The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 166: Relieved, Heartbroken (Monthly Ticket 980+)_1

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Relieved, Heartbroken (Monthly Ticket 980+)_1

When she was outside, He Tiantian liked to put on a well-fitted coat over her cotton-padded clothes.

Even dressed in layers of cotton and outer clothes, one could still make out He Tiantian’s graceful and agile figure.

In the morning, when Wang Shuping got up and entered the kitchen, she saw her daughter had already rolled out the noodles, chopped the cabbage, and beside it lay three eggs, probably planning to make cabbage and egg noodle soup with a salty broth. There were also soaked and finely chopped radishes and pickles.

"I told you not to get up so early," Wang Shuping chided, "I’m still young, I can do these things."

He Tiantian smiled and said, "I used to be thoughtless, not understanding the hardships of Mom and Dad. After leaving home, I finally understood the painstaking efforts of my parents. Now that I can cook, I want to take advantage of the holiday to come back and take good care of you."

"You child!" Wang Shuping said, feeling fond of her daughter but with a twinge in her nose. Her daughter who used to be stubborn and exasperating, but her sensible daughter now made her heart ache.

He Tiantian smiled, her head with a simple ponytail leaning on her mother’s shoulder as she said, "Hehe, cooking for parents is also a kind of happiness, isn’t it?"

In fact, the sudden death of her parents had once caused He Tiantian to close herself off, living like a walking corpse. Not long after that, she received a fake "breakup letter" from Huo Yingjie, which left her feeling hopeless. Qi Jianguo gave her some warmth, and like clutching at a lifeline, she held on tight, hoping for a family.

However, that lifeline wasn’t a lifeline at all, but an invisible noose hung from the ceiling beam, perpetually suspending her, yet she couldn’t kick away the stool under her feet, struggling to survive, meekly and diligently trying to please the Qi Family, hoping for some solace in her heart.

But it was all a scam, a lie.

She honed her cooking skills, not to show filial piety to her parents or to entertain relatives and friends, but to cook for those who had deceived her all her life for over thirty years.

Yet, for the parents who cherished her, she could only draw a circle on the ground during the Ghost Festival and surreptitiously burn some paper money.

Now that she had the chance to be with her parents again, how could she not take good care of them and serve her dear Dad and Mom!

In front of them, He Tiantian was a flawless, precious gem, unique and unparalleled.

As Wang Shuping heard her daughter’s filial words, she finally couldn’t help but let the tears fall, choking silently.

He Tiantian’s nose also felt sour as she said, her voice muffled, "Mom, if you’re going to cry every time I cook for you, your eyes won’t be able to handle it, right?"

Wang Shuping laughed, wiping away her tears, "My daughter is so smart and filial, I’m too happy to cry!"

He Tiantian smiled and kissed her mother’s cheek, "That’s better, we’ll be able to eat soon."

Wang Shuping, with her daughter’s affectionate act, blushed and chided, "This child, so naughty!"

Despite her words, her eyes crinkled into slits and the corners of her mouth turned upward in a clear display of utter happiness.

A husband who cherishes, respects her; a daughter who is filial to her—although her parents had passed away, she still felt like the happiest person in the world.

He Tiantian had already served the noodles in a clay pot and brought it to the dining room.

Third Grandma Qi, Old Man Qi had already gotten up and finished their morning routine.

He Jingyu came over to help serve the meal.

Once the family of five was seated, He Jingyu spoke while eating, "Godmother, I previously asked someone to look into my godbrother’s whereabouts. But after so long, I haven’t found out anything. However, I’ll continue to entrust reliable people to search, and I’ll tell you immediately once I have any news."

Third Grandma Qi’s mood was calm as she smiled and said, "These things cannot be rushed, and it’s also a matter of fate. If the heavens wish for a mother and son reunion, it will happen sooner or later. If not, or if I don’t have the fortune, then it means I haven’t touched the heavens enough."

"Relax, with your kindness, things are bound to take a turn for the better," Wang Shuping said to comfort, which everyone regarded as a soothing platitude.

At this dining table, only He Tiantian believed that Wang Shuping’s words were true; Third Grandma Qi was indeed fortunate, awaiting her own son and his offspring, a scene you could call a house full of children and grandchildren.

After the meal, He Jingyu and Wang Shuping continued to go to work.

He Tiantian made sure that Third Grandma Qi and Old Man Qi were dressed warmly, then took them out for a stroll in Nan City.

Ever since their arrival in Nan City, it had been snowing. When the snow finally stopped, there was still a lot on the ground, extremely slippery, making it impossible to go out for a walk.

After half a month of evaporation, the accumulated snow and water on the ground had finally disappeared.

He Jingyu had borrowed a tricycle early on, and He Tiantian helped Third Grandma Qi onto the tricycle and said, "Grandma, Grandpa, today we’re going to sightsee in Nan City on a budget!"

"Oh, that’s great. Finally, we can go out and get some fresh air," Third Grandma Qi said with a smile. She just wanted to walk around and see what Nan City was like.

Old Man Qi was also very happy, glad not to be cooped up at home all day.

He Tiantian locked the door, got on the tricycle, and turned her head to ask, "Grandma, where would you like to go first?"

After thinking for a moment, Third Grandma Qi replied, "How far are we from Xuanwu Lake?"

Upon hearing this, He Tiantian laughed and said, "Not far, just three or four miles. Since you want to go, let’s head out now."

He Tiantian rode the tricycle out of the alley, then turned to Old Man Qi and said, "Grandpa, come on, with you on board, we can go faster."

"No need, just go slower and I will be able to keep up," Old Man Qi refused, not wanting to get on. The roads here were not good, and it would be strenuous for He Tiantian to pedal with two people on the tricycle.

"Don’t worry, I’m quite strong!" urged He Tiantian, "Come on up..."

"Girl Tian, let’s take it slow and let your Grandpa Qi walk. When he gets tired on the way back, he can ride on the tricycle," Third Grandma Qi suggested, "We also want to see the sights along the road!"

Seeing their insistence, He Tiantian no longer urged them, pedaling the tricycle leisurely down the road.

Old Man Qi followed behind, leisurely strolling; Nan City had changed since the last time they visited.

The locals were no longer suffering from the aftermath of war. Although their faces were gaunt, there was no longer fear in their eyes, and everyone was busy trying to make a living.

There was no one idly wandering the streets, even the elderly and children at home were working on handicrafts brought from factories to help support their families.

He Tiantian pedaled the tricycle through the scenery, which was a rare sight indeed.

But everyone was so busy that at most, they cast puzzled glances at the three of them, with no spare time to pay them any mind.

Along the way, He Tiantian explained slowly, and as she pedaled at a leisurely pace, she didn’t feel tired, and Old Man Qi could keep up just fine.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at Xuanwu Lake.

The sun today was clean and warm, shining on the clear water, sparkling and dancing.

"Grandma, what made you think of coming here?" He Tiantian stood by the lake, wrapping a scarf around Third Grandma Qi.