「7:00 PM.」

An Lan's family came over for hot pot. They also brought some vegetables and beef tripe, afraid that we hadn't prepared enough for everyone to eat their fill.

Lin Feng made tricolor noodles for the babies, a recipe he created himself. The noodles were made by mixing the juices of three different fruits and vegetables into the dough. The red ones were from dragon fruit, the green from spinach, and the orange from carrots.

An Lan leaned over. "The colors are so pretty. Third Treasure, can you give your godmother a bite, please?"

Third Treasure clutched his small, tweezer-like chopsticks and, with a trembling hand, picked up a single noodle for An Lan.

An Lan tilted her head back and slurped it up. "Yummy!" she exclaimed, then praised Third Treasure for his skillful use of the chopsticks.

These were the smallest child-sized chopsticks available online. The babies had only practiced with them once or twice but were already doing quite well and could manage to eat on their own.

Third Treasure and Second Treasure were very well-behaved, neatly picking up noodles and feeding themselves. The other two, however, grew impatient and simply grabbed the food with their hands, stuffing it into their mouths without any fear of the heat. If anything fell onto their bibs, they would just pick it up and continue eating.

As Lin Feng prepared the hot pot ingredients, he glanced at the children and thought how adorable they were while eating.

Seeing that Fourth Treasure had finished, Lin Feng added more of the cooled noodles into his little bowl. "Fourth Treasure, remember to drink some water, okay?"

Fourth Treasure held his little cup and obediently took a sip.

Once the babies were full, they went to play with toys inside their little tent, and the adults started on the hot pot.

Zhang Fuyong had Zhang Yuxi bring out some liquor, planning to have a drink with An Lan's father. Zhang Yuxi also brought out a large bottle of soy milk and juice. The soy milk was homemade by Lin Feng using a soy milk maker; it had taken five or six batches to fill such a large bottle. The juice was also freshly squeezed, though it was a bit sour and not very sweet.

An Lan's father joked, "Since Lin Feng and Yuxi arrived, your meals have improved a lot!"

Zhao Lizhen sighed. "This kid has worked so hard. Honestly, I'm just not a good cook..."

Zhao Lizhen could only manage a few simple dishes. The father and daughter of the Zhang family were completely hopeless in the kitchen.

The hot pot dinner started around 5:30 PM and didn't wrap up until 7:30 PM.

An Lan's mother and Zhao Lizhen were whispering to each other.

"Are the relatives from the Zhang side coming back for Chinese New Year this year?"

Zhao Lizhen responded indifferently, "Who knows? Some have gone abroad, and others have moved away. We hardly ever keep in touch. It's been many years since they returned to Modu, and this time, Yu Xi's dad and I didn't even bring up the New Year."

An Lan's mother nodded. "What would be the point of them coming back? It would only upset Yuxi."

"That's what I think too!" Zhao Lizhen agreed.

An Lan's mother inquired, "So, what are your plans for the New Year? Are you going anywhere?"

Zhao Lizhen tilted her chin, glancing in Zhang Yuxi's direction. "We'll see what the young people want to do!"

An Lan sneakily eyed them from the other side. "See? I bet my mom's complaining to your mom again."

Zhang Yuxi smiled faintly. "You'll be heading back to Yangcheng in a few days. Just let the aunties vent as they wish."

An Lan couldn't help but complain, "You have no idea how hard these past few days at home have been for me."

Zhang Yuxi chuckled lightly. "What? Are you thinking of running away from home?"

An Lan chuckled slyly.

Zhang Yuxi raised an eyebrow. "What are you planning?"

An Lan nudged Zhang Yuxi with her shoulder. "Let's go have some fun! We should go to a hot spring!"

Yu Xi's interest was piqued. Winter was indeed the perfect season for hot springs. In the past, she and An Lan would always go as soon as winter arrived. If they were feeling lazy, they'd visit a hot spring hotel. If they wanted to travel further, they'd go to a natural one. Back then, Du Qian was always with them too.

Seeing that Zhang Yuxi was tempted, An Lan whispered, "Look at how Director Lin has been working non-stop, looking after the kids and cooking at home, and now he's even cooking here at his mother-in-law's. Don't you feel for him? You should take some time to go have a romantic getaway with Director Lin and maintain your marital relationship! They say relationships have their seven-year itch, and with a man as outstanding as Director Lin... you can't get careless. Give him a little romance, show some tender affection, and let him relax too!"

She felt a twinge of guilt as she looked toward the busy Lin Feng.

"Where do you suggest we go for the hot springs?" Zhang Yuxi asked. "The same hotel as before?"

An Lan pulled out her phone and showed a screenshot. "Let's go here, to a newly opened natural hot spring resort hotel."

"We'll just go for two days and then come back. We can let my mom and your mom watch the babies at home! The construction at her hotel is done, so my mom's bored out of her mind and scolds me every day. It's the perfect opportunity to give her something to do, let her experience what it's like to look after grandchildren."

Zhang Yuxi frowned slightly. "Two days? The kids will definitely miss us."

An Lan was momentarily speechless, then took a deep breath. "Then we'll just go to a hot spring hotel here in Modu. It's only an hour and a half drive there and back. If that's still not okay, then I'll just go by myself."

Zhang Yuxi had no objections and went to discuss it with Lin Feng.

"Honey..."

Lin Feng was folding clothes. He looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Yuxi nestled up against him affectionately. "Honey, you work so hard for this family all day. It breaks my heart!"

Lin Feng smiled. "It's all right. It was a bit tiring at first, but I got used to the housework and taking care of the kids. It's become second nature now, so I don't find it tiring anymore. I'm actually very happy to do all this! Seeing that I'm taking good care of you and our babies gives me a great sense of achievement."

Zhang Yuxi was deeply touched by his words.

"Honey," she said, "how about we go to a hot spring tomorrow? Just the two of us, for a romantic getaway. We can leave the kids with Mom and Dad for a while!"

Lin Feng's eyes lit up, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Yuxi. "Hot springs?"

Of course, she knew what he was thinking. She added, "Besides, it's almost New Year's, and I plan to buy some gifts for Mom and Dad!"

Lin Feng nodded. "Okay."

And so, the matter was settled.

Zhang Yuxi went to tell Zhao Lizhen the plan.

Zhao Lizhen frowned. "Of course you should go. Natural hot springs are much better; the ones in hotels are all artificial. You young people should go have fun for a few days before coming back. We adults will look after the kids for you. Even if you don't trust me, you must trust An Lan's mother! She can cook for the children!"

She patted her daughter's hand. "And especially, spend more time with Lin Feng. He's had a tough year!"

Zhang Yuxi was reluctant to leave her children.

Zhao Lizhen frowned again. "It's only for two or three days, not ten days or half a month. What's there to be so reluctant about? Besides, the main thing right now is for you to spend more time with Lin Feng."

Zhang Yuxi felt a pang of guilt. She really had neglected Lin Feng this past year. Between her children and her husband, this time, she chose Lin Feng.

Zhang Yuxi nodded. "I'll do as you say, Mom!"

Zhao Lizhen smiled and then asked softly, "Yuxi, you're legally married, and the children are growing up. When are you going to hold a proper wedding? While I'm satisfied with him as my son-in-law, you're still my precious daughter! You can't just marry him without any sense of ceremony, without even a wedding, can you?"

Zhang Yuxi understood her mother's concerns. Parents always worried a little more about their children.

"Mom, he's mentioned it to me," she said. "He said we'll hold the wedding this summer in Meicheng, at the hotel he owns."

Hearing her daughter say this, Zhao Lizhen was relieved. "Good. A summer wedding is perfect. You'll look beautiful in a wedding dress, and it won't be cold. Plus, there are so many places to go for a honeymoon. Winter is no good. A thick wedding dress wouldn't show off my daughter's beauty, and it's too cold for a honeymoon!"

The mother and daughter chatted for a bit, then Zhang Yuxi shared the good news with An Lan. The next thing she knew, An Lan was chasing after her own mother to report the news.

"Mom! Mom, tomorrow Yuxi and I are going to the newly opened hot spring... We might go for two or three days!"

An Lan's mother was taken aback. "Wait, no! They're a married couple going to a hot spring. Why are you tagging along?"

An Lan blinked. "I'm not tagging along! I'm just going to the hot spring too. What's wrong with that?"

"Can't you let them have some time alone?" her mother asked. "Why are you going, just to be a third wheel?"

An Lan couldn't understand. "They can enjoy their time, and I'll enjoy mine. How would I be disturbing their time alone?"

Her mother pulled her aside. "Look, when they're trying to eat, drink, and have fun, having you there would be inconvenient. But not inviting you would seem rude."

An Lan was speechless. "Mom, you're the one who thinks I'm a nuisance, not them, okay?"

Her mother looked at her sternly. "Can't you be a bit more perceptive?"

An Lan reluctantly pouted. "Fine! I'll listen to you!"

"Good," An Lan's mother said, satisfied. "In that case, I won't push you to go on blind dates anymore. From now on, you can do whatever you want. How does that sound?"

An Lan was delighted. "Really? You're not tricking me?"

Her mother retorted, "Would I lie about that? You're my daughter. Do you really think parents can win an argument against their own kids?"

An Lan hugged her mother, happily kissing her on the cheek. "Mom, you're the best!"

An Lan flopped down on the sofa with an air of great importance. She began to slowly eat some grapes, then announced magnanimously to Zhang Yuxi, "You and Director Lin should go enjoy the hot springs together. I won't intrude on your romantic time."

Zhang Yuxi knew An Lan all too well. "Did my aunt say something to you?"

An Lan shrugged. "She thinks I lack tact. She said you two should have your time alone and asked why I was trying to butt in. I thought about it and figured she's right, so I won't bother you two. Have a great time! I've heard the new place is nice. After you get back, I'll just go by myself."