Old Mrs. Song is reborn; get out of here, you scumbag husband and illegitimate child!

The people at the table all laughed.

Cong Ying took a sip of the sweet soup:

"But for some reason, I've been craving sweet potato soup every few days for the past two years."

Shen Huijun nodded in agreement:

"That's right. We can't buy this kind of sweet potato in Shenzhen either. We always feel that the sweet potatoes from Qingyang are especially sweet, and they can't taste like this anywhere else."

"The sweet potatoes grown on the sandy soil by the sea in Qingyang are especially delicious."

Zhao Ziheng, sitting opposite, ate his breakfast quietly.

Song Tingting took a meat-filled rice dumpling, peeled off the bamboo leaves, and placed it on a small plate.

Then he picked up the bottle of sweet and spicy sauce on the table and squeezed a ring of bright red sauce onto the rice dumpling.

Zhao Ziheng stared in disbelief.

"You guys eat zongzi during the Lunar New Year?" Zhao Ziheng couldn't help but ask. "Isn't that something we eat during the Dragon Boat Festival?"

"Why are they still meat-filled rice dumplings? Aren't they all sweet?"

Song Tingting used chopsticks to break open the meat-filled rice dumpling. "We eat it during the Dragon Boat Festival, but we also eat it at other times. People around here really like it. There are shops that specialize in selling meat-filled rice dumplings in the town and county, and they're open all year round."

When I'm tired from work, I can just go to the shop and order a meat-filled rice dumpling with a bowl of radish and pork trotter soup or fish ball soup, and that makes a good meal.

Zhao Ziheng found it fascinating.

"Here, have a taste." Song Xianglan placed a peeled zongzi (sticky rice dumpling) on ​​the plate in front of Zhao Ziheng.

Zhao Ziheng could not refuse.

Following Song Tingting's example, I picked up a small piece of glutinous rice dipped in sauce and put it in my mouth.

The rich aroma of soy sauce, mixed with the fat of the pork, spreads in your mouth.

He chewed twice, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

He simply couldn't get used to this kind of savory rice dumpling filled with large chunks of fatty meat, mushrooms, and chestnuts.

Not to mention it comes with sweet chili sauce.

Da Bao sat next to him and immediately noticed his reluctance.

"Uncle Zhao, you don't like this kind of food, do you?" Da Bao brought his bowl over. "If you don't like it, give it to me. I love meat-filled rice dumplings the most."

Zhao Ziheng was just wondering how to swallow, so he quickly pushed the plate to Da Bao.

"Here you go, here you go."

He turned to pick up the pan-fried buns and wheat cakes from the plate.

He ate the braised fish, braised oysters, and stir-fried clams on the table with great relish.

Especially the braised pork with pickled cucumber, served with sweet potato soup, was perfect for cutting through the richness.

After finishing the meal.

Zhao Ziheng knew he couldn't stay any longer, shamelessly.

He stood up and said goodbye to everyone.

"The Spring Festival is just around the corner. I have to go back home."

"Are you leaving already? Won't you stay a couple more days?" Song Xianglan stood up and said politely.

"No, Auntie, I have other things to attend to."

"Alright, since you've come all this way, take some of our local specialties back with you." Song Xianglan turned and went into the house, her movements swift and efficient.

She was secretly hoping Zhao Ziheng would leave quickly, and her hands moved swiftly.

In less than half an hour, they came out carrying two full net bags.

"This contains dried scallops, female squid, dried oysters, and dried razor clams. The yellow croaker maw is to be soaked and used in soup. Those jars contain canned seafood. There are also a few packets of mung bean cakes and pies."

Song Xianglan stuffed the net into Zhao Ziheng's hand.

"Take it back and share it with relatives and friends; it's a small token of my appreciation."

Looking at the heavy load in his hands, Zhao Ziheng was somewhat at a loss. "Auntie, this is too much."

"Not much, not much, take it."

Song Xianglan turned to Song Tingting and winked, "Tingting, go and take Xiao Zhao to the county. There are few cars available during the Spring Festival."

Song Tingting didn't say a word.

I went inside and got the motorcycle keys.

The two left the courtyard and reached the main road at the entrance of the village.

Song Tingting hopped on the motorcycle, put on her helmet, and said, "Get on, I'll take you to the station."

Zhao Ziheng straddled the back seat, gripping the frame with both hands.

The motorcycle roared out of the village and headed towards the county town along the asphalt road.

The sea breeze, carrying a chill, blew in his face. Zhao Ziheng looked at Song Tingting's straight back in front of him, filled with resentment.

The motorcycle was parked at the entrance of the county bus station.

Zhao Ziheng got off the bus carrying two net bags and his luggage.

"We've arrived." Song Tingting took off her helmet.

Zhao Ziheng stood by the car, not leaving immediately.

He kept glancing at Song Tingting.

"Tingting," he couldn't help but say.

"Is there anything else?"

"I hope we can still keep in touch after you return to Beijing," Zhao Ziheng said in a low voice. "Even if we can't do anything else, I hope we can still be friends."

Song Tingting looked at him but didn't reply.

Zhao Ziheng swallowed hard, then mustered his courage and continued, "I know you can't force feelings. But what if you develop feelings over time? If you really change your mind and want to get married later, could you consider me as an option?"

He felt he had already lowered his stance to the lowest possible level.

Song Tingting looked at him expressionlessly.

She neither offered words of comfort nor launched into a lengthy rebuttal.

She simply extended one hand.

"Have a safe journey," Song Tingting said.

Zhao Ziheng stood there, stunned.

He looked at the hand and understood that this was the last vestige of dignity.

He freed one hand, gently squeezed Song Tingting's hand, and then let go.

"Goodbye." Zhao Ziheng turned around and walked dejectedly towards the waiting room.

Song Tingting put on her helmet and stepped on the start lever.

The motorcycle exhaust pipe roared, and without even turning her head, she turned the motorcycle around and drove back to Xiaoquan Village along the same route.

Song Xianglan had already packed a lot of things.

It's all tonics. Malted milk powder, walnut powder, red dates, and all sorts of fried foods that were specially fried yesterday.

"Let's go visit your uncle's house." Song Xianglan hung the things on the handlebars of the motorcycle.

The mother and daughter were riding bicycles.

They rushed all the way to Songjiazhuang.

Brother Song's house is usually quiet and deserted.

Today, however, it was unusually lively.

Pushing open the door, I saw quite a few people standing in the courtyard.

Most of the Song family's brothers and sisters were present.

Song Lao Er was washing vegetables by the well, while Song Lao San was chopping firewood.

Even Song Laosi, who is usually the laziest and most troublesome, stayed obediently in the main room today.

"Xianglan is here," Song Laosan said, putting down his axe.

Song Xianglan nodded and led Song Tingting into the main room.

There was a charcoal brazier burning inside the room.

Brother Song leaned back in the bamboo recliner, with a thick quilt covering his legs.

As soon as Song Tingting entered the room, her heart sank.

My uncle has lost a lot of weight.

Her cheeks were completely sunken, her cheekbones were high and prominent, and her eye sockets were deep.

The originally large cotton-padded coat looked empty on him, as if it were hanging on a clothes rack.

It's only been a short time since I last saw you, but you look so different that I almost didn't recognize you.

"Uncle," Song Tingting called out.

Brother Song turned his head, his cloudy eyes brightening slightly. "Tingting is back."

His voice was very soft, revealing a weakness due to insufficient energy.

Song Xianglan put her things on the table, pulled up a stool, and sat down next to the recliner.

"Brother, how are you feeling today?" Song Xianglan looked at his sallow face, and her nose tingled with emotion.

Brother Song waved his hand, "That's how it is. I've even lost my appetite lately. Everything tastes like chewing wood chips, it's tasteless and I can't swallow it."

The eldest sister-in-law came in from the kitchen carrying a bowl of freshly cooked hot porridge, her eyes red-rimmed.

"I feel like throwing up even after drinking water these past two days." The older sister-in-law put the bowl on the table and sighed.

Song Laosi, who usually speaks in the most unpleasant way, surprisingly didn't act recklessly today.

He took an enamel mug, poured in some hot water, and brought it to his older brother.

"Brother, have a hot drink," said Song Laosi.

Brother Song shook his head.

"Let's leave it for now, I don't want to drink it."

Old Song put down his cup and leaned closer. "Brother, I heard that you need to eat more sea cucumbers to help you recover from your illness."

Sea cucumbers are good for your health. I'll buy some good quality ones in a couple of days. You should eat one on an empty stomach every morning; it will definitely benefit you.

Brother Song smiled but didn't respond to that.

You know your own body best; no amount of ginseng will help.

He turned to look at Song Tingting sitting next to him.

"Tingting," Brother Song beckoned.

Song Tingting moved forward a little. "Uncle, I'm here."

"Will this be your last semester?"

"Yes. I'm graduating soon."