In the Northern Song Dynasty, he started by marrying the eighth daughter of the Su family.

On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, the footsteps of the year's end grew ever clearer. In Bianjing (Kaifeng), every household was busy preparing for the New Year and bidding farewell to the old.

Han Zhi was finally off work and at home, and the backlog of cases at the Dali Temple had finally been cleared up before the New Year. The floor was warm from the heating, keeping out the chill from outside. Su Zhen was sitting on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed), gently patting Er Xigua, who had just finished eating, to help him burp.

The little girl wore a brand-new light red cotton-padded jacket, which made her face look even more rosy. She half-closed her eyes, looking content and lazy, and loosely clenched her little fists around a piece of her mother's clothes.

Little Watermelon was placed in a corner on the kang (a heated brick bed) covered with a thick, soft cushion, and he was also dressed in a festive royal blue new jacket.

Unlike his sister's quietness, he was trying hard to roll over. His little body was like a plump silkworm cocoon. He first tried to turn to one side, his little face turning red, and his little legs kicking hard, trying to use the momentum to roll over.

Unfortunately, she wasn't strong enough, and after several attempts, she failed each time, and then lay flat on her back with a "thud," making dissatisfied "ah, ah" sounds. Her big, dark eyes stared at the red paper-cut window decorations that Su Zhen had just cut, hanging above her head, while her little hands and feet waved wildly in the air.

Han Zhi sat cross-legged on the other side of the kang table, an account book and an abacus spread out in front of him. With the end of the year approaching, all the household expenses and social obligations needed to be accounted for. This was originally Su Zhen's job, but Han Zhi took it over, citing "don't overwork yourself."

He had just fiddled with the abacus beads a few times when his attention was drawn to the commotion his son was making.

"This kid's got some nerve." Han Zhi put down the ledger and moved over to the little watermelon with interest.

Su Zhen had just gently placed Erxigua, who had been patted on the back, back into the small cradle on the kang (heated brick bed). The little girl touched the familiar soft cushion, smacked her lips twice, and then her eyelids closed heavily.

Only then did she have a chance to look at her husband and son, and said with a smile, "That's right, ever since he learned to roll over, he's been thinking about it all day long. It's so difficult, but he's still just a little bit short."

Han Zhi stretched out his finger and gently poked the little watermelon's bulging belly as he strained: "Come on, kid, let me help you?" As he spoke, he carefully used his large palm to support his son's small shoulder, which was straining to the side, and gave him a little help.

Little Watermelon seemed to sense its father's help, kicking its little feet even harder. With a sudden thrust of its bottom and a forceful "hmm," it actually managed to clumsily flip over using that little bit of pushing force!

Although the posture was a bit crooked and the little face was buried in the soft cushion, it was definitely lying down!

"Wow! It's flipped over!" Su Zhen exclaimed in surprise and quickly came over to take a look.

The little watermelon lay there, seemingly still a bit dazed, shaking its little head as if trying to lift it up.

He tried to support himself with his arms, his little neck stiffening and his face turning red. Finally, he managed to lift his head a little off the cushion, his big, dark eyes darting around as he curiously looked at the upside-down world and his parents' faces that were getting closer.

"Great job! Our little watermelon can roll over now!" Han Zhi couldn't help but laugh, gently rubbing his son's sweaty forehead with his fingertip.

Little Watermelon seemed to understand the praise and also felt the different perspective brought by the new posture. He grinned, his toothless little mouth chuckling, drool dripping from the corner of his mouth. He excitedly waved his little hands and kicked his little feet on the soft mat, trying to maintain this new posture.

"Look how smug he is." Su Zhen's eyes crinkled with laughter as she wiped her son's drool with a fine cloth. "Well, that's good for him. I'll have to keep a closer eye on him from now on. He might fall off the bed if I'm not careful."

At that moment, the door opened, and the four elders walked in.

"Oh, my dear grandchildren!" Zhou Miao'an walked to the bedside in a few steps, her gaze shifting back and forth between Little Watermelon, who was trying hard to lift his little head, and Second Watermelon, who was sleeping soundly in the cradle. She couldn't stop smiling. "Let Grandma take a look. He looks so smart in his new jacket!"

Su Zhen smiled and said, "Mother, Little Watermelon has just learned to roll over! Just now, my husband gave him a little help, and he rolled over by himself with a little effort!"

"Really?!" Zhou Miaoan leaned down in surprise, getting closer to the little watermelon. "Oh my good grandson, you're so amazing! Quick, flip another one for your grandma to see?"

Little Watermelon was looking at the suddenly appearing familiar faces with great curiosity. Hearing Zhou Miaoan's voice and seeing so many "spectators," he seemed even more excited.

He stuck out his little bottom, kicked his little feet on the soft cushion, braced himself with his little arms, raised his head higher than before, and made "hmm hmm" sounds as if trying to respond to his grandmother's request and perform again.

Unfortunately, the previous thrust had already exhausted her strength, and now she was completely drained. Her little arms went limp, and she fell back to her side with a "plop." Her little mouth pursed, and her big eyes instantly filled with a layer of aggrieved tears, as if she was about to burst into tears.

"Alright, alright, don't tire the child out too much." Madam Cheng smiled and stepped forward to defuse the situation. She first carefully looked at Er Xigua, who was sleeping soundly in the cradle, tucked her in with the blanket, and then walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

“Our little watermelon has done a great job today. It has learned to roll over, which is an extremely important skill! It’s much smarter and more agile than your uncle was when he was a child.”

Mrs. Cheng reached out her finger and gently touched Little Watermelon's sweaty forehead and rosy cheeks. "No rush, no rush, my little darling. Take a break before you play again. Once you've saved up your strength, you'll be able to flip the watermelon faster and better."

The little watermelon's whimpering gradually subsided as its attention was drawn to Mrs. Cheng. It reached out its chubby little hand, grabbed Mrs. Cheng's fingertip, and curiously put it in its mouth.

On the other side, Su Shi blushed upon hearing this, while Su Zhe covered his mouth and chuckled.

“Mother!” Su Shi couldn’t help but protest, his voice filled with the embarrassment and annoyance unique to young men, “That was so many years ago…” he muttered softly, trying to save face for his elder brother.

Madam Cheng then noticed her son's flushed face and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe me, ask your older sister."

Su Zhen received a meaningful glance from her mother, and seeing her younger brother's embarrassed look as if he wanted to disappear on the spot, she suppressed a laugh, deliberately hesitated for a moment, and then slowly said, "When Shi'er was little... he was indeed a slowpoke."

"Sister!" Su Shi's ears turned bright red, and he stomped his foot in embarrassment and annoyance. Su Zhe couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.