Chapter 167: From Now On, She Has a Family of Her Own
Chapter 167: Chapter 167: From Now On, She Has a Family of Her Own
"Fortunately, I finally got something about my birth mother. Although I don’t know if what they said is true, at least I have something to hold onto." Fu Xiaoxiao smiled with relief. She actually won’t go looking for her real family, but having her birth mother’s things can keep her clear-headed and prevent her from being deceived by the Fu Family’s false affections.
"Don’t hold onto any thoughts like that anymore. From now on, you’re my real sister. If they don’t want you, then I do!" Chen Xiu tightly held Fu Xiaoxiao’s hand and wouldn’t let go, looking at her with sympathy.
"You should know I’m not joking. I’m serious with you." Chen Xiu said earnestly to Fu Xiaoxiao. "The whole family has agreed on this, even my parents gave their approval."
"Huh?" Fu Xiaoxiao always thought it was just polite words.
"I knew you thought we were just being polite, but I’m telling you, we’re not. You know Mom’s personality, our family never speaks falsely." Chen Xiu sincerely looked at Fu Xiaoxiao. "In our hearts, you’re already a member of the Chen Family."
"In the future, if anything happens, just tell us, we’ll stand up for you, really! If you don’t believe it, tomorrow I’ll help you ask, Mom will definitely say ’Of course.’" Hearing Fu Xiaoxiao’s background, Chen Xiu felt deeply pained.
Unexpectedly, such a cheerful Fu Xiaoxiao has had such experiences, yet she’s still so kind-hearted.
"Hurry up and sleep! It’s too late now." Without waiting for Fu Xiaoxiao to respond, Chen Xiu patted her, urging her to go to sleep.
Just as Fu Xiaoxiao wanted to say something, she noticed Chen Xiu had already closed her eyes, as if she was asleep.
Slowly closing her eyes, feeling the wave of fatigue, Fu Xiaoxiao fell asleep.
The next morning, when Fu Xiaoxiao woke up, Chen Xiu was already nowhere to be found.
When she got up, she saw the Chen Family was bustling as if they were preparing for a celebration, colorful decorations everywhere, a few aunties were killing chickens, Chen Hao was moving tables, even several children were helping out.
Fu Xiaoxiao was stunned, she hadn’t heard of any major event being held?
"You’re awake? Come, this is the pumpkin porridge Mom made for you this morning, try it and see if it’s good." Seeing Fu Xiaoxiao awake, Chen Xiu brought over a bowl of pumpkin soup with a smile, encouraging her to eat.
"Sister Chen Xiu, is there a celebration at home?" Fu Xiaoxiao obediently sat down, curiously asked.
Chen Xiu was stunned for a moment and laughed.
"Yes! It’s quite a big event! It’s related to our Chen Family." Chen Xiu blinked at Fu Xiaoxiao.
"What is it?" Fu Xiaoxiao drank two mouthfuls of porridge, asked. "Are you getting married again?"
"What are you saying, you little girl! I just escaped from a nightmare, I’m not jumping back in." Chen Xiu patted Fu Xiaoxiao’s head, forbidding her from cursing her, she really doesn’t want to remarry.
"Did Second Brother find someone? Is today the engagement?" Fu Xiaoxiao thought again, if it’s not Chen Xiu, then is it Chen Hao?
"No, no, no, don’t scare me, I don’t have anyone I fancy." Chen Hao heard Fu Xiaoxiao’s words as he set up the table, immediately denying it, he doesn’t want to settle down with just anyone.
"Then..." Fu Xiaoxiao couldn’t think of anything else that would warrant such a big event.
Seeing Fu Xiaoxiao’s confused and puzzled look, Chen Xiu and Chen Hao laughed.
"Dad, Mom."
The two called Li Yanan and Chen Chuan over.
"What’s up? We’re busy!" Li Yanan frowned as she came over, asking what was going on with Chen Xiu.
"Xiaoxiao asked what’s the good day today, with all these decorations?" Chen Xiu blinked at Li Yanan, laughingly asked.
"Silly girl, did you forget you promised yesterday to become my goddaughter? This is the recognition ceremony! After this banquet, you’ll be my goddaughter." Li Yanan lowered her head to meet Fu Xiaoxiao’s curious eyes, couldn’t help but laugh.
"I thought it was just a simple meal with the family..." Fu Xiaoxiao hadn’t forgotten, but she thought the recognition ceremony was just a family sitting down together for a meal.
Why is it like a wedding, with red decorations everywhere?
"You can’t treat it so casually, you’re our little girl, it must be done properly." Li Yanan said seriously, patting Fu Xiaoxiao’s head.
"It’s really not necessary..." Fu Xiaoxiao froze, wanting to stop it.
"Just sit here comfortably, don’t worry about the rest, we’ll handle it." Li Yanan said to Fu Xiaoxiao, then returned to her spot where she was slaughtering chickens.
"Sit." Chen Chuan looked at Fu Xiaoxiao, indicated for her not to get up, then he returned to continue working.
Fu Xiaoxiao was a bit at a loss, it was the first time someone was throwing such a big banquet for her...
Just to welcome her as part of the family?
More and more villagers came to help, seemingly everyone knew the Chen Family and Fu Xiaoxiao were about to become one family, each one congratulated and then found work to do.
The unified effort resulted in great efficiency.
What was planned to take all day, ended up being prepared in just half a day.
The small courtyard was packed, everyone had curious and joyful expressions on their faces.
In the courtyard, several round tables were filled with home-grown peanuts, melon seeds, and bowls of tea in coarse porcelain, everyone could take a bowl.
As Fu Xiaoxiao was led to Li Yanan and Chen Chuan, the tips of her fingers trembled nervously.
The village’s highly respected Uncle Chen stepped forward to host, looked at Chen Chuan and Li Yanan, then turned his gaze to Fu Xiaoxiao, speaking loudly.
"Today, we’re holding a recognition ceremony for this child, Li Yanan and Chen Chuan will form a godparent relationship with Fu Xiaoxiao, everyone is here to witness."
Under everyone’s gaze, Li Yanan and Chen Chuan stood in the center of the courtyard looking at Fu Xiaoxiao, she looked at Fu Xiaoxiao affectionately, with a maternal glow in her eyes, began to speak.
"Xiaoxiao, from the first moment I saw you, auntie has adored you immensely. Today we’re becoming godfamily, from now on, no matter what difficulties you face, auntie will back you up. From now on, this is your home!"
Fu Xiaoxiao received the tea Chen Xiu handed to her, eyes slightly red, slowly walked in front of the two, ready to kneel down.
"Don’t kneel, don’t kneel, just stand." Li Yanan, feeling sorry for Fu Xiaoxiao, wouldn’t let her kneel for anything.
"Auntie, from the first time I saw you, I’ve hoped to have a mother like you. I envy Sister Chen Xiu for having such a good mother. I’m very happy to join your big family, thank you for giving me a home." Fu Xiaoxiao sincerely thanked Li Yanan, having never felt so valued before.
Li Yanan might have only seen her twice, yet she felt as close as if they’d known each other forever, being with them was truly comforting.
She thought her life wouldn’t change, yet unexpectedly, here, she had a new family.
"You’re a good child; them not wanting you is their loss. From now on, Mom will love you." After hearing about Fu Xiaoxiao’s background from Chen Xiu, Li Yanan decisively decided to hold this recognition ceremony, letting everyone know she wanted to accept Fu Xiaoxiao as her little girl, giving her a full sense of ceremony.
"Godmother." Fu Xiaoxiao, with eyes red from emotion, was embraced in Li Yanan’s arms.
The warmth of a mother’s embrace was something entirely new.