Chapter 16 - 016 Fried Tofu
When Tian Sisi and the others returned home, it was almost dark. Zhu Ai Qing was pacing anxiously at the door. Only when she heard the sound of the bicycle bell did she breathe a sigh of relief. As Tian Manjin's bicycle came to a stop, she picked up Donghua and Qinghua from the front rack. Tian Sisi did not need her help and lightly jumped down by herself, rubbing her bottom which had truly suffered today. No, she would have to ask Granny Zhao to make a cushion. It looked like riding bicycles would be a common affair for many years to come, so for the sake of her bottom, making a cushion was absolutely necessary.
"How come you're back so late? Everyone at home has been worried sick," Zhu Ai Qing chided her husband.
Tian Manjin chuckled dryly without a word. Tian Sisi hurriedly took out the cold cream from the basket for Zhu Ai Qing, "Mama, Daddy went out to buy cold cream for you."
Just as Tian Manjin was about to clarify that he was not the one who bought it, he saw his wife's face brighten into a smile just like when they were newly married. He was momentarily stunned; it was just a jar of cold cream that made his wife so happy. Tian Manjin couldn't help feeling a pang of sorrow. His wife really hadn't enjoyed much good fortune by his side. Originally, he had given the job opportunity to Man Tong, and although his wife had complained a few times, she eventually said no more and continued to work with him in the fields.
Even when she saw her sister-in-law and younger siblings looking splendid, she never complained in front of him. But he knew that he owed her a better life. Thinking of this, Tian Manjin swallowed back the words that had reached his lips. Tian Sisi never expected a jar of cold cream to have the couple gazing affectionately at each other for so long, not considering that there were three children right beside them!
Tian Sisi couldn't be bothered waiting for them, pulling her two younger brothers into the house. As she stepped through the gate, she deliberately shouted loudly, "Daddy, Mama, time for dinner!"
Tian Manjin and Zhu Ai Qing both blushed, coughing awkwardly a few times and frantically started to tidy up things. It was quite amusing to see Tian Manjin and Zhu Ai Qing both reaching for the same item at the same time. Tian Sisi found it hilarious. People nowadays were truly so innocent.
Granny Zhao added a few more sticks of firewood into the stove to keep the pot of vegetables from getting cold. She urged Tian Sisi and the others to wash up for dinner. By this time, Tian Manjin and Zhu Ai Qing had entered carrying today's purchases. Tian Sisi saw the oily paper wrapping and hurried over to take it, steaming the buns in the still-hot pot.
"Grandpa, Granny, Mama, we're having meat buns in a bit. I bought them with my New Year's money," Tian Sisi boasted to the Old Man and Granny Zhao. She was already getting better at playing the part of a ten-year-old, adept at both throwing tantrums and acting endearing.