Xu Lai was taken aback, then started rummaging through the cabinet. Zhao Qingyun burst out laughing. As Xu Lai continued rummaging, she asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Zhao Qingyun's voice was tinged with laughter, "I knew it. You stuffed all those clothes into the closet as soon as you got back. Looks like I was right. If I hadn't told you tonight, you probably wouldn't have noticed for a while."
As she spoke, Xu Lai reached into her pocket, put her hand inside, and found a small box and a red envelope.
She had a guess in her mind, took it out and looked at it, and sure enough, it was a ring box.
Tears welled up in Xu Lai's eyes. "Zhao Qingyun, where did you learn this from? Why are you suddenly being so romantic?"
His voice was gentle, "Okay, stop crying. I'm not here to wipe your tears."
Xu Lai put on the ring, turned the camera around, and asked, "Does it look good?"
Zhao Qingyun nodded, "It's especially beautiful."
Xu Lai took it off and said, "When you come back, put it on me again."
After tidying up the wardrobe, Xu Lai couldn't help but ask, "What will you do if I still don't agree to you tonight? Won't the ring just stay there forever?"
Zhao Qingyun rested his elbow on the railing and said, "Perhaps you could check the pockets of the other garment."
Xu Lai's eyes widened. "You have another trick up your sleeve?"
She pulled out another item, touched it, and sure enough, it was a red envelope and a necklace box.
She opened it and saw a gold necklace inside. Xu Lai covered her mouth, "When did you buy this?"
Zhao Qingyun thought for a moment and said, "It was on the same day as Aunt Xu's and Grandma Xu's bracelets."
He thought she would definitely like the necklace, so he bought it as well. However, since it wasn't a holiday or festival, he couldn't find a suitable reason to give it to her.
Zhao Qingyun smiled and said, "A New Year's gift."
Xu Lai opened the two red envelopes. She didn't know the exact amount, so she took them all out to count them.
Seeing her counting the money, Zhao Qingyun couldn't help but laugh and said, "Okay, stop counting. There's 5200 in every red envelope. I love you, Xu Lai."
Xu Lai blushed upon hearing his sudden sweet words. She covered her face and said, "Where did you learn all that? It's so tacky."
Zhao Qingyun chuckled twice, "Is it corny? So what if it's corny? As long as it makes you happy."
...
The next day was the first day of the Lunar New Year. Xu Lai and his family had a habit of getting up early to eat breakfast, and the dishes they ate were leftovers from Lunar New Year's Eve, symbolizing abundance year after year.
Xu Lai struggled to get out of bed amidst the sound of firecrackers, and couldn't help but yawn several times. Her mood had been fluctuating all night, and her brain had been in an excited state, so she didn't fall asleep until almost two o'clock.
After washing up, she went downstairs. It was only a little past six o'clock, and Xu Yan also looked tired. She found it amazing that her parents would go to play cards and not come home until two or three o'clock, yet they were still in good spirits the next day.
On the other hand, she and Xu Yan looked like they were about to fall asleep in their food.
Grandma picked up a duck leg for her. She hadn't eaten much of the duck meat from last night, but she had finished most of the chicken.
Xu Lai didn't have much of an appetite and only ate a small spoonful of rice. They also have a rule here that you must eat rice on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day morning, even if it's just a bite.
After she finished her meal, she went straight upstairs. Her mother quickly called out, "Hurry up and get ready, we're going to visit villagers around eight o'clock for the New Year."
Xu Lai replied, "Understood."
Seeing that it was still early, Xu Lai lay down and slept for an hour. At 7:30, she got up, changed her clothes, and put on some light makeup.
Finally, after putting on her coat, she could go downstairs. When choosing clothes, Xu Lai's finger slid over the two pieces of clothing that Aunt Jiang had bought, but in the end, she still took the coat she had bought herself.
She changed her shoes and went downstairs just a second before her mother called her.
The family of four was preparing to go out to pay New Year's visits. The grandparents didn't need to go. Firstly, given their seniority, it was not customary for elders to visit younger or peers. Secondly, since other people might come to their house to offer New Year's greetings, the grandparents could attend to them.
First, they went to Third Uncle's house, which was the closest. Xu's father brought two rolls of firecrackers, and lit one roll before even reaching the door.
Hearing the noise, the third uncle's son also brought out a roll of firecrackers to greet the guests.
Xu's mother gave Xu Man and Xu Bin a red envelope each and said, "Study hard and get into a good university."
The two said in hushed tones, "Thank you, Auntie."
After chatting with their third uncle for a while, the two suggested going to Xu Shen's place. His grandfather was the eldest son, and although he had passed away, they still wanted to visit him.
So a few more people joined the New Year's greetings team, with Xu Yan and Xu Bin chatting at the very end.
When they arrived at Xu Shen's house, he was still wearing his pajamas and eating breakfast.
Seeing his uncles arrive, he quickly stood up, offered them a cigarette, and said, "Uncle, I'm so sorry, I overslept today."
Xu Shen's father, Uncle Xu, stood up, took a roll of firecrackers, lit them, and threw them out.
"Zhicheng, it's been so long since I've seen you," said Uncle Xu, taking the cigarette offered by his father.
Mr. Xu smiled and said, "I've been busy making money, brother. When did you get back?"
Uncle Xu: "I came back the day before yesterday."
Everyone went to the village chief's house again. Uncle Xu shook hands with the village chief, and Uncle Guiping asked with a smile, "Boss Xu, where have you been making your fortune lately?"
Uncle Xu shook his head: "You can't make any money there."
Xu Lai stood at the back, feeling bored. She thought this kind of New Year's greeting was meaningless, but she still had to keep in touch, since they were all from the same village and everyone usually worked outside, so they could only meet during the New Year.
Zheng Yuan pulled her aside to talk. She had gained a lot of weight. Xu Lai couldn't help but sigh. Pregnancy was really a tough job. Her appearance and figure were very different from before, and she also faced the risks of childbirth.
When they arrived at Aunt Hongmei's house, Yiyi ran over and hugged her, saying, "Auntie."
Xu Lai squatted down. "Oh, Yiyi's wearing new clothes! Who bought them for her?"
Yiyi ran inside and pulled her mother out, saying, "My mom bought it for me."
Xu Lai stood up, took a closer look, and felt that the face looked very familiar. She thought about it carefully and felt that she had some impression of it, but she just couldn't remember the name.
It was Yi Yi's mother who called out, "Xu Lai, I've known it was you for a long time, but I just haven't had a chance to come find you."
Seeing Xu Lai's puzzled expression, she introduced herself, "Me? Xie Meiling. Don't you know me?"
Xu Lai suddenly realized, "I was wondering why you looked so familiar. Oh, it's you, Meiling."
She finally remembered that she and Xie Meiling were junior high school classmates. Xie Meiling was from the next village. They went to different high schools and gradually lost contact with each other.
Xu Lai looked at Yi Yi and couldn't help but ask, "So you got married right after graduating from university?" After all, Yi Yi should be about five years old now.
Xie Meiling smiled and said, "No, I didn't get into university. I started working after graduating from high school."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
