-to-face with the last group of people she ever wanted to see—
