Lin Hai really doesn't like the Chinese New Year.

After all, for him, his family wasn't exactly broke when he was little, but they could never afford unnecessary expenses. What are unnecessary expenses? It's probably anything other than the daily necessities of food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

Therefore, the Lunar New Year presents a significant challenge for such families. No matter how frugal you try, the Lunar New Year means there will always be some welcoming and sending off. The lucky money you receive will always be taken away by your parents, with the excuse of "returning the favor." You also have to find ways to style your old clothes, so you can "avoid buying unnecessary clothes, after all, your old clothes are still wearable."

After becoming an adult, Lin Hai also disliked the Chinese New Year.

Because his meager salary was barely enough to cover "daily necessities", he was unable to support the extra expenses during the New Year, especially when he found out that he had become the one "who had to give out New Year's money to others".

The habits formed by such a life had a profound impact on Lin Hai, so much so that in his first ten years of work, he was the person who was on duty the most during the New Year period, a total of ten times, so that he could effectively avoid the New Year.

After becoming the biggest boss in Qinghe County, he never changed these habits.

At first, it was fine. Everyone struggled to fill their stomachs, let alone celebrate the New Year. Just getting through the next day was considered lucky. So, when Qinghe was just being rebuilt, Lin Hai abolished all New Year holidays with a single official document. Simply put, everyone had to work. Although the old imperial custom of taking a break every ten days was still followed, Lin Hai, who was homeless, always took the initiative to work overtime, which meant that no one else could actually rest.

This year, the calls for restoring the New Year festival have become much louder.

Reports from both the public and the government continued to be submitted to Lin Hai, some of which were straightforward, some were elaborated with flowery language, and some were written in a sentence or more than ten pages, outlining a demand: "We need a holiday."

"Principal...you see..." Although Lin Hai read the reports carefully, judging from his expression, these reports did not achieve the desired effect, and may even have a counterproductive effect, but Ling Yang still stepped forward and said.

Lin Hai had a dark face and ignored Ling Yang.

Ling Yang stepped forward and said, "Principal, this... um... the voice from the people..."

"Speak hesitantly. If you haven't thought it through, then think about it first." Lin Hai said directly without even raising his head.

"Principal, this can't last long. We still need to let the people relax for a while. Furthermore, the major caravans have also said that if we want to hold a New Year celebration this year, they can afford the expenses. After all, they make a lot of money year-round. You see, this is a good thing..."

Ling Yang walked to Lin Hai's desk, looked at the mace placed at the foot of the table, and said with gritted teeth.

Lin Hai raised an eyelid and glanced at Ling Yang, saying, "Alright. If the people want to hold it, then do it. Although it was forbidden in previous years, I didn't stop people from celebrating privately. However, all industrial and mining enterprises, administrative agencies, and military units under Qinghe will not participate as usual. Let the people have fun, that's all."

Ling Yang suddenly felt a pain in his lower back. After bowing, he couldn't lift his legs anymore, and a heavy object pressed against his waist... This feeling usually occurs when you risk your life to ask for leave from your superiors on behalf of everyone else, but your superiors approve leave for others but not you...

"Well, Principal, Qinghe has made great progress over the years. The society is stable and the people are getting richer. All of this is inseparable from your leadership. How about taking advantage of the New Year when people are celebrating and taking us to inspect the specific situation among the people?" Ling Yang was still making his last struggle.

"Can the wealth displayed at the celebration be called wealth? Does it mean that as long as my family lavishly invites guests once a year, it can prove that my family is rich? If we really want to see the living conditions of the people, we should go and see them on weekdays, without any advance preparation or greetings! Besides, if we really achieve some results..." Lin Hai seemed to start thinking at the end, which gave Ling Yang great hope.

"Well, why don't you take the lead and prepare a year-end report, summarizing all the data. I think data is always more objective than going out on the street and seeing what people are eating." Lin Hai nodded and said, "Your idea is a good one, so let's do it as soon as possible, and try to finish it by New Year's Eve. On the morning of the first day, we'll have a meeting to review the situation of Tianxian's seventh year, and then we can also optimize the plan for Tianxian's eighth year..."

Lin Hai became more and more excited as he spoke.

Ling Yang still maintained the bent-over posture, crossed his legs and rubbed them backwards without lifting them, hoping to return to his seat as soon as possible so that he could pretend that nothing had happened.

Everyone else in the office, whether it was Ling Yan, Dong Ji, Ma Si, or the third-year students from Qinghe College who were here for internships, all glared at Ling Yang. "You said you were sure, but now look what's going on. You haven't even taken your leave, and you've even added a lot of work!"

At this moment, Ling Yang was even willing to be beaten with a mace by Lin Hai, at least that way he could explain to his colleagues.

"Brother Lin," Shi Zhen'er, who had been supporting her head with her hands while watching Ling Yang's performance, said with a smile, "How about we take a break during the New Year? The caravan is all ready, and if you don't go, everyone might get the wrong idea. Besides, who wouldn't celebrate if they have some extra money?"

In fact, Lin Hai and Shi Zhen'er talked about many things in private. Although Shi Zhen'er didn't quite understand what Lin Hai was talking about most of the time, she remembered very clearly that Lin Hai had never celebrated the Chinese New Year when he was a child because his family was poor. She probably knew what the problem with Lin Hai was.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!