Chapter 222: Chapter 214: Reunion
Tian Sisi and her group returned to Yuequan Village on the evening of the 25th. Yuequan Village was brightly lit, with smoke billowing from every household’s chimneys. Everyone was busy frying tofu, cutting skin rolls, and making Qingming Cakes, preparing for the New Year goods.
Even the occasional sound of firecrackers and children’s noise could be heard, filling the whole village with the New Year’s festive atmosphere, warm and cozy.
He Xuewen had called Tian Manjin before coming, so as soon as Tian Mantong’s car entered the village, Tian Manjin came up to meet them, smiling happily at Tian Sisi in the car.
"Dad, how long have you been waiting outside? It’s so cold out there!"
Tian Sisi hurriedly pulled Tian Mantong into the car, thinking how silly her dad was to be out in the cold late at night!
"Not cold, not cold, I’m not cold at all!" Tian Manjin chuckled merrily.
Tian Xinhua also greeted him with a "Fourth Uncle," and Tian Manjin, surprised, looked at Tian Xinhua, "Oh wow, Xinhua is as tall as Fourth Uncle now, grown up to be a young man!"
Tian Xinhua smiled, moved aside slightly, and reluctantly gave up the seat next to Tian Sisi for Tian Manjin.
The Tian family was particularly lively this year; Tian Aiguo’s family had also rushed back from Inner Mongolia, arriving a day earlier and also picked up by Tian Mantong from Shanghai. Tian Mantong’s three sons were sent to the countryside by him as well, as Wang Qiuyang was incredibly busy with the Supply and Marketing Cooperative these days and didn’t have time to take care of the three children.
The three brothers of Tian Aiguo all resembled the Old Man, with square faces and thick, dark eyebrows, all handsome in appearance, but Tian Aiguo was a bit taller and sturdier, and with his experience of blood and gunfire, naturally exuded a sharp aura.
"Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Happy New Year!" Tian Sisi and Tian Xinhua greeted Tian Aiguo and Xu Qianwen.
"Happy New Year, Ah Nan and Xinhua have grown up, if you walk on the street now, even I might not recognize you."
Tian Aiguo was aware of his parents’ intentions, seeing the two jade-like young figures in front of him, he couldn’t help but inwardly admire them, truly a match made in heaven!
It was He Xuewen’s first meeting with Tian Aiguo; he stepped forward with a smile to greet him. Tian Aiguo of course knew who He Xuewen was and about his capabilities, and now seeing him in person, he couldn’t help but be impressed by He Xuewen’s demeanor, making his smile even more genuine.
"Brother Xuewen, I have long admired your reputation, and seeing you now, indeed, you are a person of great appearance!"
"Where, where, I am the one who has long admired Brother Tian! Truly a case of the apple not falling far from the tree!"
"Haha, let’s not flatter each other anymore, come sit down to eat, we are only waiting for you!"
Tian Aiguo hurriedly invited He Xuewen and the others to sit down for the meal. Tian Xinhua originally intended to go home, but was stopped by the Old Man, who asked him to eat here before going back, since by this late hour Tian Bajin surely wouldn’t have saved any dinner.
Granny Zhao and Zhu Aiqing had already carried the food out of the kitchen and set it on two tables, while Xu Qianwen casually sat there, not coming forward to help.
The room had two stoves burning, and Tian Sisi, wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, couldn’t stand the heat. She took off her bright red cotton coat and hung it on the coat rack, wearing only the pink fleece sweater underneath.
This bright red cotton coat was specially made for her by Niu Erniu, using satin that she had collected for many years, very smooth. According to her, such satin was previously only worn by princesses!
Niu Erniu was very skilled; the coat fit perfectly with its small stand-up collar and slightly cinched waist, making it extremely flattering and not at all bulky. Tian Sisi looked refreshing in it, even Mr. Yun complimented her on how good it looked.
"Ah Nan should put on a thin jacket too, don’t catch a cold wearing just this," Tian Xinhua said next to her, insisting that she put on another layer.
Granny Zhao and Zhu Aiqing also urged her to put on more clothes. Zhu Aiqing said with a laugh, "Dress to impress, freeze and confess, how old are you to be vain already!"
Tian Sisi rolled her eyes; Zhu Aiqing and her mother from her previous life, Zhong Juying, really resembled each other, even the things they said were exactly the same, word for word. Sometimes she couldn’t help but wonder if Zhu Aiqing could be Zhong Juying’s past life!
Tian Sisi glared at Tian Xinhua and obediently ran upstairs to add a thin coat. When Tian Lili saw her coming down, she hummed softly and gave her a big roll of the eyes.
Tian Sisi couldn’t be bothered with her; she and Tian Lili had been adversaries in their past lives. It would be strange if Tian Lili ever showed her a pleasant face!
This year, Tian Aiguo’s eldest son Tian Zhonghua hadn’t come back. Tian Aiguo said that Zhonghua went to Lanzhou last spring to serve as a soldier under Tian Guanghua’s command. Tian Guanghua has now been promoted to Company Commander, and Tian Chaohua is also in Lanzhou, in the same military region as Guanghua but in a different battalion, now promoted to Platoon Leader. Both have a bright future.
Tian Chaohua and Tian Guanghua still haven’t returned home for the New Year. Since they joined the military, they have never been home for the Spring Festival, and the Tian Family has long been used to it.
Dinner was very abundant; chicken, fish, rabbit, meat, all very well prepared, filling two tables. Xu Qianwen looked at the abundant dishes on the table, feeling quite upset. The welcome dinner they had yesterday when they came back wasn’t as rich, Grandma’s partiality really went a bit too far!
"Ah Nan, you should really thank your Mama. Your Mama has been busy from morning till night, working hard to prepare so many dishes. Tsk tsk, Mama really cares about Ah Nan!"
Xu Qianwen could no longer hold back. A girl picked up treated like a treasure while her own legitimate granddaughter treated as less than nothing, where’s the sense in that? Really, completely senile.
Tian Sisi sighed. Ever since the incident with Zhou Nana, whenever she hears "you and us," her head aches, but now facing her Third Aunt, an elder, she couldn’t scold her like she did Zhou Nana!
"Third Aunt, I’m Granny’s precious granddaughter, isn’t Granny supposed to dote on me? Besides, I also love Granny dearly. I give Granny back massages every day, right, Granny?"
Tian Sisi acted coquettishly towards Granny Zhao, who shot Xu Qianwen a glare and happily replied: "Yes, Ah Nan, is Granny’s sweetheart. No matter how much Granny cooks, it’s not tiring. Come on, eat up and stop talking nonsense!"
With these words, Granny Zhao deliberately looked at Xu Qianwen and stressed her tone. Xu Qianwen felt a rush of bitterness; it seemed to her that all the good dishes on the table were mocking her.
Pft, biased old woman! Xu Qianwen turned resentment into motivation, swiftly grabbing two chicken legs from the dish, one for her daughter and the other for her son Tian Weihua. Tian Lili was quite happy, munching enthusiastically, while Tian Weihua smiled awkwardly and passed his chicken leg to the youngest, Tian Zhenhua.
Only then did Granny Zhao smile contentedly; her grandson was good, reflecting the character of the Old Tian Family. But the granddaughter had been spoiled by her daughter-in-law, hmph, still a teacher and yet unable to teach her own daughter, as superficial as herself, how could she be fond of her?