[She let the vegetables cook and turned around to face him with a sad expression.]

How come you still remember this? I mean...it was never anything special and definitely not one of the nicer dishes..

Alright, dear. Sit down while I make them, okay?

[She smiled at him and got to preparing the buns and the sugar for the tanghulu.]

[She pinched his cheek, calling him cheeky and moved back to work on the other ingredients but not before patting E-Ming. It was very much like the five year old Hong'er.]

Can I ask you something?

[She smiled at him and shook her head.]

You never boss around. C'mon, you can help me with the chopping.

[She had dreamt of a day like this, that was what kept her going all those years ago. The hope that one day she would be able to see her son grown up.]

he was a Chengzhu made her feel a barrage of emotions.]

with how little money she had with her husband keeping all of it, she used to make it with things she had foraged in the forest and leftover vegetables and occasionally meat. The fact that he still remembered it and wanted to have it again, although now
+

A-Cheng?

[Looking at his expression, it was almost as if nothing had changed. He was still cheeky with a cute expression which she could never deny.]

Of course, dear. I will make it right now

[She smiled at him and went to the kitchen to prepare the soup. It was not anything special, in fact +

What do you want to eat? I can make it for you.

I am not sure eating a mountain is a good idea, however, I can make some food for you.

[She gasped at the earrings. They were gorgeous, and the fact Xie Lian had cared to not only make it from silver but add the butterflies as well, made her heart swell with gratitude.]

Thank you so much A-Lian...they are beautiful.

[She drew the other in a hug.]

[She felt her heart sink at the words. She regretted not being able to be here much quicker.]

I won't go again. Promise.

I won't leave again, Hong'er. I promise.

[She tried to protest but the other had already placed the package in her hands so she sighed and accepted it. She didn't want to show it but the fact that she was receiving a gift was heartwarming.]

Thank you, A-Lian..

[She smiled and began to open it]

A-Lian?

[She smiled at the other]

How have you been, dear? There was no need for a gift...but thank you.

[Typical asian mother response💀]

I'm so sorry I was gone for so long baobei.

[She hugged him tighter.]