Seeing Jiang Si, the two of them greeted her a bit shyly, "Hello, Auntie."
"It's been just a few months, but you've both grown up so much," Jiang Si said with a smile.
"Oh, it's just a passing phase."
After saying this, Hu Meili spoke to the little daughter in her arms, "Qingqing, say hello to Auntie. She was the first one to hold you when you were born."
"Hellooo, Auntie~~"
Qingqing's personality took after Hu Meili, cheerful and very enthusiastic. After greeting, she even offered the small half of an apple she had been nibbling on.
"Auntie, eat~~"
Jiang Si was just about to say Auntie doesn't want it.
Sister-in-law Xu's son also handed her the small piece of apple in his hand.
The child's name was Lei Yiming, his nickname was Little Stone.
He was a month and a half younger than Suisui and Zhaozhao. He couldn't say 'Auntie' yet at this age, and could only raise his chubby little hand, saying, "Eat~~ Eat~~"
Jiang Si couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. Children at this age were just too adorable.
At this moment, she noticed that behind the two sisters-in-law, there were actually seven or eight luggage bags, each stuffed full and bulging, looking quite heavy.
However, the train station was crowded and not a good place to talk, so the group quickly got into the car with their luggage.
This time, only they had come. Regimental Commander Xiao and Deputy Regiment Commander Lei had already arrived in the Capital City a week earlier.
Originally, Hu Meili had planned to stay at the military guesthouse, as there was still over half a month until the big competition.
But she couldn't win against Jiang Si's insistence.
Jiang Si had already said on the phone that she had prepared the rooms in advance.
Actually, it didn't require much preparation.
The furniture, quilts, and mattresses had all been fully prepared by Third Granduncle and Ninth Master back when she got married.
The siheyuan courtyard house didn't have many other advantages, but it certainly had plenty of rooms.
Besides, Huo Tingzhou would soon be transferred back to the Capital City. After this parting, who knew when their families would get to see each other again.
Xu Mingjuan was a sentimental person by nature, and Teacher Hu had that straightforward, unreserved personality. Hearing Jiang Si say this, neither of them refused any further and readily agreed.
It's just that they would be staying at someone's house for nearly half a month, and with so many people, it wouldn't be right to come empty-handed.
So, for the half month before their departure, the two of them had started making preparations.
With all that preparation, they ended up packing four large bags of luggage.
Two bags were changes of clothes, and the remaining two large bags were all things brought for Jiang Si.
They were basically all local specialties from Qiongzhou Island. The dried fish and dried shrimp were bought from nearby fishing villages.
The dried mango, dried pineapple, and other preserved fruits were all homemade, which didn't cost much.
While they were talking, the car had already driven near the square.
With National Day approaching, many flower arrangements and potted plants had been added to the square, and national flags were placed along both sides of the road, creating a very strong festive atmosphere.
This was the children's first time in the Capital City, and everything seemed fresh and new to them.
Especially when they saw the landmark buildings from their textbooks, the excitement on their faces was practically overflowing.
Suddenly, Hu Meili's eyes lit up, "Look, that's the building your Auntie designed! Once it's finished, it will be the tallest building in the Capital City!"
"Wow—" Before the eldest boy and old second could say anything, Qingqing very cooperatively let out an exclamation of awe!
Children of this age, in fact, don't really understand such things.
Qingqing was just used to being the enthusiastic reactor.
No matter what her mom said, she would always follow up with a 'wow'!
After entering the siheyuan courtyard, the children were practically exclaiming 'wow' non-stop.
Suisui and Zhaozhao had already woken up.
They were now sitting in a row on their little rocking horses, directing Third Granduncle and Uncle Zhong to feed the fish.
The courtyard gate was slightly ajar. Hearing the commotion,
their little heads instantly turned to look.
Seeing their mom bring several people inside,
Suisui quickly took his sister's chubby little hand, and the two of them walked over, swaying slightly.
Hugging their mom's legs, their eyes full of accusation, "Mommy?"
Where did she go?
Why didn't she take them along?
Jiang Si crouched down, putting an arm around each little one. "Suisui, Zhaozhao, say hello to the aunties."
Perhaps because they often went out to play with their grandparents, the two little ones weren't shy at all.
Now they could say 'Auntie' perfectly.
"Auntie~~"
"Auntie~~"
The two children were already jade-like and adorable, with milky-white skin that took entirely after Jiang Si, and eyes that were big and round, just like little dumpling babies straight out of a New Year's painting.
Now, with each saying 'Auntie' in their well-behaved, cute little baby voices, they practically melted Hu Meili and Xu Mingjuan's hearts on the spot.
They really wanted to hold them in their arms and give them lots of kisses!
"These two children are just too lovable!" Hu Meili was so envious she didn't know what to say. "Can I take them back to raise for a few days?"
Xu Mingjuan burst out laughing upon hearing this. "If anyone's taking them, it should be me! You already have a son and a daughter!"
That was true, but who would mind having more such beautiful children!
Suisui and Zhaozhao, however, now had little question marks on their faces.
Take them back to raise for a few days?
Take them where?
Was it to go out and play?
Realizing this, they quickly nodded, "Want to go, want to go."
With that, they started heading for the door.
Their little antics made everyone laugh heartily.
"Come on, come on, come inside quickly,"
Third Granduncle hurriedly took the two little ones by the hand, afraid his great-grandchildren might run off. "Meili, Juan'er, just make yourselves at home, don't stand on ceremony."
"Third Granduncle, don't worry, we won't be polite with you," Hu Meili and Xu Mingjuan said with a smile.
"That's good, that's good."
Third Granduncle liked their open and straightforward nature. Saying this, he and Uncle Zhong went to the kitchen.
It was past mealtime, but worried they hadn't eaten well on the train, Third Granduncle and Uncle Zhong had specifically kept food for them.
It just needed a quick reheat.
Taking advantage of this break, Jiang Si first took them to their respective rooms to settle their luggage.
"Sisters-in-law, have something to eat in a bit, then take a good nap this afternoon. In the evening, I'll take you for a walk around the neighborhood."
Unlike Qiongzhou Island, the streetlights here in the Capital City stayed on until after 8:30 PM.
In the evening, the square was really lively.
Also, this season was neither too hot nor too cold, so many people came out for a stroll.
Hu Meili and the others weren't particularly tired, but after lying down for days and nights on the train, their legs felt a bit unsteady now, so they nodded in agreement.
After eating, they all quickly took showers, changed into clean clothes, and then went to their respective rooms to rest.
They slept straight through until sunset.
In the evening, they strolled around the neighborhood and chatted about things that had happened in the military family compound over the past year or so.
Originally, Ding Xiang had also planned to come along, but because she was less than three months pregnant, her parents were worried, so in the end, she didn't come.
Jiang Si was both surprised and delighted to hear this. "Ding Xiang is pregnant?"
"Mhmm," Hu Meili said with a smile. "He Ping performed outstandingly at the military academy, even earning two third-class merits this year. The academy specially approved a half-month home leave for him."
"Now with a child on the way, He Ping is more motivated than ever. In my opinion, he's sure to get a promotion upon graduation."
Jiang Si really didn't know about this, but she was very happy for He Ping.
As they chatted, Xu Mingjuan was reminded of another matter. A while ago, they had specifically tallied up the farm's income and expenses for the year.
The farm had performed very well this year. They had added several new varieties of canned fruit and even developed canned pork, which was practically selling faster than they could produce it.
"I estimate the farm's dividend payout this year should be quite substantial."
After that, the three of them chatted a bit more about their recent lives. As for those on the island whom they rarely got to see together, Hu Meili and Xu Mingjuan decided not to bring them up.
The three of them were laughing and talking when suddenly, a stream of angry shouts erupted from up ahead—
