Chapter 48 Let’s spend a warm New Year together
With the overwhelming publicity, the "Xi" brand's fame exploded overnight! No longer limited to a well-known local brand, it became a fashion star attracting attention nationwide.
A large number of cooperation invitations and orders poured in. The phone was blown away by the calls, and the studio door was almost broken down by businesses seeking cooperation.
Faced with this sudden huge success and overwhelming orders, Su Hexi and Cai Jinglin could not complete the task even if they worked day and night.
Su Hexi acted decisively, demonstrating her courage as an entrepreneur.
Without hesitation, she invested all the first pot of gold she earned from the show and most of the deposits from subsequent orders, and spent the money to open up her own professional production line!
She purchased advanced sewing equipment, recruited skilled workers with high salaries, and trained them personally. Cai Jinglin served as technical director and strictly controlled the quality of each product.
The "Xi" brand has officially entered a new stage of large-scale production from a designer studio. Su Hexi's ambitions and dreams are becoming reality step by step at an astonishing speed.
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, the production line finally finished the last batch of urgent orders and officially closed for the holiday.
Su Hexi personally distributed generous red envelopes and New Year's goods to the workers. Everyone's face was filled with joy, and they went home happily to celebrate the New Year.
The noisy factory suddenly became quiet, leaving only scraps of cloth on the floor and the lingering smell of fiber in the air.
Cai Jinglin packed up her things and before leaving, she looked at Su Hexi, who was standing alone in front of the office window, and asked, "Everyone's gone, what about you? Where are you planning to spend the New Year as a big boss? You can't just stay in this empty factory by yourself, right?"
Su Hexi was about to casually say, "It's right here," but Cai Jinglin caught a glimpse of the tall figure standing silently under the dim light outside the factory gate. She suddenly smiled knowingly and said teasingly, "It seems my worries are a bit unnecessary. Let's go, Happy New Year!"
Su Hexi looked outside upon hearing this and, as expected, saw Zhou Lin. He was wearing a thick military coat, his breath forming a white mist in the cold air. He was waiting quietly, not coming in to disturb her.
After Cai Jinglin left, Zhou Lin pushed the door open and brought in a chill.
"Are you done?" He said in a low voice.
"Yeah." Su Hexi responded and continued looking at the deserted street outside the window.
"Come home with me for the New Year." Zhou Lin said, his tone filled with cautious expectation, "The house is clean and I won't let you feel uncomfortable."
Su Hexi refused without a second thought: "No. I still have things to take care of and need to work overtime. Besides," she turned around and said in a distant tone, "Zhou Lin, we are divorced. How can I go to your house for the New Year? It's not appropriate."
Zhou Lin frowned and continued to persuade: "The company is on holiday, what could happen? You are alone in this empty factory, it's not safe. There are not many people around here at night, aren't you worried..." He paused deliberately and lowered his voice, "Aren't you worried about encountering robbers who break in and pick the lock at night? Everyone knows that you, Boss Su, are rich. What if someone has bad intentions..."
This remark touched upon a hidden fear within Su Hexi. Her career had grown, and her fame had spread far and wide, which indeed made her prone to jealousy.
She was the only one in the factory at night... As she thought about it, the horrific scene Zhou Lin described seemed to be right in front of her. Her forced calmness began to waver, and a hint of hesitation flashed across her face.
Zhou Lin saw that she was reluctant and struck while the iron was hot: "Let's have the New Year's Eve dinner. If you don't want to stay after dinner, I will take you back immediately. I will never force you."
His eyes were sincere and filled with unmistakable worry.
Finally, after Zhou Lin half-persuaded and half-threatened her, Su Hexi finally nodded reluctantly: "...Okay, let's have a meal."
Joy instantly welled up in Zhou Lin's eyes, and he carefully took her home.
Just as they reached the courtyard gate, Zhou Zhisheng, who was pasting blessing characters, saw Su Hexi behind Zhou Lin. He was so excited that he almost fell off the stool and shouted into the house at the top of his voice: "Mom! Lan Yin! Come out! My sister-in-law is here! My brother brought my sister-in-law back!"
Wang Huixian immediately ran out of the kitchen upon hearing the noise. She was wearing an apron, her hands still stained with flour. Seeing Su Hexi, her face was full of smiles, and she was so excited that she didn't know what to do. "Oh, Xiaoxi... Xiaoxi is really here! Great, great! Come in quickly, it's cold outside! This is great, everyone is here, this is called a reunion year, a reunion year!"
Zhou Lanyin slowly emerged from the kitchen, looking at Su Hexi, who was surrounded by her mother and brother. She curled her lips and said nothing. Now that Su Hexi was a wealthy boss and the apple of her brother's eye, she had to endure it even if she was unhappy.
Su Hexi looked at their enthusiasm, but there was no expression on her face, which seemed a bit out of place and indifferent.
Zhou Lin brought her a small stool and placed it in a corner where she could avoid the wind but still see everyone busy. "Just sit here and rest. It's warm. You don't have to do anything."
Su Hexi really sat down without saying a word, wrapped his coat tightly around him, and watched coldly as the brothers Zhou Lin and Zhou Zhisheng climbed up and down to paste couplets, hang lanterns, and arrange the festivities in and outside the yard.
From the kitchen came the sounds of Wang Huixian and Zhou Lanyin busying around and the aroma of food.
In the evening, the table was filled with a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner.
Everyone sat together, Zhou Lin kept picking up food for Su Hexi, Zhou Zhisheng tried to make jokes to liven up the atmosphere, and Zhou Lanyin and Wang Huixian joined in from time to time.
The dinner table was filled with joy, but Su Hexi felt a lingering sense of oppression. The bustle, the care, the so-called atmosphere of reunion made her feel uncomfortable, even suffocated. She hated the expectation of reciprocated enthusiasm, the close-knit family bond.
She suddenly put down her chopsticks before she finished her meal.
"I'm full. I have something to do at the company, so I'll go back first." She said as she was about to get up.
Everyone at the table was stunned.
Wang Huixian hurriedly tried to persuade him to stay: "This...this hasn't even finished eating yet? It's so late, what else is going on?"
Zhou Zhisheng also advised: "Sister-in-law, stay here tonight. My brother's room is already cleaned up."
Zhou Lin looked at her tense profile and knew that she was determined to leave.
Su Hexi was adamant and refused to listen to any of her arguments. She picked up her bag and walked out. Zhou Lin had no choice but to quickly grab his coat and chase after her.
Zhou Lanyin's voice could be heard from behind, finally unable to hold back her anger. "Can't she just calm down for a moment? She has to keep acting like this! She's ruining everyone's New Year's Eve dinner!"
On the way back, it was cold and quiet, with only the sporadic sound of firecrackers in the distance adorning the night sky.
Zhou Lin carefully accompanied Su Hexi, and after a while, he whispered, "What's wrong? Is the food not to your liking, or... are you feeling unwell?"
Su Hexi's tone was sharp and sarcastic, like a hedgehog with its spines erected: "Nothing. I just don't want to stay at your house. Seeing your family having so much fun together is really annoying."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
