I returned to my hometown after winning the koi lottery.

Xiao Xiaotao's dream of traveling began as soon as she had the ability to perceive.

When she first began to remember, her home was in Shanghe Village, a place with beautiful mountains and rivers.

In this quiet little village, Xiao Xiaotao and her family live.

Xiao Xiaotao can't speak yet, but her eyes are full of curiosity about the world.

Her world was originally small, consisting of only the small world at home and the big tree in the yard that always swayed gently in the breeze.

But what she looks forward to most is the time when she goes out with her mother. Every time her mother picks her up and takes out the car child seat, that is the happiest moment in her heart.

Xiao Xiaotao's mother is an impetuous woman who is full of yearning for freedom in her bones.

In this seemingly warm yet somewhat depressing home, my mother is like a bird longing to fly.

She always wanted to take Xiao Xiaotao away from this monotonous life, to see the outside world, feel the free wind, and breathe different air.

Spring is getting closer and closer, and the town is beginning to be filled with the breath of spring.

The woods on the mountain have turned green, the chirping of birds can occasionally be heard at the entrance of the village, and the air is filled with the fragrance of various grasses and trees.

For Xiao Xiaotao, this spring has a different meaning, because she and her mother plan to embark on a special trip when spring just begins.

"Baby, let's sneak out and play in a few days."

Mom always whispered in Xiao Xiaotao's ear, with excitement shining in her eyes.

Although Xiao Xiaotao didn't understand every word her mother said, she could feel the joy and anticipation from her mother's tone and expression.

She would giggle and reach out her little hands to grab her mother's hair, as if responding to her mother's plan.

However, this journey was not easy.

My grandmother is a traditional and conservative person. She believes that children should grow up safely at home, as the outside world is full of unknowns and dangers.

Every time mom tries to take Xiao Xiaotao out, once grandma finds out, it triggers a "family storm."

Grandma would scold my mother in her stern voice, saying that she didn't know how to take care of children and didn't know how to live a stable life.

The mother would argue that the child should go out and see the wider world and should not be trapped in this small home.

But the result of every quarrel was that my mother was confined to her room by my grandmother and she couldn’t go out for a long time.

This is also the reason why Xiao Xiaotao is most reluctant to see her grandma.

In her little heart, her grandma was like a "big monster" that blocked her and her mother's freedom.

Every time her grandma showed up, her happy time with her mother would be interrupted, and those wonderful plans to go out would be ruined.

On the contrary, grandpa is Xiao Xiaotao and her mother's "ally".

Although grandpa doesn't talk much, he always silently supports mom and Xiao Xiaotao.

Every time Mom was about to sneak out with Xiao Xiaotao, it was Grandpa who covered for them.

Grandpa would deliberately find something to do in front of grandma to attract her attention so that mom and Xiao Xiaotao could go out smoothly.

Finally, on a sunny spring afternoon, Mom felt the time had come.

These days, everyone in the family is busy preparing to dry and wash clothes for the changing of seasons, and grandma is also busy in the room.

The mother quietly picked up Xiao Xiaotao and whispered, "Baby, let's go!"

Xiao Xiaotao waved her hands excitedly, with excitement shining in her eyes.

Grandpa was pretending to watch TV in the living room, but his ears were always paying attention to what grandma was doing.

When Mom walked to the door holding Xiao Xiaotao, Grandpa deliberately turned up the volume of the TV and coughed a few times, successfully attracting Grandma's attention.

The mother took the opportunity to quickly open the door and rushed to the car parked on the side of the road with Xiao Xiaotao in her arms.

They drove out of the village. Along the way, Xiao Xiaotao watched the scenery receding outside the window, feeling extremely excited. The trees, fields, and houses along the road seemed to be greeting her.

While driving, the mother talked to Xiao Xiaotao. Although Xiao Xiaotao could not understand, she could feel her mother's happiness.

They came to a small seaside town.

This place is completely different from where they live. The air is filled with the smell of the sea, and in the distance is the endless blue ocean.

Mom took Xiao Xiaotao out of the car seat and took her little hand as they walked towards the beach.

Xiao Xiaotao walked barefoot on the soft beach. The sand was warm and itchy.

She smiled happily and staggered forward, stopping from time to time to pick up a shell and show it to her mother.

"Look, baby, isn't the sea beautiful?"

Mom pointed at the sea and asked Xiao Xiaotao.

Although Xiao Xiaotao couldn't speak, she nodded vigorously, her eyes full of admiration for the sea.

The waves hit the beach, making pleasant sounds, as if playing a beautiful piece of music.

Xiao Xiaotao and her mother played on the beach for a long time. They built sand castles, chased the waves, and their laughter echoed on the beach.

After being tired from playing, Mom took Xiao Xiaotao to a small restaurant by the sea.

The restaurant was filled with the aroma of seafood, and my mother ordered some local specialties.

Xiao Xiaotao sat on the children's dining chair, looking at everything around her curiously.

Her mother fed her delicious shrimp meat. Xiao Xiaotao ate it with relish, and her face was covered with sauce, which made her mother laugh.

As night falls, the seaside town becomes even more beautiful.

Colorful lights illuminate the streets, and the streets and alleys are filled with laughter.

Mom took Xiao Xiaotao for a stroll on the streets of the town, looking at the unique little shops and feeling the different New Year atmosphere.

There is no nagging from grandma here, no monotonous life, only freedom and happiness.

However, happy times are always short-lived. The few days of travel passed quickly, and the mother knew that they had to go home.

Although she was reluctant to let them go, her mother also understood that home was always their home.

On the way home, Xiao Xiaotao fell asleep in her mother's arms with a sweet smile on her face. Perhaps she was recalling this wonderful trip in her dream.

After returning home, grandma saw that they had returned safely. Although she couldn't help nagging a few words, her eyes were full of concern.

Xiao Xiaotao looked at her grandma and suddenly felt that her grandma was not so scary after all.

This trip brought Xiao Xiaotao happiness and allowed her to feel the warmth of home and the complex and deep love among her family members.

In the evening the whole family sat together for dinner.

Xiao Xiaotao looked at her family around her. Although she could not speak yet, she knew that this was her home, a place full of love and stories.

Her trip with her mother will become the most beautiful memory of her childhood, and it will make her look forward to exploring the outside world with her mother next time.