Zhu Shun Yao’s eyes shone even brighter. She picked Zhu Yanyi up directly. "Ani, you are truly Dad’s lucky star."
"Huh?" Zhu Yanyi looked confused, but inside, she gave herself a thumbs-up for her cleverness.
Zhu Shun Yao knew Zhu Yanyi hadn’t meant it seriously. But if it could happen, it would greatly improve their family’s situation. She started making plans in her mind. Of course, she kept these thoughts to herself. She needed to think carefully and wouldn’t throw all her energy into it at once.
The father and daughter cut two Jiao vegetables and five or six Huangya cabbages, then went home. Back home, Xie Xinlian made a mixed soup with Huangya cabbage, fish balls, meatballs, and vermicelli. She served a small bowl of sauce, along with some meat and fish. The whole family ate until they were full and warm.
New Year’s Eve arrived, and the festive atmosphere grew stronger. Zhu Yanyi and Zhu Yanli were especially happy. It was New Year, which meant new clothes and new shoes.
Chen Ailian had sent several girls’ clothes a few days ago for the two sisters. Xie Xinlian didn’t plan to hide them. Children grow fast, and if they didn’t wear them now, the clothes would eventually be wasted. So, starting on New Year’s Eve, Xie Xinlian dressed them in their new outfits. It snowed on this New Year’s Eve. Zhu Yanli felt a bit regretful that she couldn’t go out to show off her new shoes and clothes. Zhu Yanyi, however, was thinking about how she would play once the snow stopped.
Snow fell in later times too, but never as heavily as now. As the Earth’s temperature rose, snow became a luxury. Although artificial snow existed, it lacked the shock and beauty of natural snow.
"Don’t look outside. You can’t go out in your new clothes," Zhu Yanli said, walking over with fairy tale books given by Cheng Chen. She sat down next to Zhu Yanyi.
Zhu Yanyi glanced at Zhu Yanli. "Did you rob Brother Cheng Chen?"
She saw that Zhu Yanli was holding at least five or six books.
Zhu Yanli shot Zhu Yanyi a look. "Am I that kind of person? I wouldn’t do that. These are New Year gifts from Cheng Chen. You have some too, on the cabinet in your room."
"Oh," Zhu Yanyi nodded. "You can look at them."
Zhu Yanli looked at Zhu Yanyi. "Why don’t you read them? I’ve read them, and they’re very good. One even has colorful pictures." Zhu Yanli never felt jealous in this regard, which was why Zhu Yanyi liked her sister. She had few calculations in her heart.
"I don’t have time to read," Zhu Yanyi said helplessly. "Grandpa gave me lots of homework. I need to study many things, or I won’t be able to answer when Grandpa tests me next time."
"Ani, you are so pitiful." Zhu Yanli knew Zhu Yanyi had to learn many things every day. Although she also studied music extra, she wasn’t as busy as Zhu Yanyi.
"I don’t find it hard," Zhu Yanyi said, her eyes bright. "I am still young, so I should learn more while I am small. It will be good for my future."
Hearing Zhu Yanyi’s words, Zhu Yanli felt deeply admiring. Her sister was indeed someone favored by the Bodhisattva, smarter than herself. "I want to learn many things too, but I can’t."
"Didn’t Qiang Jin Jiu say, 'Heaven has made us talents, we’re not useless'? Everyone in this world is talented. We just don’t know what we are good at at first. So we must discover our strengths to become useful people," Zhu Yanyi said, looking like a teacher.