"Alright, you few stop chatting and come help."
Seeing the two men chatting with the children, Mom Qiu started urging them to work.
They were preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner, why weren't they more proactive!
Especially the one in charge of cooking was slacking off!
"Coming!"
Hearing his wife's voice, he knew she would probably change her expression if he didn't go over soon.
"Dad, hurry up and go."
Qiu Xi also urged him from the side.
"Alright, I'll go with you."
"Let's go!"
Seeing that his father had already gone to get busy, Qiu Xi turned to find her cousin and the others who were busy elsewhere.
...
"Have you finished putting up the couplets?"
"We're about to have New Year's Eve dinner!"
As soon as she took down the ladder, Qiu Xi heard Mom Qiu's shouts.
"Uncle, hurry up and get ready, we're leaving."
"You haven't tried my dad's newly learned cooking yet. Today's the day, there's a big table full of dishes."
"Alright, coming right up!"
Qiu Jue felt an indescribable sense of contentment.
For so many years, they had only visited briefly. This was the first time in a long time that he felt so relaxed.
"Dad, don't just stand there, hurry up."
Qiu Xin had to call out to her father who was standing there blankly.
"Sigh!"
"Sister Xin, let's go in and sit down first."
"Okay."
"Quick, you few little ones, sit down properly, the feast is about to begin."
Grandpa Qiu and Grandma Qiu looked at the whole family, their smiles hadn't faded all day.
Now looking at the people at the table, their smiles were even more pronounced, and even the wrinkles on their faces seemed to radiate joy.
"Alright, Grandpa, Grandma, let's start."
"You're just eager."
Seeing her eldest granddaughter speak up, the old couple teased them with a smile.
"Alright, let's begin."
A small family meal was not as complicated as a large one. The clinking of bowls and chopsticks was incessant.
Accompanied by the family's chatter, the meal was exceptionally lively.
"Come, Big Brother, let's have a drink."
"Cheers!"
"Hahahaha~"
The two brothers hadn't felt this exhilarated in a long time!
"Seriously, your cooking is indeed impressive, it's just..."
Hearing the half-spoken words, Dad Qiu's curiosity was piqued, and he quickly interjected, "Just what?"
"It's just that your skills awakened a bit late, hahaha~"
"..."
Dad Qiu, who thought he was going to hear some good advice, could only look at him speechlessly in the end.
"You kid, you haven't changed a bit, you just love to tease your younger brother."
"Exactly!"
The old couple watched with delight.
"Grandpa, Grandma, do you have any more stories about Uncle and them? Tell us!"
Hearing Grandpa and Grandma say that, the three little ones sitting nearby, after eating their fill, started to gossip.
"There are plenty."
"Grandma, please tell us."
"Okay~"
...
"Haha~ When we say we're slacking off now, it's to be lazy. Turns out, Uncle, you guys were really slacking off to go fishing!"
"So, Dad, you were never a good student when you were little, and you were up to no good at such a young age!"
"..."
"Mom, why are you telling them this? It's not good for our image!"
Dad Qiu's forehead was covered in black lines, feeling as exposed as if he had been stripped and paraded down the street.
Uncle Qiu was not much better, "That's right! Mom, say less, let's just eat and drink more."
It was too embarrassing to bring these things up, even wetting the bed when they were little was mentioned.
"Alright, I won't say anymore. If I keep talking, these two probably won't dare to face you all anymore~"
Grandma Qiu knew when to stop.
She wouldn't have said these things before. Today, she was simply too happy and ended up saying a bit more.
"Fine then..."
She had wanted to hear more so she could tease them later!
It seemed like she could only listen when she had time.
"Quick, hand out the red envelopes."
"Coming!"
Whether one had money or not, this was a form of blessing, and it was very different from ordinary monetary gifts.
"Here, I wish our Little Ge a successful exam this year!"
"May our two little beauties get more beautiful each year!"
"Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, Happy New Year!"
...
"Come on, this year we'll make an exception and let you play with sparklers in the yard!"
This place was different from previous years, with the addition of a yard, which was truly suitable for entertainment.
"Great!"
It had been a long time since they played with small fireworks, and thinking about it now made them excited.
"Let's go, everyone!"
"Let's go~"
Qiu Ge, who had been suppressed by studies for a long time, was now truly like a free dove.
"Wife, after two years, we've finally accomplished it."
"Mmm! I'm content with our current life!"
Dad Qiu and Mom Qiu, walking behind, looked at their elder brother playing with the children and their parents sitting on the side, and they were moved.
"Let's go, let's go together."
Then Dad Qiu pulled Mom Qiu and joined the firework-lighting crowd. Instantly, the entire yard was filled with laughter and joy.
"Everyone come over, let's take a family photo together."
Thinking that this was the first time in so many years that everyone was so happy, Qiu Xi took out the family's camera, preparing to take a family photo.
"That's a great idea!"
"Little Xi, your idea is excellent!"
Looking at the camera on the tripod, especially the old couple, they were the first to find a place to sit.
In decades, this was the first time the family had taken a family photo!
No wonder the elderly couple was so cooperative; they were happy!
"Come on, get your poses ready!"
As she spoke, Qiu Xi ran over.
"Click!"
The first commemorative group photo of the Qiu family was born.
Looking at the developed photo, Qiu Xi thought about finding time after the New Year to get it printed and framed.
...
"Nan Hua, Happy New Year!"
After the lively celebration with her family, the first thing Qiu Xi did upon returning to her room was to call her boyfriend.
In the past two years, Nan Hua had always called first, but this year she learned!
"Xi Xi~ Happy New Year!"
"I just finished playing with fireworks outside, how about you?"
"Mmm... I was watching the children play with fireworks..."
"..."
She should have guessed. Given Nan Hua's personality, he wasn't the type to do something like that.
Nan Hua frowned and looked at her, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!"
"Xi Xi, I'll come find you in a couple of days."
Recalling the scene at the dining table just now, if she didn't go out soon, she might be kicked out.
"Ah... okay..."
Qiu Xi was stunned for a moment after hearing this before responding.
"Then I'll wait for you to come, and I'll introduce you to my master."
Nan Hua smiled, "Okay."
This girl didn't forget to share the major events that happened after she returned home.
So Nan Hua knew about the "cheap master" her girlfriend mentioned.
"Then I'll wait for you here!"
"Mmm!"