The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 653 - 622: Falling Out of Favor, Overseas Chinese Coupon_1

Chapter 653: Chapter 622: Falling Out of Favor, Overseas Chinese Coupon_1

Song Chunli felt envious upon hearing the lively noises from outside.

Huo Ruixiang stayed by his grandmother’s side and did not go out.

"Ruixiang, why aren’t you going out to play?" Song Chunli asked softly while picking vegetables.

"Grandma, Grandpa prefer those two little ones now, they like them and not me anymore," Huo Ruixiang said quietly, somewhat unhappy. In the past, it was always grandma and grandpa who played with him.

Now that the family had smaller children, they seemed to no longer like him.

At that moment, Jiang Lifang came in.

Hearing Huo Ruixiang’s words, Jiang Lifang smiled and said, "Come here, let your second grandma give our Ruixiang a big hug."

Little Huo Ruixiang, almost three years old, was smart and perceptive, and also very sensitive.

"So do grandma and grandpa still like me?" the little guy asked hopefully, worried he had fallen out of favor.

"Of course not, grandma and grandpa like our Ruixiang the most. It’s just that your little brother and sister are young, and they’ve just come back from out of town, that’s why grandma and grandpa are holding them," Jiang Lifang reassured him. She was open-minded about it. Her elder brother and his wife were always with the old folks, while they only came back during the new year, so she didn’t want to let these trivial matters upset the elders and children of the household.

"Oh," Huo Ruixiang felt relieved and said, "Then I’ll go out and play with my little brother and sister."

"Go ahead. Your aunt brought toys for you, so you can play together with your little brother and sister," Jiang Lifang said with a smile, sending the child off happily.

Seeing her grandson run out joyfully, Song Chunli said apologetically, "Second sister-in-law, I’m sorry for the embarrassment. Ruixiang is used to being the center of attention when he’s on his own at home. Suddenly, with two more children around, he thinks he has lost our affection."

"Hehe, all kids are like that," Jiang Lifang laughed, "It’ll be better when they grow up."

"I hope so," Song Chunli replied. "Second sister-in-law, you must be tired after the trip, go and rest. I can handle the cooking."

"I’m not tired. My cooking isn’t as good as my elder sister-in-law’s. I’ll continue preparing the vegetables, and you can cook," Jiang Lifang insisted, knowing that this was just her sister-in-law being polite. If she really left, her sister-in-law might get upset.

Song Chunli and Jiang Lifang chatted softly while cooking, enjoying each other’s company.

Old Madam Huo saw Huo Ruixiang coming over and introduced him, "Ruixiang, this is your second uncle’s daughter and son, they are your little brother and sister."

Seeing that his grandma still smiled at him like before, Huo Ruixiang felt at ease and said, "Grandma, my little brother and sister are so cute, like the glutinous rice balls you make for me, white and bouncy."

His simile made Old Madam Huo burst into laughter.

"Exactly, like glutinous rice balls, white and tender," Old Madam Huo said. "Ruixiang is so clever to come up with such a comparison."

Huo Ruixiang stood on his tiptoes and pinched Huo Ruimin’s chubby little face, saying, "Grandma, can my sister play with me, please?"

Feeling uncomfortable being pinched, Huo Ruimin moved his face, trying to dodge Huo Ruixiang’s touch.

"Your sister is still small. By this time next year, she’ll be able to play with you," Old Madam Huo said. "Ruixiang has to be good and set a great example for your little brother and sister."

"Mhm, mhm," Huo Ruixiang smiled, "Ruixiang wants to be a good baby."

"Right," Old Madam Huo said, giving a thumbs up in praise of Huo Ruixiang.

By noon, He Tiantian checked her watch, which showed it was twelve o’clock. Usually, by this time, the children would already be starting their formula milk, getting ready for their nap.

So she went to prepare two bottles of milk for them to hold and drink.

Huo Ruixiang saw them drinking milk and said quietly, "Auntie, Ruixiang also wants to drink milk!"

"Sure, your auntie will prepare it for you," He Tiantian smiled, "Grandfather, does Ruixiang have any milk bottles at home?"

"Yes, Yingjun, go fetch Ruixiang’s milk bottle," Old Madam Huo instructed, "Tiantian, just prepare half a bottle for him; he still has to eat later."

"Alright," He Tiantian replied.

Now that Huo Ruixiang had weaned, he got unhappy whenever he saw his younger siblings drinking and was not given any. He was especially sensitive.

Everyone was eating while He Tiantian was in the room, trying to put the child to sleep.

After everyone had finished eating, Huo Yingjie heated up the food and brought it to He Tiantian so she wouldn’t have to go down.

The house became even livelier when Zhao Huanhuan returned in the evening.

Old Master Huo and Old Madam Huo were spry and lively.

In the evening, Old Master Huo called his two sons and grandson to the study to discuss the future trends of the country.

They talked until late into the night before letting everyone go.

By the time Huo Yingjie returned to his room, He Tiantian was deep asleep with the children.

He Tiantian woke up groggily and checked the time - it was already 1:30 in the morning.

"Why so late?" she murmured softly, "I should hurry up and wash up before bed."

Taking the train was very exhausting, and today, with all the comings and goings at home and having to take care of the children, He Tiantian hadn’t had a proper rest.

"Alright," Huo Yingjie replied, kissed He Tiantian’s forehead, and went to wash up.

In the bathroom, the mirror gradually fogged up in the steam.

This time upon returning, Huo Yingjie felt vaguely that his grandfather and uncle had changed, becoming somewhat impatient for success.

The Huo Family had grown into a significant force, and what was critical was to rise steadily, not to rush forward recklessly.

More haste, less speed, is a principle everyone understands, but how many can actually implement it!

"Ah, all so worrisome," Huo Yingjie felt annoyed. He longed for a peaceful life, but given the people of the Huo Family, they weren’t up to the task, so he had to take charge himself.

Fortunately, there was still time, and he would find another opportunity to talk with his grandfather and uncle.

When he came out of the bathroom, Huo Yingjie looked at his sleeping wife and child and immediately felt energized, no longer bothered.

Even if it was hard, even if it was tedious, it was all for his wife and children, so it didn’t count for much!

The temperature in Yanjing was very low, but thankfully, the old house had heating, so it wasn’t cold indoors.

He Tiantian initially wanted to take the children out for fun, but seeing the weather outside where water turned to ice, she immediately dismissed the idea and stayed inside obediently.

He Tiantian had many Overseas Chinese Coupons, which her grandmother had sent her, and she collected from the bank.

However, there was no place for Overseas Chinese Coupons in Nan City; this time in Yanjing, He Tiantian brought all the unexpired Overseas Chinese Coupons, planning to go shopping when she had the time.

He Tiantian wasn’t short of money now, but what was annoying about China these days was that having money wasn’t always useful without the right coupons; you still couldn’t buy anything.

Tomorrow was New Year’s, so He Tiantian made some traditional Huaxia Country sweets, thinking of using the many Overseas Chinese Coupons she had to buy ingredients for making bread and cakes.

The children loved these treats.

It would be best to make some teething sticks too, for the daughter and son who already had teeth and needed something to gnaw on.

He Tiantian didn’t like it when the kids walked around with carrot sticks in their hands every day, burping a mix of milk and carrot smell was truly indescribable!