There was a big market today, and most people went there. There were fewer people at the supply and marketing cooperative than on weekdays or holidays. Guo Xiaojie finished serving one customer and then it was their turn.
She looked a little haggard, but still greeted the little ones one by one despite her big belly before turning her gaze to Yu Rujia.
Guo Xiaojie: "Rujia, I knew you would be coming today. I brought some frozen fruit from the north a couple of days ago. I saved some for you. Take them with you when you leave. Consider it my New Year's gift for you."
She kept two jin of frozen pears and one jin of crabapple. The quantity wasn't large, but there weren't many things coming from the north to begin with, so it took Guo Xiaojie a lot of effort to keep this much.
Yu Rujia: "What a coincidence, I also brought you some mountain produce and a pheasant. You can stew it when you get back. You look so haggard, you need to nourish yourself."
Guo Xiaojie said with a wry smile, "I plan to finish my work in February and then go home to prepare for childbirth starting in March. I haven't found a substitute yet, so I might really have to trouble you."
Actually, she had three potential partners, but all of them were ruined by her in-laws. Everyone around her knew that she had a formidable mother-in-law, and no one dared to take her place.
Her face looked so haggard; it was because she was upset by her in-laws.
It's the end of January now. Guo Xiaojie's due date is in mid-March. After finishing her February shift, she'll take a break and ask someone to cover for her for two or three months. This means she'll be back at work shortly after her postpartum period ends.
Yu Rujia: "I'll ask about the substitute shift for you when I get back. Have you confirmed the educational requirements with your director?"
Guo Xiaojie: "Our director knows my situation. I was only filling in for two or three months, so he didn't ask for much. He just told me not to collect the money incorrectly."
Yu Rujia: "Now I understand. Once I've confirmed it, I'll have someone come and meet with you. If you really can't take it anymore, go back to your parents' home. Your child and your health are the most important things. Don't fight them to the death."
Guo Xiaojie: "That's what I think too. At worst, we can get a divorce. I have a job and can support my child."
After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, the group of people arrived at the market.
The little boys were naturally most interested in the firecrackers.
When Duolu reached a place selling firecrackers, he couldn't move. He tugged at her trouser leg and said sweetly, his little mouth as if coated with honey, "Auntie, Duolu's favorite auntie, can you buy us more firecrackers?"
The usually composed Duofu and Duoshou's eyes lit up when they saw the firecrackers, and Duoxi almost wanted to pounce on them.
Dorjee was not yet two years old. Last year during the Lunar New Year, he was just a little boy who couldn't even walk. He had no memory of firecrackers, but that didn't stop him from supporting his older brothers' suggestions.
Dorje's soft, short arms reached out from Gao Shujing's embrace and hugged Yu Rujia's arm: "Mom, Mom, firecrackers, I want firecrackers."
Fortunately, she was close to Gao Shujing; otherwise, with the little dumpling messing around like that, she might have accidentally fallen to the ground.
Gao Shujing adjusted her holding position to make it easier for her chubby son to cuddle with his mother.
Dorjee winked at Dorjee, encouraging him to keep trying.
Yu Rujia looked at the mischievous little ones with amusement and said, "When has your aunt ever been short of firecrackers? Alright, stop acting up. You're allowed to have a lot of fun during the New Year. You can choose the firecrackers you want."
Duolu and Duoxi jumped up with joy, while Duofu and Duoshou moved even closer to the firecracker stall.
"Oh? I knew Auntie was the best! I want this, this, this..."
"This one is fine too, take this one."
"Take this back with you."
The older brothers were excitedly choosing firecrackers, but little Baozi Dorje didn't understand the allure of firecrackers and still insisted on going down to choose some.
Gao Shujing put the little guy on the ground, but still held his hand to prevent him from getting lost in the crowd.
The children picked out a bunch of firecrackers, spending over ten yuan.
Afterwards, he picked and chose at the market and picked up a bunch of things to take back with him.
After shopping, the group went to the photo studio to take pictures, just like in previous years.
Since the first year they took photos, their family has taken photos at least once a year. Now the little ones are no longer as reserved as they were during their first photo shoot, and they have even learned to pose in various ways.
Duo Shou was particularly fond of taking photos. The first time he took a photo, he closed his eyes and was stabbed a few times by his carefree brother, Duo Lu. Every time he took the photo to look back, Duo Lu would always step on it a few times.
Now he has higher standards for photography, determined to be the most handsome guy in every photo.
And here we are, the little guy striking a pose again.
Seeing how well he arranged the items, Duolu followed suit and started arranging his own, as did Duoxi, the little follower.
Little Dorje didn't understand, but that didn't stop him from doing what his older brothers did.
When Duofu turned around, he found that all his younger brothers had posed for a photo, leaving him standing stiffly, his little face almost turning black.
Yu Rujia: "Duofu, come here to your aunt."
Duofu turned around in response, and Yu Rujia put the little guy in her arms and took his two little hands in hers.
Seeing this, Duolu became unhappy and snuggled over to hug Yu Rujia's arm, saying softly, "I want to hug Auntie too."
Duoshou and Duoxi's eyes lit up when they saw her, and the two little ones sidled up to hug Yu Rujia.
When little Dorje tried to get closer to his mother, he found that his brothers were blocking the way. He tried to squeeze in several times but failed, and he was so upset that he almost cried.
Seeing this, Gao Shujing picked up his chubby son and comforted him, saying, "Don't cry, Dorje, Dad will hold you."
Even though he wasn't next to his biological mother, little Dorje, who was being held in his father's arms, still felt a little wronged and glared angrily at his older brothers who were blocking his way.
Yu Rujia was surrounded by a bunch of little buns. Gao Guojing felt that it was not good for him to stand alone, so he insisted on holding Xiao Duoxi in his arms and standing next to Duolu.
Duo Xi was dumbfounded. He had finally managed to get a spot next to his aunt, but how did Uncle Guo Jing end up carrying him out?
The flash went off, and the happy moment was captured in the photo.
After taking a lot of photos and agreeing on a time to pick them up, the group left the photo studio satisfied.
After returning home with a lot of things, Yu Rujia took out the frozen pears and red flowers that Guo Xiaojie had given her.
Duo Shou was a little disgusted by the appearance of the frozen pear, and tentatively pressed it with his chubby little hand: "Why is it all black? Is it not spoiled?"
They had eaten pears before, and in their memory, the bright yellow pears had turned black. Duoshou remembered what Yu Rujia had told them before: black pears were spoiled and should not be eaten.
Upon seeing the black frozen pear, he asked about it.
Yu Rujia explained, "These are frozen pears, unlike the pears we usually eat. Frozen pears are black, and they'll taste good after they thaw."
There were only a few frozen pears from the two pounds, not enough for one for each person, and since it was winter and not suitable to eat too much ice, Gao Shujing cut them into plates and served them.
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