Chapter 225 The Little Clever Kid

Those eyes were crystal clear, without a trace of scheming.

All that remains is the warmth of human kindness.

He paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"Okay, whatever you say."

The workers' eyes lit up when they saw it.

"Director Zhou, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

Old Yu's hands were shaking terribly.

His three grandchildren all wear patched pants.

My eldest son is starting school this year and doesn't even have a decent set of clothes.

These words caught in her throat, and tears almost welled up in her eyes.

"Stop pushing it."

Zhou Shufen smiled and stuffed the cloth coupons into everyone's hands.

"It's almost the end of the year, and the kids need new clothes to celebrate."

The snow stopped sometime ago.

The workers walked home in twos and threes.

Laughter and playful fighting could be heard in the distance.

Qiangzi walked at the very back.

"Factory Director! Comrade Guo! See you next year! Wishing you a happy new year and all the best!"

"Happy New Year!"

Zhou Shufen waved.

Until their figures disappeared completely after turning the corner of the alley.

The fire went out.

Only a few pieces of red-hot coal remained, quietly emitting heat.

Guo Zhenyi took her hand and walked home.

Are you tired today?

He lowered his head, his warm breath gently brushing against her hair.

In order to prepare for the New Year's shopping, she went to the supply and marketing cooperative for several days in a row.

Seeing the light shining in her eyes, he felt both proud and heartbroken.

"Not tired."

She shook her head.

The snow was slippery, and she lost her balance.

Before she could even utter a cry of surprise, he firmly wrapped his arm around her waist.

She paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Zhenyi".

She leaned against him, her voice soft.

"When we get back, I'll stew some pork ribs for you and stir-fry some cabbage. We'll have a nice meal together."

"Let me help you start the fire."

Guo Zhenyi looked down at her, his eyes filled with undisguised warmth.

"You cook, I'll add firewood. This is how we should live our lives."

As soon as the gate opened, Zhou Liya peered out from the side.

Seeing them return, they skipped and hopped to greet them.

"Mom, Uncle Guo! You're finally back! Qingyan said she was starving, so I heated up some food, but she insisted on waiting for you."

As she spoke, she reached out and pulled Zhou Shufen, muttering to herself.

"I've been waiting for ages! Qingyan's almost crying!"

It was warm inside.

Yang Qingyan nestled by the fire pit, clutching half a piece of candy in her hand.

He rushed over as soon as he saw Zhou Shufen.

"aunt!"

He hugged her waist tightly, looked up, and grinned.

"You're back! I haven't even had dinner yet, I've been waiting for you!"

Zhou Shufen picked him up and kissed his chubby little face.

"Are you starving? Auntie will cook you a good meal right now."

The stove had already been wiped clean by Zhou Liya.

She tilted her head back, looking smug.

"Mom, I'm really serious! Hurry up and cook, we're all starving!"

Zhou Shufen tied on an apron and stuffed some dry firewood into the stove.

Guo Zhenyi moved a stool and sat down next to him.

He poked at the firewood with the fire tongs, looking very serious.

"Is this...right?"

He looked up at her, his eyes full of expectation.

Zhou Shufen couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Yes, that's right, Zhenyi is really smart."

"The fire will burn brighter if it's elevated."

She crouched down and gently poked at the firewood with a twig.

The flames suddenly shot up.

She took out a piece of cured meat and said with a smile.

"It's getting late. How about we stir-fry some cured pork with garlic sprouts and make a pot of chicken soup?"

I love everything you make.

Guo Zhenyi watched her nimble figure as her retreating figure, his gaze gentle and tender.

The aroma of garlic mingled with the fragrance of meat, rising in wisps from the pot.

He suddenly felt as if his chest was being gently filled.

Zhou Liya pulled Yang Qingyan along, peeking into the kitchen from the doorway.

"I'll peel it for you! I'm really fast at it!"

As she spoke, she reached into the basket for garlic.

"No need. Take Qingyan to the main room to warm up. It's cold, so don't get too close to the fire or you'll get burned."

Zhou Shufen spoke gently.

The spatula in his hand was still stirring in the pan, making a crisp "sizzle" sound.

"Zhenyi, pass me the soy sauce."

Guo Zhenyi responded and got up to rummage through the cupboard for soy sauce.

Just as she was about to speak, she reached out and took it.

Their fingers touched lightly.

In that instant, a subtle tingling sensation shot from my fingertips to my heart.

They both paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.

The chicken soup in the casserole was bubbling away.

A rich aroma wafted quietly into the main room.

Yang Qingyan sat on a small stool, her little nose twitching.

Her eyes were fixed on the kitchen, and her voice was soft.

"It smells so good...I want some soup..."

"Almost done."

Zhou Shufen brought in cured pork and garlic sprouts.

Guo Zhenyi followed, holding the chicken soup in both hands.

He walked cautiously to the table.

As soon as the lid was lifted, the steam carrying a rich aroma burst out with a "poof".

Zhou Lijuan and Qi Changyu then pushed open the door and entered the courtyard.

"sister!"

Hearing the commotion, Zhou Liya immediately rushed out and threw herself into her sister's arms.

"Ya Ya, your big sister brought you a treasure!"

Zhou Lijuan smiled and opened the inner pocket of her coat, taking out a few apples.

"Thanks!"

What hasn't Zhou Liya eaten in Gangcheng?

But she still smiled, her eyes crinkling, and took a bite.

Suddenly remembering something, she quickly stopped talking.

"I'll take it to my mom!"

Before the words were even finished, the person had already dashed back into the house.

When Yang Qingyan saw Zhou Liya return, her face immediately lit up with a smile.

She immediately took off running and dashed out of the house.

"Sister... Sister, you're finally back!"

Zhou Lijuan stuffed the apple in her hand into Qi Changyu's hand.

He then knelt down and pulled Yang Qingyan into his arms.

"Yan Yan, sweetie, I brought you an apple! It's so windy outside, it hurts my face. Why did you come out like that? What if you get cold? Come on, let's go inside, don't catch a cold."

"It's not cold! Not cold at all!"

The little girl looked up.

"Yan Yan is so warm, like a little stove. Let me breathe on her!"

As she spoke, she stood on tiptoe and grasped Zhou Lijuan's hand.

Then he puffed out his cheeks and breathed hot air into her palms.

Zhou Lijuan couldn't help but laugh when she saw how serious she was.

He gently pinched her little nose with his fingertips, his tone indulgent.

"You little rascal, your sweet talk is so good it could stick to ants."

Inside the house, the fire in the hearth was burning brightly.

The chicken soup that Zhou Shufen was stewing was bubbling away.

"Mom, Uncle Guo, I'm back!"

Zhou Lijuan's clear voice rang out in the room.

Zhou Shufen was carrying a plate of green vegetables out of the kitchen.

Hearing the sound, he turned around with a smile.

"Lijuan, Changyu, warm your hands first, they're all red from the cold, aren't they? The chicken soup needs to simmer a little longer, it'll be ready soon."

Since her daughter went to university, Zhou Shufen has always wanted to do more.

She was afraid that when her daughter came back, she would have to worry about these trivial matters.

But Zhou Lijuan couldn't stay idle.

As soon as she gets home, the mop and rag are always in her hands.

Twenty minutes later, the chicken soup was finally ready.

A few specks of oil floated on the golden soup surface.

The chicken was stewed until it was so tender that the meat easily separated from the bone.

Zhou Liya served soup to everyone one by one.

Yang Qingyan held her small bowl, her eyes fixed on the chicken pieces floating in the soup.

She opened her little mouth and sucked on it, one bite at a time.

"Uncle Guo, this is the cured meat my mom made!"

Zhou Liya picked up a piece of cured meat and put it into Guo Zhenyi's bowl.

"I saved this on purpose! It's even more authentic than the ones in city restaurants!"

Guo Zhenyi smiled and nodded, then picked up the piece of cured meat and took a bite.