"Okay, okay, we wonât talk about this anymore."
Lin Wan chatted with Grandma for a while, then picked up a barrel of fruit wine, a barrel of malt milk essence, a pound of sugar, and a pound of mooncakes, and asked Xiao Dung to help carry them to Aunt Jinâs house.
Aunt Jinâs family doesnât have many relatives, and Uncle Jin went out early this morning during the Mid-Autumn Festival to set up a stall.
"Why bring these things? Donât you know what Aunt Jinâs family does? We arenât short of sugar and mooncakes at home; donât waste money in the future."
"Got it, Aunt Jin. Next time Iâll buy something else for you." Lin Wan playfully tugged at Aunt Jinâs arm, making Aunt Jin helplessly want her to stay for lunch, but knowing it wouldnât be appropriate.
"Saozi, we have monthly exams this week. Do you still mean what you said?" On the way back, Hu Dong quietly asked Lin Wan.
"Of course. Bring over the report card, and Iâll talk with you."
"Alright." With Lin Wanâs assurance, Hu Dong felt much more at ease. It was during lunch that Lin Wan learned that her uncle was upset with her aunt because of Lin Wan moving out.
This time, Aunt was really scared. Over the years, Uncle had never actually gotten seriously mad at her; even when he was upset, it would just blow over.
Unlike this time, he hasnât spoken to her for a long period.
Lin Wan didnât want her moving out with Han Yi to cause a rift in her uncleâs family.
At the dinner table, Lin Wan explained to Uncle that they had bought a house a while ago, and she and Han Yi had discussed moving out this year. Now was the perfect time. She urged Uncle not to be angry with Aunt.
Uncleâs expression finally improved. Aunt and Bo Xuâs couple were deeply grateful and treated her with extra warmth.
The family sat together, happily eating and drinking, feeling quite joyful. Uncle didnât give Uncle Hu a hard time, and the two drank almost to the point of not being able to go home. Upon leaving, Lin Wan divided the wine and mooncakes from the car.
Gave Aunt a barrel of wine, a pound of brown sugar, and a pound of mooncakes. Mother-in-law got a barrel of wine, a pound of mooncakes, and a pound of brown sugar.
Aunt was delighted with the goodies and gladly accepted them.
Mother-in-law didnât want her things but still accepted, thinking sheâd return the favor next time. Grandma packed a jar of pickled vegetables for both her and Mother-in-law.
"You both helped with the move, so take a jar each. Winter is coming, and there wonât be many vegetables. Xiao Wan doesnât know how to pickle, so come to Grandmaâs when you run out. Ai Xiang and I just pickled a big vat a few days ago. Xiaoqing, you should pickle some yourself at home."
"Got it, Mom." Without Mother-in-lawâs controlling, their family is living so comfortably.
The couple regretted not being firm enough to move out earlier.
"Grandma, please give me less; I wonât be able to eat it all myself."
"Isnât there still your momâs? Your mom probably wonât pickle our Northern veggies, so if you canât finish them, give some to her."
"Okay."
When they left, Aunt Jin came out and packed a jar of pickled vegetables for the whole family, along with her favorite green bean cakes.
"I didnât pickle cabbage; I pickled cucumbers. Itâs just another dish for the winter."
Compared to Grandmaâs lively home, Momâs place was much quieter.
The family didnât prepare much lavish food. Yesterday, Brother Huang brought fish and shrimp to the store and gave them quite a few medium-sized fish.
Knowing Lin Wan liked fried fish, they specially fried some for her today.
Dinner was simple with rice porridge and two cold dishes. In the backyard gazebo, they hung two lanterns. The grapes in the gazebo were quite plentiful. Lin Wan picked a few bunches and placed them on the table.
She remembered Han Yi loved grapes the most. She looked up at the big round moon in the sky, and all she could think of was Han Yi.
She missed him, missed him so deeply that it made her feel wronged, tears almost falling. Itâs been half a year since he left, and heâs only called her once. She doesnât even know where he is or if heâs safe now.