Chapter 52

Xu Mei spent a day at a friend’s house. The issue with her clothes had been resolved, and as for everything else she decided to deal with it after the New Year.

The journey was too long, and it wasn’t convenient to bring too many things back.

Over the next two days, all the New Year preparations were completed. Xu’s father even took a day off to deliver New Year gifts to his parents in the countryside.

“Dad, I prepared these for Grandpa and Grandma. Please take them along,”
Xu Di said, catching up to her father with the items in hand.

“What did you get? Why didn’t you just give them to me earlier inside the house? And why are you out here this early in such cold weather?”
Xu’s father was confused. Wouldn’t it have been easier to hand things over indoors instead of chasing him outside in the freezing morning?

“It’s nothing. I wanted to get to work early and finish things up.”

What else could Xu Di say? Her dad wouldn’t understand her sister hadn’t prepared anything separately for their grandparents.
With the New Year approaching, she didn’t want to stir up unnecessary drama.

Waving her father off, Xu Di headed to the bus stop.

Since it wasn’t time for work yet, she decided to drop off a delivery for Jin Weidong.

But it was still barely light out, and she felt a little scared.

She wandered all the way to the park stop thankfully, the sky was brighter by then.

As she passed the lake, someone was cutting a hole in the ice ice fishing, probably!

Just the thought of it made her feel cold. She quickly jogged around toward the nearby cave, checked carefully to make sure no one was around, then slipped inside.

She dropped off the goods and left quickly. The post office wasn’t open yet, so she had to head back to her workplace.

Since the New Year was approaching, most of their tasks were already completed there wasn’t much going on.

Around 9 a.m., Xu Di slipped out to call Jin Weidong and told him to pick up the goods.

If she weren’t worried about the items getting frozen, she wouldn’t have used the post office near her workplace to make the call.

There was only one last batch of fruit left; the rest she planned to keep for herself.

By midday, Xu Di delivered New Year gifts to the Liang family and Grandma Qian since the New Year was tomorrow.

Aunt Wang happened to be home, and Grandma Qian was there too saving Xu Di an extra trip.

“Xu Di, why did you bring so many things? And even a toy car Kangkang will be thrilled,”

“Aunt Wang, Grandma Qian, all of this is from the countryside it’s convenient for me,”
Xu Di explained. She really hadn’t bought anything expensive, except the toy car for Kangkang.

“You know, next time don’t be so polite. If I need anything, I’ll tell you,”
Aunt Wang was pleased. The girl knew how to show gratitude.
They didn’t lack supplies her son worked at the department store, and her daughter-in-law was with the supply cooperative.

But this thoughtful gesture touched her heart.

Especially since she’d brought a gift just for Kangkang how could she not be happy?

“Alright, next time I’ll just bring my mouth,” Xu Di joked.

Grandma Qian watched Xu Di fondly. The more she looked at her, the more she liked her.

Her own grandson, Chaoyang, still hadn’t come back what if someone else snatched up such a good girl?

“Grandma Qian, what’s making you smile like that all by yourself?”

“Oh, just seeing you makes me happy,”

Aunt Wang knew exactly what she was thinking. Wasn’t it obvious she thought Xu Di was such a lovely girl?

“Really? I didn’t know I was so charming loved by all, flowers bloom at the sight of me!”
Xu Di touched her face. Had she become prettier without realizing it?

“Haha…”
Aunt Wang laughed, and Grandma Qian couldn’t help but chuckle too.

“Grandma Qian, Aunt Wang, I need to head back to work. After the New Year, when I’m off, I’ll come chat with you again.”

Seeing the time, Xu Di quickly stood up to leave she didn’t want to be late for work.

“Alright, go ahead. Come visit after the New Year Kangkang misses you.”

“I’ll definitely come.”

Xu Di left, and Grandma Qian was a little reluctant to see her go.

“Aunt Qian, when is Chaoyang coming back?”

“I don’t know. Haven’t been able to reach him for a while. He’s probably on another mission.”

Grandma Qian sighed. She knew her grandson was protecting the country, but she still worried.

“It’s been two years, right? If he can come back this time, maybe he’ll stay a bit longer.”

“I just hope he comes back safe. If he doesn’t come soon, such a good girl like Xu Di might be taken by someone else.”

Grandma Qian didn’t want to spend New Year with her son’s family. Her eldest grandson had visited yesterday, but his expression was full of conflict.

Grandma Qian thought people are never satisfied. Always thinking the grass is greener elsewhere.

They didn’t talk for too long Aunt Wang needed to return to work, and Grandma Qian headed home.

New Year’s Eve

Xu’s mother woke up early to prepare everything needed for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

She had the early shift and planned to cook right after work it wouldn’t delay anything.

When Xu Di returned home after her shift, her mother and sister were busy in the kitchen. The house was already filled with delicious smells.

“Mom, sis, I’m back.”

“Wash your hands and help me peel some garlic.”

“Got it, on my way.”

Xu Di put her things down and went to wash her hands.

“Second sister, Mom’s making so many delicious dishes today.”

“They smell amazing,”

Xu Jun, holding Ping’an, reported the dinner plans while standing outside the bathroom.

“Don’t tell me you skipped lunch just for this meal?”

“You know me too well, second sister!”

Xu Jun really hadn’t eaten lunch, but his mouth hadn’t been idle all day.

It was New Year, the house was full of treats, and their mom wasn’t being too strict about it.

“Candy, fruits, pastries he ate them all,”
Ping’an counted off with his fingers, listing everything his little uncle had eaten.

“You ate too, and you still have the nerve to call me out?”
Xu Jun jiggled Ping’an in his arms. The little guy was getting heavy.

Xu Di pushed her brother aside no time for his chatter she needed to go peel garlic.

That night, the whole family was home.

Xu’s parents sat at the head of the table, looking over the dishes and their children.

“Today, we finally get to enjoy a family reunion dinner. I won’t say much else.

You’ve all grown up and have your own lives now. No matter what you do in the future, just remember walk the right path, sit with integrity, and have a clear conscience.”

“Yes, Dad, we understand.”

The eldest brother responded first, and the others followed.

“Dad, Mom, I’m sorry and thank you.”
Xu Mei raised her glass and drank it in one go.

“Eat some more food what’s the rush to drink?”
Their mother quickly gave her a piece of meat. No mother could truly stay mad at her child.

Watching Xu Mei down the shot of liquor without even flinching, Xu Di was honestly impressed.

White liquor so spicy!

The family enjoyed a peaceful, harmonious reunion dinner no arguments, no sulking, just joy.

On New Year’s Eve, dumplings were a must. With many hands, it didn’t take long before they had three full trays of dumplings.

With everyone home, Xu Jun was finally free to go wild no need to babysit.

Wearing new clothes, pockets full of candy and firecrackers, he dashed out while Ping’an wasn’t looking.

“Little Uncle’s gone!”

“Ping’an, I’ll play with you. Look what’s this?”

Xu Di didn’t buy him a toy car this time, but a bamboo dragonfly.

She couldn’t always give in to her sister. She had to buy something for Ping’an too. After all, her sister would leave after the New Year and wouldn’t return for years.

Even after getting married, Xu Di planned to stay close with her family those bonds were important.

Plus, she genuinely liked kids. And Ping’an was so lovable.

“Wow! Auntie, I love you!”
Ping’an cheered.

Xu Di and Ping’an played with the bamboo dragonfly in the living room.
And to be honest it was pretty fun.

Soon, laughter and squeals from both big and small filled the room.

This this was the meaning of the New Year.