“Brother, brother.”
Beibei called out to her brother as she ran.
But her brother, already far ahead, couldn’t hear her shouts.
Beibei was so anxious, feeling her brother was unfair this time, running off without waiting for her.
Zhan Yin and his wife followed on foot behind.
Zhan Yin called out now and then, “Beibei, don’t run so fast, careful you don’t fall.”
The little girl ran and stopped, turning back to look at her parents when she paused, pointing in the direction her brother had gone, shouting, “Brother, brother.”
She meant her brother had left her behind, not waiting for her.
Zhan Yin stepped forward, smiling, “Brother runs fast and didn’t wait for Beibei, did he? Shall Daddy carry Beibei to find him?”
Beibei nodded and let out a little “mm.”
Zhan Yin bent down to pick up his daughter. When Hai Tong caught up, the couple walked together toward the lotus garden.
“Baby’s running too fast, isn’t he? He didn’t even wait for his sister,” Zhan Yin grumbled about his son’s speed.
Hai Tong laughed, “He hasn’t seen his great-grandma for ten days and misses her so much. Coming home, of course, he’d rush to find her first.”
“Beibei has us watching her, so what’s he worried about?”
Hai Tong took out a tissue to wipe her daughter’s sweat, saying, “No need to rush. We’re home now. Where could your brother run off to?”
“Let’s walk slowly. Great-Grandma knows you’re back and will come to the house too.”
Beibei nodded and gave another “mm.”
The old lady and her group met Zhan Muchen, who was running toward them, halfway.
“Great-Grandma!” Zhan Muchen saw the old lady and her group and ran even faster.
The old lady anxiously reminded him, “Baby, don’t run so fast, careful you don’t fall.”
She hurried forward herself, eager to meet him.
Soon, the big and little ancestors met.
The old lady, smiling, wanted to pick up her great-grandson, but Zhan Muchen quickly stopped her, saying, “Great-Grandma, Baby’s grown up now. I’m heavy, and Great-Grandma can’t carry me anymore.”
“Who says? Even if Great-Grandma’s teeth fall out, I still have the strength to hold you. Come, let Great-Grandma hug you. Have you gotten heavier? Did you eat and sleep well at your seventh uncle’s place?”
“Great-Grandma, why do I think Baby’s gotten thinner? Did Old Seven not take good care of you? When your seventh uncle comes back, Great-Grandma will scold him for you. You’re tanned too.”
The old lady still hugged Baby, but only briefly before putting him down.
Baby was no longer the tiny newborn from six years ago. At six, he had some weight, and with the old lady’s advanced age and waning strength, she could only hold her great-grandson briefly before setting him down.
Even so, Baby was thrilled.
As the first great-grandson, he was the old lady’s favorite.
Back then, her favorite grandson was Zhan Yin, and now her most cherished great-grandchildren were Zhan Yin’s son and daughter, one the eldest, the other the only girl.
“Great-Grandma, we got tanned from playing outside. It’s fine. Mum says a bit of sun is healthier.”
“Seventh Uncle is busy, working every day. Sometimes he cooks for us, but we often eat out. Food outside isn’t as good as home cooking, so I ate less and maybe got thinner.”
Shen Xiaojun gently pinched his cheek, laughing, “Baby hasn’t gotten thinner. Aunt Shen’s pinching your face, and it’s still chubby.”
“Aunt Shen, I’m not fat!”
