The family returned to Yangcheng.

After the Four Treasures brought home three gold medals and one silver, they received awards from both the city of Yangcheng and their school.

Second Treasure won the taekwondo championship at the Youth Olympic Games, which made her classmates and teachers see her in a whole new light. Who would have thought she was both studious and athletic!

Third Treasure was the school beauty of her grade, with Second Treasure's fame close behind. Many boys saw them as princesses, secretly adoring them from a distance they felt was impossible to cross.

Every day, Second and Third Treasure would find pink letters and sweet chocolates in their desk drawers. Their response was always the same: not interested! What's not to love about studying or playing? Those are way better. Despite their clear lack of interest, the gifts kept coming every day.

After a brief discussion, Second and Third Treasure installed a board over their desk drawers and even added a lock! When their teacher told Lin Feng about it, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

In contrast to their sisters' attitudes, the boys thought it was great to be admired by girls. It just means we're awesome! Why else would so many girls like us? They would even bring the gifts home to share with their parents.

At the dinner table, Second Treasure covered her mouth and chuckled. "Dad, a boy came up to Third Treasure today and told her she's pretty and gets good grades." She paused. "And guess what she said back?"

Lin Feng asked, "What did she say?"

"Third Treasure said, 'You think I need you to tell me that? I've known it for a long time!'"

That soft and cute Third Treasure could really be merciless with her words sometimes!

***

Because of the competition, their trip was delayed this year. As a result, the family reunion dinner in Meicheng didn't happen until the eighth day of the Lunar New Year.

Lin Dashan and his wife had already booked the hotel. Lin Feng brought the children back to the villa, and his parents arrived almost the very moment they did.

The children had all grown up, and there was now a generation gap when they talked. But it didn't matter; the grandparents were happy to just listen to them speak. Lin Dashan and his wife seemed to be growing younger with each passing day. After his company lost money that year, Lin Dashan had refused his son's offer of financial aid and simply closed it down. Now, he and Zhou Cuilan were enjoying a life just for the two of them, traveling and having fun. Lin Daan had previously mentioned moving to Yangcheng with his son Lin Jiajun but later decided against it, figuring the children had their own lives and they shouldn't get in the way or become a nuisance. Lin Dahu had gotten sick last year, which made him much more open-minded and improved his temper. His relationship with his son, Lin Rui, had eased considerably, and Lin Xiaolan had also started getting back in touch with the family. It was Zhou Cuilan who updated Zhang Yuxi on all these goings-on.

Zhang Yuxi and Lin Feng were focused entirely on their own family and didn't pay much attention to extended family affairs. It wasn't their place to gossip about other people's business anyway.

Zhou Cuilan looked Zhang Yuxi up and down. "You haven't changed a bit after all these years. You still look so young."

Zhang Yuxi had noticed this herself. "You too, Mom! Did you dye your hair? That color really suits you!"

"Really? Your father said it was terribly ugly and gaudy."

"I think it looks good. The purple isn't too obvious; it's a dark purple."

Meanwhile, Lin Dashan told his son, "I've booked the tables. Tonight, we're not going home until we're drunk!"

"Dad, you should really drink less. It's better for your health," Lin Feng advised.

"Bah. At our age, we don't worry about much else. We just want to live our lives as we please."

***

「Evening.」

The best hotel in Meicheng. Every relative in Meicheng who could make it came. The hall was filled with the sounds of joyful laughter as everyone gathered together.

In the past, after his business failed, Lin Dashan had been in the worst situation among his brothers. But his son was so successful! And now, it wasn't just his son who was accomplished—his grandchildren were too!

As the saying goes, "The poor are ignored even in a bustling city, while the rich have distant relatives visit them even in the remote mountains." There was certainly some truth to it.

In recent years, numerous relatives had come to Lin Dashan for help, and he always did what he could, out of consideration for their kinship.

This time, Lin Jiajun and Wang Lu had also returned with their two sons. Lin Jie had found a girlfriend in Jingcheng and planned to bring her home next year for everyone to meet and approve of.

After a hearty meal, the Four Treasures and the other children of their generation went off to play. The younger adults went to a KTV for karaoke, while the older generation played cards. This tradition hadn't changed in over a decade.

Lin Feng, Lin Jiajun, Yu Zheng, and Lin Rui each took their wives to the karaoke. Lin Jie went with the kids, as the parents wouldn't be at ease without an adult watching over them.

Halfway through their singing, Lin Jiajun sighed. "I'm getting old. I don't have the energy for this anymore."

"There's a light show after eight o'clock tonight," Wang Lu said. "Want to go see it?"

After a quick discussion, everyone agreed to go see the light show.

It wasn't very cold in Meicheng this year. Lin Feng pulled Zhang Yuxi close and put her hat on for her.

Watching them, Wang Lu said with a hint of envy, "Aren't you two tired of each other after all these years?"

Zhang Yuxi retorted, "Are you tired of your husband?"

Wang Lu laughed nervously. "Haha, not me!" Her husband, Lin Jiajun, was staring at her.

She huffed. "What are you looking at? You're so inconsiderate! Can't you see that I'm cold?"

Lin Jiajun rolled his eyes. "If you're cold, use your own hands. It's not like you don't have any."

So irritated she wanted to smack him, Wang Lu snapped, "Just shut up!"

The light show that night was indeed beautiful, complete with a musical fountain display. Meicheng had really developed in recent years!

After the light show, the group went for a late-night barbecue. They checked the time and called Lin Jie, asking if he wanted to bring the kids over. The children were at the movies, so Lin Jie sent them a message from the theater.

"Bro, we'll be a while. You guys go ahead and eat, don't wait for us."

When they got home, they called Lin Jie again. He said they were now wandering through the night market and would probably just stay at the old family house since it was on their way. Lin Feng had no objection.

This year was lively with so many people around, which the children loved. Lin Jie had mentioned during his last visit how incredibly popular the Four Treasures were. Boys and girls were constantly asking for their contact information, and he couldn't stop them all. It couldn't help but make him reflect on a certain phrase. Man, times have really changed.

Lin Feng was also well aware of his children's charm. In a society that places so much value on appearances, the Four Treasures' looks were undeniably top-tier. This fact was both a source of pride and a headache for him.

For parents and grandparents alike, no matter how old their children get, they will always be children.

Zhou Cuilan had recently learned to crochet cotton slippers and planned to make a pair for everyone in Lin Feng's family. That was six pairs, which was no small task, so she was seen working on them constantly throughout the New Year holiday.

Third Aunt teased her, saying, "How much does a pair of slippers even cost these days? It doesn't seem worth all the trouble."

Zhou Cuilan smiled wistfully. "They might not be worth much money, but those wouldn't be handmade by me. This is just a small token of my love." Her thoughts drifted back to her time in the countryside. She had even made clothes for Lin Feng and his brothers back then.

Third Aunt nodded. "That's true. What is it that Lin Feng's family doesn't have now? They lack for nothing."

Zhou Cuilan smiled. "And next year, when Lin Jie brings his girlfriend home, things will be even livelier."

Third Aunt said with envy, "And before you know it, she'll give you a grandson!"

The mention of a grandson lit up Zhou Cuilan's face. "In the blink of an eye, the Four Treasures have gotten so big. Seeing them now, I can't help but remember them as little babies."

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