CHAPTER 481: CHAPTER 268: MASTER QIN BRINGS WARMTH (PART 2)

Even though he hadn’t paid off his debts, at the moment he tasted the flavor, he was struck with the thought of using the 30 yuan he had secretly stashed for a monthly game subscription to settle debts. Grasping onto Qin Huai’s leg, he begged his cousin to let him enjoy the delicious guo’er from the first day to the fifteenth of the New Year.

Dream Come True Sesame Bun, so delicious!

To be honest, He Cheng couldn’t pinpoint what made them delicious, especially since it’s always eaten right after the guo’er. Honestly, he couldn’t really taste much, but it was good!

Three Meat Buns, delicious!

In previous years, He Cheng had eaten the most of these snacks, but this year he only had a bite. Even though he couldn’t taste much, he vaguely felt like this year’s tasted much better than before.

He Cheng thought he might be imagining things; Qin Huai made these buns every year, and they always tasted about the same. They couldn’t possibly have suddenly become extra delicious—it must be an illusion.

Five Fillings Bun, delicious!

He Cheng only took a bite of this one too, forgot what it tasted like, anyway it was delicious.

"Burp." He Cheng let out a long burp.

Qin Xiuli thought they couldn’t just lay around like this anymore.

She was already feeling dizzy from the carbon dioxide. If they sat any longer, they’d happily fall asleep, and this year’s New Year’s Eve dinner would really have no second half.

Not having a second half wouldn’t matter much, as they wouldn’t eat then anyways, but there were still many relatives and friends waiting for their triumphant return.

Thinking of her sister-in-laws, nephews, and nieces already looking outside with expectant eyes, Qin Xiuli felt a sense of duty. Struggling to stand up, she suppressed another imminent burp and said:

"Cheng Cheng, get up and say goodbye to your grandparents, we still have to go to your grandpa and grandma’s house!"

He Cheng struggled to stand, almost stumbling, but was caught by his father just in time. Instinctively, he started uttering auspicious words.

After a smooth string of New Year greetings, He Cheng felt a bit troubled looking at the table full of snacks.

To be honest, this New Year’s Eve dinner looked like it was barely touched.

The main attraction today was actually the guo’er; each one weighed about half a kilo. Along with the Longevity Noodles and Four Happiness Glutinous Rice, everyone’s combat prowess at the Qin Family sank rapidly. In previous years, they’d at least managed to polish off everything, even if not wolfing it all down.

This year, with so much left over, He Cheng wasn’t sure what to take back with him.

"Mom, what... what should I bring?" He Cheng stammered.

Qin Huai smiled slightly, "I prepared something for you already, it’s in the kitchen. There’s all kinds of snacks, with extra Four Happiness Glutinous Rice. The guo’er’s raw dough is a bit less, so it’s averaged to one per two people."

"Just steam or boil them when you get there, and they’ll be ready to eat."

He Cheng was overjoyed; he held his waist and dashed into the kitchen, coming out with three big bags of snacks. The family of three each took one bag and headed towards the village entrance.

The Qin Family’s New Year’s Eve dinner table suddenly felt much emptier.

With not many people around, the New Year’s Eve feast usually ended at this time anyway. Mr. Qin and Granny Qin weren’t fond of watching the Spring Festival Gala. Most people in the Qin Family Village didn’t watch it either; it was usually just background noise while everyone gathered for a game of Mahjong.

Mr. Qin’s house didn’t have a Mahjong table, so they always went to a neighbor’s house to play.

Every year, three neighboring families vied to host the Mahjong games by showcasing whatever new and trendy additions they had made. This year, the Qin Kaogui family won with their newly acquired Mahjong machine.

Mr. Qin had already agreed—they would go play Mahjong at his house at eight o’clock.

The Qin Kaogui household was prepared; Mahjong games call for some tasty snacks, and they hadn’t even eaten their fill at the New Year’s Eve dinner, just about a third full, waiting for the second round.

Granny Qin started clearing the table, while also selecting the snacks to take to the neighbor’s.

Guo’er, too delicious to bring along.

Longevity Noodles, cooked with such good chicken soup, wouldn’t it be great for breakfast tomorrow? Too good to bring along.

Dream Come True Sesame Bun; it’s cooled down, so this one can go.

Four Happiness Glutinous Rice, too good to bring along.

Three Meat Buns, too good to bring along.

Five Fillings Bun, too good to bring along.

Qin Huai glanced at Granny Qin’s snack bag and noticed that she might not be as fond of the neighbor’s new Mahjong machine. None of their signature snacks were in the bag, but a whole bag was filled with radish buns, vermicelli buns, meat buns, and veggie buns that nobody wanted.

"Grandma, why don’t you take a bit of each of the other snacks too? I made plenty today; there are still raw ones in the kitchen. These steamed ones are already made, they’d be wasted if we don’t eat them tonight," Qin Huai suggested.

Hearing what her eldest grandson said, Granny Qin reluctantly picked two of each from the other snacks to put into the bag, muttering, "The third daughter-in-law from Qin Kaogui’s family won over 20 from me at Mahjong the day before yesterday. Huaihuai, you work so hard making snacks, just give them some regular buns."

Qin Huai: ...

He suspected that Granny was more upset about losing twenty yuan in Mahjong than concerned about her grandson’s hard work.

After picking and choosing, Granny Qin filled up a large bag and called out, "Old man, Congwen, Rong’er, what time is it? Is it time to head to Kaogui’s house? Congwen, go and ask if they’re done eating!"

Before Qin Congwen could step out to the neighbors, the window closest to Mr. Qin’s house from Qin Kaogui’s was opened. Qin Kaogui’s little grandson called out in a childish voice, "Third Grandma, we’re done eating! We finished long ago! Come over quickly."

Hearing Qin Kaogui’s little grandson’s voice, the family of Qin Tianhe, who were still eating their New Year’s Eve dinner, ground their teeth in frustration. They regretted their oversight, borrowing a fridge while forgetting to keep an eye on the Mahjong machine developments, missing the opportunity.

The elders had already started their joyful post-dinner entertainment. In the kitchen, Qin Huai put the leftover dishes into the fridge, packed up the remaining snacks, and turned to ask Qin Luo, who was washing the dishes, "Luoluo, what are your plans for tonight?"