Chen Lan was about to put away her purchases.
Just then, her mother-in-law and Wen Rou Niang entered, each holding a baby. Chen Lan quickly stepped forward to take Jia Yao, who was sleeping in her mother-in-law's arms, and gently placed him on the far side of the large bed. She then turned to take Jia Hui from Wen Rou Niang, who was also asleep, and placed her on the other side.
After settling the two babies, Chen Lan invited her mother-in-law and Wen Rou Niang to sit on the low stools by the table. As Chen Lan picked up the teapot to pour tea for them, her mother-in-law waved her away, saying she wasn't thirsty. Nevertheless, Chen Lan poured a cup for each of them.
Seeing that both women were present, Chen Lan brought out the items she had bought from the system to show them.
Chen Lan presented Wen Rou Niang with two small gold necklaces and her mother-in-law with two pairs of small gold bracelets, saying, "These were bought by your father-in-law from their side. Do you like them?"
Her mother-in-law paused for a moment, not taking the bracelets Chen Lan offered. Suddenly, she clapped her head and stood up, saying, "Sister-in-law, I apologize to you. You see, in my haste just now, I misspoke. Fortunately, Xiao Lan is sensible and handled things perfectly." She then cupped her hands towards Wen Rou Niang.
Wen Rou Niang, who was about to accept the gold necklaces from Chen Lan, was taken aback by her mother-in-law's apology and bowing. She was confused as to what had happened.
Her mother-in-law continued, "The old saying goes, 'Grandmother's lock, mother-in-law's bracelet.' I told Xiao Lan the wrong way around. I asked Xiao Lan to ask her father-in-law to buy gold necklaces for the grandson and granddaughter. According to the old custom, we grandparents should buy gold bracelets. I almost made a mistake. Luckily, Xiao Lan was clever and bought both."
Wen Rou Niang quickly soothed her, "Sister, it's just this matter? It's such a small thing! Why do you need to apologize to me? It's nothing! It's nothing! Between us sisters, what's the big deal? Whether it's from you or me, it's the thought that counts. We all wish for the babies to grow up healthy, happy, and safe!"
Chen Lan suddenly remembered that she had bought gold necklaces, not gold locks, and hurriedly asked her mother-in-law, "Mother-in-law, I bought gold necklaces, not gold locks. Is that okay?"
Her mother-in-law burst out laughing, "Are you delirious? What is a gold lock if not what hangs from a gold necklace?"
Chen Lan picked up the gold necklace and also laughed. She then handed the items to her mother-in-law and Wen Rou Niang again.
Both mothers-in-law immediately accepted the gold bracelets and necklaces. They both praised the quality of the items from the father-in-law's side, commenting on the exquisite craftsmanship and the excellent purity of the gold. Chen Lan, however, didn't understand as she had been quite poor in her previous life and had no experience with the purity of gold or silver.
As she listened to the two mothers exchanging shopping experiences, Chen Lan felt drowsy. To shake off her sleepiness, she perked up her spirits and used her mind to control the system, purchasing two rattles, two small hair clips, and a small wooden gun as gifts from the two younger brothers to their niece and nephew.
She then thought if she had forgotten to buy anything else. Unable to recall anything immediately, she withdrew her consciousness.
At this moment, her mother-in-law was discussing their trip to Jilin with Wen Rou Niang.
Her mother-in-law said, "Sister-in-law, time really flies. It feels like just a blink of an eye! The two babies are already a hundred days old. After their hundredth day, it will be April. Once April arrives, it will soon be the end of the month, and it will be time for us to set off for Jilin. This journey will not be for a day or two. Who knows if we will ever return alive."
Wen Rou Niang felt the same but still busied herself comforting her mother-in-law, saying, "Sister-in-law, you will surely be able to return. By then, you might not want to come back. What's the point of returning when all you have is a house, but your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are not by your side? What meaning is there in returning if your loved ones are not with you?"
Her mother-in-law chimed in, "Sister-in-law, what you say makes sense. My son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are all in Jilin. What reason do I have to return as a lonely old woman? I must be out of my mind."
"Yes!" her mother-in-law suddenly said with renewed vigor, "Before I go to Jilin, I want to thoroughly explore the capital's Si Jiucheng, eat all the delicious food I want, and visit all the places I want to see! Otherwise, I'll be restless with longing when I'm gone!"
"Oh! Speaking of exploring, sister-in-law, the temple fair at Longfu Temple will be held on the first and second of April. Shall we go together, my dear sister?"
Wen Rou Niang refused, "I can't stand noise, and that place is too crowded and too noisy. Sister, you go with Lan'er and the younger ones. They like excitement and don't mind the noise. I'll stay home and take care of Jia Yao and Jia Hui, the two babies."
As the two mothers were chatting happily, they looked up and saw Chen Lan remaining silent, appearing disinterested. They decided not to bother her further and left with their respective items.
Chen Lan, feeling groggy, bid farewell to the two mothers and returned to her bedroom, where she also climbed into bed to accompany the two babies in drifting off to dreamland.
After dinner, her mother-in-law inquired about everyone's preparations and, after seeking everyone's opinions, finally announced that the babies' hundred-day banquet would be held the day after tomorrow.
And so, after finishing dinner, everyone went about their own business. Unlike before, when evenings were a time for everyone to connect and communicate, tonight was an exception for the hundred-day banquet.
Chen Lan stopped Xiang Xi, who was about to leave, and pulled him to sit on the chair next to her. She asked, "Xiao Xigua, you've been home these past few days, but you always look so dispirited. Why?"
Xiang Xi leaned back weakly in his chair and replied, "I'm dead tired all day. How can I have any energy?"
Chen Lan asked with concern, "Xiao Xigua, is fixing cars that tiring?"
Xiang Xi answered weakly, "Isn't it tiring? A car has so many parts, constantly taking them apart and putting them back together. I also have to explain where the problem lies, how to fix it, what parts to replace, and a bunch of precautions. Xiao Lanzi, I'm dizzy every day! Dizzied by the busyness!"
Chen Lan tentatively asked Xiang Xi, "Ah! Xiao Xigua, it's that hard? How about we switch to learning something else? We'll stop learning car repair and go learn electricity from Teacher Zhou Jicheng, learn electrical repair and installation, how about that?"
Xiang Xi suddenly stood up from the chair and said, "Switch? What do you mean switch? I'm almost done learning. If I switch to learning something else now, all the hardship and effort I've endured before would be in vain. That won't do!"
Chen Lan asked in disbelief, "You're really almost finished learning? You've really learned it all? Xiao Xigua, are you telling the truth? You're not lying to me, are you?"
"Xiao Lanzi, you really underestimate me. Even my master says I'm talented and have high comprehension!" Xiang Xi began to brag again.
Chen Lan teased, "Yes! You're talented and have high comprehension. I still remember when you were a child, you took apart the family's record player and got beaten by Uncle Fu, ha ha..." Chen Lan started laughing heartily as she spoke.
Xiang Xi suddenly went quiet and awkwardly touched his nose, saying, "Didn't we agree long ago not to mention this matter again? Xiao Lanzi, you're not keeping your word!"
Chen Lan quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I apologize. I promise I'll never say it again."
"Xiao Xigua, to show my sincerity and as a reward for your hard work during this time, when you've finished your studies and return, I have a mysterious gift, a grand gift, for you, student Chen Xiang Xi. I hope you'll like it then!"
"I'll like it, I'll like it! Xiao Lanzi, can you reveal just a little bit first..."
"No..."