The little rascal was reaching out, trying to touch the warm flame. If it weren’t for Madam Chen’s quick reflexes, the little rascal’s hand would have gone in.

"Look at how you’re wrapping those dumplings, none of them are even round. Stop messing up and go watch your son." Seeing Li Caixia’s poorly wrapped dumplings, Madam Chen immediately sent her off to watch her grandson.

Compared to Fengfeng’s mischievousness, Kangkang was much quieter, snuggling obediently in his sister’s lap with a hot water bottle.

After getting a hot water bottle, Fengfeng didn’t catch colds as often, which made Qian Ying happy.

But happiness was followed by worry. Just yesterday, she brought up the topic of finding a partner with Xu Xue, only to be flatly rejected. Xu Xue had her eye on Huo Qingze.

Except for Xu Mumu, Xu Xue hadn’t mentioned her interest in Huo Qingze to anyone in the Old Xu Family.

If her mother found out, she’d undoubtedly have to listen to her nagging again.

Besides, she didn’t think she was that old; she didn’t have to get married right away. She was still young, and even if Huo Qingze rejected her, at least she knew what direction to strive toward.

She still didn’t want to give up on Huo Qingze easily. She knew how successful he would be in the future, and it was like a juicy piece of meat dangling in front of her. She wouldn’t feel comfortable until she got it.

Being seen as a prize, Huo Qingze was also forced by his father to return to the Huo Family for the New Year. Along with him was his stepsister; his stepmother was detained. His stepsister didn’t live well with the Ma Family, and even having a child now hasn’t been easy.

She returned with a big belly, hoping Mr. Huo would help.

It’s a pity that she chose her own path. Back then, she insisted on marrying that boy from the Ma Family. Well, look at how things have turned out; marriage didn’t make life better.

Plus, with the fuss his stepwife caused before, Mr. Huo was even less fond of this daughter, and some of his dissatisfaction with his wife was transferred to her.

Huo Qingze remained calm and didn’t think he had much to say to his father, knowing they’d end up arguing whenever they were together. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Anyway, he’s their only son, so he can do whatever he wants.

Mr. Huo indeed didn’t plan to remarry, to avoid more trouble.

But Huo Qingze was always uncooperative. His father wanted him to take over the business, but Huo Qingze was always involved in some odd things, giving his father headaches and creating tension between the two.

The Huo Family’s New Year was rather cold, and Huo Qingze felt more like a guest in his own home.

Compared to the Huo Family, things were much more lively with Xu Mumu’s side. Xu Mumu received a bunch of red envelopes, which made her overjoyed.

Even though there wasn’t much money in the envelopes, they all carried beautiful expectations for the coming year.

Though she was not that young and shouldn’t be getting red envelopes, Madam Chen said unmarried ones could still receive them.

Nonetheless, Xu Mumu also gave red envelopes to her siblings, and Yin Yang gave them some too.

The moment Dongbao got his envelope, Lin Juan took it away, causing Dongbao to throw a fit. It was unfair; all his cousins kept theirs, but his mother took his away.

But the chaos caused by the third house didn’t bother Madam Chen at all. Looking at that unruly boy, she’d rather spend more time on her grandson.

Finally, Lin Juan gave Dongbao two dollars to settle it, but she kept the rest of his red envelope money.

Afterward, Lin Juan couldn’t help complaining to Qian Ying and Sun Huiping about not guarding their children. If they’d taken their envelopes, her Dongbao wouldn’t have caused a scene.

"Our Jiaojiao and Little Tao have been saving their money themselves for a long time. They handle their own finances, and I’m not bothering to control how they spend it, since the household wasn’t really in need of their change," Sun Huiping said with a sidelong glance.

"I trust Wanwan to manage her spending too," Qian Ying replied with a gentle smile.

Xu Wan and Xu Jiaojiao grew up in the same courtyard, unlike Dongbao, who grew up in the county. Xu Wan was really well-behaved, and they hadn’t spent the money they earned frivolously, mostly on educational materials and supplies, rarely on snacks, so both were quite reassured about their children.

Seeing their trust in their kids, Lin Juan felt bitter. "Aren’t you worried that they’ll spend all their money at once?"

"No, Wanwan has already saved it," Qian Ying chuckled. Her daughter wasn’t greedy, and even if she wanted to buy something to eat, there were many tasty things in the Imperial City. She was more worried that her daughter was reluctant to spend money.

"Little Tao may enjoy eating, but with all the food Mumu has here, he won’t spend money on that, and Jiaojiao is even more obedient." Sun Huiping was very satisfied with her two kids, and although it had just been them over the years, she felt fulfilled. No other kids in the brigade could compare to her children.

Lin Juan felt utterly defeated. Why were only her children disobedient when all were seeds of the Old Xu Family? Clearly, Xu Minglei and Xu Tao used to be naughtier than Dongbao. Why had things changed so much?

Now, the people in the Old Xu Family were acting increasingly odd. Could those slogans outside be true? Knowledge changes fate. They all seemed to have changed indeed. Now, during the New Year, they were all busy writing something with pens, and when she peeked, she couldn’t understand a thing.

These were tasks Xu Mumu assigned, tiny English essays themed around the New Year. Since they weren’t too familiar with the area, and the family was worried if they went too far to play, they might as well stay in and finish assignments.

The kids were diligently completing the tasks Xu Mumu set, except for Dongbao who was bored playing marbles alone. He then dragged his mom, planning to go out and buy snacks, with two dollars tucked in his pocket, curious if snacks from the Imperial City might taste better.

Pulled by her son to buy food, Lin Juan nearly lost breath, looking at him with disappointment. If only he showed half the interest in studying that Xu Minglei and the others had, she’d be satisfied.

Now, she had nothing but envy and jealousy for the main house, the gap was so vast she didn’t dare to bicker with Li Caixia anymore.

Watching the mother and son from the third house leave, Sun Huiping chuckled and turned back to knitting her sweater. The sweater was mostly done, in light blue with two small flowers, meant specifically for Xu Jiaojiao. In two or three days, it would be ready.

These days in the Imperial City had broadened her horizons significantly. She knitted the sweater based on some patterns she saw on others’ clothing styles.