Su Manxiu heard her second sister-in-law's words and smiled, "Indeed, we just arrived, and you came right after. I guess our two cars arrived one after another."
After a few pleasantries, Qi Liangying busied herself taking things out of her bags.
The couple had brought seven bags of various sizes, each packed to the brim.
"Why didn't you tell us you were bringing so much? How did you two get here?" Grandma Su asked, her words a mix of complaint and concern.
"After getting off at the train station, we didn't take a bus. We found a tricycle to help us carry it over; it wasn't expensive," Qi Liangying replied.
All these items were special products she had brought from the Northwest for her family.
She had guarded them carefully all the way, worried about losing them.
Upon seeing the crowded buses at the train station, the couple finally found a tricycle to bring these items back.
"We have everything at home. You two just needed to come. You must have been so tired on the long journey, not daring to sleep," Grandma Su asked, looking at their weary faces.
Qi Liangying smiled. She wasn't foolish and could see her mother-in-law was worried about them.
In the past, Qi Liangying had felt her mother-in-law was a bit biased, not as openly biased as some mothers-in-law, but biased nonetheless.
Now, she suddenly felt that her mother-in-law was actually quite good and genuinely cared for them.
"What's there to say? We took turns watching, so it wasn't hard. Mother, we only visit you two elders once a year, so we had to bring some things."
"Besides, the children at home are all looked after by you two elders and your third son and daughter-in-law. If we don't prepare some New Year's goods when we visit for the New Year, what kind of people would we be?"
Su Xiaotian heard this and couldn't help but laugh, "Second Aunt, you must have been so tired bringing so many things. You can just buy them in Beijing next year."
Qi Liangying pinched Su Xiaotian's soft little face and said, "You little rascal, haven't seen you for a while, do you miss your second aunt?"
She genuinely liked Su Xiaotian. Even when she felt a bit jealous of the third branch and thought her mother-in-law was a bit biased, she still sincerely liked her niece, Su Xiaotian, and spoke with great affection.
"I do," Su Xiaotian replied obediently. "Second Aunt, you must have been very tired bringing so many things."
"It's all your favorite food, otherwise, why would we bring so much from so far away?" Qi Liangying said with a cheerful laugh, not feeling tired at all.
"Mother, these are all for you. They are what you, Father, and the children like to eat. Some are gifts for relatives. This is for Uncle Dong, this is for Uncle Du's family, this is for Taohua's family, and this one is for Uncle Chi."
Qi Liangying quickly sorted the items, clearly having put thought into the purchases, and was very thorough.
It had to be said, the gifts Qi Liangying prepared were quite substantial.
It was completely different from her previously parsimonious demeanor.
"My child, bringing so many things from so far away, aren't you afraid of tiring yourself out? We're old now and can't eat much. Don't bring so much in the future. We're happy just to see you!" Yu Ruiyuan also said with concern.
In the past, Yu Ruiyuan thought the second daughter-in-law of the Su family wasn't that great, but now she seemed much better than expected.
"Oh, Auntie, I understand. I really won't bring so much next year," Qi Liangying replied with a smile.
Grandma Su was so happy her mouth couldn't close. She used to think this second daughter-in-law was a bit stingy, but now she was much better.
She knew what was important and could handle things. Even if they passed away one day, she wouldn't have to worry about her getting along with her sisters-in-law. Su Dan Novel Network.
Qi Liangying was about to rush into the kitchen to help, but Su Xiaotian stopped her.
"Second Aunt, we'll be eating soon. I'll get you and Second Uncle some water. Have some sugar water first."
As Su Xiaotian was about to make sugar water, young Master Chen Xiuyuan heard her.
"Sister, I want sugar water too."
"Okay, sugar water for our little Xiuyuan too!" Su Xiaotian affectionately pinched young Master Chen Xiuyuan's nose.
Young Master Chen Xiuyuan wasn't angry about his nose being pinched. He rubbed it and then smiled, following Su Xiaotian to wait for the sugar water.
The sumptuous meal was soon served. Fortunately, the main house of the Su family's courtyard was large enough to accommodate three tables, so everyone could sit down.
It was also when the dishes were brought out that Qi Liangying and her husband noticed several unfamiliar people in the house.
Introductions were, of course, necessary.
Although Li Jianhong and the others felt a bit awkward seeing more people, the Su family was very kind and warm to the three of them.
This eased some of the girls' awkwardness.
"Oh, we're from the same county, it's just a long way to travel."
Qi Liangying's smile became radiant when she learned that Qian Xiaobei was also from Sangyu County.
It was no wonder this girl hadn't gone home for the New Year. The journey alone, if not particularly smooth, would have taken the young girl four to five days.
"If there's anything you need to send to your family, we can take it with us when we leave," Qi Liangying said enthusiastically to Qian Xiaobei.
Qian Xiaobei, who had been slightly apprehensive, completely relaxed due to Qi Liangying's warmth.
She couldn't help but envy the Su family. They were so loving and harmonious, even more so than her own family.
After all, her Qian family was also known as a harmonious family in the village, but compared to the Su family, they still lacked something.
"There's nothing I need to send, thank you, Auntie," Qian Xiaobei replied, using her hometown dialect as she listened to Qi Liangying's familiar accent.
"That's fine then. We'll be going back after the New Year. You girls must have taken good care of our Xiaotian at school, right?"
"No, no, Auntie, Xiaotian took great care of us too," the girls said in unison.
"You are all living with Xiaotian. When you are at our home, treat it like your own. Don't be polite," Qi Liangying was particularly enthusiastic towards the girls.
Without much thought, Su Manxiu knew that her second sister-in-law hoped one of these girls would become her future daughter-in-law.
She wondered what her son, Ciliang, thought about it.
He was no longer young and it was time for him to find a partner.
During their year in Licheng, she had thought about introducing him to someone there, but he had firmly refused.
Now, these girls were all university students and in the same school, so they should have common topics.
Su Ciliang, who was diligently eating the delicious food, had no idea that the elders in his family were all embarking on the path of urging him to marry.
And he was the first target!