"Sister Xiaomi, you are amazing. I will be going to Beijing in a few days. Can you come? Let's go to Aunt Su's house."
"Okay, my parents gave me a two thousand dollar reward."
"I'll pack up and book the ticket the day after tomorrow."
After Zhou Xiyao hung up the phone, she happily ran to the living room to tell her mother the good news.
Seeing no one in the living room, she rushed directly into her parents' bedroom. She opened the door, but there was no one there: "Hey, Mom was here just now, Mom? Mom?" Seeing that there was no one in the room, Xiyao shouted while preparing to go to the study to check.
When her father's unit was distributing housing, he paid some extra money and got a three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment. In addition to the room for her and her parents, the other room is her father's study.
Before I even got to the study, my mother appeared at the bedroom door: "Yaoyao, what's wrong?"
Zhou Xiyao looked at her mother at the door, with some confusion in her eyes: "Mom, I'm in the bedroom? Why didn't I see you when I opened the door just now?"
The bedroom was so small, but she looked around it.
He Wan smiled awkwardly, touched her hair guiltily and said, "I was in the room, on the balcony just now, I don't know where you were looking."
"Really? I."
"What's the matter with making a fuss at home?"
Zhou Xiyao laughed instantly, ran to He Wan and said, "Mom, Sister Xiaomi was admitted to the Imperial University. We have agreed to go to Beijing City to play for a few days."
He Wan's eyes were filled with a smile: "Xiaomi, it's OK. I'll call your Aunt Zhang to congratulate you later. Your father is on a business trip this time, you can go with him, but remember not to cause trouble for your Aunt Su. There is no place for you to stay in her house, so you and Xiaomi can stay at our house. When you get there, you two can clean the place by yourselves, take out the quilts and dry them in the sun, and go to the mall to buy anything you need.
Don't forget to visit your Grandpa Gu's house."
"Got it, Mom. When is Dad leaving? I've made an appointment with Sister Xiaomi. I'll leave the day after tomorrow."
"Are you in such a hurry? I'm worried about you taking the train alone. Wait for your dad."
Zhou Xiyao thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll ask Dad when he comes back. Mom, aren't you going this time?"
"No, Mom has some things to take care of here."
"Why don't you go check out the rent over there?"
"No, I keep in touch with the tenants online, but when you get there, you can take a look around while you play with Xiaomi."
"All right."
After Zhou Xiyao finished talking to her mother, she happily returned to her room and began to tidy up her room. When He Wan saw her daughter enter the room, she patted her chest and slipped back into the space.
Yun Shudai was drinking coffee and waiting for her: "How is it, no doubts, right?"
"The child is grown up now, it's hard to fool him. I have to be more careful next time."
Yun Shudai pursed her lips and smiled: "Wait another two years, and then he will go to college. Which school do you plan to let your child enter?"
"Her father and I wanted him to go to Shanghai City University. I thought that since he was so close to Xiaomi, he would definitely apply to a university in Beijing without telling us.
We feel comfortable staying near home, and it's OK in Beijing, as we have relatives and friends in both places."
"It's better for girls to be closer."
"Will your Bai Xiaobai come back this year?"
"He just called and said he won't be coming back because he's busy studying abroad and traveling back and forth would waste his time. He said he and his partner found a way to make money. Lao Bai was quite supportive and gave him some start-up capital."
"He's smart and willing to try, which is a good thing. What about Xingxing? Are you planning to send him abroad to study as well?"
"After she finishes junior high school here, we plan to send her to high school in Hong Kong. The university is still in our country. Lao Bai and I don't want Niuniu to go too far away. We are worried. Besides, it's not as safe out there as in our country now."
Speaking of this, He Wan sighed: "In the blink of an eye, the children have grown up. Before, this space was this big.
Later, as we made more and more money, we had more space, and it was so full of goods that it was really a spectacle.”
Yun Shudai looked at the wooden boxes in the space and said, "We make money to spend it. Isn't it good to enjoy the present moment? What are you going to do with these antiques? Are you going to take them into your coffin?"
"I have donated two pieces. The remaining jewelry and gold and silver will be kept for Xiyao. I will give them out when she graduates from college."
"Leave some, just in case."
"Yes, don't let yourself get into a relationship and become love-brained, being coaxed around by men. I will be so mad at you."
Yun Shudai laughed and teased her.
After Zhou Xiyao packed her suitcase and changed her clothes, she called out in the living room, "Mom, I'm going to go out and buy some local specialties for my uncle and aunt in Beijing."
After He Wan heard this, she hurried out and said, "Pull the cart and buy more. Don't forget any. Oh, and bring some for your Aunt Luo, too."
"Okay, got it."
Zhou Xiyao has been to Beijing many times over the years, and she always follows her parents when they go shopping.
There is Grandpa Gu's family, Aunt Gu's family, Uncle Gu's family, Aunt Su's family, godmother, Aunt Luo's family, and Uncle Luo's family. Well, there are quite a few.
In Haicheng, there is really nothing worth bringing except those old things.
But Zhou Xiyao will buy it.
For example, Aunt Gu was from the art troupe, and she bought her a beautiful big silk scarf.
Since her godmother comes out to film from time to time, she buys her beautiful lipsticks.
Aunt Su works in the hospital, so she bought her nice bags.
In short, it can touch everyone's heart.
Xiaomi is going to college this year, so I'll buy her a set of cosmetics.
It was the 1990s, and there were many large shopping malls. Zhou Xiyao spent the whole afternoon shopping. In addition to pulling the cart, she also carried a lot of things in her hands.
When I was downstairs, I happened to meet Zhou Ting'an who was getting off work.
Seeing her daughter carrying so many bags, she quickly took them and said, "Where have you been? Why are you buying so many things by yourself?"
Zhou Xiyao gave some of the things to her father without hesitation and said with a smile, "Dad, have you decided on the date for your business trip? I want to go with you this time. Sister Xiaomi was admitted to Beijing University, and we agreed to spend a few days in Beijing."
Zhou Ting'an smiled and said, "Take the train tomorrow afternoon. I won't have time to take care of you when I get there. I'm also worried about you and Xiaomi being two girls. How about..."
"Oh, Dad, I'm old enough to take care of myself. Mom said that we can live in the old house in Beijing. Don't worry, I can clean the house, and Sister Xiaomi is also a great cook. You're worried, but we still have Wang Xiao. With him by our side, I guarantee that no one will dare to bully us."
Wang Xiao is the son of Aunt Su and Uncle Wang. He is a few years younger than them, but this kid hangs out in the government compound all day and has many friends.
When the time comes, the two of them will make him work as a laborer.
Zhou Ting'an smiled and saw his daughter's excitement. He did not refute and thought about sending a police officer to follow them when the time comes.
After the father and daughter returned home, He Wan had already finished chatting with Lao Yun.
I was busy making dinner in the kitchen: "You're back? You bought so much."
Zhou Xiyao said: "Mom, don't worry, I have considered everything very carefully."
Zhou Tingan put down the briefcase in his hand, took off his coat, washed his hands, and went to the kitchen to help his wife cook.
Seeing that He Wan had finished cooking the dishes, he had no choice but to hug He Wan's waist from behind and said, "Thank you for your hard work, my wife."
Zhou Xiyao was disgusted when she saw her parents showing affection again. From childhood to adulthood, this couple had always been so affectionate.
He ignored them and took the gifts into his room, thinking out of sight, out of mind.
At night, when she was sleeping, He Wan whispered to Zhou Ting'an in the bedroom: "I almost got discovered by Yaoyao when I entered the space today."
Zhou Tingan was stunned and asked what was going on.
He Wan told him what happened today.
Zhou Ting'an said: "You should be more careful when your child is at home. I really can't explain this to her."
"Well, I'll pay attention to it next time." He Wan said, looking up at Zhou Ting'an, who was almost forty years old. She was always amazed by his handsome face.
Now he has the steadiness of a man in his thirties, even more charming than when he was in his twenties: "How long will this business trip take?"
Zhou Ting'an curled his lower lip, lowered his head and kissed her red lips without answering her.
In an instant, the charming atmosphere in the room became more intense.
After a long while, Zhou Ting'an's slightly hoarse voice was heard again in the room: "Are you really not going with me this time?"
"You know, my store received a batch of overseas orders a few days ago, and I have to be busy for ten days or so. When you go there this time, please pay attention to our house. Although I often contact tenants online, I am not sure how they have made their houses."
Zhou Ting'an smiled. The several shops they owned in Beijing were really just as his wife said. Even if the couple just lay down, or even if they added their daughter to their bed, they would be able to live a life of luxury.
Not to mention that building.
The annual rent for one of their stores is 400,000 yuan, and the annual rent for another is 320,000 yuan.
Excluding the old house, there are three courtyard houses. One of them was demolished and divided into three houses in the city center, which have all been rented out. Each house costs more than 3,000 yuan a month, and Aunt Gu is helping to look after them.
The other two units were not demolished, but were also rented out. Their rents were more expensive than those in the high-rise buildings, with one unit renting for 5,000 yuan and the other for 6,000 yuan.
That was quite high in the 1990s.
However, the price of a courtyard house is really expensive nowadays, and most people can't afford it.
In addition to the ones in Beijing, they also have seven or eight houses here.
These are the ones I keep for myself every time a project is completed.
They also bought a villa here for their daughter.
Not to mention what He Wan invested in these years, just these houses alone are enough for their family to spend even if they live lavishly all day long.
Also, my wife originally opened a soap handmade shop just to kill time, but who would have thought that the business would become so prosperous.
A few days ago, an overseas customer placed an order for one hundred thousand worth of goods.
As a result, He Wan hurriedly hired shop assistants and contacted for some raw materials. She has been working overtime these days to ship the goods.
"I have used the annual rent from that building to buy funds and leave all of this to our daughter. When are you going to retire? I was thinking about going out with you two in the future."
Zhou Ting'an smiled helplessly: "It will probably take several decades."
He Wan snorted in annoyance. What could she do?
However, Zhou Ting'an is already very Buddhist. During the company's holidays, he will not work overtime if possible, and he must go out to play with his wife and children twice a year.
The old leader of the unit wanted him to stay but there was nothing he could do. After all, he is so capable and we have to support such a good seedling.
Zhou Tingan is really talented. He studied mechanical knowledge systematically in university.
Plus, they were decades ahead of them in time and space.
He learned a lot of new knowledge and techniques there.
So the weapons he developed were several years ahead of before.
This time he went there to report his research results and new products.
But the couple still went to Nanshan. After all, their daughter didn't know about it, and it was just the two of them, so they could do whatever crazy they wanted.
Speaking of which, Huahua has been away for two years because of her age.
He Wan was sad for half a year, and there were also photos of Huahua in Nanshan.
Now I really can’t let it go and I’m thinking about whether I should get a cat.
Let’s not talk about Huahua, let’s just talk about Lao Yun’s son, who also died of old age two years ago.
Lao Yun also held a funeral for it and posted it online. This caused quite a stir, with people divided into two camps. One camp supported it, and the other camp felt that she was wasting resources. It was just a small pet, but she made such a grand funeral. Some people even joked that even ordinary people were not so extravagant.
No matter what people say on the Internet, she has to do what she wants with Lao Yun. After all, she has raised him for so many years.
It is said that the lifespan of a rabbit is 8-10 years. Her cub lived for eleven years, which is already great.
For this reason, Lao Bai said he wanted to buy her one, but Lao Yun didn't agree, saying that it depends on what you like. If you find one you like, it won't be too late to buy it.
But she was planning to ask Lao Yun to buy her a cat from the pet market.
I want a short-legged one, like the one Lao Yun’s family has. The short-legged one won’t be too high, so you don’t have to worry about it jumping up and down.
The next day, He Wan sent the father and daughter to the train.
Drove to the store.
The store now employs two people.
One helped to look after the store, and the other helped her make soap upstairs.
This time, the customer ordered a total of twelve varieties, and ordered several hundred pieces of each.
She can make a hundred of them a day, so she bought a few hundred molds yesterday morning.
This time the workload was large and He Wan was busy from morning to night.
Hundreds of them were made today. Fortunately, she said that the delivery would take half a month, so it’s in time.
She actually had quite a bit of stock here.
"Boss, this is really good. I tried it at home yesterday and it's different from the facial cleanser I used before."
While He Wan was busy, the young employee next to her said.
He Wan smiled and said, "Of course, look at the ingredients we use, they are naturally good, and these are all my exclusive secret recipes."
Although she has a small worker, she still makes the recipes by herself. In addition to some of her secret recipes told to her by her grandmother, she also learned them on the Internet. But during the years she lived in Hong Kong, she found a soap recipe book.
It looks like it's hundreds of years old. She made two of these types and they are very useful.
Otherwise, no overseas customers would want things from her small shop.
Her price was expensive to begin with.
Of course, she originally also sold high-end goods.
The cheapest bar of soap here costs twenty-five.
Although it was in the 1990s, many people couldn't afford it.
The most expensive one is fifty yuan per piece.
It’s quite a surprise to receive an order worth one hundred thousand yuan all at once.
However, because of this order, she also added a lot of props, which cost a lot, but it was also very profitable.
He Wan had a busy day. She returned home, took a shower and went straight into the space.
When she arrived at Nanshan, she found that Lao Yun was already there and had prepared hot pot for her.
"Why are you here so early? Where's your husband?"
"I'm on a business trip. Xingxing went to her grandmother's house. I'm the only one left." Yun Shudai said, and ran to the living room, carrying a pet box over: "After sending Mu Yin off today, I went to the pet market. I wanted to send you a picture, but you couldn't receive it. Take a look. Isn't this one pretty?"
He Wan quickly put down her chopsticks and moved closer. It was a short-legged gray-white cat with hair that wasn't particularly long, just a little longer than short hair. "Wow, so beautiful."
"I guessed you'd like it. The store said it's only one and a half months old, so it's still very young, so it's easy to develop feelings for it."
"It just so happens that Yaoyao is gone, so I can get a cat like this back so that I can fool people."
"I also bought you cat food and cat litter. You'd better change the packaging."
"No, we already have cat litter here. I saw it last time I was shopping. It's the kind made of bentonite. It's quite expensive though. A 6-liter bag costs fifty dollars."
When Yun Shudai heard the price, she exclaimed, "This profit is too big, it's very cheap here."
He Wan nodded: "That's right."
When the two best friends were having dinner, they were discussing that pet supplies are making a lot of money now. Before, the rabbit cages for their babies were very expensive, and grass and rabbit food all had high profits.
After dinner, He Wan took the kitten back home. She decided not to give the cat a name for the next few days and would let her daughter name it when she came back.
After letting it out, I got some cat litter and put it on the balcony of the living room. As soon as the little guy came out, he hid in a corner and didn't come out.
He Wan had experience in raising cats, so she didn't pay any attention to it.
The next day, I put water and cat food in the pot and went out.
I was busy in the store all morning, and during the lunch break I went to the same pet store as last time.
This store sells cats and dogs, and they have this kind of cat litter.
He Wan took a look around and found that it had a strong smell. Well, pet supplies nowadays are not very good, especially cat litter.
He Wan discovered that the boss was reluctant to use cat litter and only used honeycomb coal slag for the cats.
This thing doesn't clump or absorb urine, and needs to be dumped out once a day.
He Wan asked about the situation, and the boss said, "Cat litter is so expensive, and we have so many pets in our store that we can't bear to use it. Our city is different from the countryside. In the countryside, you don't have to worry about these things. In the city, everyone lives in buildings, and there are many cat lovers. We can only use the old method and find some honeycomb coal slag. But we have to change it frequently. The key is that it has been rekindled now, and few people use it. Some people go to farmers' homes in the suburbs to find it."
He Wan said "oh" and didn't say much. She used to raise Hua Hua, and Lao Yun bought her cat food and cat litter, so she never worried about this.
But she knows that there are many people who like cats, and cat litter is so expensive that most families can't afford to buy it.
If I get the cat litter from Lao Yun, I can make a lot of money by selling it for twenty yuan, not to mention fifty yuan.
But this idea is just an idea, so I bought a bag of cat litter.
At night, I returned home and pulled it up myself.
It's just such a small thing and it costs fifty. Oh, I'll let Lao Yun buy it next time.
After going upstairs, He Wan found that the kitten had started wandering around the house and had eaten a lot of cat food.
Well, not bad.
Not long after arriving home, He Wan received a call from Zhou Ting'an: "It's afternoon. I'm at the old house now, helping them clean up their room. I may be living here tomorrow for two or three days."
"As long as you arrive safely, it's fine. When did Xiaomi arrive?"
"He also arrived this afternoon. Wang Xiao is here too."
"Leave them some money and don't worry about it. Let them eat out."
Zhou Ting'an smiled and said, "They have already discussed it. Xiaomi said she wanted to cook for them and asked me to buy some home appliances for them. I don't have time, so I'll let them go to the mall to buy them tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll let the guards around me follow them."
"Yeah, okay."
"Are you busy these days?"
"It's OK. I'm shipping these days and I don't come back until 6 or 7 every day. You can call me later."
"Okay, I'll take the kids to eat first."
After Zhou Ting'an hung up the phone, he shouted in the house: "Kids, let's go out for dinner."
The He family's old house is big, with three courtyards. But they are reluctant to rent this place out. They rarely come to live here once a year, so it is a bit deserted. They only clean a few rooms in the main house.
He Wan's family also lived here when they came back before, so they have quilts and other things.
Zhou Xiyao and Shen Xiaomi lived in the same room, and the two sisters talked nonstop when they saw each other.
Zhang Cuicao also called Su Ranran in advance.
It was Su Ranran who went to pick them up in the afternoon. Originally, she was going to take them home, but it turned out that the two of them wanted to stay here.
Wang Xiao also insisted on coming along.
Su Ranran took half a day off.
Seeing that Zhou Tingan was there, he ignored her and hurried to work.
In the afternoon, Zhou Ting'an directed three people to clean up the room and pull out the weeds in the yard.
I also paid their electricity and gas bills.
The water, electricity and gas here were modified in 1991. He Wan was not there at the time, so she asked Uncle Gu to help oversee the modifications.
Zhou Tingan took them to KFC in the evening. Children just love to eat this, and of course, he likes it too.
What's wrong with the old man? It doesn't affect his love for eating chicken.
But his wife always says that eating these is unhealthy, but he thinks it is quite healthy since it is all meat.
So, when they get to the store, they order a few delicious snacks because they know that with Uncle Zhou around, they will be able to enjoy their meal to the fullest.
The next morning, Zhou Ting'an bought breakfast for the children and went to work.
"You can go out and play, but you can't go to crowded places, and you can't stay outside at night, understand?"
Zhou Xiyao assured: "Don't worry, Dad, we will be careful."
Shen Xiaomi said, "Don't worry, Uncle Zhou. I will take good care of them."
Zhang Xiao patted his chest and said, "I am a man, I will protect my two sisters."
Zhou Ting'an smiled helplessly and didn't say anything more. He left some money for them and left.
As soon as the adults left, the three of them jumped up.
"Come on, let's go to the mall. Let's buy a few more bowls and plates, and a small frying pan. I'll cook a few dishes for you tonight so you can taste my cooking skills."
"Okay, let's go."
A few people got on the bus and went to the largest shopping mall.
I strolled around enthusiastically for the whole morning and had lunch outside at noon.
A few people chose a Shaxian snack bar. Well, the wontons here are pretty good.
Zhang Xiao wants duck leg rice.
Shen Xiaomi said, "You're almost turning into a fat pig. Eat less rice."
Zhang Xiao said: "My mother told me not to eat oily and meaty food. Look, I am not eating oily food now, just vegetables and duck legs."
Zhou Xiyao listened to his shameless words and teased him with amusement.
In the afternoon, when we returned home, Shen Xiaomi, as the older sister, began to take orders.
Although Zhang Xiao is reluctant to work at home, he works harder than anyone else here.
When the three of them finished cooking, Su Ranran and Wang Xiaorong were worried about them.
He came over with some cold dishes and braised meat.
Seeing their table full of delicious dishes, he smiled and said, "It's obvious that this was made by Xiaomi. Xiaomi really inherited your mother's skills."
"Aunt Su, Uncle Wang, why are you here?"
Wang Xiaorong said, "We were worried about you, so we came to see you. I have to say, you three are doing well."
Zhang Xiao said proudly: "That's it."
Zhou Xiyao said, "Aunt Su, Uncle Wang, please sit down quickly and let's eat together."
"Okay, let's try Xiaomi's cooking."
Zhang Xiao took credit, "Mom, I washed the vegetables and dishes."
"Oh, you're really capable."
You know what, Shen Xiaomi's dishes are really delicious.
Su Ranran was originally worried about them, but now she has nothing to worry about.
Xiaomi is eighteen years old, a grown-up girl, and can take good care of two children.
After dinner, the couple did not stay and asked them to close the door at night.
The guards left behind by Agnes Chow lived outside.
They are also relieved.
Before leaving, Zhou Xiyao said, "Aunt Su, Uncle Wang, don't worry, Brother Xiao will be with us for a few days. Just enjoy your two-person world."
These words made Su Ranran's old face turn red.
The next day, several people began to visit relatives and friends with gifts.
I had lunch at Grandpa Gu's house and dinner at Aunt Gu's house.
The next day, I went to Aunt Luo's place again and helped her run her shop for the whole morning.
I went to Uncle Luo's house for dinner in the evening.
By the way, I got to play with the two kids from Aunt Luo's family.
Aunt Luo's Zhang Bu has changed his surname to Luo Ying and Luo Rong. Luo Yingying is also taking the college entrance examination this year.
He was admitted to the Normal School in Beijing.
Now I have something to talk about with Shen Xiaomi, and we even talked about visiting each other's schools in the future.
Luo Rong is two years older than Zhang Xiao and is now in junior high school.
The two people are not in the same district, but the adults visit each other on weekdays, and Aunt Luo's shop is next to her mother's hospital, so Zhang Xiao and Luo Rong are quite familiar with each other.
So, after dinner in the evening, the Luo brothers and sisters followed them back to the old house.
Luo Ying squeezed into a bed with Zhou Xiyao and the others. The little sisters chattered all night and told endless secrets.
Most of them are about schoolmates and teachers.
Luo Rong and Zhang Xiao fell asleep soon after they went to bed.
In the next few days, the group visited many places of interest.
It wasn't until the last day that I saw my godmother.
There's nothing we can do. Godmother is busy, and even if they want to see her, she may not have time.
Xue Zhenzhen is so old, but she has never found a boyfriend. However, she has dated several people, and they have broken up and gotten back together many times. This gives her quite some freedom.
Now at this age, she is not willing to look for a partner, let alone get married. She thinks being single is good now.
It's your own life, do whatever you want.
I am not short of money.
The old father at home has retired, although she has complaints and various dissatisfactions with her stepmother.
But after all these years, she has become successful and her stepmother has been trying to curry favor with her over the past few years.
If it weren't for her old father, she wouldn't bother to pay attention to her. (End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
