"Alright, alright, whatever you say, Mom agrees." Zhang Cuimei wiped her tears behind her hands. "What a filial child you are. How could the Lin family be so heartless..."
Lin Sisi lowered her gaze and said nothing more.
"Achoo! Achoo!"
Si Nian, who was packing her things, rubbed her nose. She closed the suitcase, walked to the window, and opened it. Snowflakes were drifting down outside.
How strange for it to snow only after the New Year had passed.
The Zhou family's house was large and also the tallest. From her position, she could see the entire village built nestled against the mountains and beside the water.
The weather was cold, and there were few people outside.
It was still very early, with wisps of cooking smoke rising.
Combined with the falling snowflakes, it was like a perfect landscape painting.
She was lost in thought when someone tugged at her pant leg.
Looking down.
Yaoyao, dressed in warm thermal clothes, had somehow gotten out of bed and walked over. She was looking up, stretching out her little hands, calling to her: "Mama~ up-up~"
The little one was plump and fair, wearing a small hat—utterly adorable.
Si Nian scooped up the little dumpling and planted a kiss on her cheek.
"Sweetie, are you hungry? Wait for Mama to take you downstairs to eat."
As she spoke, Si Nian pulled out a soft pink down jacket and put it on her.
The little one had just woken up and was still warm all over.
She mustn't catch a chill.
Si Nian held her hand and went downstairs.
Little Zehan was sweeping the floor downstairs.
Seeing Si Nian come down, he immediately dropped the broom and ran over with a patter of feet: "Mom, Mom, I've packed all my things."
"Dad said we're moving today?"
Si Nian nodded slightly. "Yes. Where's your brother?"
"Brother's in the kitchen."
As soon as Little Zehan finished speaking, Si Nian saw Little Zedong walk out, wearing an apron around his neck and carrying scrambled egg pancakes and plain congee.
Placing the steaming breakfast on the table, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at Si Nian.
"Mom, breakfast is ready."
That's right. After this period of Si Nian's guidance, Little Zedong had learned quite a bit of cooking skills.
He could now make some refined breakfast dishes.
Before Si Nian came to the family, he and his brother would either cook sweet potatoes or potatoes in the morning.
Now he had learned to make congee and fry pancakes.
Egg pancakes, scallion pancakes, fresh meat pancakes—he could make them all with ease.
Zhou Zedong thought that if he learned everything, then Mom wouldn't have to work so hard, getting up early in the morning just to make breakfast for them.
Si Nian nodded. "You eat first. I'll go make some formula milk for Yaoyao."
As soon as she finished speaking, Little Zedong immediately ran into the kitchen and came out holding a baby bottle.
"Mom, I already made it and let it cool. It's just right to drink now."
"G'ge~ want milk~" Seeing what was in his hand, the little girl immediately opened her small hands.
Si Nian paused, smiling helplessly. "You child, you've done all the chores first thing in the morning. What's left for me to do?"
Zhou Zedong handed the bottle to his sister.
Hearing this, he looked at her somewhat anxiously. "M-Mom, I... I just thought, since I'm on vacation with nothing to do, I could do a bit more."
He wasn't trying to curry favor on purpose. He just thought that if he did more, then Mom wouldn't have to do everything herself.
Even though what he had learned wasn't perfect yet.
He had heard at the Lin family that Mom was working as a teacher and also planning to attend university.
Only then did Zhou Zedong realize.
That Si Nian, after marrying Dad and to take care of his sister, had actually considered suspending her studies.
In this era, education meant changing one's destiny.
But Mom had put taking care of them first.
Now she was going to the city to work as a teacher.
He just thought, he just thought that if he learned a bit more, he could help share more of her burden later.
Si Nian immediately said, "That's wonderful. Little Dong is so diligent and can cook too. Whoever marries you in the future will be so lucky."
Zhou Zedong's face flushed visibly red.
A wife?
Wasn't it too early for Mom to talk about this now?
He had never thought about it.
He didn't used to like girls.
But if all the girls in the world were like Mom and his little sister...
"Mom, my wife will be happy marrying me too. Look how fast I can run. I could carry her on my back and run ten laps!"
Although he didn't quite understand, that didn't stop Little Zehan from chiming in.
After speaking, he couldn't sit still and ran a lap around the room.
Si Nian was amused by him. "Let's eat first. We'll move after we finish."
The family sat down around the table.
Little Zehan couldn't hold back his questions. "Mom, where will we live when we move to the city?"
Si Nian: "Your dad found a place over there. We can just move in. It has quite a few rooms. Don't worry, there's enough space for all of us to sleep."
Little Zehan's eyes immediately went round. "Really? We have a house in the city too?"
Si Nian nodded. "Yes, your dad already bought it. From now on, barring any unexpected events, we'll live there. Of course, we can come back if we want to."
Hearing this, Little Zehan immediately shut his mouth.
Afraid that Si Nian might think he was reluctant and decide not to take him.
Just like his brother said, leaving him alone here to look after the house and cook for himself.
The mere thought made him shiver.
Zhou Zedong glanced at him but said nothing.
He continued feeding his little sister.
After breakfast, Si Nian brought all the packed things downstairs.
The snow outside was falling heavier.
Soon after, the sound of a car approaching was heard.
The family stood at the door.
Zhou Yueshen, wearing a black coat and carrying a chill about him, opened the car door and got out.
Seeing the belongings placed by the door, he shifted his gaze to Si Nian, his voice deep. "Is everything packed?"
Si Nian nodded. "It's all here."
Zhou Yueshen gave a slight nod. "Get in the car first. It's cold outside."
Little Zehan hurriedly led Da Huang over, with a basket on his back holding several big white rabbits.
His little face was flushed with anxiety.
"Dad, Dad, what about Da Huang and Xiao Bai?"
Zhou Yueshen looked at him and paused his movements.
He ruffled his hair with a large hand, his voice gentle. "It's alright. Da Huang and Xiao Bai, Dad will have your Uncle Zhang transport them over later."
"Can we keep them at the new house too?"
Zhou Yueshen nodded slightly. "The new house has a yard too, of course we can keep them."
"Yay! That's great!"
"Da Huang, Xiao Bai, I'm going first. You'll come later, okay?"
Si Nian looked at him. Although Little Zehan was mischievous, he was extremely good to animals.
He had raised the little rabbits to be plump and white.
Feeding them and cleaning up every day, he was more diligent about it than about himself.
A child who cared for small animals so tenderly, even if he became some underworld boss in the future, how bad could he really be?
"Alright, Xiao Han, hurry and get in the car."
Si Nian patted his head.
Da Huang let out an "aowoo" sound, seeming anxious.
As if it knew everyone was about to leave.
Si Nian smoothed its fur, soothing it. "Be good, Da Huang. We'll wait for you at the new home."
Then, she looked at Zhou Yueshen.
"Is everything at the factory settled?"
Zhou Yueshen nodded slightly. "All settled. Although there are still some adjustments to get used to, there shouldn't be any major issues."
He opened the trunk and packed everyone's luggage inside.
When he got to Si Nian's things, he paused at the sight of a small bundle.
"What's this?"
Si Nian glanced at the small bundle sitting amidst the mountain of her own luggage.
For some reason, she felt a pang of guilt.
"This, this is yours."
Zhou Yueshen: "..."
He cleared his throat and tossed his pitifully small pack into the pile.
"Let's get in the car," he said.
Si Nian acknowledged with a sound.
The older man wasn't one for shopping. In all this time, Si Nian had only bought him some thick winter clothes.
His own belongings consisted of just two undershirts and one military uniform.
That was it.
When packing, Si Nian had been momentarily taken aback.
The man truly had a pitifully small amount of stuff.
Where did all the money he earned go?
Turning around and seeing the one, two, three, four, five sets of pajamas neatly folded on her own bed, Si Nian fell into deep thought.
"Nian Nian, leaving so soon?" Hearing the commotion, Aunt Zhang came down holding Shitou's hand.
Seeing Zhou Yueshen loading luggage into the car, she asked in surprise.
"Why the sudden rush? Won't you stay a few more days at home?"
"Auntie, Auntie, where are you going?"
Shitou immediately let go of his grandmother's hand and came running over, his little feet pattering.
The little fellow was still wearing his festive red New Year's padded jacket and a knitted hat, his face round and chubby, utterly adorable.
He ran over, peeked into the car, then looked at Si Nian.
His face was full of anxiety.
A sense of panic, as if something important was about to be lost.
Seeing Si Nian look at him, the child's tears began to fall, pattering down. "Auntie, you're moving, right? I heard everyone saying you're moving to the city and won't ever come back, wuwuwu..."
Si Nian immediately said, "Nonsense! Auntie is moving to the city, but she'll definitely come back. For holidays and festivals, she'll come back, and then she'll give Shitou a big red envelope."
Aunt Zhang hurried over. Hearing this, she couldn't help but feel sad too.
She hadn't expected Si Nian to leave again after such a short time together.
Strangely enough, when Si Nian first came to their village, Aunt Zhang had felt a sense of unreality.
She felt this person exuded an air of refinement, simply not like someone who could live in their poor, remote countryside.
It wasn't until she married Zhou Yueshen that it felt more real.
Yet, not long after that feeling settled, Si Nian was returning to the city.
And she'd heard she was going to be a teacher.
Indeed, if you're gold, you'll shine anywhere.
"This is really so sudden, I haven't even processed it yet."
Si Nian said, "The weather hasn't been great these past few days, and it's snowing. Better to move early. If a heavy snow blocks the mountain roads, who knows how long we'd be delayed."
Hearing this, Aunt Zhang thought it made sense.
She sighed. "Alright then, I won't say much more. Drive carefully on the road."
Si Nian nodded.
Seeing her about to leave, Aunt Zhang quickly added, "Wait, Nian Nian."
Si Nian: "What is it, Auntie?"
Aunt Zhang glanced at the tall, sturdy Zhou Yueshen beside them, then pulled Si Nian aside. "I hear medical science is very advanced in the city now, and your family isn't short of money. If Xiao... ahem, if Xiao Zhou really has any problems... in that area, you should go see a doctor early. If you wait too long, I'm afraid... you understand, right?"
Si Nian: "..."
Aunt Zhang stood at the gate holding Shitou, who was sniffling with tears and snot, seeing them off.
Watching the car drive away, Aunt Zhang couldn't help feeling sentimental. "Nian Nian, Xiao Zhou, come back and visit often when you have time."
Si Nian nodded. "Don't worry, Auntie, we'll definitely be back. We'll still need to trouble you to keep an eye on our house for us."
Aunt Zhang smiled. "Don't mention it. Shitou, quick, say goodbye to Auntie and Yaoyao."
Shitou cried until he was hiccupping. "Wuwuwu... hic... Goodbye Auntie, Yaoyao, Big Brother, Second Brother. I'll definitely study hard and come to the city to see you."
"Mama~ Shitou cry-cry~" The little dumpling stood inside the car, her small hands pressed against the window, her head turned to look at Shitou behind them. Her little lips quivered, on the verge of tears.
Though she was young, seeing Shitou cry so sadly, she knew something bad must have happened.
Si Nian ruffled her hair. "Big Brother Shitou is just sad to see us go."
The Zhou Zedong and Zhou Zehan brothers sitting in the back seat also had red-rimmed eyes, pressing against the window to look back intently.
When they reached the bend in the road, Zhou Zehan stuck his head out and waved, his tears falling pattering.
In Xingfu Village, the one he played with best was Shitou.
Even though Shitou was younger, he was obedient and good to their little sister.
He never disliked them because they weren't their dad's biological children.
He never called them names either.
Shitou was his good buddy.
Zhou Zehan felt awful right now.
But he didn't cry for long before getting excited looking outside.
This was only his third time going to the city!
There were so many people outside! Everyone was walking, while they were riding in a car. People were staring at them with envious looks.
Zhou Zehan's nose practically pointed to the sky.
Yaoyao cried for a while, then fell asleep.
Zhou Zedong quietly gazed out the car window, his expression unreadable.
The chattering of his little brother beside him eased the somewhat heavy atmosphere from earlier.
The drive took nearly two hours. Even Si Nian dozed off before they finally arrived at their destination.
Turning around, she saw Little Second Brother sprawled asleep on his older brother's lap, snoring loud enough to shake the heavens.
Zhou Zedong had his head bowed, also asleep.
Zhou Yueshen drove quietly by himself, not waking them.
She tilted her head to look out the window and froze.
Then she turned to Zhou Yueshen in shock.
"This... this is the house you bought??"
The two little ones in the back woke up, dazed by the words, and turned to look.
In the next second, the two children were completely stunned.
Wh-what a big house.
They thought their own house was already plenty big. After all, in the village, no one's house was bigger than theirs.
But this place was even bigger than their home, prettier on the outside, and had a patterned iron gate.
The two children felt an indescribable joy. Little Second Brother, like a bird released from its cage, immediately flew out of the car and asked Zhou Yueshen and Si Nian, "Dad, Mom, is this our home from now on?"
Seeing Zhou Yueshen nod, he immediately started howling with excitement on the spot.
"Oh my goodness, such a big house!"
"We're going to live in a big house! Dad, I want to live on the third floor!"
Yaoyao, watching him run in circles into the courtyard, rubbed her eyes, curious, and toddled in after him on her little short legs.
Although Zhou Zedong was also surprised, he remained relatively calm.
Watching his little brother hopping around like a frog, he shook his head and slowly got out of the car.
The quiet, chilly courtyard instantly became lively with the arrival of the children.
Si Nian and Zhou Yueshen exchanged a glance and were about to step into the courtyard when someone walked up behind them.
