CHAPTER 706: CHAPTER 699: KILLJOY

The originally cheerful atmosphere was disrupted by Xu Qianwen’s outburst, and everyone lost interest. Granny Zhao came over, saw the two distinct red marks on her great-granddaughter’s face, and angrily said to Tian Aiguo, "Next time, don’t bring that wretched person home. It’s annoying just to look at her."

Tian Aiguo’s expression was also unpleasant. This time, he didn’t initially want to bring Xu Qianwen back to the Capital, but leaving her alone in Inner Mongolia wasn’t ideal either. It was more reassuring to have her nearby. Besides, after so many years of marriage, he couldn’t bear to watch Xu Qianwen spend the New Year alone.

But he hadn’t expected that his moment of weakness would cause such unrest during the New Year celebrations at home. Truly, she’s a hopeless case.

Tian Aiguo nodded at Granny Zhao, indicating that he definitely wouldn’t bring Xu Qianwen next time. Tian Weihua and his wife’s expressions were quite awkward; how could they feel proud with their mother being so disliked by the family?

Sisi quickly tried to change the subject with a smile, "Granny, are the dumplings ready? I came especially to have your homemade dumplings."

Granny Zhao heard this and immediately beamed, "Already prepared, just waiting for you all. Hold on, I’ll go cook the dumplings."

Thanks to Sisi’s humorous intervention, the atmosphere in the room became lively again. Tian Weihua gratefully smiled at Sisi, and Sisi returned a playful face.

However, she found it strange, Xu Qianwen seemed off, as if something was wrong with her mind.

More importantly, she sensed malice from Xu Qianwen, though she didn’t take it too seriously. Xu Qianwen had never shown her goodwill since childhood, so it would be odd if there wasn’t any malice.

Granny Zhao and Zhu Aiqing finished cooking the dumplings, serving four or five in each bowl. Now that everyone’s well-fed, it’s not like before when no amount was enough. People’s appetites have shrunk, and since dinner wasn’t long ago, eating dumplings was mainly for good luck.

Xu Qianwen didn’t come out to eat dumplings. Granny Zhao gestured with her mouth for Tian Weihua to bring her a bowl. No matter how much she disliked this daughter-in-law, she should at least let her eat her fill during the New Year.

Tian Weihua entered the room and found it dark; Xu Qianwen hadn’t turned on the lights. He pulled the light cord, and under the dim light, Xu Qianwen sat like a ghost at the bedside, staring at a photo album in her hands.

With a powerless sigh, Tian Weihua felt both angry and sorry for his mother. He approached her and lied, "Mama, what’s wrong with you? Everyone’s happy for the New Year, why do you always spoil the mood?"

Xu Qianwen glanced up at Tian Weihua. Although she cared for this younger son, she resented his disregard for his sister and his close relationship with that brat He Sisi. Truly, he’s heartless.

"Are you going to despise me like your father?" Xu Qianwen asked, agitated.

Tian Weihua patiently comforted Xu Qianwen, "Mama, you always overthink. I’m your son, how could I despise you? But you need to reflect and stop opposing Daddy all the time; he already has so much to handle daily, it’s exhausting for him!"

"You’re a good son of your father, aren’t you? Just leave the dumplings, Mama will eat them later."

Xu Qianwen sneered, feeling troubled and no longer wanting to talk to this son who only cared about Tian Aiguo. She immediately ordered him to leave.

Tian Weihua had no choice but to leave the dumplings on the table, reminding her, "Eat them while they’re hot; they won’t taste good cold. After eating, rest early — we plan to climb the Great Wall tomorrow!"

"Got it!" Xu Qianwen replied icily.

Sigh!

Tian Weihua sighed again, shaking his head in frustration. He couldn’t understand how his family ended up like this.

It was all Tian Lili’s fault; since her breakdown, the household has been in disarray. Tian Weihua didn’t fully grasp why Tian Lili lost her mind back then, but he knew it wasn’t simple, definitely not just heartbreak!

She must have committed a grave mistake, and not just an ordinary one!

Tian Weihua let out another sigh, left Xu Qianwen’s room, and closed the door behind him.

That night, Sisi didn’t return to Yun Mansion, but stayed at the Tian Family. After staying up past midnight, everyone was so exhausted they fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.

In the dead of night, the courtyard was silent. A shadow slipped out of the room like a cat, opened the front door, and went out.

After about ten minutes, the shadow tiptoed back, gently closing the door, with eyes unusually bright in the darkness.

As it was Tian Bajin’s first visit to the Capital City, Sisi suggested the family climb the Great Wall on the first day of the new year, then visit Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, and Yihe Garden, making the trip to the Capital City worthwhile.

After all, given Tian Bajin’s age, if he doesn’t fully enjoy this visit to the Capital, who knows if there will be another opportunity!

Tian Bajin was very excited, repeatedly saying that his life hadn’t been in vain since he got to visit the Capital, and that he would have stories to share when he returned.

Sisi felt a pang of sadness hearing this. Tian Bajin appeared much older than the Old Man, a result of his hard, exhausting young years. Even now, when conditions allow for him to enjoy life, he’s already aged.

"Second Grandpa, you’re satisfied with just this? I actually wanted to take you abroad to see how foreigners farm," Sisi joked.

Tian Bajin’s face wrinkled into layers as he laughed, exposing his toothless gums. He replied cheerfully, "Can foreign farming be different from ours? It’s all about planting rice seedlings and harvesting rice. Oh, right, foreigners don’t eat rice; they like corn and wheat; now that’s different. We farm paddy fields, while they farm dry fields."

Whenever talking about farming, Tian Bajin became eloquent, speaking with such energy that everyone listened with smiles.

The plan for today is to climb the Great Wall. Sisi deliberately wore light clothes and shoes and did the same for the three little ones. She also carried a backpack to easily get things from the Space.

Since there were too many people, Sisi borrowed a van from the winery. Combined with the family’s small cars, there were just enough seats.

Sisi drove a new off-road vehicle that He Xuewen had bought her, and it looked stylish. The off-road vehicle was spacious inside and more comfortable than the van, so Sisi let the Old Man, Tian Bajin, and the other three elders sit in her car, plus Ya Ya and En’en, just filling it up.

Du Du rode in the van with the others. Xu Qianwen looked at Sisi’s family of four in their car and smiled, looking far more pleasant than her sullen demeanor the day before.

She gave a discreet glance at Du Du, her smile faded a bit, she didn’t say more, and got into Tian Weihua’s car.

Tian Donghua drove the van ahead, and Tian Xinhua followed in another off-road vehicle. Sisi initially sat in the front passenger seat, but Li Yuedi complained about feeling constricted in the back, so they swapped seats, and Sisi moved to the front for more comfort.

In the city, everyone drove slowly, but once outside, the speed increased. Ya Ya and En’en, nestled in Sisi’s arms, were quite excited and kept trying to look out the window. After being scolded a few times, the little ones finally settled down.

The four elders were all smiling as the little ones amused them. Tian Xinhua focused on driving. He wanted to speed up, but considering the little ones wanted to enjoy the view, and knowing Granny gets car sick, he kept the speed steady, gradually falling behind the car in front.