The mother and daughter were talking when the three children ran in, with Mingzhe leading the way.
The grandmother dotingly said, "Slow down, aren't you afraid of falling!"
Mingzhe proudly said, "I'm already seven years old, not a baby like Jiayao or Jiahui, how could I possibly fall?" He then looked at the plate of snacks. He exclaimed loudly, "Wow! Little cakes, wow! White Rabbit candy, and milk biscuits, all my favorites! And this, these snacks are only found in the capital, I haven't had them for months since Wenkai and Wenqi visited!"
The grandmother smiled, pursing her lips. "You little foodie, what don't you like to eat? Eat a little less, dinner is coming soon!"
"Mmm! Mmm!" Mingzhe agreed, peeling a White Rabbit candy and popping it into his mouth. The rich milky aroma spread to his taste buds, and Mingzhe happily closed his eyes.
Chen Lan turned to look at Wenkai and Wenqi. The two brothers were neatly peeling candy wrappers, and Chen Lan couldn't help but smile. Regardless of gender, children all loved sweets. Sudanshuwen.com
Wenkai, with candy in his mouth, walked up to Chen Lan and whispered, "Big sister, did someone from the capital visit? Is it Uncle Fu?"
"Why? Are you homesick, Wenkai?" Chen Lan asked.
Wenkai mumbled, "In the capital, I miss you, Big Sister. Here, I miss Uncle Fu (Liu Mama's husband), Hu Tou (Liu Mama's grandson), and the others."
Chen Lan lovingly patted his head and said, "Wenkai, from now on, my home will be your home, and Mother's, Uncle Fu's, Liu Mama's, and Hu Tou's home too. From now on, our family will never be separated."
"But, Big Sister, you're already married?"
"No 'buts'. You're still young, we'll talk about this later!"
Chen Lan sighed deeply in her heart. The children were so young yet worried about their family. It was the loss of the family's pillars that forced them to grow up. Their biological father had died on the battlefield before they were born, and they didn't even know what their father looked like. Their own elder brother had also died on the battlefield a year ago. Liu Mama had helped raise them since they were young, so it was natural for them to consider them family. It was not surprising that they felt affection for Uncle Fu, a male elder, especially since Uncle Fu and Liu Mama's family doted on them.
Just then, Liu Mama's voice calling them to dinner came from outside. Mingwei walked in to call everyone to eat. Mingzhe, being stubborn, insisted on eating another candy before going to dinner.
Chen Lan coaxed him, "Eat first, and then I'll have Mingwei divide these snacks and candies into four portions, one for each of you."
"Ah? Sister will share with us too?"
"What? Does being an older sister mean I can't eat candy or snacks?" Mingwei retorted, hands on her hips.
"Aren't you an adult?" Mingzhe replied.
Mingwei continued to retort, "Who says adults aren't people and can't eat candy?"
Seeing the siblings bicker, Chen Lan quickly intervened, "Alright, let's all stop. Let's go eat. There's a surprise gift after our nap! But you can all think carefully now about what gift you'd most like to receive. Tell me quietly after lunch!"
"Really? Big Sister-in-law?" Mingzhe jumped up happily. "That's great!" He then hopped out of the room, with Mingwei chasing after him.
"Big Sister, do we have a surprise gift too?" Wenkai and Wenqi asked with wide eyes.
Chen Lan replied with certainty, "Yes, you all do." Then she whispered, "Wenkai, Wenqi, can you do me a favor after lunch?"
"What favor?" Wenkai asked.
Chen Lan made a shushing gesture and said, "We'll talk about it after lunch. It's a secret, a secret!" As she spoke, she took each brother's hand and walked towards the door.