Chen Lan looked as Xi came over, supporting Third Sister Auntie, and quickly said with a smile, "Third Sister Auntie, Yulia, Milana, we all worked up a sweat climbing the mountain just now. The wind is quite strong outside, don't catch a cold. We'll be home soon, and I'll introduce you all to these children one by one when we get home."
Third Sister Auntie and her two daughters naturally agreed repeatedly. At this moment, Ming Zhe spoke, "Sister-in-law, you and Big Brother walk slowly with the guests. I'll go back first to report the news."
With that, he waved his hand, and more than half of the young boys ran off. Chen Lan held Jiacheng's hand and followed Third Sister Auntie and her daughters from a distance. When their group reached the mountain peak in the valley, they saw everyone waiting in the valley. Upon seeing them appear on the peak, someone immediately cheered. They had truly returned, and Xiao Lan had brought Ming Xuan back too.
Xi, not wanting to be ignored, immediately raised his voice and shouted, "Comrades in the valley, I, Chen Xiangxi, have returned with my wife!"
Everyone immediately chimed in, "Yo! Little Watermelon is back with a new bride! You didn't trick her into coming back, did you? Hurry up and introduce your new wife to everyone!"
Xi paid no attention to their teasing and slowly descended into the valley, holding Third Sister Auntie's hand. At this moment, his mother-in-law, his own mother, and Mother Liu, Mother Cui, and a group of children from the family who had heard the news, surrounded them. It was naturally his mother and the children who fussed over Chen Lan with concerned questions, while his mother-in-law and Mother Cui held Xu Mingxuan's hand, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
Xi, at this moment, did not forget his main task and introduced Third Sister Auntie and the Yulia sisters to Mother Liu.
He was heard putting his arm around Mother Liu's shoulder and pointing at Third Sister Auntie and her daughters with a proud expression, introducing them, "Come, Mother, let me introduce you. This kind-faced lady is my mother-in-law. This beautiful girl is your longed-for daughter-in-law, Yulia. And this young lady is my sister-in-law, Milana. Mother, what do you think? Are you satisfied with your daughter-in-law?"
Mother Liu naturally smiled so broadly that her mouth couldn't close. While looking at the blushing Yulia, she nodded and said, "Satisfied! Satisfied! Good, very good! So beautiful! She's a good girl. You brat, you've finally done something that makes me happy."
Mother Liu stepped forward and took Third Sister Auntie's hand, saying as she greeted her, "Oh! This must be my in-law! You've had a tough journey on this long mountain road. It's too cold outside, it's warm inside, let's hurry home and chat!"
The group happily walked home. The dragon and phoenix twins hugged Chen Lan's arms from left and right and refused to let go. The two youngest children in the family, Jiahe and Liu Jiaxing, finally squeezed their way over and hugged Chen Lan's legs, refusing to let go. The youngest, Jiahe, even started crying loudly, muttering, "Mommy, why were you gone for so long? You lied to me! You said you'd only go to Daddy's for a few days and then come back! You didn't take me to see Daddy, you lied to me! I'm not talking to you anymore."
Xu Mingxuan picked up Jiahe, who was crying profusely, and said with a smile, "Oh! You're Jiahe, aren't you! Our biggest little man is crying. Daddy will have a good look. It's been a few years, have you grown taller? Jiahe, do you still remember Daddy?"
Jiahe finally stopped crying and sobbed, "I remember Daddy, I just forgot what Daddy looks like. Daddy, you haven't been home for so long. Jiaxing Ge and I have forgotten what Daddy looks like. Is that right, Jiaxing Ge?"
At this moment, Liu Jiaxing, who was hugging Chen Lan's leg and refused to let go, raised his head with red eyes and choked out, "Yes, Daddy. You haven't been home for too long. When Grandma talks about you, I try my hardest to remember, but I still can't recall what you look like."
The words of the two children made everyone feel a pang of sadness. Yes, who doesn't yearn for family reunion? Which father doesn't want to watch his children grow up?
Chen Lan saw that this would not do. Seeing that the tears were about to flow, she quickly changed the subject and asked, "Jiahe, Jiaxing, why don't I see the men in the valley? Are they all in the greenhouses?"
Jiaxing replied, "No, Grandpa Fu and them are in the greenhouses. Uncle Xiangdong and Uncle Erhu are in school for classes and experiments. It's almost New Year, and our school has a holiday!"
At this moment, his mother noticed Chen Lan's unusual state and asked softly, "Lan'er, your belly? Are you pregnant again?" Chen Lan nodded with a smile.
His mother immediately took Jiaxing's hand and said, "Come, Jiaxing, the wind is too strong outside, it's giving Grandma a headache. You help Grandma, let's hurry home!"
Jiaxing immediately let go of Chen Lan's leg, stood up, and carefully placed Grandma's arm on his small shoulder, while his other arm held Grandma's waist. The little fellow acted with a sense of purpose.
The whole family, a grand procession, walked back home. The house was already bustling with activity. Mother Liu, radiating joy, efficiently instructed Chen Lan's group of good sisters who had come to help. Everyone was swift and efficient. Hu Yuzhen, along with Chuncao, Ruyi, Xiaoxue, and Zhao Xiaoyue, and their group of good sisters helped clean the house. Sun Xiaomei and her daughter, along with Qian Yingzi, Liu Man'er, and Sister-in-law Chen, naturally helped with the cooking.
Cui Qiao and Mother Cui, along with his mother-in-law and his own mother, naturally accompanied Third Sister Auntie and her daughters, chatting with them. They all spoke of "in-laws" with great cordiality.
Chen Lan went upstairs to change into her home clothes. Mother Liu took the opportunity to go upstairs and, holding Chen Lan's hand as she was about to go downstairs after changing, her mouth couldn't stop smiling. She poured out a stream of thanks, "Xiao Lan! Mother Liu wants to thank you properly. I also thank you on behalf of that scoundrel Xiangxi. Fortunately, he listened to your advice and you took him to see Ming Xuan. Otherwise, where would I find such a good daughter-in-law? Yulia is very good, and my in-law, your Third Sister Auntie, is also very good. All three of them are very sensible, and I like them very much. Although Yulia is half Russian, I heard Miss say that grandchildren born this way will be even smarter."
Chen Lan never expected that Mother Liu's satisfaction with Yulia would even have this factor. She immediately chimed in, "Mother Liu, there is such a saying. I've also heard people say that mixed-race children are not only smart but also beautiful. Just look at Yulia and her sister."
Mother Liu nodded happily and repeatedly agreed, "Yes, that's right, that's the logic!"