Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle

"It's New Year, of course we should eat Four Happiness Dumplings, Chicken Soup Noodles, Dream Come True Sesame Bun, Three Meat Buns, Five Fillings Bun, Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns, Guo'er, Apple Dough Balls, and all sorts of buns and shaomai."

"Just to be clear, there's no time to make rice noodle rolls today. If you want to eat them, go buy them in town or mooch off the neighbor."

Qin Luo was gnawing on corn so enthusiastically that it almost tasted like meat. After seeing the outside world for half a year, rice noodle rolls weren't even on Qin Luo's mind. He quickly said, "Not eating, not eating, I only love what my brother makes."

"But bro, didn't you say last night that the reason the Four Happiness Dumplings tasted average was because the red bean and sesame fillings weren't homemade? If I remember correctly, those fillings need to be made in advance. Will we have enough time to make them today?"

Qin Huai gave a mysterious smile, "You'll know when we get to Grandpa and Grandma's place."

Qin Family Village is a sizable village, and the bus driver kindly dropped them off at the village entrance. During New Year, many people return to the village with large bags, and if not dropped off at the gate, they'd have another mile or two to walk, carrying things for hours.

As soon as they got off the bus, Qin Huai spotted a group of red, furry, and round Qin family members: Mr. Qin, Granny Qin, Aunt Qin Xiuli, Uncle He Hua, and cousin He Cheng.

Clearly, this year's New Year outfits were bought together.

Upon seeing Qin Huai, He Cheng rushed over with tears in his eyes, his voice dramatic, emotions deep, expressions varied, almost desperate to cling to Qin Huai's leg and plead his woes.

"Bro, you finally came home! Do you know how I've been living these past six months?!"

Luoluo is practically hopeless, not just posting on her feed, but specials, and even late-night posts.

"Bro, how did you suddenly learn so many new snacks?"

Clearly, over the months, He Cheng had been following Qin Luo's social media closely.

Qin Huai also delivered some cousinly concern in a timely manner: "Little Cheng, how did your finals go? Did you pass math? I've got excellent tutoring resources here; Luoluo improved significantly after just over ten days in Gusu. She's even coming back with test papers. Do you want to join in for tutoring as well?"

He Cheng and Qin Luo's grades had always been close, just slightly better.

He Cheng had just been pretending to cry but now he genuinely felt like shedding tears.

Qin Luo, hearing there was such a great opportunity, got interested immediately, encouraging: "Exactly, the teachers are really good people. I enjoy tutoring very much!"

Everyone: ?!

He Cheng: !!!∑(°Д°ノ)ノ

Qin Xiuli was just about to come up to and offer warmth to the big nephew, but upon hearing Qin Huai and Qin Luo, her words turned to, "Is it really effective? Huaihuai, are those teachers only available in Gusu?"

"How much does it cost? I heard from your mom that it seems to be one-on-one, isn't one-on-one quite expensive?"

"Auntie, it's not expensive. The tutoring over this break is over, but bring He Cheng to Shan City during the summer break, let him and Luoluo do tutoring together. The first hour can be for Luoluo, the second hour for Little Cheng. It won't cost much, just my New Year's gift to Little Cheng," Qin Huai said.

The tutoring teacher introduced by Gong Liang charged prices that were unaffordable given Qin Xiuli and her husband's income. Qin Huai was now well-off, simply omitting the price details. Tutoring his sister or tutoring his cousin, no difference in cost.

Qin Xiuli, as one of the two beneficiaries of Qin Huai's hand in treating infertility, has been nothing but grateful to him over the years. New Year's money, daily pocket money, clothes, snacks, toys, never missed a beat.

Qin Congwen and Zhao Rong had no time to take their children out as they had to manage the breakfast shop. Previously, during every winter and summer holiday, Aunt Qin Xiuli would lead big nephew Qin Huai, and Qin Luo, and He Cheng, on trips, involving significant effort.

"Alright, then, I'll thank you for Little Cheng and take him to Shan City next summer break." With Qin Huai saying this, Qin Xiuli trusted him and agreed.

Uncle He Hua silently took up the luggage as background.

He Cheng knew that the decision was set; resistance was futile. Plus, visiting Shan City seemed promising, no more salivating over Qin Luo's social posts; he could taste them in reality.

He Cheng quietly asked Qin Luo, "Is that tutoring teacher really helpful? Strict? Fierce? Lots of homework?"

Qin Luo replied, "Finish the papers and you can eat snacks."

He Cheng felt his energy restored.

The family joyfully headed toward the village center where Mr. Qin's house was located. Over the years, the villagers unanimously felt this house was conveniently located for visiting and New Year greetings.

By the way, Mr. Qin was named Qin Xiong, and Granny Qin also bore the surname Qin, named Qin Ya.

Granny Qin eagerly led the children home, walking in front, paving the way, while Mr. Qin followed closely. Qin Huai and Qin Xiuli took the middle, with Qin Xiuli inquiring with Qin Huai about whether Qin Luo's tutor would be suitable for He Cheng, who didn't attend an international school.

He Cheng and Qin Luo strayed from the group, chatting, while Zhao Rong had fallen behind to tie her shoelaces, and Qin Congwen and Uncle He Hua silently stayed at the rear, acting as moving background scenery.

Qin Luo had just made a small fortune recently, couldn't hide his satisfaction, asked He Cheng, "Did you pay back your brother yet?"

In the Qin family, not only did real siblings settle accounts, but cousins checked accounts too; if He Cheng was greedy and ate beyond his snack quota, he had to pay as well.