The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 248: Chapter 248: Mid-Autumn Festival Eve Shopping Spree

Han Xiaoqing listened carefully to her sister’s words, taking them to heart.

”Sis, I get it. I’m an adult now, and I’ll have my own circle of friends in the future.”

Han Xiaorui nodded. ”That’s right. College students are scarce right now. When people like you graduate, you’ll become leaders in your respective fields.”

”The more friends you have, the more opportunities you’ll have. But of course, you also need to be discerning. If you get a good feeling about someone, and they really are a good person, then spend time with them.”

”If someone gives you a really bad feeling, but you don’t know why, remember my words: trust your gut. Slowly distance yourself and don’t interact with them too much.”

Han Xiaoqing was taken aback. ”Even if I don’t know why, I should just avoid them? Isn’t that a bit too judgmental?”

Han Xiaorui shook her head and explained patiently, ”Animals have an innate instinct to sense danger. Humans are a type of animal, too. When you feel that someone gives you a bad vibe, it’s highly likely they genuinely bear you ill will.”

”If there’s no compelling reason to be around them, why not stay away? Your time is precious, too. Isn’t it a waste of time to keep digging when you can’t find a reason? In this life, you’ll meet a lot of people, but you won’t find many kindred spirits. Most will just be casual acquaintances.”

It was a moment of sudden realization for Han Xiaoqing. She felt her sister’s words made a lot of sense. ”Sis, I’ll remember that.”

’My sister is only a little older than me, but she knows so much.’

’This must be precious wisdom she’s gained after countless hard lessons.’

The next day was the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Today, Han Xiaorui rode her small motorcycle out with the children to do some shopping in preparation for the festival.

Granny Cai was waiting for them at the village entrance on her tricycle.

It was Han Xiaoqing’s first time celebrating the festival here, so she didn’t know the local customs.

As she followed Granny Cai and helped with the shopping, she asked, ”Sister Cai, why are you buying taro and edamame?”

While picking out taro, Granny Cai said, ”This taro, when you dig it up, the main tuber in the middle is surrounded by lots of smaller ones. Around here, we believe it symbolizes having many children and grandchildren, and a happy family reunion. Eating it during the Mid-Autumn Festival is the most fitting.”

Han Xiaorui chimed in, ”I once heard from Pingping and An’an’s grandfather that in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region, the word for taro sounds similar to the words for ’fortune arrives.’ So eating taro during the Mid-Autumn Festival also symbolizes continuous good luck.”

Granny Cai nodded repeatedly. ”Yes, yes, yes. Taro, good fortune. A lot of people here are originally from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, so we have that saying too.”

Listening to a nearby vendor hawking edamame and shouting about the pods, Han Xiaoqing made a connection. ”The word for pod sounds a lot like the words for ’happy occasion’ and ’auspicious.’ Does that mean it symbolizes celebrating a happy festival and good fortune?”

Granny Cai looked at Han Xiaoqing, liking her more and more. ”That’s a college student for you! So sharp!”

Thinking of Chen Wenxuan, who was supposed to visit her home soon, Granny Cai felt that regardless of whether it would work out, she had to try and set him up with Han Xiaoqing.

’Those two are both college students, both so good-looking, and most importantly, they’re such good people.’

’There couldn’t be a more perfect match. There’s a phrase that feels like it was made for them: ’a match made in heaven.’’

Han Xiaoqing and Han Xiaorui shopped with the children in tow. Wu Jiao just bought whatever she saw Granny Cai buying.

Seeing Granny Cai picking out crabs, Wu Jiao asked, ”Sister Cai, we have crabs at home. Why are you buying more?”

Granny Cai shook her head. ”How could they be the same? The ones at home are portunus crabs. It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival now, so we have to eat freshwater crabs. Trust me, buy from this vendor. They have authentic Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs.”

Han Xiaoqing smiled. ”I know about this one. There’s a local saying: ’When the autumn winds blow, the crabs’ legs itch; when the chrysanthemums bloom, the smell of crabs arrives.’”

”Haha, that’s right. They taste especially good.” Granny Cai nodded in agreement. ’An educated person really speaks differently.’

’So cultured, so pleasant to hear.’

After buying the crabs, they also bought a few plump and succulent eels.

Spotting some fresh, white lotus roots, Granny Cai said as she picked them, ”The lotus root from this stall is good. We can make sweet osmanthus-stuffed lotus root and fried lotus root sandwiches.”

”Oh, right, you girls don’t need to make mooncakes. I’ve already prepared a lot of ingredients. I’ll be making savory pork, red bean paste, and lotus seed paste mooncakes.”

Han Xiaorui asked with a smile, ”Sister Cai, no five-nut mooncakes? I like those.”

Sister Cai smiled. ”If you like them, then we must have them. I’ll start making them this afternoon. As for the savory pork ones, I’ll make them tomorrow morning.”

The group bought a lot of things, filling Granny Cai’s tricycle to the brim.

They saw a small, constantly spinning machine. A vendor poured a spoonful of sugar into the center, held a bamboo skewer inside, and in no time, the skewer was wrapped in a cloud-like ball of sugar floss.

Pingping’s eyes lit up with delight. ”Mommy, cotton candy.”

An’an: ”Mommy, I want cotton candy.”

Cai Wenjun tugged on his grandmother’s sleeve. ”Grandma, I want to eat cotton candy.”

Being able to accurately express his thoughts was a huge step forward for him.

”Alright, let’s get some,” Han Xiaorui said with a smile. ”Where’s the money Mommy gave you? Use your own money to buy it.”

Selling and buying things is a form of social interaction.

Whenever there was an opportunity, she had them practice.

Han Xiaorui watched from the side as the three children struggled and stammered, trying hard to buy the treat they wanted.

The process was a little difficult, but they finally managed to buy the cotton candy.

Eating the sweet cotton candy was like tasting happiness itself, and sweet smiles bloomed on the children’s faces.

Granny Cai pedaled her tricycle while Han Xiaoqing pushed from behind.

Han Xiaorui and Wu Jiao rode their motorcycles, carrying Pingping, An’an, and Cai Wenjun.

”Xiao Jing, you don’t need to push for me.” Granny Cai turned her head. ”I’m in great health, I can pedal it just fine.”

Han Xiaoqing smiled. ”It’s not far anyway. If I push, it’ll be a little easier for you.”

Just as Han Xiaorui was about to look for a rope to tie to the tricycle, a car pulled up in front of them.

”Sister Cai!” a young, handsome voice called out from the car.

By the time everyone turned to look, Chen Wenxuan had already gotten out of the car.

He was wearing a white shirt and blue trousers, looking clean and fresh.

He walked up to Granny Cai. ”Sister Cai, let me. You can sit in the car.”

Granny Cai looked at Chen Wenxuan’s attire. It was similar to how he used to dress, but the fabric of his clothes was clearly much better than before.

”Wenxuan, you’re here. You don’t have to help me, we’ll be home soon. Don’t worry, I’m not so old that I can’t move.”

Chen Wenxuan insisted. ”Sister Cai, my parents came too. They came specifically to thank you today.”

Just then, an exquisitely dressed, dignified and elegant lady with graying hair stepped out of the car.

”Ah Xia!” Mrs. Chen got out of the car and walked over quickly, her eyes brimming with an excitement and gratitude that were impossible to hide, and she tightly embraced Granny Cai.

It finally dawned on Granny Cai that Chen Wenxuan’s birth parents had returned. ”Mrs. Chen, you’re back! This is wonderful. I’m not a person of great means; I didn’t know where you were abroad and couldn’t contact you. Please forgive me.”