CHAPTER 459: CHAPTER 459: THESE CIGARETTES ARE GOOD

"Okay, okay, I know your intention, but don’t always waste money in the future, life isn’t easy for a young couple!" Mr. Xu sincerely considered the welfare of the young couple. After all, Wei Jiaqiang’s family had no one to rely on. The couple had to shoulder everything themselves and had few people to help out. He, an elderly father, wasn’t around them either and who knows what might happen any time. Therefore, it would be better if the couple could save some money on ordinary days. After all, he was just an old man, even if they came home for a few days during the New Year, it wouldn’t cost much anyway, so why waste the money!

Mr. Xu felt it was his duty to give his little daughter some advice, as living day-to-day shouldn’t always involve spending lavishly. The son-in-law might not mind for now, but if he starts having expectations, the couple could end up fighting! Xiuxiu was the youngest child at home, and both he and Mrs. Xu doted on her, but in the end, she would be the one to suffer the most. Thinking of this made Mr. Xu unable to stop worrying.

"With that money! Save it for later, to buy some clothes and milk powder for Little Hong Dou, and maybe even get Little Hong Dou a little brother to play with; you don’t need to spend it on buying things for me!" Mr. Xu expressed reluctantly. After speaking, his gaze lingered on the cigarette that Xu Jingjing had handed to him, and upon seeing it was his favored Peony brand, his eyes brightened somewhat, "This cigarette is nice, it tastes good when smoked."

Back in his hometown, Mr. Xu would usually smoke his pipe when idle and only smoked cigarettes with a filter when his children visited and bought them for him. Being a smoker, being able to occasionally smoke a good cigarette was one of the great pleasures in life, and since Mr. Xu usually stayed at home alone, he inevitably felt lonely. Now, seeing all his daughters at home, all thinking of him, despite his talk of spending less, he was actually very happy.

"I know you enjoy smoking, so that’s why I bought them for you, but please smoke less, as it’s bad for your health. I’ve planned it all out; these cigarettes should last you for a year. Next year when I come home, I’ll buy you even better ones, so you can smoke less yet indulge a bit," Xu Jingjing said smilingly, then solicitously started taking out the things she had brought one by one!

Mr. Xu watched, dazzled, yet still focused on the packet of cigarettes in his hand, "Ah! I’ve cut down a lot on my smoking, don’t worry, I know my limits," Mr. Xu reassured her, then looked around at his grandchildren giggling beside him.

"Dad, I’ve also bought you a piece of clothing, and it has the ’fortune’ character on it. Go inside and try it on to see if it fits," Xu Xiuxiu, seeing Mr. Xu happy, took out her New Year’s gift as well.

"Grandpa, Little Baby and Mom picked this out together; it’s really pretty," Little Baby stood by Mr. Xu’s side, tilting his little head up, a proud expression on his small face. To emphasize its attractiveness, he even repeated ’pretty’ twice.

"Really? Did Little Baby pick this out for Grandpa?" Mr. Xu lowered his eyes and smiled warmly at Little Baby. Clearly, Mr. Xu didn’t believe it, but old people always have all kinds of patience with children, so he went along with Little Baby’s words and teasingly asked.

"Mhmm," Little Baby nodded vigorously, "Pretty, Little Baby likes it."

"Dad, your granddaughter really didn’t lie to you; she did pick out this piece of clothing!" Xu Xiuxiu said, laughing as she recounted how Little Baby had chosen the clothes.

Actually, Xu Xiuxiu had been surprised at the time; however, as they entered the senior citizens’ clothing store at Imperial Mall, Little Baby somehow fell in love with this piece of clothing at first sight. Perhaps it was because the embroidered "fortune" character on it looked especially festive and appealing, which made it particularly likable for Little Baby. She clung to it, refusing to let go. Xu Xiuxiu coaxed her for a long while, and upon seeing that the apparel was indeed nice and also happened to be in Mr. Xu’s size with acceptable quality, she simply bought it. The little girl was proud for a long time, feeling that she had contributed to it!

"Hey, indeed, my granddaughter is truly filial." Upon hearing this, Mr. Xu stretched out his hand to pat the little fleece hat on Little Baby’s head, and a smile full of years surfaced on his face.

"Mmm! Grandpa, Little Baby is the most filial." Little Baby, who actually didn’t understand what the word "filial" meant, merely nodded and pulled the term to herself, not caring whether it was appropriate or not: "In the future, Little Baby will buy lots of clothes and food for grandpa." Being quite intelligent and talkative, Little Baby chattered non-stop daily, warming the hearts of listeners as if to dispel the cold of deep winter.

"Good, grandpa will wait for Little Baby to buy things for him." Mr. Xu continued to smile.

"Auntie Three, Auntie, Uncle-in-law." After some lively conversation, Xu Jingjing continued to fetch things from outside, and at this moment, standing beside Mr. Xu, Doudou finally politely began to call out to people.

Having overheard the conversation between Doudou and Xu Fangfang, Xu Xiuxiu felt her impression of Xu Fangfang plummet; she almost wanted to slap her. However, she had grown some fondness for her little nephew, Doudou. The boy before her eyes had just begun to mature; at the age of fifteen or sixteen, brimming with youth and not short in stature, he also looked quite fair-skinned. Moreover, due to his education, his demeanor had completely changed from the domineering and willful little boy he once was. Surely, growth is another kind of profound transformation for a person.

"Doudou! Come, Auntie also bought something for you; it’s a tape recorder; see if you like it!" These days, Xu Jingjing was doing well and had become quite affectionate towards Doudou. Considering how she was kind to other nieces and nephews, especially those from Xu Xiuxiu’s family, and occasionally also bought things for the children of Xu Qingqing’s family, it was rare but nonetheless a part of gift-giving reciprocity.

Xu Jingjing hadn’t planned on buying anything for Doudou initially because of Xu Fangfang’s influence; her relationship with Doudou had not been very close, and it had become somewhat strained over the years. But today, while shopping in the county, she happened to see a father with a boy about Doudou’s age looking at the tape recorder, and the boy’s face showed genuine liking. She thought of Doudou spontaneously. After all, the child had grown up, and she hadn’t bought him much over the years. On a whim, Xu Jingjing bought the tape recorder, feeling it was, at least, an expression of her sentiment. Wei Jiaqiang, who was also nearby, indulged Xu Jingjing, naturally having no objections to his wife spending money.

"Thank you, Auntie." Doudou glanced at the tape recorder Xu Jingjing handed over. Perhaps remembering the recent conversation with his mother, while in front of Xu Jingjing’s repeatedly smiling face, although he sincerely thanked her, he just couldn’t bring himself to reach out and accept the expensive tape recorder; he felt totally undeserving of such a valuable gift.