"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.
弄的禾婉连忙招聘店员，又去联系了些原料，这几天正加班出货呢。
“那栋大厦每年的租金，我都买成了基金，这些都留给咱女儿。你说你什么时候退休啊，我还想着以后咱们两口子出去走走呢。”
周庭桉无奈一笑：“估计还得几十年。”
禾婉没好气哼了一声，能够怎么办。
不过周庭桉已经很佛系了，单位里的假期，他能不加班就不加班，必须每年陪着媳妇女儿出去玩两次。
单位的老领导想让他留下也无可奈何，谁让人家厉害呢，好苗子咱得供着。
周庭桉是真有本事，上了大学系统的学了机械方面的知识。
再加上比他们提前了几十年的时空。
他在那边学到了不少新的知识和技术。
所以他研究出来的武器，已经比之前要早了好几年。
这次过去，就是为了汇报他这次的研究成果，和新品。
不过两口子还是去了南山那边，毕竟这边女儿不知道，就他们两口子，想怎么疯就怎么疯。
说起来，花花因为年纪大了，离开了已经两年了。
禾婉伤心了大半年，南山这边也有花花的照片。
现在看着还真有些放不下，想着要不要在养一只猫。
不说花花，就说老云的崽崽，也在前年的时候，老死了。
老云还给它弄了个葬礼，发到了网上，这事儿还引起了不小的风波，分为两派，一派是支持的，一派是觉得她在浪费资源，一个小宠物而已，竟然搞这么隆重，还有人调侃，人都没这么奢华的。
不管网上怎么说，老云该弄还是弄，毕竟是她养了这么多年的。
都说兔子的寿命在8-10年，她家崽崽活了十一年，已经很棒了。
为此老白说要在给她买一只，老云没让，说这东西要合眼缘才行，如果遇到喜欢的，在买也不迟。
不过她是准备让老云给她在宠物市场淘一只猫回来。
要个矮脚的，跟老云家的一样，矮脚的上不高，不用怕上串下跳的。
第二天，禾婉把父女俩送上了火车。
开车去了店里。
现在店里请了两名员工。
一个帮着看店，一个在楼上帮着她做肥皂。
这次的客户一共十二个品种，每样都定了几百个。
她一天能做出来一百个，所以昨天上午又买了几百个磨具回来。
这次量大，禾婉从早上忙到晚上。
今天做出来了几百个，还好，她说了半个月后交货，时间上来得及。
本来她这里也有不少存货。
“老板，这个真的很好用，昨天我回家试了一次，跟之前弄的洗面奶不一样。”
禾婉忙的时候，旁边的小员工道。
禾婉笑着道：“那肯定，你看咱用的都是什么原料，自然好用，而且这些也都是我的独家秘方。”
虽说有小工，但配方，还是她自己操作的。她的这些秘方，除了她外婆告诉她的一些，还有她在网上学的，但在港城那几年，她淘到了一本皂料配方。
看样子有上百年了，这里面的两种，她做出来了，很好用。
要不然也不会有海外的客户要她一个小店的东西。
本来她这个定价就贵呢。
当然，本来她也是走高端货的。
她这里最便宜的一块皂二十五。
虽然九十年代，但也是很多人买不起的。
最贵的更是到了五十块一块。
现在一下子十万块的订单，也是很惊喜啊。
不过因为这个单子，她也增加了不少道具，成本有一些的，但也是很赚钱的哈。
禾婉忙碌了一天，回到家，洗了个澡直接进了空间。
到了南山这边，发现老云已经在了，还弄了火锅等着她呢。
“怎么来这么早？你家老白呢？”
“出差了，星星去她奶奶家了，就剩我一个人。”云姝黛说着，跑去了客厅，提着一个宠物箱过来了：“我今天送完慕隐，去了趟宠物市场，本来给你发图片呢，你接不到，看看，这只好看吧。”
禾婉赶紧放下筷子，凑了过去，是一只矮脚灰白，毛不是特别长的那种，比短毛的稍微长一点儿：“哇，好漂亮。”
“就猜你喜欢，商家说这只一个半月，还很小，好培养感情。”
“正好，瑶瑶走了，我弄回来这样一只猫，也好糊弄过去。”
“我还给你买了猫粮和猫砂。你最好换个包装。”
“不用了，我们这边已经有猫砂了，我上次逛街的时候见过，那种膨润土的。不过挺贵的，一袋六l的要五十块钱。”
云姝黛听到这个价格咦了一声：“这利润也太大了吧，这边的很便宜啊。”
禾婉额了一声：“也是哦。”
闺蜜两个吃饭的时候，还讨论，说现在的宠物用品很挣钱呢，之前她家崽崽的兔笼子都很贵，什么草呀，兔粮都是高利润。
吃过饭，禾婉提着小猫回了家，这几天先不给猫咪起名字，等女儿回来，让女儿起。
把它放出来后，给弄了猫砂，放到了客厅阳台，这小家伙一出来就躲到了一个角落里不出来。
禾婉养猫有经验，所以也没管它。
第二天放了水和猫粮就出了门。
在店里忙了一上午，中午的时候趁着休息时间去了上次，去了哪家宠物店。
这家卖猫和狗的，里面有这种猫砂。
禾婉在里面赚了一圈，发现味道很大，也是，现在宠物用品都不是很好，特别是猫砂这种。
禾婉发现老板都不舍得用猫砂，给猫用的都是蜂窝煤渣。
这东西不结团，也不吸尿，一天都得倒一次。
禾婉问了下情况，老板道：“猫砂那么贵，咱店里那么多宠物，也舍不得用，咱们城里和农村不一样，农村都不用管这些，城里都是住楼房的，爱猫人士也不少，只能用老方法，找些蜂窝煤渣，就是得勤换，关键是现在都又燃起了，用的也少，有些人专门跑去郊外农户家找。”
禾婉哦了一声，没多说，她之前养花花，猫粮猫砂都是老云给卖的，从来不担心这个。
但她知道喜欢猫的人可不少哦，这猫砂这么贵，一般家庭也舍不得买啊。
这要是把猫砂从老云那边弄过来，不说五十块钱，就是卖二十块钱，也能赚不少。
不过这个想法也只是个想法而已，买了一袋子猫砂。
晚上的时候，回到家，自己拉了上来。
就这么点儿东西要五十，唉，下次还是让老云买吧。
到了楼上后，禾婉发现小猫已经开始在屋里瞎逛了，猫粮也吃了不少。
嗯，还不错。
到家没一会儿，禾婉接到了周庭桉的电话：“下午到了，我现在在老宅这边，帮她们俩收拾下房间。明天我可能就住所里了，要两三天。”
“平安到了就行，小米什么时候到的？”
“也是下午到的。王晓这小子也在这边。”
“你给她们留点儿钱，也不用管了，让她们在外面吃。”
周庭桉笑道：“她们已经商量好了，小米说要下厨做饭，还让我给她们添置些家电。我是没空，明天让她们几个一起去商场买，你也别担心，我让我身边的警卫员跟着她们。”
“嗯，好。”
“几天忙不忙？”
“还行，这几天出货呢，每天六七点才回来，你打电话可以晚一点儿。”
“好，我带孩子们先吃饭去了。”
周庭桉挂了电话后，在屋里喊了一声：“孩子们，出去吃饭了。”
禾家的老宅大，三进的院子呢，不过她们这个地方也没舍得租出去，一年也不来住一次，有些荒废你，也就正屋几间打扫的干净。
之前禾婉一家回来也住这，所以被子啥的，都有。
周希瑶和沈小米两个住一间，小姐妹见了面说个不停。
张翠草也提前给苏苒苒打了电话。
下午还是苏苒苒去接的人，本来是要把她们接回家的，结果两个人要住这边。
王晓也非要跟着来。
苏苒苒就请了半天假。
见周庭桉在，也就没在管，匆匆的上班去了。
下午，周庭桉指挥着三个人把房间收拾了下，院子里的杂草也拔了。
还去给他们交了些电费，煤气费。
这边的水电燃气，九一年的时候改的，当时禾婉不在，让顾叔帮忙盯着改了改。
周庭桉晚上带她们去吃了肯德基，小孩子就是喜欢吃这个，当然，他自己也爱吃。
老男人怎么了，也不影响他爱吃鸡啊。
不过媳妇老说吃这些不健康，他觉到挺健康的，都是肉。
所以，到了店里，几根可劲儿的点，他们知道，有周叔叔在，绝对能吃尽兴。
周庭桉第二天一早给孩子们买了早餐，就去上班去了。
“你们去玩可以，但不能去人少的地方，晚上不能在外面逗留，知道么？”
周希瑶保证道：“放心吧，爸爸，我们会小心的。”
沈小米道：“周叔叔放心，我会看好她俩的。”
张晓拍着胸脯道：“我是男子汉，我会保护好两个姐姐的。”
周庭桉无奈一笑笑，也没再多说，给她们留了钱就走了。
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)