Chapter 36

On the way home, they passed by many houses, and some people came out to greet them with a smile and wished them a happy new year. Pei Ze also responded with a smile and said Happy New Year, which made Zhong Miao very embarrassed.

Normally, you would just hug him at home, but this is like an exhibition. Zhong Miao is holding a broom in her arms. Is this a walking performance art?

Seeing Zhong Miao's face was about to burn, Pei Ze, although feeling happy, did not want to embarrass her. "Wife, are you feeling better? Can you come down and walk by yourself?"

Zhong Miao was overjoyed and nodded quickly. After Pei Ze put her down, she snorted coldly, threw the broom into Pei Ze's hands, and walked slowly towards home.

-

It was only four or five in the evening, and it was already dark. The family was happily eating the New Year's Eve dinner.

There was a table full of delicious dishes in front of him. Zhong Miao could hardly believe that he had traveled back to the 1980s. The food was so sumptuous.

Pork ribs stewed with sauerkraut, fried meat slices, fried meatballs, stewed pork elbow, vegetarian soup, fried tofu, boiled shrimp, stewed fish, cold vermicelli, and fried noodles with sauerkraut, a total of ten dishes filled the table.

Some white wine and happy water were also prepared, and Zhong Miao was happy. In their village, they couldn't buy the big-brand sparkling water that had been popular for decades, but they had a local brand from the city, which was in a glass bottle. No one knew where Pei Ze got it from, as Zhong Miao had never even heard of the brand.

Pei Ze was responsible for peeling shrimps for Zhong Miao and An An. Zhong Miao drank the water in one breath, burped, and was so happy that he almost fainted.

"When did you buy this?" Zhong Miao pointed at the sparkling water.

"Erwa brought this this morning. I asked him to bring me a box. Do you like this?"

"I like it. It feels great."

It was more than just refreshing. She had never tasted anything so refreshing since she came here. She was craving milk tea, juice, and sparkling water. She felt so comfortable after drinking it. Her head felt a little dizzy. Happy water is happiness. She was addicted to it.

"I'll buy you more after you finish drinking."

This box of covers and soda bottles both require a deposit and need to be recycled. Since Zhong Miao likes to drink them, there is no need to return them. A box of bottles can be exchanged for a box of drinks for additional money. Just drink whenever you want.

Zhong Ming was also amused by Zhong Miao's enjoyment. "Son-in-law, don't spoil her too much. This stuff has too much sugar. Drinking too much is not good for her."

"Yeah, I got it, Dad."

Nowadays, soda is considered a good thing. Pei Ze didn't know that it was bad for the body. Anyway, it was a local brand and shouldn't have so many additives. Many parents in the city often gave it to their children.

An An also slurped it up and soaked it in water. It felt a little spicy on the tongue, but it was very sweet and delicious. "Dad, I like it too."

"Drink if you like, but listen to your grandpa and don't drink too much."

"Yeah." An An was very well-behaved.

"Our family hasn't been this lively in years. My dear, you can stay here for the next few days. You can leave whenever you go back to the city. We can also have some fun here."

Zhang Weilan was in a good mood. She raised her half-glass of white wine and clinked glasses with Zhong Ming. She was very busy today and only took a short break at noon. She did not ask the children to help with the New Year's Eve dinner. These were the happiest and most leisurely days of the year. The old mother wanted them to spend more time together to cultivate their relationship.

Even though she is so busy, she doesn't feel tired, but rather very happy.

"Okay, thank you for the hospitality, sister-in-law."

"Oh, why are you being so polite? We are all family now."

"Thank you for your hard work, Grandma. I wish you and Dad peace and health in the New Year, and may every day be filled with joy. I also wish our An'an to have delicious food every day and be happy every day, hahahaha."

It was rare for Zhong Miao to be so happy, and she kept praising him as if he was free.

"Wife, have you forgotten me?"

Pei Ze nudged her with his elbow.

"Well, I wish you great fortune."

"Okay, when I get rich, my wife will definitely be the most beautiful rich lady."

"Haha, my daughter-in-law is the best. I wish our Miaomiao can get into university and have a bright future." Zhang Weilan took out three red envelopes, one for Pei Ze, one for Zhong Miao, and one for An An.

Seeing that his sister-in-law had taken out the red envelopes, Zhong Ming also took out the red envelopes, one for each of them. The two old people prepared these red envelopes together in the afternoon. Zhong Ming didn't know how to wrap them with red paper, so Zhang Weilan helped him wrap them.

"Thank you, grandma, and thank you, dad."

After An An received the red envelope, her little mouth started to talk, saying auspicious words as if they were free, making the adults laugh.

The meal was hot and although there were not many people in the family, they were all friendly and became happier as they talked.

After dinner, everyone sat in the main house and chatted. Zhang Weilan kneaded the dough and made dumplings while chatting.

Zhong Miao didn't know how to make dumplings, so Pei Ze and Zhong Ming washed their hands and helped make dumplings, while Zhong Miao took An An to play on the side.

Zhong Ming hasn't cooked in nearly twenty years. He used to be able to make something, but it wasn't very good. Later, with his busy business, he had no time to cook. His cooking skills had long since disappeared.

He was clumsy at making dumplings at first, but got better after making a few.

Pei Ze did not forget to ask his father-in-law for advice, so he told him his thoughts.

Zhong Ming thinks it is good for children to have some ideas. Although his daughter does not do business, she is smart and her ideas are reliable.

He talked to Pei Ze for most of the day without reservation about management, transportation, and even some advertising processes and possible problems.

Pei Ze listened carefully. What Zhong Ming said was different from what Zhong Miao said. Zhong Miao only proposed a general direction, while Zhong Ming talked more about practical methods.

"I'll go to your furniture factory after the New Year. Even if you want to renovate the factory, you can't do it randomly. It's not just a simple renovation. It's better to make it more practical."

Zhong Ming started out in industry, so he knew everything about these things. Later, he sold most of his shares and used the money to invest so that he could spend more time with his daughter.

"Okay, Dad, if I open a store, can you help me look after it?"

"What else is there to say? Of course, I'll help you when the time comes."

The furniture store is not far from where he works, so it is still possible for him to go there a few more times.

"Dad, I'm just starting out and I'm short of staff. Can you come over and look after my shop? You manage the shop, and I'll manage the factory. How about we work together and split the profits?"

The father-in-law is indeed a smart man. After hearing his father-in-law's advice, Pei Ze simply wanted to let his father-in-law do the job. It will definitely be no bad job and it is much better than hiring someone.

Zhong Ming thought about it and didn't agree or refuse. "Well, let's try it out first. I have a job right now, not far from the furniture store, near the hospital. I can help you if you have any problems there. We can talk about other things later."

"That's fine too. Let's go and have a look after the New Year."

It's good that his father-in-law is willing to help him. This will save him a lot of detours and prevent him from crossing the river by feeling the stones on his own. If he falls, the loss will be the living money for him and Zhong Miao.

Seeing that An An was having fun playing by herself, Zhong Miao went to wash her hands and wanted to learn how to make dumplings.

Pei Ze patiently taught her, "Wife, you have to pinch it like this, use some strength, otherwise the water will boil."

"Well, this is good, just wrap it like this."

"Put less stuffing, it won't fit."

"A little bigger, it's too small."

"Okay, okay, that's it."

"Why are you so long-winded? I got it." Zhong Miao had already learned it.

"Haha, you learn quickly." Pei Ze thought that it would be difficult for Zhong Miao, a girl who knew nothing about grains, to make dumplings, but he didn't expect that she learned it in a short time.

"My daughter-in-law is so smart. She learned it in just a short time."

Zhang Weilan praised happily.

"That's right, my good daughter has been smart since she was young."

Zhong Ming thinks his daughter is good in every way.

Staying up all night, eating dumplings, and setting off firecrackers, New Year's Eve passed quickly and ended with New Year's blessings and the sound of firecrackers.

The happiest ones were Zhong Miao and Zhong Ming. Zhong Miao was very happy because of the lively atmosphere. There had never been so many people at the New Year celebrations before. She also developed a sense of belonging to this family.

She came here in early winter, and now she has accepted this family in her heart. She has truly regarded her mother-in-law and An An as family members.

As for Pei Ze, he is also a family member. They all care about each other and give to each other. Her heart has been softened by them, and she is happier than when she celebrated the New Year with her father in the mansion in her previous life.

Zhong Miao's heart felt sweet and sour, filled with warmth.

On the afternoon of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Pei Ze took Zhong Miao for a stroll on the village path. Since returning from the city, Zhong Miao had hardly gone out, and Pei Ze was afraid that she would be bored to death.

"If you have nothing to do, go out for a walk and get some fresh air. It's not good to stay at home all the time."

"Well, actually I'm fine at home." Given Zhong Miao's profession and personality, it's normal for him to have some staying-at-home traits.

"No one requires you to stay at home. You said you never leave the house, don't you feel suffocated?"

"I really don't feel anything. Don't worry, I will adjust myself."

The couple chatted casually as they walked towards the store at the entrance of the village, getting closer and closer to Li Hongmei's home.

Zhong Miao saw from afar that it seemed to be Li Hongmei sitting at the door. When he walked closer, he saw that her little face and hands were already red from the cold.

I don’t know what she was thinking. Even Zhong Miao and Pei Ze didn’t notice when they passed by.

"What are you doing? You're not setting up a stall, why are you sitting at the door?"

How could Zhong Miao not understand? It was nothing more than a quarrel with her family. Besides the work issue, she was also being urged to get married again.

"It's okay. There are too many people in the room. I came out to cool down."

Li Hongmei seemed to have lost her soul and no longer had her usual carefree and lively demeanor.

"Would you like to say hello to your family and come sit with me for a while?"

Zhong Miao could hear the noise coming from inside the house and the sound of children making noises even when standing at the gate of the yard.

Li Hongmei raised her head, her eyes not as bright as usual. She looked at Zhong Miao and then at Pei Ze.

"Don't look at me, just look at my wife." Pei Ze was speechless. Li Hongmei looked as if she was afraid that he would not let her go.

"Okay, I'll go in and tell him."

As soon as Li Hongmei entered the room, several aunts and sisters-in-law were about to say a few words to her, but she dodged and said, "Mom, I'm going to stay at Zhong Miao's for a while."

The old mother knew that her daughter was in a bad mood and there were many people at home, so she would inevitably be upset when she saw it. It would be okay for her to go out for a walk.

Mother Li pulled her daughter out of the room and saw Pei Ze and Zhong Miao waiting at the door. "Okay, go ahead. It's good for the neighbors to visit more often. You don't have to rush back. You can wait until the relatives leave before coming back. I'll just trouble Pei Ze and his wife."

The old mother personally escorted Li Hongmei to the gate of the yard, and Pei Ze and Zhong Miao also wished Li's mother a happy new year.

Seeing her daughter and the others walking away, Mother Li sighed. The child had been sitting at the door for more than half an hour. She found that her little hands and face were red from the cold. How could she not feel distressed?