Su Xiaotian had no idea about the lightning-fast collision happening between several people; she was simply happy.
This hairpin was, of course, beautiful. The crudely made hairpins outside couldn't compare to its exquisite craftsmanship.
Although it was also a plastic product, the workmanship clearly indicated it was a high-end item!
She had seen similar hairpins at the Friendship Store before, costing over ten yuan each.
She certainly wouldn't have bought one for herself.
She wondered how long Yi Yuan Ge Ge had saved his money to afford such a hairpin.
Su Nainai had merely spoken casually and then continued to praise Su Xiaotian, repeatedly saying how beautiful the hairpin was and that she would buy more for Su Xiaotian to wear.
Upon hearing this, Su Xiaotian quickly changed the subject. She absolutely dared not tell Su Nainai that this hairpin was very, very expensive.
Otherwise, Grandma would be heartbroken!
Buying a hairpin for over ten yuan, Grandma would probably say the person was foolish.
She might even lecture for a long time, talking about saving money.
During dinner, the family chatted leisurely, with no adherence to the rule of not speaking while eating.
Only Su Xiaomei seemed distracted, focusing on shoveling rice into her mouth, not even remembering the delicious dishes.
If Su Shouwen and Su Liu Ge Ge hadn't served her food every so often, this girl would have finished a bowl of plain rice in one go.
As the meal was nearing its end, Grandpa Su suddenly mentioned that he had received a call from Su Lao San, who had already bought his train tickets.
The entire family was very excited upon hearing this news.
Especially Liang Xiu; the couple had been separated for so long, and missing each other was inevitable.
"This is great! When my dad arrives, I'll ask Hua Shu... oh, ask Da Ge Ge for help to find my dad a job at his comrade's place."
Su Xiaotian was overjoyed. The time for the family reunion had finally arrived.
However, the feelings of the other children were not as cheerful.
After all, San Die was coming to Beijing, but their own mothers and fathers were still in their hometowns.
"Did the eldest and second brothers say they would also come to Beijing to visit?" Su Nainai asked.
Grandpa Su shook his head, "San didn't mention it. I don't know the situation. Phone calls are very expensive, so we'll ask when San arrives."
Su Nainai thought that was reasonable. The phone was indeed functional, but it was just too expensive; a few yuan could disappear in an instant.
Su Xiaotian, being a thoughtful person, noticed that Xiao Jiu and the others were not in good spirits and spoke to comfort them.
"Liu Ge, Qi Ge, Jiu Ge, don't be too sad. Da Die, Da Ma, Er Die, and Er Ma are busy with work and can't visit you, but when there's a holiday, we'll go home to see them."
Hearing Su Xiaotian say this, Grandpa Su and Su Nainai also chimed in, "That's right! When the holiday comes, our whole family will go back to celebrate the New Year."
The Su children became happy, but Chi Yiyuan's expression grew even more somber.
It wasn't just the Su children who couldn't see their parents; he hadn't seen his own parents for many years.
Even though many people had returned from abroad one after another, why was there still no news from his mother and father?
Although Grandpa said there was news, it was still information from others, not direct communication.
Chi Ge saw Chi Yiyuan's thoughts and also felt a heavy burden in his heart.
What were those two thinking? Had they not thought of their children all these years they were away?
He said in a low voice, "Xiao Yuan, don't be sad. It's far abroad, they should be back soon."
Chi Yiyuan didn't want his mood to affect the family's mood, so he quickly smiled and said, "It's okay, I've grown up!"
Yes, he had grown up, past the age where he needed parental companionship.
During the years he needed his parents' company the most, they were not by his side!
No one knew that even when he was in Hongxin Brigade, seeing other children with their parents, even if they were being punished, he was envious.
Liang Xiu heard the conversation between the grandfather and grandson, her eyes filled with heartache.
This child, she had watched him grow up, and his resilience was heartbreaking.
"Xiao Yuan, until your parents return, consider me your mother. Tell me anything you need to."
Liang Xiu said this almost instinctively.
Su Xiaoba was stunned to hear his mother say this!
First, his sister was taken, and now his mother was going to be taken too?
But could he say no?
It seemed not!
Fine, Chi Yiyuan was also a pitiable person, with only one relative by his side. He should indulge him a little.
Chi Ge smiled and said, "We grandfather and grandson have received a lot of your care, not just you, but Taohua has also taken good care of us grandfather and grandson."
After so many years, if it weren't for these kind people looking out for them, it was hard to say if they would still be alive.
"Uncle Chi, it's our duty!"
This time, Su Xiaomei had snapped back to attention and quickly said.
"You've taken care of our food and clothing, and even the clothes we're wearing now were made by Taohua and sent over by Xiaomei."
Hongxin Brigade had many good people!
"Uncle Chi, you're too polite. We're like family, aren't we? Taking care of you and Xiao Yuan is only right! Even Xiaomei, a child, understands this."
Liang Xiu smiled and served both the grandfather and grandson a piece of fish each.
This grandfather and grandson both liked to eat fish, and today's fish was specially prepared for them by Su Nainai.
Chi Ge smiled faintly, but in his eyes, which quickly lowered, there were clearly glimmers of tears.
In this world, who is it that helps others out of obligation?
From the beginning, helping is a kindness, and not helping is within one's rights.
"Besides, didn't our Xiaotian also benefit from your guidance?"
Liang Xiu truly believed her daughter's achievements were due to Chi Ge's good teaching, and therefore thanked him sincerely.
Chi Ge himself felt ashamed.
He was nominally Xiaotian's master, but in reality, he hadn't done much.
"Speaking of Taohua, Xiaomei, how has your family's shop been doing recently?"
"My mom's tailor shop is doing very well, busy until midnight every day. My dad is so worried, he says if it continues like this, he won't let her work anymore!"
Hearing Su Xiaomei say this, Su Nainai also felt concerned. "This child is also foolish. She's too busy. Why doesn't she hire an apprentice? If that's not feasible, she could hire a skilled worker to help."
Su Xiaotian couldn't help but smile when she heard Su Nainai's words. She never expected Grandma to have such progressive ideas.
In this era, many people were reluctant to hire others, fearing being labeled as capitalist.
However, Grandpa Su and Su Nainai clearly weren't entirely opposed to hiring people.
"When I see Zizhen later, I'll mention it to him. This is a good idea!" Chi Ge said cheerfully.
"Taohua is also a sincere person, meticulous and careful in her work. She probably overworks herself rather than compromise on the quality of her work," Grandpa Su sighed.
He had watched his niece Taohua grow up and knew her personality very well.
"Exactly. Perhaps it's because Taohua's work is meticulous that the shop's business is getting better every day. Business relies on reputation."
"My dad also told me to hire someone to help, but my mom refused," Su Xiaomei replied with a smile.
"Xiaomei, you should persuade your mother. Things are different now compared to before. Look at our restaurant, haven't we hired people? If we relied only on our family, we'd work ourselves to death!" Su Nainai told Su Xiaomei.
Yiming Pavilion was doing well now, but if they relied only on their family, they wouldn't be able to cope even if they worked themselves to death.
"I said I'd learn to sew clothes and help my mom, but she scolded me. She said I should just learn from my dad and not worry about the shop's affairs!"
Hearing Su Xiaomei say this, Liang Xiu sighed from the bottom of her heart.
Taohua Jie was living a good life after remarrying, but Taohua Jie was too strong-willed. Perhaps she felt that by bringing up her child, she was a burden to Shen Zizhen, which was why she worked so hard.
A mother's heart, she would rather suffer herself than let her child suffer!
It seemed she would have to have a good talk with Taohua Jie and guide her properly.