Jiang Si didn't hide it from him either, speaking softly, "The wedding dress was custom-made for me by master tailors, arranged by my mother before she passed away."
It's just that the dress wasn't finished before she left.
Not being able to see her daughter get married was Jiang's mother's greatest regret in life, but fortunately, her wish for her daughter's happiness—Jiang Si has fulfilled it, and she will continue to strive for happiness.
Only—
Jiang Si fell silent as she spoke. Seeing her quiet for so long, Huo Tingzhou asked with his eyes, "Something on your mind?"
Jiang Si didn't deny it, but when the words came to her lips, she didn't know where to start.
Unconsciously, it had been over four years since she transmigrated into this book, and too many things had happened in these four years.
She had changed her own ending and, directly or indirectly, influenced the endings of others as well.
But there was one thing Jiang Si had never been able to figure out.
Clearly, as the transmigrator, she had a very happy and harmonious family, but as their daughter, she had never once thought of her parents.
At first, Jiang Si thought it was because she had been independent since childhood.
But later she realized that wasn't the case.
She did feel longing.
It's just that the object of her longing wasn't them.
Jiang Si couldn't understand, yet she felt as if some invisible force was always guiding her.
So, even though she was puzzled, she didn't let herself get trapped in these emotions.
She believed that one day she would find the answer.
Seeing Jiang Si remain silent for a long time, Huo Tingzhou didn't force her to pour her heart out right then and there. He simply reached out and drew her closer into his embrace.
"It's okay. Whenever you want to talk, I'm always here."
"Mm." Jiang Si nodded emphatically.
Hearing his words, she felt inexplicably reassured.
After a pause, she added, "When it's our tenth wedding anniversary, let's go back to Qiongzhou Island, okay?"
"Okay." This time, Huo Tingzhou was the one who spoke up first. "We'll take the children with us."
Jiang Si smiled and nodded.
As they talked, the night outside the window, which had been quiet for hours, began to grow noisy again.
Sporadic firecracker sounds gradually started to ring out, which also meant the new year was about to arrive.
Huo Tingzhou timed it almost perfectly. "Darling, Happy New Year."
Other matters were negotiable, but being the first to wish his wife a Happy New Year every year—
Sorry, even his own biological kids had to step aside.
And he had only agreed not to move them. He hadn't promised anything else.
Jiang Si was amused by his matter-of-fact attitude and lifted her head from his chest.
Under his intense gaze, she suddenly leaned in and quickly planted a kiss on his lips. "Huo Tingzhou, Happy New Year!"
With that, she laughed and snuggled back under the covers.
That's right, with two little ones acting as her "protective charms" by her side, she felt utterly brazen.
Huo Tingzhou didn't say anything. Once she had laughed her fill, he wordlessly picked her up, blankets and all, in a horizontal carry.
"What are you doing?" Jiang Si exclaimed softly, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.
Huo Tingzhou carried her, striding towards the next room.
As he leaned over, his voice held a clear hint of laughter. "I only agreed not to move the two of them. I never said I wouldn't move my own wife."
His wife was right; the new year was truly very happy!
He was happy, and the next morning, he left feeling refreshed and energized, patting his clothes as he went.
Yes, starting today, he had to go back to work.
But he left Jiang Si with a "mess" to deal with!
In the morning, Jiang Si was woken up by two little ones kissing her—well, it couldn't really be called morning, as it was almost eleven o'clock.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she met two pairs of big, aggrieved eyes.
Seeing the two little ones pouting so hard they could hang soy sauce bottles, Jiang Si's heart sank. She quickly asked, "What's wrong? Who upset my babies?"
"It was Daddy!"
Suisui began with an accusation. "Mommy, Daddy is so mean. How could he secretly move Mommy away!"
Mommy is so afraid of the cold, and Daddy still moved her away!
How utterly despicable!
"Yeah, it's Daddy's fault."
Zhaozhao was also a bit angry now. "How could Daddy do that? I'm going to tell Great-grandpa!"
Jiang Si: "..."
What could she do? At a time like this, she could only comfort the children first.
Clearing her throat twice, Jiang Si said, "Daddy did that because he had to go to work very early this morning. He was afraid the noise of him getting up would wake you, so he switched rooms with Mommy to sleep."
The two little ones looked skeptical. "Is that really true?"
"Of course it's true. Daddy loves you very much. He just wanted you to be able to sleep in peacefully a little longer."
Saying this, even Jiang Si felt her cheeks grow a bit warm.
Luckily, her face was already flushed from just waking up.
And the two little ones were still young and easy to coax.
Any older, and this trick wouldn't work.
Sure enough, after hearing this, the dissatisfaction in the two little ones' hearts instantly vanished.
They happily clasped their little hands together. "Mommy, Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year to my babies too."
Just as Jiang Si breathed a sigh of relief, the two little ones suddenly changed the subject.
"Mommy, were we the first to say Happy New Year to you?"
Jiang Si: "..." Well, once you tell one lie, you need countless more to cover it up.
Things having come to this, she had no choice but to tough it out. "Of course you are! Mommy just woke up, right? You're the first to wish Mommy a Happy New Year!"
After saying this, her face grew even redder.
At the same time, she made sure to mentally note down two hefty "debts" for Huo Tingzhou!
Originally, she thought she'd properly deal with him when he came back in the evening, to teach him a lesson.
Unexpectedly, that very afternoon, Huo Tingzhou called to say he was a bit busy over there and couldn't come back for the time being.
And he stayed busy until early March.
By the time he finished his work, Jiang Si, Third Granduncle, and the others had long since returned to Beijing with the two little ones.
The day they returned to Beijing, Mother Huo came to pick them up. There was no other way—there were simply too many things. With Third Granduncle and Uncle Zhong around, Jiang Si didn't dare put too much into her space, or the lack of luggage would seem suspicious.
Just sorting through these things took all morning.
Jiang Si was just about to take some things over to Teacher Hu when Teacher Hu herself arrived at the door, smiling, carrying two large bags.
These were all things sent by He Ping and his wife before the New Year.
But for some reason, the packages were delayed during transit in Yangcheng.
Fortunately, the temperature was low at this time, otherwise it would have been a pity if they had spoiled.
Teacher Hu's visit this time wasn't just to deliver things; she also brought Jiang Si two pieces of good news.
The first was about He Ping. Following last year's event where Ding Xiang successfully gave birth to their son, He Mu, their family had another joy to celebrate this year.
"He Ping's appointment notice has come through!"
Hu Meili said happily, "This time, he graduated from the military academy with top marks in all subjects. His grades were the best among his peers. The organization has officially appointed him as the Deputy Political Instructor of the First Flight Squadron of the Fourth Division!"
Although it's only a deputy battalion-level position, he is still young, and his future is undoubtedly bright.
Jiang Si was also very happy for him upon hearing this. He Ping was quick-witted and eloquent, making him perfectly suited for political work.
"Sister-in-law, what's the second piece of good news?"
