The winter passed and before anyone knew it, Spring came. The trees had soft green leaves peeking out. Sprout tentatively raised their head out of the ground. Xiao Jian carefully laid out his plans for his school. With inputs from all his friends and especially Qing-er, the project no longer seemed as daunting. Huang Shang was very pleased with the progress and freely gave land to build a new property for the school. Spring also brought another important event; everyone was busy with spring cleaning and preparation for Er Tai and Sai Ya's homecoming. The day before they were suppose to return, everyone met at Hui Bin Lo. XJ and Qing-er were of course happy to be in each other's company.

LQ: "So, Er Tai's coming home tomorrow?"

EK: "Yes!"

LH: "I hear Sai Ya is just like our XYZ."

ZW: "Yes, she is. I think we'll have plenty of entertainment soon."

XYZ laughed: "But you're thankful for us still. Or else your life would be so boring!"

YQ: "That's right XYZ, we would have missed a lot of laughter without you."

XJ: "Oh? Just like XYZ? Then I'll have to meet this princess."

EK: "Of course you will. Er Tai said in his last letter that he was looking forward to meeting you."

Qing-er: "Last time I saw Er Tai, he was Wu A Ge's study buddy. And now, he's a father! It's hard to imagine."

ZW: "I know. Last time I saw Sai Ya, she and XYZ were racing and now she's a mother!"

JS: "I think we'll have to get to know her better. We weren't exactly best friends last time."

LQ: "Our family just seems to be getting bigger!"

Next Day

Finally, the big day arrived. The whole court, including all the Niang Niang's, A Ge's, and Ge Ge's stood ready to welcome Er Tai and Sai Ya with all the pomp and circumstances befitting a prince and princess. With all manner of ceremony, Er Tai and Sai Ya stepped out of their carriage, followed closely by their daughter and her nanny.

Er Tai + Sai Ya greeted together: "Huang Shang wan sui wan sui wan wan sui!"

Huang Shang laughed: "Er Tai! You've finally come home. Sai Ya, welcome back! (gesturing to EK and ZW, who were standing together) Your brother and his wife have been preparing for this day."

ET: "ZW! Congratulations! I'm honored to have you as a sister at last."

SY: "You are my sister too!"

EK and ZW beamed.

All of a sudden, XYZ said, "SY! You'd better be good to ZW, she is my sworn sister and therefore under my protection."

SY: "HZGG, I see time has not changed you."

HS: "ET, SY, you two have missed out on the weddings. We are all a family now and zhen expects everyone to behave that way. XYZ and YQ, ZW and EK's stories will have to wait. Now, let the festivities begin!"

Because it was ET and SY's homecoming, EK, ZW, YQ, and XYZ decided to make family the center of the festival. The show opened with ZW and EK singing a song of welcome, and then proceeded to XYZ's act. She had given much thought to what she would do and decided on something she had failed once before. Sword in hand, she recited a poem about family and friendship that Qing-er had written. In the audience, ET turned in surprise to YQ as he remembered the disastrous results of YQ's idea to teach XYZ poetry before HS allowed her to join the country inspection tour. YQ grinned back and then turned back to watch his wife with a look of pride on his face. LFY also nodded in approval at how XYZ channeled her energy and obsession with fighting into an acceptable art form. Right at the end of XYZ's act, YQ surprised the spectators by flying out of his seat and tossing a 'xiao' at XYZ. With a series of elaborate tumbles, XYZ exchanged her sword for the instrument. Playing a few simple notes, she nevertheless made them sound beautiful. Suddenly, her song grew more spirited, and XJ arrived in a mock fight with YQ. EK joined them in a re-creation of what had happened once in real life, though this time without the animosity and misunderstanding. A strum on her 'qin' by ZW brought the fight to an end. As the guys exchanged bows, Qing-er walked smiling onto stage, holding a sign saying simply 'Welcome Home.'

All the performances had been simple, but because they came from the heart, they were better than anything hired professionals could have accomplished.

As all the performers bowed to the thundering applause that followed, HS stood up and laughed his booming laugh: "XYZ, ZW, EK, YQ, Qing-er, XJ, you children outdid yourselves. Never have zhen seen such spectacular performances. XYZ, especially you. Zhen is so proud of this family!"

The meal that followed was filled with laughter, reminiscing, and good food. Al the young people sat at one large round table. After he was introduced to XJ, ET said, "You are XYZ's brother?" Looking around at everyone, he noted: "I see you guys have some stories to tell! Up to new adventures without me?"

XYZ replied; "Of course! ET, you missed a lot!"

ZW: "XYZ, don't start now, you'll never finish the tale today."

YQ: "Yes, it's way too complicated."

EK: "So it is. But ET, know this, our family has just gotten bigger. Qing-er and XJ are now part of it."

ET: "Qing-er? Oh wow! I haven't seen you in years…didn't you and my brother…"

EK kicked his younger brother sharply beneath the table, but XJ caught the last part of ET's words and looked curiously at Qing-er.

SY noted her husband's slight wince and quickly asked: "Where's Jin Suo? She was always with you all."

ZW, grateful for the subject change, replied: "Oh, she's married to Liu Qing now."

XJ decided to pursue the topic with Qing-er in private and added: "Yes, not only that, but they're expecting their first child this fall!"

ET: "Really?"

Qing-er took advantage of the topic change and turned towards XYZ: "Uh-oh, XYZ, maybe you better tell the stories. We've dumped so much on ET and SY, and this is just their first day back!" Everyone laughed and the rest of the meal XYZ embarked on the beginning of the stories. She had just gotten to the part about 'ni shi feng er, wo shi sha' when HS joined them.

HS: "XYZ, zhen see you're bringing ET and SY up to date. However, it's getting late, and they must be tired. No doubt they want to check on their daughter too. It's time they went home."

XYZ: "Shi, HAM."

HS: "But first, zhen wanted to tell you all what a wonderful festival it was. XYZ, you outdid yourself. And XJ, zhen is glad you are here for this celebration."

The youngsters grinned at each other: "Xie (Thanks) HS/HAM!"