Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 136.2

Meanwhile, Song Tan and Qiao Qiao were already on their way to Song Hongmei’s house.

Song Hongmei was running her street stall in a nearby alley. She was scraping the last bits of white batter from the bucket with a large spoon and spreading it on the smooth round pan. The spatula spun around, and a round egg pancake started to take shape.

A regular customer passing by noticed and asked curiously, “Why does it look like you’re packing up so early today?”

The side dishes on the table were all gone.

He checked the time — it was only ten o’clock.

Usually, Song Hongmei wouldn’t start closing up until around half-past ten. But today, for the sake of her niece and nephew, she was willing to sacrifice some earnings!

Although she wouldn’t sell many more pancakes in the late morning anyway, every penny counted!

She felt a brief pang of regret over her sacrifice, but then quickly cut the last egg pancake, packed it in a disposable paper box, and handed it over:

“Yes, I have something to do this morning, so I’m closing early.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed some familiar faces at the entrance of the alley.

Song Hongmei immediately beamed, “Your timing is perfect!”

She quickly put the bucket and other items back onto her small cart and was about to push it home when Song Tan quickly walked over, glanced her up and down, and said without hesitation, “Aunt, step aside, let me push it.”

Then, lifting the handlebar, she effortlessly pushed it a long distance. Hongmei froze for a moment, then felt a surge of pride.

“I told you, with your strength, even if Qiao Qiao doesn’t learn much, you can surely pick up a few skills from Seventh Granduncle when it comes to cooking!”

That’s enough.

Song Tan knew her own limits.

She was the type who just wanted to eat without doing the hard work.

…

The residential area where Song Hongmei lived had been around for quite some time. When it was built, owning a bicycle was a source of pride, so there was a separate section in the courtyard specifically for parking bicycles.

Now, Song Tan pushed the cart into the area, and Song Hongmei removed her apron and said, “Let’s go! I’ll take you to see Seventh Granduncle—no need to bring anything; I gave him a bunch of locust flowers last night.”

Noticing that Qiao Qiao was still holding a tote bag, she nodded approvingly, “I meant I didn’t need to bring anything, but it’s good you brought something. It doesn’t matter what it is, it’s the thought that counts. Seventh Granduncle will surely be happy.”

Then she proudly added, “That’s my smart niece!”

Song Tan thought to herself that this was why, despite Song Hongmei being stingy, people liked her—no one could stay completely rational under such flattering praise.

The residential area where Seventh Granduncle lived was just across the street from Song Hongmei’s old apartment. After crossing the road and entering through the side gate, they soon reached Seventh Granduncle’s place.

At that moment, the old man was pacing back and forth in the room, occasionally sticking his head out to look downstairs.

Seventh Granduncle’s wife was calmly folding paper boxes while teasing him, “If you’re in such a hurry, just call Hongmei and ask what time they’re coming instead of pacing around like that… At your age, you should be more composed.”

As soon as she finished speaking, they heard a knock on the door.

Seventh Granduncle’s face lit up with joy, not even bothering to explain that he wasn’t anxious.

His hand almost touched the doorknob, but he quickly stopped and composed himself.

He folded his hands behind his back, turned around twice, as if trying to maintain his dignity, before finally reaching out and turning the doorknob.

Outside, Song Hongmei stood with two young people — the girl was remarkably beautiful!

Then he looked at the boy behind her, tall and slender, with an earnest gaze. When their eyes met, the boy smiled broadly—

Oh, what a charming smile!

Nobody knew whether Seventh Granduncle was impressed, but Seventh Granduncle’s wife couldn’t wait to invite them in. She offered candies and snacks while pushing aside the half-folded paper boxes.

“Seventh Granduncle, Seventh Granduncle’s wife, sorry to disturb you suddenly. We didn’t know what you like, so we brought some of our homemade tea leaves and honey,” Song Tan explained as she placed the tote bag on the table.

With two such lovely and well-behaved kids, who cared about tea leaves and honey?!

Seventh Granduncle’s wife eagerly sat them down, while Qiao Qiao pointed to the half-folded paper boxes in front of them:

“What are these?”

Seventh Granduncle’s wife chuckled and replied:

“There are too many flyers handed out in the streets, so I fold them into small paper boxes in my spare time. It’s convenient for holding bones or fish bones while eating, or for shelling sunflower seeds.”

“Oh.”

Qiao Qiao only half understood, picking up a colorful flyer and glancing at it — there were too many words he didn’t fully recognize, so he focused on the pictures for a moment before earnestly starting to fold it like Seventh Granduncle’s wife.