Chapter 266: All Feasts Must Come to an End

Chapter 266 Every Feast Must End

"Wow, Sister Ya Ya, you're amazing!" Niu Niu was the most supportive.

While everyone was making mooncakes, Su He also steamed the first batch.

Oven-baked mooncakes tasted quite different from steamed ones.

But the children were still thrilled to eat homemade mooncakes.

"When we get an oven in the future, they’ll taste even better," Su He said to the kids with a smile.

"They’re yummy as is, Auntie Su!" Zhuang Zhuang, ever the loyal fan, chimed in.

"I’ll cook noodles for lunch. If you want noodles, you can eat here with me, okay?" Su He asked the children.

"I want noodles!"

"Me too!"

As long as it was made by Auntie Su, they wanted to eat it.

They steamed a few more mooncakes before starting to cook the noodles.

The Fu kids had already had breakfast, but they still scarfed down mooncakes at Su He’s place—and now they were even eating noodles?

After the meal, Su He and Fu Tinghua walked with the children toward the village, heading in the direction of the Fu family home.

They’d made plenty of mooncakes, so sharing was natural.

Wu Yanhua was standing at the front gate, watching over the rice drying in the yard. When she saw Su He and Fu Tinghua approaching, she couldn’t hide her delight.

"Su He, Ting Hua, have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"Mom, we’ve already eaten. We made some fresh mooncakes and brought some for you to try," Su He said, handing Wu Yanhua a box of neatly packed mooncakes.

Wu Yanhua quickly took it and opened it—they looked professionally done!

Upon closer inspection, she noticed words stamped on them.

Being illiterate, Wu Yanhua immediately asked, "Are there words carved on these mooncakes?"

"Yes, this one says 'Wan Shi' (everything), and this one says 'Ru Yi' (as you wish)," Su He explained, pointing at the mooncakes.

"Ah? So together, it means *Wan Shi Ru Yi* (may all your wishes come true)? These mooncakes are so auspicious!" Wu Yanhua beamed.

The mooncakes their family bought in town were just eaten casually during moon-viewing, and no one had ever noticed if there were any words on them.

Wu Yanhua had never noticed mooncakes could bear words.

Fu Tinghua and Su He visited a while longer at the Fu family home before taking Zai Zai, Niu Niu, and Ji Liangchuan back home.

Come to think of it, wasn’t Ji Liangchuan due back in town?

Su He packed extras for Ji Liangchuan’s grandmother, Ms. Zhou.

Ji Liangchuan didn’t want to go but couldn’t find the words.

Besides, it's a holiday, and he didn't feel right staying at someone else's house for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"Let's all take Liangchuan back to town, and then come back for naptime," Su He said to Zai Zai and Niu Niu.

"Is Brother Chuan leaving already?" Niu Niu was also reluctant to part with her playmate.

"It's alright. Liangchuan can come play with us in town sometime," Su He comforted the children.

No feast lasts forever—this was the first lesson the children had to learn.

It was a quick ride to town.

Su He and Fu Tinghua brought all three kids to Ms. Zhou's bookstore.

"Oh, you made it!" Ms. Zhou immediately greeted them as they entered.

"Grandma," Ji Liangchuan said quietly.

"Hello, Grandma."

"Hello, Grandma."

Zai Zai and Niu Niu also greeted her.

"Hello, sweethearts! Happy birthday—I couldn’t say it yesterday, so I’m saying it now."

Ms. Zhou adored Su He’s two children, especially Niu Niu, whose personality and looks were just adorable.

"Thank you, Grandma!" came the cheerful response.

"I brought some mooncakes. I made them myself, so I wanted you to try them," Su He said with a smile, handing the bag to Ms. Zhou.

"Oh, you're too kind! Chuan has already been underfoot all day, and now you’re bringing gifts too." Though she said this, Ms. Zhou couldn’t bring herself to refuse Su He’s mooncakes.

"No need to be so formal. Besides, I just threw them together—the taste might not be that great."

"I’m sure they’re delicious. I’ll enjoy every bite," Ms. Zhou said right away.

After chatting a bit more, Su He and Fu Tinghua took Zai Zai and Niu Niu home.

They hadn’t napped yesterday, so they had to make up for it today.

Watching them leave, Ji Liangchuan looked down.

Ms. Zhou sighed to herself and stepped forward to comfort him.

"After the holiday rush, Grandma will take you to town to play with Zai Zai and Niu Niu, alright?"

At these words, Ji Liangchuan’s eyes lit up.

"Really, Grandma?" he asked excitedly.

"Of course it’s true. When have I ever lied to you? Things have slowed down at your uncle's—we’ll go see your uncle in town." Ms. Zhou patted Ji Liangchuan’s head and smiled.

Ah, Chuan’s home life was different from Zai Zai and Niu Niu’s. The more time he spent with them, the more he’d notice the difference, wouldn't he?

"Zai Zai (the family's nickname for Ji Liangchuan), your mom called and said she'll come to pick you up next month," Ms. Zhou broke the news to Ji Liangchuan.

She had expected him to be happier upon hearing about his mother's visit, but—

"Oh," Ji Liangchuan replied flatly.

"Aren't you happy that your mom is coming to get you?" Ms. Zhou asked, surprised.

Though her daughter was usually strict with her grandson, he still craved his mother's approval.

"Grandma, can I stay with you forever?" Ji Liangchuan suddenly asked this question.

Being with his mother was worse than staying with his grandma.

At least his grandma cared for him and loved him.

Unlike his mother, who only wanted to turn him into an outstanding child the elders would approve of.

Besides, staying with his grandma meant he could still see Zai Zai and Niu Niu often.

Hearing his question, Ms. Zhou sighed and shook her head. "No, Chuan. You need to prepare for school. Over there, you can receive the best education. Grandma also agrees that you should go back."

Ji Liangchuan understood what Ms. Zhou meant—his going back was non-negotiable.

"Mm, I'm sleepy," he could only change the subject.

"Alright, go lie down," Ms. Zhou said, watching Ji Liangchuan walk away, sighing again.

If her daughter and sons-in-law continued like this, neglecting their children's emotional needs, they would only push them further away.

Zai Zai and Niu Niu were out cold before the car even moved. By the time they arrived home, Su He and Fu Tinghua carried them in to nap.

"We'll need to head out early tomorrow, right? Do you have work in the afternoon?" Su He asked.

"Yes, I still have work in the afternoon."

Officially, the holiday only lasted three days, with the Mid-Autumn Festival (a major Chinese festival) being the third day.

But going home for the festival—would it even count as celebrating without staying through the Mid-Autumn Festival?

So Fu Tinghua had put in for time off for the morning of the next day.