Chapter 194: Moving to a New Home!

The next day was Saturday, and the whole family was unusually at home.

Li Huijuan prepared a huge spread to celebrate the successful launch of the hair‑binding ceremony and also Jiang Jiaojiao's pregnancy.

Yan Shen and Jiang Jiaojiao also came over; although Jiang Jiaojiao was still in the prenatal period, the doctor said moderate walking was fine.

The atmosphere at the dining table was lively.

"Sister, how have you been feeling these past few days?" Su Ruan asked.

"Much better," Jiang Jiaojiao said, her complexion noticeably rosier. "I just keep craving sour things; Yan Shen is almost a professional regular at the pickled‑vegetable restaurant."

Yan Shen smiled as he passed a dish to his wife: "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

Jinjin and An'an, upon seeing their aunt, circled around her belly.

"When will the little sister be born?" An'an asked.

"It'll still be a while," Jiang Jiaojiao patted her little face. "When the sister arrives, she'll play with An'an."

"Then I'll… tell stories to the sister," An'an said earnestly.

Jinjin was more concerned with the practical matter: "What… what name will the sister have?"

The adults all laughed. Yan Shen said, "We haven't decided yet. Jinjin, do you have any suggestions?"

Jinjin thought seriously for a moment and said, "Call her… Xiao Hua."

"Why name her Xiao Hua?"

"Because… flowers are pretty," Jinjin replied, her logic very simple.

That cute answer made the adults laugh even more.

After the meal, the children went to play with toys while the adults sat in the living room drinking tea.

Jiang Ran glanced at Su Ruan, received her approving look, cleared his throat, and said, "Dad, Mom, Grandma, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Jiang Jianguo set down his teacup.

"We'd like… to ask you to move in and live with us," Jiang Ran said straight to the point. "It's not temporary; it's a long‑term arrangement."

The words caused the living room to fall silent for a few seconds.

Li Huijuan was the first to react: "Move in? Then what about Hu Tong…"

"The old shop in Hu Tong is looked after by a disciple of Wang Shifu, so you and Dad can just visit occasionally," Su Ruan continued. "The main consideration is that the company is here now, and Jinjin's and An'an's kindergarten is also here; if you move in, the whole family will be together and can look after each other."

She paused, then looked at Jiang Nainai: "Also, the apartments here have elevators, making it easy for you to go up and down. The complex has a garden where you can stroll and chat with other seniors."

Jiang Nainai listened quietly the whole time, then slowly spoke: "I'm old and nostalgic. I've lived in Hu Tong all my life; the neighbors are all familiar…"

"Grandma, I know you're reluctant to leave," Jiang Ran crouched beside her, took her hand, "but think about it: if you're here, Jinjin and An'an can see Great‑grandmother every day."

"Moreover, the environment here is good for your health; there's an elevator, so you don't have to climb stairs."

Jiang Jianguo mused, "Moving in… isn't impossible. It's just that this house is a bit small, right? With so many of us…"

"We plan to get a bigger one," Jiang Ran said immediately. "We're already looking at houses—four‑bedroom or five‑bedroom units, enough for everyone."

"If you agree, we'll all go look at houses together and pick one everyone likes."

Yan Shen spoke up then: "Dad, Mom, I think Ranran's and RuanRuan's suggestion is great. A family living together can look after each other. And since Jiang Jiaojiao is pregnant, if Mom comes, she can also help with care."

Jiang Jiaojiao also nodded: "Exactly! Mom, please agree. If you're here, I can still come over for meals often."

Li Huijuan was swayed, looked at her husband: "Jianguo, what do you think?"

Jiang Jianguo thought for a moment, then looked at his mother: "Mom, what's your opinion?"

Everyone's gaze focused on Jiang Nainai.

The elder remained silent for a long while before slowly saying, "These old bones of mine are the same wherever I go. But… being able to see Jinjin and An'an every day, and watch Jiang Jiaojiao's child be born… that's also nice."

Those words amounted to consent.

Jiang Ran's eyes lit up: "So Grandma has agreed?"

Jiang Nainai nodded, a kindly smile appearing on her face: "I agree, but there's one condition!"

"Every now and then, I'll need to go back to Hu Tong to visit and chat with my old sisters."

"Of course!" Jiang Ran said happily, "When the time comes I'll drive you there, and you can return whenever you wish."

Li Huijuan and Jiang Jianguo exchanged glances and both smiled: "Alright, then we'll move in."

"Great!" Su Ruan grasped her mother‑in‑law's hand excitedly, "Mom, thank you both."

"Thank what?" Li Huijuan patted her hand, "A family should be together from the start."

And so the matter was settled.

In the next few days, the whole family began busying themselves with house‑hunting and moving.

They finally chose a five‑bedroom unit in the same complex, on a low floor with good lighting and a fairly large balcony.

Jiang Nainai especially liked that balcony; she said she could plant flowers there.

On moving day, the old neighbors from Hu Tong all came to see them off.

"Old Jiang, moving away?"

"Moving to live with my son, going to enjoy a happy life!"

"Remember to come back often!"

Jiang Jianguo and Li Huijuan responded one by one, feeling both reluctant and hopeful.

The most reluctant to leave was Jiang Nainai.

She stood for a long time under the old locust tree at Hu Tongkou before Jiang Ran helped her into the car.

"Grandma, if you want to come back, I'll bring you anytime," Jiang Ran promised.

"Got it," Jiang Nainai patted her grandson's hand, "Let's go to the new home."

In the new house, Su Ruan had already set things up.

Jiang Nainai's room was on the first floor, with a private bathroom, convenient for an elder's daily life.

Jiang Jianguo and Li Huijuan's room is on the second floor, next to the children's room.

The master bedroom is on the third floor, belonging to Jiang Ran and Su Ruan.

In the evening, the family sat in the new house's dining room and ate the first meal.

Jinjin and An'an excitedly ran from room to room, exploring every corner of the new home.

"Grandma, your room… has flowers!"

An'an took Jiang Nainai by the hand to look at the potted plant on the balcony, which Su Ruan had prepared especially.

Jiang Nainai looked at the vibrant green plants and smiled, "Good, good. This balcony is nice; it gets sunshine."

Jiang Jianguo and Li Huijuan were also getting familiar with the new environment.

The kitchen is larger than Hu Tong's, and the equipment is new.

The living room is spacious and bright, and the sofa is soft and comfortable.

"This house… is really nice," Jiang Jianguo praised, unusually.

"Dad, as long as you like it," Jiang Ran said with a smile, "From now on, our family will live here."

After dinner, the family sat in the living room watching TV.

Jinjin and An'an snuggled beside Great-grandmother, listening to her tell stories.

Su Ruan and Jiang Ran stood by the dining room's window, watching the scene.

"Wife, we have a new home again," Jiang Ran put his arm around her shoulder.

"Mm." Su Ruan leaned in his embrace, "A truly complete home."

On the first night after moving, the new home was filled with a warm and bustling atmosphere.

Jiang Jianguo and Li Huijuan were still sorting the last few boxes of items brought from Hu Tong.

Most were old photos, souvenirs, and the tea set that Jiang Nainai had used for half a lifetime.

"Mom, where should this go?" Jiang Ran said, carrying a box of books up from downstairs, a thin sweat beading on his forehead.

"Put it in the study," Li Huijuan directed, "Be careful; those are all your dad's treasures."

The study was a special request of Jiang Jianguo.

Although not large, it has a full‑wall bookshelf against the wall and a spacious desk.

Jiang Ran set the box down, wiping his sweat, "Dad, these books will keep you occupied for several years."

Jiang Jianguo carefully placed a yellowed photo album on the shelf, and upon hearing that, smiled, "Some books have been with me all my life; I can't bear to throw them away."