Chapter 836: Return

“The young master may not have returned, but his gifts have arrived, including the presents for guests before and after the New Year, as well as the pastries and fruits at home.

He always instructs the subordinates of Nan’s to handle these, arranging everything quite properly.”

Elder Nan snorted coldly, “Nonsense, every year he stores my gifts at The Antique Shop, and when the holidays come, he just randomly picks one to fool me.

That little rascal Jiaojiao is even worse, doesn’t even have a gift.”

“Didn’t Miss Jiaojiao give a gift in person every year—”

Halfway through the sentence, Uncle Qiu realized something was wrong and immediately stopped talking.

Giving a gift in person, but the person never showed up, how could it have been handed over directly?

The old man’s mood was already a bit gloomy, and bringing this up was just like stabbing him in the heart.

“Forget it, forget it.”

The old man adjusted the position of his fishing rod, half-laying down.

Uncle Qiu changed the subject, “Why don’t I go move the fire over here, grab some pastries and fruit.

Isn’t it true you love brewing tea by the fire?”

“There’s just the two of us old folks, what’s the point of doing all that?”

“Who said it’s just Grandpa and Uncle Qiu?”

A sudden clear, graceful voice of a girl came from behind.

Elder Nan was momentarily stunned and turned around sharply.

“Old Qiu—”

He wanted to sit up, but his back didn’t support him well, so he lay back down.

He raised his hand to find support from Uncle Qiu while hurriedly saying, “Quick, have a look, am I hallucinating?”

Uncle Qiu also saw Nan Jiaojiao, and the two exchanged a look.

Uncle Qiu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly turned back to help Elder Nan up.

“It’s Miss, it really is Miss, she’s back.”

“Is that my Jiaojiao?”

Elder Nan struggled to stand up, perhaps too excited, he couldn’t seem to get a proper grip, tried to leverage the recliner, never expecting his sweaty palms to slip.

His head was about to fall down, but luckily Nan Jiaojiao quickly stepped forward, just in time to support him.

“Grandpa,” Nan Jiaojiao squatted down, looking up with a smile that curved her eyes, “it’s me, I’ve returned.”

“Jiaojiao, my Jiaojiao—”

The old man cupped Nan Jiaojiao’s face and scrutinized it intensely, wishing to see every feature clearly, even weighing the few ounces of flesh she might have gained.

Seeing she was well and hadn’t lost weight, but her face remained petite, with clear cheekbones and no extra flesh, made him feel immediate heartache.

“You went away looking fine, how come you come back this thin?”

The old man held Nan Jiaojiao’s face, looking from side to side, “Which monster on the road did you encounter that drained you of your essence and blood?”

Nan Jiaojiao couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “Grandpa, what TV dramas have you been watching recently?”

“Ah, I watched that one, with the fox with nine tails, and…

mind your own business!”

Before finishing, the old man suddenly realized how he ended up chatting with Nan Jiaojiao like this.

How embarrassing!

“Weren’t you refusing to come back?

The New Year is over, what did you come back for, putting on a show?”

Elder Nan pulled back his hands and crossed his arms, turning his face the other way, sulking and refusing to acknowledge her.

“I was delayed by something, but I’m back now, aren’t I.”

Nan Jiaojiao moved forward, lightly poking Elder Nan’s knee with her finger, “There’s still the Lantern Festival, right?”

Elder Nan stole a glance at her and pinched the fingers hidden under his armpit.

There was still a week to go before the Lantern Festival.

He immediately turned back and grabbed Nan Jiaojiao’s hand, “You said it, you’ll stay until the Lantern Festival before leaving.”

Nan Jiaojiao nodded sweetly, “Alright.”

“Xiao Qiu, did you hear that?

Quickly, bring up the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, and the roasted sweet potatoes and roasted chestnuts the little girl likes.

Weren’t you going to move the stove?

Bring everything over, and the small persimmons I saved a few days ago, bring a few over too.”