Lin Feng and Zhang Yuxi were both surprised. Weren't the two of them on very good terms?

Lin Feng stepped in to smooth things over. "Dad, Mom, what's going on? Is it really necessary to make such a big deal over something so minor?"

Zhou Cuilan couldn't help but complain, "Your dad has too much time on his hands now. He does nothing but criticize my cooking and my housekeeping." She continued, "He complains about me every single day! You tell me, what does he mean by that? Is he thinking of someone else?"

Lin Dashan's eyes went wide. "You can't just say things like that!" How could he keep his self-respect if she said this in front of their son and daughter-in-law?

Zhou Cuilan knew she had misspoken. Haughtily, she sat down on the sofa and turned her back to Lin Dashan.

Zhang Yuxi glanced at Lin Feng. "I'll go put Little Treasure to sleep."

Once Zhang Yuxi was gone, Lin Feng sat down. "Dad, Mom, what is going on with you two?"

Zhou Cuilan started to cry silently. "It's your father. He thinks nothing I do is good enough. He says I can't do this, and I can't do that..."

Lin Dashan was speechless. "But you say the same thing to me every day! That I'm no good at this or that!"

Lin Feng listened to them bicker for a while. These are just minor daily squabbles, not a real problem at all.

He didn't offer much in the way of persuasion. "Since Mom wants to move out, why not move in here? We're leaving after the New Year anyway, so the house will be empty."

Zhou Cuilan was taken aback, too embarrassed to admit she had only been speaking in the heat of the moment. Seizing the opportunity, she said, "Fine, I'll move here."

Lin Dashan was astonished. "You're really moving?"

Zhou Cuilan shot back, "What else? Should I stay and let you criticize me every day?"

Lin Dashan felt wronged. "I didn't!"

"You did!"

"I... Alright, alright, whatever you say! But I was telling the truth. At our age, we need to be healthy. Less oil and salt is good for us."

Lin Feng chimed in from the side, "Dad has a point."

Lin Dashan quickly latched on. "See? Even our son agrees with me. I'm not wrong, am I? You're the one who overthinks things all day!"

Zhou Cuilan was speechless.

Lin Dashan sat down beside her. "Look at you. This is our son's house. It wouldn't look right for you to move in."

Zhou Cuilan snorted. "What kind of thing is that to say? It's my son's house, so why can't I stay here?"

She turned to look at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng said earnestly, "You're always welcome!"

Lin Dashan then asked, "But what will I do if you leave? Who will cook for me? Who will do the laundry? Who will get up and take care of me?"

Zhou Cuilan grew angry. "Am I your maid, here to serve you every day? Find whoever you want, I don't care. I'm done."

Lin Dashan's tone softened. "No, I want you to take care of me! You've been doing it for so many years. You're the only one whose management I'll accept."

Zhou Cuilan couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"Who would want to manage you? All you do is find fault. I'd have to be crazy to keep trying when I get no appreciation for it."

Lin Dashan sat down. "How can you say you get no appreciation? Have I criticized you for anything else? I just complain a little when you cook, that's all."

Zhou Cuilan thought about it and realized he was right, so she just huffed and fell silent.

Lin Feng felt like he had just been force-fed a dose of his parents' public display of affection.

"Mom, don't overthink things. And Dad, you too. You should talk things out nicely with Mom," he chided gently. "Acting so dramatic at your age!"

Then he stood up to head upstairs. "I'm going to check on Little Treasure. You two are having dinner here tonight, okay?"

***

Meanwhile, the children had already set off.

Big Treasure looked at his phone and said, "I remember there's a wholesale market that sells all sorts of things. Let's go there."

Without anyone realizing it, Big Treasure had become the group's de facto leader.

No one had any objections.

They all scanned the QR codes for share-bikes and rode toward the wholesale market, following the GPS. After about half an hour, they arrived. If they had taken a taxi, they would have been stuck in traffic for who knows how long.

The place was enormous, with several buildings dedicated to wholesale goods. Since everyone was out shopping for the New Year, it was incredibly crowded.

Big Treasure reminded his siblings, "Keep your phones and valuables safe! There are way too many people here."

Second Treasure took Third Treasure's bag and wore it on her chest. "Don't worry, Big Brother. I'm here, no problem."

Fourth Treasure also put his phone in his crossbody bag, slinging it across his chest. "I'm all set over here."

With those two on guard, no thief would stand a chance.

The variety of goods was dazzling, though only an expert could tell the quality. It was a great place to shop for fun. The children looked around, their eyes wide with excitement.

The streets were filled with vendors selling New Year's goods: couplets, "Fu" character posters, small colored lights, red lanterns, and more.

Third Treasure, who loved beautiful things most of all, went on a shopping spree. She bought various colorful light strings, beautiful paper cuttings, and handmade lanterns.

By the time they were halfway down the street, Fourth Treasure's hands were already full.

Second Treasure tactfully suggested, "Third Treasure, how about we check out another area? We might find something else interesting!"

Third Treasure didn't mind; she was fond of anything pretty.

Further ahead, they found rows upon rows of vendors selling roasted seeds and nuts, like sunflower seeds and peanuts, as well as all kinds of candies.

Big Treasure asked, "Should we buy some?"

Fourth Treasure nodded. "Yeah, everyone sitting around eating sunflower seeds feels very festive."

Second Treasure scanned the options. "Milk flavor, date flavor, original, walnut, green tea... Hmm, let's get a pound of each flavor."

Third Treasure, the resident laid-back health expert, saw the look on Fourth Treasure's face and knew what he was thinking. "That's a lot. Besides, eating too many roasted nuts causes 'internal heat,' and since the climate in Meicheng is so dry in autumn and winter, we should eat even less."

Big Treasure didn't care either way; he was happy just to have a taste. As for the candy, the children discussed it and decided to buy just a little. If they really wanted more, they would buy it from a brand-name store.

They then bought some pistachios, pecans, and pine nuts. It was a shame Fourth Treasure's hands were full, otherwise he would have already started snacking.

Except for Third Treasure, everyone was carrying bags.

Third Treasure took out a candy, unwrapped it, and popped it into Second Treasure's mouth. She then idly played with the wrapper.

Fourth Treasure came over. "Hey, Third Treasure, feed me a candy too."

As she walked, Third Treasure unwrapped a piece of candy for everyone.

The chocolate Big Treasure was eating was a poor-quality imitation; it wouldn't even melt properly in his mouth. But there were also some especially delicious filled candies. The quality was truly a mixed bag.

After they finished their purchases, they wandered into another area. The second floor of this building was filled with decorative items, from craft paintings to all sorts of ornaments.

This place was simply Second Treasure's paradise! As someone who had always loved handicrafts, she was rooted to the spot. She bought anything and everything that caught her eye, sometimes a single piece, sometimes more than a dozen. Lin Feng had even cleared out a room for her at home, filling it with cabinets just to display her collection.

The three trailing behind Second Treasure glanced at each other, then down at their own hands. Uh oh, we have no more hands to carry anything!

Second Treasure knew her stuff. She could tell with a fair amount of accuracy which items were genuine, which were fakes, and what techniques were used to make them.

While Second Treasure browsed inside, the other three sat down to rest. Third Treasure went up to the front desk to chat with the owner.

"Boss, do you offer delivery?"

"It depends on what you buy. We deliver large items."

"Is it free?"

"There's a fee for long distances."

The two little tricksters, Second Treasure and Fourth Treasure, exchanged a knowing smirk. Big Treasure understood instantly.

Second Treasure put down the things in her hands. "I'll go take a look!"

The shop was quite large, spanning three floors. When Second Treasure and Third Treasure went up to the second floor, a clerk followed them. It wasn't for no reason; the items here were expensive, and the ones upstairs were even more so.

Second Treasure let out a "Wow! This rock is huge! Let me see... hmm." This price for a weird rock? She just couldn't appreciate it.

WHOA! What a massive statue! It scared me half to death!

The clerk reminded them, "Kids, some of these ornaments can't be touched. If you break something, you'll have to pay for it." Her tone was polite, both tactful and gentle.

Second Treasure nodded. "We understand."

She wanted to buy a large item so the owner would deliver it, which would also let them send home everything they had already bought. But honestly, nothing here caught her fancy, so she waited for Third Treasure.

Third Treasure looked around before heading to the third floor.

The clerk's face turned ashen, and she hurried after them. "Kids, the prices up here are all in the tens of thousands. If you're not buying, perhaps it's better not to go up."

Second Treasure reassured her, "If we damage anything, we'll pay for it at its original price."

The clerk was taken aback. Such conscientious customers are rare indeed!

Third Treasure browsed around until she discovered a set of purely handmade antique-style head ornaments for women. It was a complete twelve-piece set, including hairpins, dangling hair ornaments, and a coronet. The set looked rather old, covered in a light layer of dust that spoke of its age.

Second Treasure looked it over. Aside from being a bit old, it was quite beautiful. She checked the price: twelve thousand. Hmm, I wonder if that's expensive.

Third Treasure asked the clerk, "What's the story behind this?"

The clerk replied, "Oh, that belonged to the owner's family." It had been in the shop for years, but no one had ever bought it, probably because it looked too old.

In the end, Third Treasure left with the set.

The owner was overjoyed as he packaged the items, and the children departed.

Fourth Treasure asked Second Treasure, "You didn't buy a large item?"

"Our sister Third Treasure didn't find any large items she liked!"

"Then why didn't you buy one?"

"I didn't see anything I liked either."

"It must be your taste that's lacking." Three whole floors of stuff, and she didn't like a single thing...

After walking for less than five minutes, they arrived at another decoration shop. At the entrance stood a pair of cloisonné filigree vases with a "blooming prosperity" pattern.

Second Treasure browsed around inside before coming out. She bought a smaller vase of the same model and then bought the large pair from the entrance as well.

Third Treasure quickly asked, "Boss, can you deliver these for us for free?"

The boss said it was no problem.

Finally, they succeeded in their plan, getting the owner to deliver all the things they were carrying along with their new purchases. With their hands free, they could finally buy some street snacks. They ate as they strolled, feeling quite content.

"Should we check out the women's clothing?"

Second Treasure and Third Treasure shook their heads in unison. They had plenty of clothes and didn't want to waste the money.

"How about men's clothing?"

Big Treasure and Fourth Treasure shook their heads just as firmly. They weren't interested.

As they walked on, they came to an area with cosmetics and accessories. Third Treasure dashed ahead excitedly, while Big Treasure and Fourth Treasure followed at a leisurely pace, munching on their snacks.

Second Treasure was also very fond of these things. After all, as a jewelry designer, they could give her inspiration. Even though these items weren't from luxury brands, some of them were still beautifully made!

The two boys chatted outside the shop.

Half an hour later, Second Treasure came out with a large bag of purchases.

Fourth Treasure took the bag from her and casually said, "I'm hungry. Let's get something to eat."

Third Treasure reminded him, "You haven't even finished your grilled sausage."

"That doesn't stop me from being hungry."

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