Chapter 224 Auspicious Snow for a Bountiful Year

"Cigarettes and alcohol are expensive; this money could buy so much rice and flour."

As she spoke, her eyes lowered slightly.

But deep down she knew he had always been a man of great loyalty and affection.

Especially in situations like these, we are less likely to be careless.

"A person's talent reveals their true intentions."

He smiled and casually picked up a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor).

"The workers work overtime every day, and they've never delayed a single day when you ask for goods. These people are reliable. Today is our wedding day, so consider this wine as my gift to everyone at our wedding."

Then, turning to the sales clerk, he said...

"Give us another fifty catties of brown sugar, and we'll wrap it into small pieces so that each household can get a few pieces. We can use them to cook glutinous rice balls and make sweet soup during the New Year."

Zhou Shufen was stunned as she watched him expertly direct and arrange things.

The scene from when they first met flashed before her eyes.

He even has to study the words on the soap packaging for a long time before buying it.

How did you become so good at enjoying life in just a few months?

What are you staring at?

Guo Zhenyi suddenly turned around and looked at her with a smile.

He casually picked up a burlap sack and stuffed it into her arms.

"Can you lift it? Don't try to be strong."

"Who are you underestimating?"

She snapped out of her daze, glanced down at the sack, and a smile crept onto her lips.

“I’m known as the ‘Queen of Bag-Carrying’ in Liuchang Village. I can carry a bag of rice weighing over ten kilograms for two miles.”

"That's all ancient history."

Guo Zhenyi quickly caught up with her.

Seeing the sack swaying on her shoulder, he immediately reached out and took it from her.

"You don't need to carry such a heavy burden anymore. I'll take care of these things from now on."

The two walked back side by side.

The snow started falling again.

This time it's large, heavy snowflakes.

Zhou Shufen raised her hand and gently brushed the snow off his shoulder.

But just as she was about to stop, her fingertips accidentally brushed against his neck.

The touch was slightly hot, and her heart skipped a beat.

Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist.

Are your hands cold?

He looked down at her, his brows slightly furrowed.

"It's not cold."

She shook her head, her gaze unconsciously falling on the snowflakes that had gathered on his eyelashes.

"This snow is so thoughtful."

"Where is the thoughtfulness?"

She raised her head, her eyebrows curving upwards.

"A timely snow promises a good harvest. This first snowfall is so solid, which means next year will be a good year."

"Just think about it, next spring the factory will definitely have so many orders that we won't be able to keep up, and the machines will have to run non-stop. At that time, everyone will work overtime, and wages will naturally rise, so everyone will be able to have a comfortable New Year."

Guo Zhenyi suddenly stopped.

He turned around, his gaze fixed intently on her face.

"That's not all."

He reached out and pulled her scarf up a little.

The frayed edge of the scarf brushed against her cheeks, covering her nose, which was red from the cold.

"Also because..."

His voice was low.

"If we just keep walking step by step through the snow, we can walk together until we're old and gray, until we can't walk anymore, and we still have to support each other."

Zhou Shufen's heart skipped a beat.

It turns out that Guo Zhenyi spoke these kinds of things without sounding awkward at all.

Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat faster than the last.

What are you standing there for?

Guo Zhenyi suddenly smiled and raised his hand to rub the top of her head.

"If we don't leave now, all our New Year's goods will turn into snow dumplings, and we'll only be able to eat ice cubes when we get home."

They pushed the cart into the factory, with heavy sacks strapped to the back.

As he passed the old wonton stall on the street corner, he suddenly stopped.

"Want a bowl of wontons?"

He turned his head to look at her, his eyes shining.

She deliberately pouted.

"Comrade Guo Zhenyi, you're too stingy."

"That's called being honest."

He smiled and pulled her down to sit without saying a word.

He shouted at the stall owner.

"Two bowls! Add plenty of cilantro, lots of chili, and plenty of chili oil!"

After saying that, she turned her head and smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

"Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll take you to a fancy restaurant. I'll serve you lobster and abalone."

The wontons were served steaming hot.

Zhou Shufen picked one up, blew on it, and brought it to his lips.

"Try a bite first."

He opened his mouth and took a bite, then hissed and gasped as it was so hot.

He grinned and chuckled indistinctly.

"Delicious! It smells so good!"

The snow was still falling, and the world outside was dazzlingly white.

Inside the small wonton stall, the charcoal fire crackled and popped.

The two of them squeezed together on the narrow bench, shoulder to shoulder.

She looked at him as he lowered his head to drink his soup, and suddenly she understood.

Happiness isn't about having a house full of gold and silver, or luxury cars and villas.

It means having someone share a bowl of hot wontons with you in the cold night.

After finishing their wontons, they trudged back to the factory through the thick snow.

As the door opened, a wave of heat mixed with laughter rushed towards us.

The workers had already received their money and bonuses, and they were chattering and laughing.

As soon as they pushed the door open and came in, someone shouted.

"Director Zhou! Brother Guo! Come over here and warm yourself by the fire!"

Guo Zhenyi grasped her hand and led her to the fire.

The charcoal fire roared, casting a rosy glow on people's faces.

Tiezhu immediately pulled two sweet potatoes from the fire and stuffed them into their hands.

"Factory manager, Brother Guo, eat them while they're hot! I specially picked the big ones, and they're cooked just right. They're sweet and glutinous, and I guarantee you'll want more after you eat them!"

Zhou Shufen carefully peeled off the outer skin, revealing the golden flesh inside.

She blew on it, broke off half, and handed it to the person next to her.

"You eat too."

Guo Zhenyi opened his mouth and took a big bite.

He was immediately scalded and started panting, his brows furrowing in pain.

But he stubbornly refused to spit it out, instead grinning.

"It smells much better than the cafeteria food."

He turned his head and looked at the workers chatting around the fire.

"Yang Fugui is truly blinded by greed."

Qiangzi bent down, picked up a thick piece of firewood, and stuffed it into the fire.

"Why would you leave such a good place like here and insist on doing those shady things? Aren't you just asking for death?"

"you do not say."

Old Yu picked up the conversation.

Holding a small knife, he was slowly whittling a strip of wood.

"Director Zhou treats us honestly and never delays our wages. We even get New Year's gifts at the end of the year. If it were any other boss, would we get such good treatment? They would have skimmed off every last drop of our wages."

Zhou Shufen listened quietly, her heart gradually warming up.

She secretly raised her eyes and glanced at Guo Zhenyi.

He was looking down, listening intently to everyone's conversation.

"Ouch!"

Qiangzi slapped his thigh and stood up abruptly.

"I forgot to pour water for Comrade Guo! He should have some hot water on this cold day."

He then started walking towards the kettle.

Guo Zhenyi grabbed his arm and shook his head with a smile.

"Stop making a fuss, Uncle Qiangzi. We just came to check and make sure everyone has received their New Year's gifts. We need to hurry home. The roads outside are slippery, and it's getting dark, so please watch your step."

"Why!"

Everyone responded in unison.

Zhou Shufen suddenly exclaimed "Ah!" and a hint of annoyance flashed across her face.

"I almost forgot something important."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards his office.

Guo Zhenyi frowned and hurried after him, worried.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

The office door clicked open.

Zhou Shufen walked straight to the metal cabinet against the wall and took out a small cloth bag.

Upon opening it, there was a stack of brand-new cloth coupons.

"Add two more feet for each person."

She solemnly placed the cloth ration coupons into Guo Zhenyi's palm.

"Take this and distribute it so that everyone's wives and children can have new clothes for the New Year."

Guo Zhenyi looked down at the cloth ration coupons in his hand.

He raised his eyes again, looking directly into her eyes.