"Sister Xuehua," Xia Xiao gave Yang Xuehua a big hug as soon as she saw her. "Xia Xiao, I finally waited," Yang Xuehua also had a comforting smile on her face, never expecting the end had really come, and the invisible shackles on her had finally been lifted. "Yeah, I heard about it on the island and was very happy," Xia Xiao also smiled happily. She’d be even more delighted next year, but Xia Xiao wouldn’t let on just yet and would wait until next year to find out. It had been a few years since her last visit, and Xia Xiao felt a deep familiarity toward the Guangming Production Team, even with many new faces, but there were still more old ones. Xia Xiao greeted everyone, and now the Gao family had attracted a crowd, who had come to see Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao upon hearing they had returned. The twins had grown up, having been two when they left, and now they were six, while Feiyi was already one. Everyone admired the tall and handsome Gao Jiaxing, the bright and beautiful Xia Xiao, and their few adorable sons, envying the family. In everyone’s eyes, Xia Xiao was undoubtedly successful. Although Gao Jiaxing was formerly just a son of a production team leader, he was now a Deputy Company Commander, soon to attend military college, which was highly enviable. For these educated youth, returning to the city was a dream—the hope of some still holding while others had given up. And Xia Xiao, Dong Meihua, and Liang Lili, who married an old soldier from the start, were all figures of envy. Of course, there were also Gao Jiazhi and Sun Yuhua, who despite the previous risks associated with their teaching jobs, had now seen those dangers pass. Wang Aihua and Fang Jinyue, Yao Wangchun and Xu Mei, Liang Wenchang and Liao Xiaoyuan—these couples with their happy and fulfilling families were all subjects of admiration. "Peiling, Puze, this is your grandaunt," Xia Jing introduced her daughter and son. Her daughter, Yan Peiling was four, and her son, Yan Puze was two, both of whom looked well-behaved and sweet as they obediently called to Xia Xiao, "Grandaunt." Xia Xiao was suddenly embarrassed; she had become a grandaunt. She knew she became an aunt when Xia Jing had her daughter, who was still young, but it hadn’t quite sunk in, so now she felt really thrown. "Good kids, Peiling, Puze," Xia Xiao handed out the prepared candy to the two nephews. She had brought some sweets specially for everyone on this return trip. Yan Peiling and Yan Puze happily accepted the candy. Yan Peiling said, "Thank you, grandaunt." Yan Puze also followed with a call of "Grandaunt." Xia Xiao patted their heads and said, "Go play with your brothers." Xia Xiao chatted with Xia Jing, Yang Xuehua, and Wang Aihua; at this time, Wang Aihua had a bulging belly, pregnant with her fourth child. Wang Aihua’s son was already in elementary school, and Xia Xiao envied Wang Aihua’s two daughters very much. She already had three sons, and Xia Xiao had always wanted a daughter but feared the fourth might also be a son. Now, nobody took contraception too seriously—if pregnant, they just gave birth—leading to larger families. Initially, Xia Xiao only wanted two or three children, but seeing Wang Aihua’s belly, she hesitated, wondering whether to have a fourth child, but what if it turned out to be another son? Would that mean going for a fifth? Xia Xiao meant to discuss with Gao Jiaxing whether to have a fourth child but hadn’t had the chance to bring it up. By the time she awoke, it was already broad daylight. Feiyang, Feiyue, and Feiyi were tugging at Xia Xiao: "Mom, wake up for breakfast." "Go find your father," Xia Xiao only wanted to sleep and couldn’t be bothered to move, and she was annoyed with Gao Jiaxing. "Dad said Mom should get up to eat; Grandpa and Grandma are not at home," Feiyang said. "Dad said that if a child sleeps in, it’s not good behavior," Feiyue added. Ouch, Xia Xiao groaned inwardly, silently cursing Gao Jiaxing. "What’s wrong, Mom?" The children saw Xia Xiao’s face crumpled in distress and asked worriedly. Gao Jiaxing came in at that moment, and upon seeing him, Xia Xiao snorted. Gao Jiaxing smiled sweetly, "Xiaoxiao, it’s time to get up. It’s already lunchtime." Read complete versıon only at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝕟𝕖𝕥 "I can’t move," said Xia Xiao. Gao Jiaxing helped Xia Xiao sit up and said, "Wife, eat something, then you can sleep. Should I bring the food to you?" "No need; I’ll go out to eat," Xia Xiao let Gao Jiaxing help her off the bed, and then the children also helped hold her hand, surrounding her so solicitously that Xia Xiao didn’t feel like a lady of leisure but more like a patient. She broke into a sweat, "I can walk on my own." After a few steps, Xia Xiao felt better, let go of Gao Jiaxing’s hand, and took her sons to the dining room to eat. On the dining table, besides the sweet potato porridge, there were two steamed fish and a plate of greens. Xia Xiao took a couple of bites and turned to Gao Jiaxing, "Did you make this?" Having eaten Zheng Xianghong’s cooking for many years, Xia Xiao could tell the difference, and the unusual taste made her suspect it was Gao Jiaxing’s doing. "Of course, I made it," Gao Jiaxing said proudly, "How about it, wife? Aren’t my culinary skills good?" Xia Xiao nodded, "Not bad." Then she picked fish fins for Feiyi to eat; Feiyang and Feiyue were old enough to feed themselves, but Xia Xiao was still careful with Feiyi, afraid the child might eat fish bones, so she picked the fins for him. "Eat up," Gao Jiaxing said. "I’ll take care of it." Xia Xiao nodded; she was very hungry too, so she handed over Feiyi’s bowl to Gao Jiaxing. "Your parents went to work?" Xia Xiao remembered Zheng Xianghong had just returned and hadn’t rested for a day before going back to work. "Dad went to work; Mom went to school," Gao Jiaxing replied.