Why did you provoke me?

The next day, when Sister Xiu woke up, Niannian was lying on the bed, staring at her with wide eyes.

"What time is it? Why are you awake so early?" Sister Xiu thought she wasn't used to sleeping in the bed, but she didn't expect to wake up at this time.

"Mom said you're very tired and told me not to wake you. We're going to Grandma's house for Chinese New Year today."

Sister Xiu could tell that Nian Nian wasn't very interested. "You don't want to go?"

"You promised me yesterday that you would teach me how to make beads today." Niannian stared at Sister Xiu with wide eyes.

"I'll definitely teach you if I tell you. Do you know how to make beads?" Sister Xiu asked while getting dressed.

"I know a little bit." Niannian pinched her index finger with her thumb and gestured a little bit.

"Then our main focus today is to make the beads well. Even if you only make one, it's still progress," Sister Xiu said.

Niannian's eyes widened immediately. "Grandma's family has so many older sisters, don't you want to play with them?"

"Are you going?"

Niannian shook her little head like a rattle-drum. "They don't include me. They say I'm too little, I can't understand what they're saying, and they won't let me play with them."

"It's okay. I'm with you today anyway. I'm not familiar with them. What's there to talk about with people I'm not familiar with?"

Niannian was overjoyed and rushed into the living room. "Mommy, Mommy, my sister's up! Shall we go eat?"

"Of course we need to eat. After we eat, we'll go buy my sister some clothes first, and then we'll go to Grandpa's house together." Mom put breakfast on the table.

Sister Xiu came downstairs after washing up. Breakfast was already laid out on the table: simple white rice porridge and two poached eggs.

A hint of doubt appeared in Sister Xiu's eyes. Aren't they a prestigious and wealthy family? Why are they eating this?

Fu Yuxin noticed the confusion in Xiu Jie's eyes. "Eat something simple, and we'll go shopping for you in a bit."

Sister Xiu nodded and began to eat. Niannian ate very well, without bothering Sister Xiu or causing any trouble.

Walking through the city streets, she found it far more bustling than the town. The dazzling array of goods was overwhelming for Xiu Jie. But there was no greed in her eyes.

Mom helped Xiujie choose a winter outfit. A beige fleece coat, paired with a milky coffee-colored turtleneck sweater, light blue jeans tucked into snow boots, a scarf wrapped twice around her neck with half of her ponytail showing, and gloves adorned with small pom-poms. At first glance, it exudes a warm and youthful vibe.

Sister Xiu stared blankly at herself in the mirror. Was this still the same plain and unsophisticated Sister Xiu?

"My sister is so beautiful. I want to be like her when I grow up."

Fu Yuxin was also amazed by Xiu Jie's appearance. She hadn't expected that her daughter would inherit all the best features of both her and Zhao Anbang from her face.

"After the New Year, I'll come back and buy you some spring clothes," Fu Yuxin said with a beaming smile. She felt a great sense of accomplishment. With a child like this standing in front of others, who would dare say she grew up in the countryside?

Having bought clothes for the older child, she naturally looked after the younger one as well. She also bought Niannian a set of children's clothes, red with white fur trim, which was very festive.

Zhao Anbang's father was also a military commander, and they lived in the military compound. Even though they were acquaintances, they were still checked before being allowed to pass.

My grandfather's house is a two-story building. The interior decoration is surprisingly simple.

When they arrived, there were already many people inside. Xiu Jie's eldest uncle, second uncle, and aunt were all already there. They were the last group.

When they saw Sister Xiu and her family come in, they all looked towards the doorway.

Auntie got up and came over. "Is this my eldest niece whom I just brought home? She's so pretty." She took Sister Xiu's hand and sat down next to Grandma.

"My dear granddaughter, you've really suffered these past years. When your parents go on another mission, you can stay at Grandma's house."

Sister Xiu was surprised that this whole family welcomed her so warmly. She didn't hear any of the sarcastic or mocking remarks.

Niannian stayed close to her and didn't leave. After introducing themselves, they went their separate ways to get busy.

Lunch was eaten at a large table in the living room. The table was full of people, and everyone would put a piece of food on Sister Xiu's plate.

Xiujie felt her smile freeze. The meal was finally over. Xiujie offered to help clear the table, but her sisters stopped her again.

"Sister Xiu, let's go to Grandma's room." Before she could react, Sister Xiu was pulled into Grandma's room by her sisters, and they sat around Grandma in a circle.

The eldest sister from her uncle's family was the oldest, and she spoke first. "Sister Xiu, if I may be so bold as to ask, what's your line drawing book number?"

Sister Xiu looked at her, puzzled, and therefore did not answer.

The older sister from my second uncle's family was getting anxious. "Sister Xiu, just say it!"

Grandma watched as Xiujie remained silent. "It's like this. Every year on this day, I explain the contents of the line drawing book to them. Since you're new here, I don't know how good your foundation is, so they asked you for me."

Sister Xiu understood and said softly, "Number 85."

"How many do you have?" a shrill voice asked.

Xiujie looked over and saw a younger sister who was a year younger than her, from her second uncle's family.

They exchanged glances.

"Your number is very high. Can you tell Grandma how many lines you've absorbed so far?"

Sister Xiu frowned. "This is my secret, why did you have to tell?"

"We're all family, there's no need to hide these things," the eldest sister who spoke first chimed in.

"But this is the first time I've met you all," Sister Xiu said slowly. "We're not familiar with each other."

The atmosphere in the room momentarily froze. "It's alright if you don't want to talk about it now. Today I'm going to explain how to make beads. This is already considered the first lesson for a mold maker. Sister Xiu, will you understand if I start explaining from here?"

Xiujie nodded. Niannian showed the green beaded bracelet on her wrist. "Grandma, this is a bracelet my sister made herself; she gave it to me."

"My Niannian is such a good girl, let Grandma see her." The old lady reached out her hand to take the beads from Niannian's hand.

"Grandma, this is a gift from my sister. You have to return it to me after you've looked at it."

"You little rascal, Grandma will still take your things."

"Sister Xiu, I wonder who taught you how to make these beads? The workmanship is exquisite, and the quality is excellent." The old lady gave the beads a very high evaluation.

"My mother's eldest sister taught me," Sister Xiu said softly. Sitting here, she felt a little nostalgic for Dali and the others.

"Grandma, let us see it too. We can learn from it." Upon hearing that the beads were exquisitely crafted and of superior quality, the sisters all gathered around and began discussing them.

Xiu-jie sat there, listening to their discussion. Niannian tugged at her sleeve. "Xiu-jie, will you teach me this?"

"You must remember what they said when they analyzed this string of beads. I will teach you slowly when we get back," Sister Xiu guided Niannian.