Reborn in 2006, I met Mr. Zhou from the past.

Upon hearing this, Su Fengnan paused slightly in her chopsticks, looked up at her, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes: "Really?"

Zhang Xinrui nodded vigorously: "I'm not lying to you! My parents met you when you came to my house before, and they know you're a good person, so they feel very reassured."

"Alright," Su Fengnan finally relaxed and said with a smile, "If you really come during the New Year, remember to call me in advance. You're always welcome."

"Hehe, okay!"

The girls were chatting animatedly together, while Zhang Wenhao sat quietly to the side, occasionally refilling his sister's tea, without disturbing their conversation.

"By the way," Ning Xiaojun looked at the person in front of her and couldn't help but tentatively ask, "Brother Zhang, will you be coming along?"

Hearing this, Zhang Wenhao was slightly taken aback. He glanced at his expectant younger sister, then at Su Fengnan across from him. He had actually been planning to invest in a dessert shop for a while, and he wanted to take advantage of the New Year holiday to discuss the details with Su Fengnan. So, he nodded and replied gently, "Okay, let's go together then."

Having received a definite answer, Ning Xiaojun felt a surge of expectant joy, even her breathing became lighter. She also felt a surge of secret and wonderful anticipation for the upcoming New Year.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious. When it came time to pay the bill, Zhang Wenhao quietly got up and paid it. Su Fengnan noticed and rushed over to stop him. The two argued for a long time at the cashier, but in the end, they couldn't resist him and had no choice but to let him go.

On the other side, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, Su Guoyuan and Wen Xiaofen had already packed up, with all their bags neatly arranged, just waiting to take the train back to their hometown the next morning.

This year, Wen Xiaojing didn't plan to go home for the Spring Festival, so the couple entrusted her with managing their online store. Wen Xiaozhou and his wife, along with their child, bought plane tickets for the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, so they wouldn't arrive for a few days.

With everything arranged, Su Guoyuan and Wen Xiaofen, pushing their suitcases, squeezed onto the train heading home with the flow of people. Along the way, Su Guoyuan gazed at the scenery rushing past the window, a sense of triumphant return home welling up within him. Not only had his health improved, but he had also saved some money, and life seemed to be looking up every day. In the past, he wouldn't have dared to even dream of such a life, but now, he truly felt that there was hope for the future.

Lost in thought, the train slowly pulled into the station. "Su Laoba, we've arrived! Grab your bags!" Wen Xiaofen urged him as she quickly packed her backpack. Several large suitcases had already been checked in; now they only had these few items left.

"Slow down, it's crowded, don't push." ​​Su Guoyuan quickly got up and grabbed her arm. The train station was packed with people during the Spring Festival travel rush, and he was afraid she would be pushed and bumped. "It's almost the New Year, being safe and sound is the most important thing. Anyway, we've arrived at the station, it's okay to be a little slower."

Hearing her husband say this, Wen Xiaofen did slow down and obediently stood still. After the crowded train had mostly dispersed, the couple carried their luggage and got off the train one after the other.

This time, they deliberately didn't tell their daughters beforehand, intending to surprise them by arriving home quietly. However, when they arrived in Zijiang and called their daughters, they discovered that both were in Zhucheng. The surprise turned into a "perfect missed opportunity."

Upon receiving the call from her parents, Su Fengnan didn't dare to delay. She quickly packed her things with Ning Xiaojun and Su Fengxia and hurriedly embarked on her return journey.

Two hours later, the three arrived safely in Zijiang. After saying goodbye to Ning Xiaojun, Su Fengnan told Su Fengxia to go home and cook first, while she hailed a taxi and headed straight for the shop owned by the friend Su Guoyuan had mentioned earlier.

As soon as they entered the store, they saw Su Guoyuan and Wen Xiaofen sitting inside waiting. Upon seeing her daughter, Wen Xiaofen's eyes immediately reddened. She grabbed her hand, her voice trembling slightly, "Why did you run so fast, child? Be careful not to fall in this freezing weather."

Su Fengnan grasped her mother's slightly cool hand and comforted her with a smile, "How could I not be anxious? You've been running around at the station all day, I wish I could sprout wings and fly here. Dad, you look to be in good spirits! Come on, let's go home."

Su Fengnan glanced at her father again, and seeing that he did sound much better than he had on the phone, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Those bottles of spicy meat sauce contained spiritual spring water; it seemed this treasure was indeed very beneficial to her father's health.

Su Guoyuan stood up, smiled, patted her shoulder, and said with satisfaction in his eyes, "Okay, okay, let's go home." After saying that, he pulled Wen Xiaofen up and pushed the suitcase out.

Su Fengnan didn't linger. She took the bags from her parents, and the couple, Su Guoyuan and his wife, pushed several suitcases and walked out together. After leaving the shop, she immediately hailed a taxi and rushed home.

With so many suitcases, they each took a taxi. The two taxis drove home, one after the other. In the back seat, Wen Xiaofen held her daughter's hand and couldn't help but grumble, "Your dad insisted on planning some kind of surprise, but look what happened, he went all the way to Zijiang only to find it empty. You're so much better; you rushed back as soon as you got a call."

"Mom, don't blame Dad. We've met him, haven't we? Xiaoxia has already gone back to cook and is waiting for you!" Su Fengnan replied crisply.

The car stopped downstairs at the Victory Residential Complex. Su Fengnan got out first, opening the door to help her mother out. Then, another car pulled up, and Su Guoyuan got out, striding towards them. The motion-sensor lights in the stairwell turned on, casting a warm yellow glow on the family of three. Su Guoyuan took a deep breath, his steps becoming lighter—they were finally home.

It took the three of them working together to carry the heavy boxes upstairs. The moment they pushed open the door, Su Guoyuan and Wen Xiaofen were both stunned.

Wen Xiaofen looked around, her eyes filled with surprise, and couldn't help but exclaim, "This house is really nice!"

Hearing the noise outside the door, Su Fengxia's face lit up with joy. She ran happily out of the kitchen and greeted them with a beaming smile: "Mom, Dad, you're back!"

Looking at their youngest daughter's bright and cheerful smile, the couple's fatigue from days of travel instantly vanished, and they smiled contentedly as well.

Wen Xiaofen leaned her suitcase against the living room wall, turned around and pulled Su Fengxia over, looking her up and down with delighted eyes: "Oh my, my little sister has grown so tall..."

"Mom, I'm in high school now, of course I'll grow taller." Su Fengxia affectionately took her mother's arm and half-helped, half-pressed her to sit down on the sofa. "You must be tired from your long journey, take a rest. The food is ready, I'll go cook a couple more dishes, and we'll be eating soon." With that, she dashed back to the kitchen like a gust of wind.

Su Guoyuan didn't sit down immediately. Instead, he stood in the living room, carefully scanning the room before asking, "This is the new house you rented after you came back? The location looks good. Is the rent expensive?"