The Crown Princess is busy fishing

Xie Jingwan quickly made a seafood tofu soup using the seafood she had prepared in advance.

All the food was served.

As Xie Jingwan called out "Dinner's ready," the family began to eat.

Lin Fanghai first picked up a piece of winter bamboo shoot and chewed it carefully.

"These winter bamboo shoots are tender, crisp, and have a faint fragrance."

"It complements the meat perfectly when stir-fried together."

Lin Qingzhou couldn't wait to pick up a piece of braised bamboo rat meat.

He took a bite, and his eyes lit up.

"This bamboo rat meat really has a unique flavor; the meat is firm and the taste is rich."

"It has a hint of wild flavor, and it tastes even better than what I had the other day."

Then they began to feast.

Lin Yuge first took a sip of soup, then squinted her eyes contentedly.

Then we also tried winter bamboo shoots and bamboo rat meat.

Nodding in approval, she said, "Yes, Mother's cooking is truly superb. These winter bamboo shoots are delicious, and the bamboo rat meat is quite unique too."

Everyone enjoyed the meal very much.

Lin Qingzhou kept saying she was stuffed.

Xie Jingwan jokingly scolded him, but still made him a cup of hawthorn tea to aid digestion.

Lin Qingzhou took the tea and said with a smile, "My mother still loves me the most."

Lin Yuge teased him from the side.

"Big brother, just enjoy Mother's good mood a little longer!"

The family enjoyed a rare moment of leisure, and before they knew it, it was New Year's Eve.

They started getting busy early in the morning.

Xie Jingwan cleaned the house until it was spotless.

Exquisite paper-cut window decorations adorn the windows, their red colors gleaming in the sunlight.

She took out the red lanterns she had prepared earlier, and Lin Qingzhou and Lin Fanghai hung the lanterns high together.

Then, the couplets that Lin Fanghai had already written were pasted up.

The whole house was instantly filled with a festive atmosphere.

Then they began preparing dumplings for the Chinese New Year.

Unlike other people in the village, the family did not make glutinous rice balls.

As native Kyoto residents, they still prefer to eat dumplings.

However, Xie Jingwan also listened to her daughter's suggestion and prepared to make dumplings with two different fillings.

One type is filled with pork, while the other is filled with mackerel.

She kneaded the dough skillfully, and the dough gradually became smooth and elastic in her hands.

Lin Yuge helped chop vegetables.

Lin Qingzhou was in charge of chopping the meat.

Then prepare the filling.

The ground pork was seasoned with scallions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and other condiments.

After being stirred evenly, it releases a pleasant aroma.

The mackerel was cut into small pieces and then minced.

Adding appropriate amounts of seasonings and vegetables creates a delicious fish filling.

Before long, the preparations were complete, and the family sat down to make dumplings.

Xie Jingwan skillfully pinched the dumpling wrappers.

One by one, delicate dumplings quickly took shape in her hands.

Lin Fanghai watched his wife's movements and imitated them carefully, mastering the technique in no time.

Although the dumplings she made weren't as exquisite as Xie Jingwan's, they were still quite presentable.

Lin Qingzhou was a little clumsy at first.

But they soon got into the swing of things, and the dumplings they made, while not perfect, were still quite decent.

Only Lin Yuge lived up to his reputation for being clumsy.

Either the filling leaked out, or it was wrapped crookedly and was uniquely ugly.

She looked at the oddly shaped dumplings she had made and stuck out her tongue sheepishly.

Lin Qingzhou chuckled and teased, "Little sister, your dumplings are truly unique."

Lin Yuge snorted and said, "As long as it's edible, it's fine."

The family finished making dumplings amidst laughter and chatter.

Xie Jingwan was busy preparing the New Year's Eve dinner, with Lin Fanghai helping her.

Unable to get involved, Lin Yuge called on her elder brother.

The two went to the village together.

We're planning to invite Mr. Wen, who hasn't been seen in a long time, to our home for the Chinese New Year.

When we arrived at Uncle Zhang's house, Uncle Zhang was making rice cakes in the yard.

Seeing the two of them come in, he immediately greeted them warmly, "You two siblings are here! Come in quickly."

Lin Yuge handed him the fish she was carrying.

He said, "Uncle Zhang, we've come to invite Grandpa Wen to our house for the New Year. Is he inside?"

"I'm here, you can go ahead!"

Uncle Zhang nodded and sighed heavily.

"We should call him out to join in the fun; it's not good for him to stay locked up inside all the time."

Lin Yuge and Lin Qingzhou arrived at Wen Jizhong's door and gently knocked.

A moment later, the door slowly opened.

Wen Jizhong's weathered face appeared before them.

Upon seeing the two, his expression softened slightly.

He spoke first, "It's you. What's the matter?"

Lin Yuge quickly smiled and said, "Grandpa Wen, tomorrow is the New Year."

"We've come to invite you to our home so we can celebrate the New Year together."

Wen Jizhong was somewhat stunned upon hearing this, muttering to himself, "New Year's Day~"

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

There are memories, feelings, and a touch of melancholy.

After a moment, he gently shook his head.

"No, you guys go back. I'm used to being alone."

Lin Yuge and Lin Qingzhou didn't want to give up so easily.

Lin Qingzhou stepped forward and said, "Grandpa Wen, it must be so lonely for you to spend the New Year alone."

"Come to our house, it would be so nice to have a lively gathering."

Seeing that he remained unmoved.

Lin Yuge had an idea. She said mysteriously, "Grandpa Wen, I can find a lot of strange and unusual medicinal herbs and fish at sea."

"Don't you want to come and visit my house?"

Lin Qingzhou realized what was happening.

He quickly added, "Yes, my mother is also planning to make a medicinal meal."

"I'm really unsure how to put together a combination, and I'm just waiting for you to come over and give me some guidance!"

Lin Yuge's lips twitched upon hearing this; her older brother was about to trick their mother again.

Wen Jizhong was slightly moved after hearing what the two said.

He was obsessed with the study of herbs throughout his life, and those rare and exotic medicinal materials were indeed of great attraction to him.

In addition, he is also skilled in making medicinal cuisine.

Seeing his hesitation, Lin Yuge pressed on.

"Grandpa Wen, please come with us, otherwise my brother and I will keep bothering you."

"You wouldn't want us to keep bothering you here, would you?"

Wen Jizhong glanced at the two of them helplessly.

He turned and went back into the house, and soon came out with a bundle.

The two of them were still standing there, stunned.

He scoffed, "What are you standing there for? Come on."

Lin Yuge and Lin Qingzhou then realized what was happening, and their faces instantly lit up with bright smiles.

Lin Yuge ran forward happily and reached out to take Wen Jizhong's bundle.

"Grandpa Wen, let me help you with that."

Wen Jizhong, however, moved the bundle to the side.

"No need, I'll take it myself."

Lin Qingzhou said with a smile, "Grandpa Wen, let's go quickly, my mother and the others must be getting impatient."

The three of them walked together toward the Lin family's house.

Before long, they arrived at the Lin family's house.

When Xie Jingwan and Lin Fanghai saw Wen Jizhong arrive, they quickly went to greet him.

Xie Jingwan said with a big smile, "Grandpa Wen, you've finally arrived! Please come in."

Upon entering the house, Lin Fanghai led him to the guest room.

"Mr. Wen, please stay here for now. Let us know if you need anything."

Wen Jizhong nodded slightly.

When he came out of the guest room after tidying up, he took out two small bottles in his hand.

“A gift!” he explained to the crowd.

His expression remained somewhat indifferent, but a subtle warmth flickered in his eyes.

Xie Jingwan quickly reached out and took it.

"Sir, you're too kind. We're already very happy that you could come."

Lin Fanghai nodded in gratitude.

Wen Jizhong lowered his eyes slightly and said no more.

The Lin family knew his temperament well, so they didn't press him further about the medicine.

The family began to get busy preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Wen Jizhong stood quietly to the side.

Watching the busy figures of the group, a complex emotion welled up in my heart.

He hadn't felt such warmth and liveliness in a long time.