Chapter 171: Chapter 161: One of a Kind

After seeing the guests off, Xiao Man and Tang Qingshan helped Old Mrs. Tang back into the house. When Xiao Man went to clear the table, Mr. Tang said with a smile, "Don’t worry about it. The housekeeper is coming at nine tomorrow; let her handle it. Niu Niu, you worked so hard today. Your cooking was absolutely divine. Grandpa has never eaten such delicious food. And look at your Grandpa Gu—he’s already hooked. He wants our whole family to go over to his house tomorrow."

Old Mrs. Tang put an arm around Xiao Man, pulling her down onto the sofa. "He’s just after Niu Niu’s cooking. If we go over there, won’t our Niu Niu have to work hard all over again? We’ll see about tomorrow! Today’s a holiday. Let’s just have our family sit and chat for a while."

Tang Qingshan went to boil water for tea. Mr. Tang told him to also put Old Mrs. Tang’s medicine pot on the stove to warm up, as she would need to take her medicine soon.

The black-and-white television was on. The Spring Festival Gala hadn’t started yet, but the programs were lively and brimming with festive cheer.

Tang Qingshan switched on the main lights, and the living room became bright and airy. The light streamed through the glass windows, illuminating the courtyard outside.

The three adults gathered around Xiao Man. Candies, pastries, and fruit were piled on the table before her. One handed her an apple while another peeled a pear. Old Mrs. Tang looked like she wanted nothing more than to stuff the entire box of candy into Xiao Man’s arms. She leaned in and whispered, "Grandpa and Grandma have your lucky money ready. Take a nice bath and put on your new clothes tonight, get a good night’s sleep, and you’ll get your red envelope when you wake up in the morning..."

Looking at the three adults’ eager and doting gazes, Xiao Man felt her nose begin to tingle. ’Even though I’m not really a child, they’re still successfully coaxing me. What am I going to do if I get too attached to all this?’

She could feel that they genuinely cherished her, just like Grandpa and Grandma. The only difference was that this affection came from her own flesh and blood—her closest relatives! ’This was something I yearned for and craved more than anything in my past life, yet it was always out of reach!’

’I miss Grandpa and Grandma so much. I wonder how they’re doing right now? Tonight is New Year’s Eve. Are the two of them spending it alone together, or is Mo Chengfu keeping them company? I left in such a rush. I didn’t even have time to ask Mo Shuixia or Guan Ailan to drop by and keep them company for a bit.’

Seeing the rims of Xiao Man’s eyes turn red, Old Mrs. Tang’s heart ached. She stroked her forehead and asked, "What’s wrong, child? Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Tell Grandma!"

Xiao Man shook her head and managed a small smile. "I’m fine. I just miss my Grandpa and Grandma a little."

"How old are your Grandpa and Grandma? Is it just the two of them at home? Do they have other relatives nearby?" Mr. Tang asked with concern.

Xiao Man answered, "My Grandpa and Grandma are fifty-seven. We live in a large village, and the Mo family are the original settlers, so we have many relatives from our clan there."

"That’s good," Mr. Tang said reassuringly. "If they have relatives they’re in touch with, then they’ll be looked after. There’s no need to worry."

Old Mrs. Tang said, "Your Grandpa and Grandma are two or three years younger than your grandpa and I. When the weather warms up, let’s bring them over to Beijing, alright?"

Xiao Man smiled but didn’t say anything; she didn’t know how to respond.

Tang Qingshan asked, "Kiddo, were you really called ’Third Girl’ before?"

"That’s just what Brother Shaolian and the others used to call me. I have a proper name, Mo Xiaoman."

"Xiao Man? That’s a nice name." Mr. Tang nodded.

"Then from now on, we’ll call you Manman. Tang Manman." Ever the assertive one, Old Mrs. Tang immediately gave Xiao Man a new name. "I’ll have your grandpa arrange it. When the new semester starts, you’ll go to school here in Beijing!"

Xiao Man quickly protested, "I can’t do that! My Grandpa and Grandma are waiting for me. I already missed spending New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with them. I have to at least be there for the Lantern Festival, and then school starts right after."

Old Mrs. Tang grew anxious. "My dear granddaughter, your grandpa and grandma are right here! And look, this is your father! Let’s not go back to Wancheng, alright? We can bring your other Grandpa and Grandma here, and we can all be together!"

Xiao Man said, "Grandma Tang, you already have a granddaughter."

"Hm? You’re to call me Grandma, not Grandma Tang. It sounds so distant, Grandma can’t bear it!" Old Mrs. Tang chided playfully. "Manman is Manman, and Xuanxuan is Xuanxuan. You’re both my granddaughters, but it’s different. Xuanxuan is Qingyun’s daughter, but you’re Qingshan’s. You’re the grandchild from the eldest son’s line, understand?"

"Once you get married and have a son, then Grandma will have her grandson from the eldest son’s line," Xiao Man said, looking at Tang Qingshan.

Tang Qingshan smiled. "Kiddo, am I not qualified to be your father? If there’s something you’re not happy about, you just tell me, and Dad will change!"

"First of all, you’re not even married. A man who doesn’t have a wife isn’t qualified to be a father."

Mr. Tang roared with laughter, and even Old Mrs. Tang couldn’t help but chuckle. Looking at her son, she said, "Did you hear that? Your own daughter is complaining about you. You’d better think long and hard about it!"

Tang Qingshan nodded. "In order to be an obedient son, and to be a father, I have decided: I will find someone suitable and marry her!"

He reached out and lightly patted Xiao Man’s head. "There, is that better? I’m qualified now. Go on, call me Dad!"

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