Chapter 556: Chapter 542: When Something Is Unusual, There Must Be a Reason!

There’s no denying it: a big household cleaning is truly exhausting!

But then!

Thanks to having such a sweet and hardworking little helper like Xuanxuan, not only does Huang Tao not feel a bit of tiredness, but his heart is also full of warmth and ripples of joy.

He really, really hopes these beautiful moments together can flow slower, allowing him to accompany little Xuanxuan for a long, long time.

Love her!

Spoil her!

Protect her!

Forever...

By noon, all the rooms were finally cleaned spotlessly by the family.

Huang Tao naturally took on most of the work, with Huang Yide and his wife coming in second.

Of course.

Little Xuanxuan’s efforts were not small either.

She cleaned the coffee table and wooden sofa all by herself!

Much better compared to Mimi, who even needs an excuse to laze around while being cute!

After finishing up, Huang Tao tidied up a bit before collapsing onto the sofa.

He had been working all morning and was indeed pretty tired.

Honestly, this cleaning was no easier than cooking...

"Tao, Xuanxuan."

Seeing how Huang Tao had been working so hard for so long, Song Cailian felt very sorry for him. Thinking that he must be tired and hungry by now, she lovingly asked, "Are you hungry? What would you like to eat for lunch? I’ll make it for you."

Xuanxuan sweetly smiled, "Grandma, anything is fine. I love everything you cook!"

What a perfect way to show support!

Hearing her beloved granddaughter’s words, Song Cailian couldn’t have been more delighted.

Huang Tao, thinking that his mom should also take a good rest after all that work, smiled and suggested, "Mom, why don’t I do it? You’ve been busy all morning too."

Song Cailian promptly declined his suggestion, "No need, I’m not tired at all. I’ll cook!"

"Ah, you’ve been busy all morning. You must be tired too. How about we eat out or order some...?"

Wanting his mom not to overwork, Huang Tao suggested, but before he could finish, his mom interrupted him, "Eating out means all that running around and it’s tiring! Plus, outside food isn’t as hygienic as what’s made at home, especially takeout..."

Huang Tao: "..."

"Alright mom, just make something simple, the simpler, the better!"

Song Cailian suggested, "Then let’s have noodles for lunch! How about ginger scallion noodles? Your dad happened to buy fresh shrimp and clams from the market in the morning."

Huang Tao gladly agreed, "Sure! Haven’t had your ginger scallion noodles in a while, I miss them!"

"Mm-hmm, I also want to eat grandma’s ginger scallion noodles."

Naturally, Xuanxuan was also craving her grandma’s specialty!

"Alright, just wait, I’ll make them for you."

Saying so, she went into the kitchen to start cooking.

Meanwhile, Huang Tao sat on the sofa for a little rest.

But then!

His shoulders felt a bit sore!

He couldn’t help but reach over to knock on his own back with his hand.

Seeing this, little Xuanxuan quickly volunteered, "Papa, let me pat your back for you..."

Before Huang Tao could respond, the little one clenched her little fists and gently patted Huang Tao’s back.

Well, she was actually doing it quite properly!

It felt nice!

Huang Tao’s lips naturally curved into a happy smile, "Xuanxuan, where did you learn this?"

With a face full of pride, Xuanxuan said, "I saw grandma patting grandpa’s back like this. I’ve even patted grandma’s back and she praised me for being good!"

"Mm!"

Huang Tao nodded approvingly, "My Xuanxuan is indeed very good!"

"Hehe~"

Xuanxuan’s eyes curved with a shallow dimple.

After a few pats, Xuanxuan leaned over and asked beside Huang Tao’s ear, "Papa, does this feel good?"

"It feels good, very good..."

Huang Tao simply leaned over on the sofa armrest to make it easier for Xuanxuan to continue patting, "If you could use a bit more strength, it would be even better."

"Mm-hmm~"

Receiving instruction, Xuanxuan increased her strength and patted more earnestly.

It was not only rhythmic, but the pressure was also just right.

It really was extremely comfortable!

Although it couldn’t compare to a professional masseur, this sweet feeling is something no professional could possibly provide.

Xuanxuan’s little fists tapping on his back truly brought comfort to his heart.

It couldn’t be sweeter!

"All done!"

After a few minutes of patting, Huang Tao didn’t want his precious daughter to tire herself out, so he sat up and gently said, "Xuanxuan, daddy’s shoulders aren’t sore anymore, you don’t need to pat anymore."

Xuanxuan nodded obediently, "Alright!"

"Papa, if your shoulders feel sore again next time, just let me know, and I’ll pat for you again."

"Okay!"

Huang Tao reached out and hugged her, planting a kiss on her soft little cheek, "My Xuanxuan is the best!"

Buzzbuzz!

At this moment, the phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated twice.

A message had come in.

He picked up the phone, and it was a message in the family group chat.

Auntie: Cailian, did Tao come back to the hometown with you?

As soon as this message appeared, his uncle, who was usually silent in the group, immediately agreed and asked.

Uncle: Yes, did Tao go back to the hometown, Cailian?

Huang Tao saw this and was puzzled.

In previous years, the family group chat was always quiet at this time of year, only becoming lively during New Year’s Eve when everyone was snatching red envelopes.

Why were they suddenly inquiring if he had come back home this year?

He sensed something unusual must be happening!

He replied in bewilderment: Auntie, Uncle, I came back yesterday afternoon with mom and dad. Anything you need?

Auntie: "Oh, it’s nothing, just thinking that if your family’s back, we could spend New Year’s Eve together this year?"

Uncle: "I had the same idea! We were thinking of coming to your place on New Year’s Eve to hang out and have some fun."

Huang Tao looked at the messages, slightly surprised!

Every year, his mom would invite his uncle or auntie to spend New Year’s Eve at their place, but they always politely declined.

Why the sudden change this year?

They were even proactively suggesting spending New Year’s Eve at his house?

Since they wanted to come, Huang Tao certainly wouldn’t go against their wishes.

He nodded and agreed, "Sure!"

Auntie: Tao, will you be the one cooking on New Year’s Eve?

Huang Tao: "..."

Now he understood!

His uncle and auntie craved his cooking skills!

He joked, "Auntie, my mom has always been the one cooking on New Year’s Eve at our house."

Auntie: "..."

Uncle: "..."

They wondered if it was too late to regret their decision.

Huang Tao: "Uncle, Auntie, just kidding! I’ll also be cooking a few dishes, otherwise, it would be too much for my mom to prepare a whole table of dishes by herself."

Huang Tao: "You can come over then!"

With these words, Auntie and Uncle were as happy as a 200-pound joyful person.

Suddenly feeling like they were in for a culinary treat!

"Tao, Xuanxuan, the noodles are ready, come and eat!"

Song Cailian called out as she finished cooking the noodles.

"Okay, coming!"

Huang Tao brought Xuanxuan to the dining room, washing hands together and relayed Auntie and Uncle’s message to his mom.

As her own siblings were coming to her house for New Year’s Eve, she was naturally glad.

Then, the family sat around the dining table and enjoyed the seafood ginger scallion noodles.

As soon as a mouthful of seafood ginger scallion soup went down, Huang Tao felt like all the meridians in his body were opened; it was a comforting bowl in the cold autumn and winter!

This spoonful included sausage, pork cracklings, clams, razor clams, large shrimp, dried shrimp, egg skin, and so on, with about seven or eight ingredients, flavors complementing each other without overshadowing any other ingredient, everything was just right.

And the strong ginger flavor instantly wafted into the nostrils, the pungent ginger scent dancing on the rich broth, with the hair-thin noodles absorbing that ginger essence, wave after wave of ginger aroma made Huang Tao feel just so satisfied!

He thought if given the chance, he must learn this from his mom someday.

Just wondering, could he successfully complete a hidden system task?

He harbors a hopeful anticipation!