Today, the Huo Family was hosting a first birthday celebration, and since early morning there had been a constant stream of people coming and going.
However, no matter who arrived, they first had to register at the gate post. Only after confirmation by a member of the Huo Family themselves would the guards grant entry.
It was a bit of a hassle, but considering so many esteemed elders lived within the compound, security was the top priority.
If people could just waltz in after a simple registration, and something happened, no one could bear that responsibility.
The Huo Family understood this perfectly well.
They had made arrangements with the gate post well in advance; everything would proceed by the book.
By now, Mother Huo, the elderly master, and their party had already gone ahead to the main hall to arrange the seating.
Seeing the guard look hurried, Jiang Si quickly asked,
"Guard Li, is something wrong?"
Guard Li replied, "There are a few people outside claiming to be relatives of your family. Perhaps you could send someone to take a look?"
"Relatives?" Jiang Si frowned.
These days, when hosting guests, the number invited was usually the number that showed up, as food provisions were fixed, and tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks all needed to be arranged beforehand.
No family could accommodate extra guests on such short notice.
Moreover, Mother Huo was the most thorough planner; she would never start the banquet before all confirmed guests had arrived.
"Did they give any names?"
Guard Li hesitated at this point. Having stood guard at the compound for nearly a decade, he wouldn't claim a photographic memory, but he could certainly recognize these children.
However, the matter involved the private affairs of the commanding officer's family, and he felt it inappropriate to speak of it in front of so many people.
Noticing his hesitation, Jiang Si handed the two little ones over to Chris and Chi Heng, asking them to take the children and follow the main group ahead.
Once they were farther away, Guard Li explained the situation,
though his wording was quite tactful. The children weren't very old, but their tempers were certainly big.
They arrived, refused to register, and tried to barge right in. When another guard tried to stop them, they simply threw themselves to the ground.
Even when he left to report, the children were still rolling around on the ground, throwing a tantrum.
Guard Li added, "Apologies, we were just..."
"This has nothing to do with you all; you were just following procedures," Jiang Si said. "The apology should come from us for causing you trouble today."
Guard Li waved his hand dismissively. "Then, these people..."
Since they claimed some connection to the Huo Family, it was up to the family to decide how to handle the situation next.
Jiang Si didn't beat around the bush, making the decision directly. "The family elders and all invited guests are already here. We did not invite anyone else, and we don't know them."
With that statement, Guard Li knew exactly what to do.
He didn't linger, saluting Huo Tingzhou before turning to leave.
Huo Tingzhou found nothing inappropriate about Jiang Si's decision. Uninvited relatives, especially ill-behaved children, would only cause trouble for everyone.
Indeed, with their own two little ones and the nieces and nephews at home as reference points, labeling those children's behavior as that of "brats" wasn't unfair.
But upon reflection, he found it strange. Running through the possibilities in his mind, Huo Tingzhou couldn't pinpoint who they might be.
It wasn't just him. When Mother Huo received the message, she was also baffled.
"Si Si, who is it outside?"
Jiang Si hadn't gone to check, but she had a strong feeling. "It's probably Yang Tingtao's children."
"What are they doing here?"
It had been two years, and this was their first time showing up at the door.
However, Mother Huo was only briefly surprised before letting it go.
When the children first left, she had indeed felt a void in her heart.
They weren't her biological grandchildren, but they had lived together for seven or eight years.
To put it perhaps inappropriately, even raising a dog for that long builds affection, let alone living, breathing children!
Fortunately, the children at home were incredibly sweet, calling her "Grandma" every day.
With their company, that period hadn't been so difficult to bear.
Now, all four branches of the family had children. Her grandchildren, boys and girls alike, were wonderfully well-behaved and obedient.
Mother Huo spent her days delighting in her grandchildren, her life busy and fulfilling. She had no time or energy left to dwell on other families' messy affairs.
Besides, these people chose to come now, of all times? What good could possibly come of it?
"Let's go, don't mind them. The banquet is about to start; everyone is waiting for you."
Mother Huo had no intention of letting these irrelevant people affect her two precious grandchildren's first birthday celebration.
Jiang Si smiled and linked arms with Mother Huo. Exactly, that was precisely her thought too.
Arriving at the hall, the guests were already seated.
There were eight tables in total. Though called eight tables, each was actually two square tables pushed together, seating eighteen people each.
Mother Huo had arranged the seating. The esteemed elders from the compound sat at one table, followed by tables for elders from both sides of the family.
As for relatives from both the Huo and the bride's families, they could sit with people they were familiar with.
Jiang Si and Huo Tingzhou's table was basically a gathering of close friends. Originally, Third Granduncle and Uncle Zhong wanted to squeeze in with them,
but Grandpa Huo wouldn't hear of it, pulling them both to the main table instead.
As for today's little birthday stars, Suisui and Zhaozhao, they were naturally also brought to the main table, held by the elders.
Jiang Si couldn't help but marvel. The two little ones were young, but their prestige was certainly not small.
One must know that this table was occupied by the 'founding players' of the nation, with verifiable achievements to their names.
Since it was a gathering of familiar faces, everyone felt less restrained during the meal.
The banquet concluded with all guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.
As lunch wound down, the first to bid farewell were Grandmother Huo and her family.
Jiang Si's uncles all had jobs and had only taken two days off for this trip, so they needed to catch the last train back today.
After saying goodbye to the in-laws, Grandmother Huo said, "Alright, no need to see us off. We can take a bus to the train station ourselves."
The banquet wasn't completely over yet; it wouldn't do for everyone to come out.
That's what she said, but of course they couldn't just let them go. After some back-and-forth, Mother Huo suggested, "How about we at least see you to the gate to catch the bus? Surely that's acceptable?"
The old lady, who happened to have some private words she wanted to share, readily agreed.
Little did she know, the moment they stepped out of the main hall, Mother Huo linked arms with her again. "Mom, why don't you and Dad stay a few more days?"
"No, no, there's so much to do back home."
Grandmother Huo had a brisk, no-nonsense personality. Mainly, they were used to living in their single-story house.
A golden nest, a silver nest, none compares to one's own humble nest! Staying in these little western-style houses made even going to the bathroom feel uneasy!
Besides, they still had chicks and ducklings at home. They'd been away for two days; they wouldn't rest easy without going back to check on them personally.
"Listen to your mother."
Grandfather Huo had enjoyed a couple of small drinks at lunch, his face now rosy. "In another half month, when Little Soymilk has their full-month celebration, we'll be coming back anyway."
He might have been better off not speaking. The moment he did, the old lady's eyes instantly landed on the object in his hand. "What is that?"
When they came, he was only carrying luggage, nothing else.
So why was he now holding a large canvas bag when leaving?
Please don't tell me he's had too much to drink and walked off with someone else's bag!
If anyone saw that, our daughter and son-in-law would lose all face.
Seeing the old lady's stern expression, Mother Huo, who knew her own mother best, immediately said, "Mom, what are you thinking? Is Dad really that kind of person?"
"Exactly!" With his daughter backing him up, Grandfather Huo felt more confident. "We were sitting together, and the whole table was family, remember?"
The old lady hadn't forgotten. "Then where did this bag come from?"
"Mom," Mother Huo said with a smile, "Jiang Si knows Dad enjoys a drink now and then. This is her special gift for him."
Upon hearing this, the old lady waved her hands repeatedly. "Coming to the banquet is a happy occasion. It's not right to both eat and take things away. It's not proper, not proper at all! Hurry and give it back."
“Grandmother Huo.” Jiang Si said with a smile, her eyes curving. “This is Grandpa's little hobby. Having a small drink occasionally won't hurt. This is a token of our intentions from Tingzhou and me. Please don't refuse.”
"But still..." the old lady began, but Mother Huo cut her off. "Mom, this is a heartfelt gesture from the young couple. Don't keep pushing it back and forth."
"Oh, and Jiang Si loves chestnuts. Next time you come, bring more."
"Got it, I've got it." The old lady nodded repeatedly, carefully noting these things down.
Just then, Mother Huo slipped a small roll wrapped in a handkerchief into her hand.
"Mom, this is from Zhen Dong and me. We're usually so busy and don't have time to visit."
"Keep this money. Spend it on good food and drink for yourself. Don't be reluctant to use it."
"No, no, no..." The alcohol, the old lady had accepted.
But this money, she absolutely refused to take.
Her hand waved so fast it almost blurred. "Your father and I are in good health. The money we earn in a year is enough for us. Besides, you haven't been lacking in your support over the years. We have money. You take it back."
"That won't do, Mom. You must take this money."
Usually, it's her older brothers who look after their parents. Last time someone was sick, it was her sisters-in-law who took turns caring for them.
As a daughter, how could she contribute neither money nor effort?
"Why won't it do? Are you trying to boss me around now?" The old lady glared.
Mother and daughter went back and forth, their voices getting louder and louder. To an outsider, it might have sounded like an argument.
Watching this warm and lively scene, Jiang Si nudged Huo Tingzhou's arm. "Have Mom and Grandmother always been like this?"
Huo Tingzhou fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.
Only then did Jiang Si realize that in his over thirty years of life, the time he had spent at home could be counted on one hand.
Perhaps he had never even witnessed a scene like this before.
She had never understood why Huo Tingzhou had such high tolerance for the two children.
As long as it didn't involve matters of principle, he was almost always accommodating.
Now, looking at his eyes filled with both envy and complexity, Jiang Si began to vaguely understand.
They say the wounds of childhood truly take a lifetime to heal. Behind what seemed like indulgence, wasn't it also his way of compensating for the past?
Thinking of this, Jiang Si's heart ached slightly.
She took his large hand hanging by his side and, in a voice only they could hear, asked,
"Do you remember what I said to you on the phone that time?"
