The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 694 - 663 Appealing, Grateful_1

Chapter 694: Chapter 663 Appealing, Grateful_1

The end-of-semester exams finally ended, and the first half of sophomore year was over, starting their vacation.

Wu Youliang and Huang Jingli were getting married. Since it was too far to travel, He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie decided not to attend, so He Tiantian sent her gift in advance, giving Huang Jingli a red cotton-padded jacket as a wedding present.

As classmates continued to leave, He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie followed their parents and began preparing for their New Year’s trip to Yanjing.

They made this journey every year.

He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie, along with their two children, went to the photo studio and took lots of pictures, then mailed them to their parents and grandmother overseas.

There were shortages in the country, and He Tiantian didn’t have much to give to her grandmother.

The only presentable item she had was the pills that Huo Yingjie had made, but He Tiantian worried that they might be inspected and found suspicious, so she could only put them away to give to her parents and grandmother in person later.

Huo Zhekun and Jiang Lifang’s group finally arrived in Yanjing before the New Year, with Huo Yingjun coming to pick them up.

This time they came back, the two little ones could already talk and walk and were even more adorable, as well as more mischievous. If you weren’t careful, you wouldn’t know where they had run off to.

"Call him uncle," He Tiantian taught the children how to address people, for they only saw each other once a year, and if she didn’t teach them now, they would become even more unfamiliar.

Donning a red beret, Huo Ruimin, with her big eyes, said to Huo Yingjun, "Uncle, you are so handsome!"

"Haha, Ruimin is really pretty," Huo Yingjun pinched Huo Ruimin’s little face, particularly fond of her. He regretted that his wife did not want to have children; he longed for a daughter so much.

Huo Ruihua said at a leisurely pace, "Uncle!"

That composed demeanor was even quieter than his younger brother Huo Yingjie’s when he was a child.

"Ruihua is great too," Huo Yingjun complimented, "Let’s hurry back home. Your brother Ruixiang is already waiting for you. Brother has lots of toys to play with Ruimin and Ruihua."

The car drove smoothly on the road.

He Tiantian glanced out the window and noticed that this year, the colors on the streets of Yanjing were more abundant, people’s clothing had changed, and the styles were no longer monotonous and rigid.

"Big brother, I feel like Yanjing is more lively and vibrant than before," He Tiantian said with a smile, thinking that the clothes from her alley could finally be worn.

"Yeah, there have been quite a few changes," Huo Yingjun said, "Next year will bring even more. Reforms are happening everywhere, and people’s thoughts and concepts are changing, full of vigor and thriving."

"It’s noticeable," He Tiantian remarked, noting many shops had opened on the streets of Yanjing and seemed to be doing well.

He Tiantian’s gaze remained fixed outside, and the two children also clung to the window, curiously observing the world outside.

Their two little heads, topped with hats, huddled together, whispering and murmuring in their own language, exchanging thoughts that the adults could vaguely understand.

Huo Yingjie chuckled; it turned out they were talking about food. At such a young age, they were already little foodies, somewhat like their mother. He hoped that they wouldn’t grow up to be two little fatties.

Upon arriving at the Huo Family Old Mansion, everyone was already waiting for them.

Huo Ruihua and Huo Ruimin were carried inside and upon seeing Huo Ruixiang, they sweetly called out, "Brother, brother..."

On regular days, He Tiantian would show photos of Huo Ruixiang and her brother He Doudou to her daughter and son, so they recognized Huo Ruixiang.

Huo Ruixiang also recognized Huo Ruihua and Huo Ruimin.

Old Madam Huo was particularly concerned with the closeness of the great-grandchildren and often showed them pictures, telling him, "These are your little brother and sister in Nan City."

Huo Ruixiang also really liked his good-looking younger siblings and took them to his toy room to share his toys.

With Grandma Wang around, there wouldn’t be any trouble, and He Tiantian talked with the two elders, Huo Yingjie by their side.

"Tiantian, you’ve taught the children very well," Old Madam Huo said with a smile. Although they had been together for only a short time, she had already taken a liking to the two children.

Playful yet polite.

He Tiantian smiled and said, "I usually have to attend school, so it’s Grandma Wang who teaches them. After work, Dad and Mom also help take care of the children. With so many kind and upright people teaching and playing with the children, it’s no wonder they’ve turned out so well, healthy and good-natured."

Jiang Lifang and Huo Zhekun, upon hearing this, showed gratified smiles.

As elders, it’s natural to dote on the younger generation. However, if the younger ones don’t understand or appreciate it, they too would feel disheartened.

Now the daughter-in-law’s recognition of their hard work greatly comforted them.

Old Madam Huo nodded repeatedly. Ai, Yingjie’s wife was picky, and Zhao Huanhuan was like a sulky gourd, keeping everything bottled up inside without speaking.

Over time, their relationship had grown distant.

Looking at Yingjie’s wife, she had won over everyone in the household, creating a harmonious and comfortable atmosphere without any petty squabbles.

"Hehe, good, harmony brings prosperity!" Old Madam Huo said, "By the way, your mother-in-law wrote to me saying that the braised pork you make is delicious. Tomorrow I’ll have someone send over two pig heads and some other meats. Let’s prepare a grand New Year’s meal."

He Tiantian nodded and said, "I brought some special ingredients with me. Mom always reminded me not to forget them."

"Mhm, mhm. Alright, you must be cold from the train ride, go and rest in your room now. We’ll call you when it’s time for dinner," Old Madam Huo said, reluctant to let her younger relatives leave her side.

"Thank you, Great-Grandma, Great-Grandpa," said He Tiantian, before she followed Huo Yingjie back to their bedroom.

Huo Zhekun and Jiang Lifang were also a bit tired and went back to their rooms to rest.

Song Chunli went to the kitchen, and Zhao Huanhuan enviously watched their retreating figures.

"Envious?" Old Madam Huo asked softly. She often lectured Yingjie’s wife and now she wanted to give some advice to Zhao Huanhuan.

Zhao Huanhuan didn’t answer, but silently nodded.

"You may be more capable than Tiantian, but you don’t match up to her in handling interpersonal relationships," Old Madam Huo said, hoping that her guidance might inspire Zhao Huanhuan to change a bit.

"Yes, I’ve always admired the second sister-in-law in that respect," Zhao Huanhuan said. "From top to bottom, old and young, everyone likes her. Grandma Wang often writes letters to you, and every time she praises the second sister-in-law."

"Yes! Half of her letters are about Tiantian and the other half about the two children," Old Madam Huo said. Although she was technically a maidservant and as close as a sister, responsible in her duties, she wasn’t one to frequently dole out praise.

Zhao Huanhuan nodded, feeling even more envious.

"Huanhuan, you’re actually very good too, only that you’re not adept at managing the relationships with the people around you," Old Madam Huo said. "However, I must admit, your mother-in-law is indeed more difficult to get along with than your second aunt-in-law, with her nagging, pettiness, and strong jealousy."

Zhao Huanhuan laughed and said, "My mother-in-law is okay; she has a sharp tongue but a soft heart."

"Indeed, it’s just her unendearing disposition," Old Madam Huo said. "Actually, if you could be a little more pleasant, not always wearing a frown, perhaps things between you two could improve."

"Mm," Zhao Huanhuan nodded and then smiled, "But her biggest complaint about me is that I’m not having more children. Maybe if I get pregnant, and then reconcile with my mother-in-law, it might work out even better."

Old Madam Huo’s eyes lit up and she nodded, "Right, right, when that time comes, I’ll help mediate between the two of you. You and Yingjun are not young anymore; it would be good to have another child. Some time ago, there were rumors about implementing family planning, allowing only one child. Especially for you and Yingjun, as civil servants, if you violate the regulations, you could lose your jobs. Once you’re pregnant, the question will be whether to keep it or not."

"Yingjun also talked to me about this, so we’ve already started preparing," Zhao Huanhuan said. It didn’t matter if it was a boy or a girl, having another child meant that in the future they could support each other and wouldn’t be lonely.