Helen's incident was just a minor episode and didn't affect Jiang Ning and the others' mood for the New Year.
During their holiday, they traveled around the capital city.
Ji Min and Wang Xiufen also went along, visiting the Forbidden City and other museums. This was partly to broaden the children's horizons, and partly to let Ji Min see if there were any places she had been before that could awaken her memories.
They visited many tourist attractions, and every time they crossed a main road, Wang Xiufen couldn't help but complain.
"I didn't see many cars on the road, so why build such a wide road?"
Jiang Ning laughed and said, "Mom, don't be fooled by the fact that there aren't many cars on the road now. When more people buy cars, the roads will be congested."
Wang Xiufen clicked her tongue: "I heard that a car costs more than 100,000 yuan. With that much money, you can live a life without worrying about food and clothing. Why bother to buy a piece of iron?"
Anyway, she didn't believe that there would be traffic jams on the roads in the future.
As she spoke, she turned to Ji Min and said, "Sister, don't you think so?"
Judging from her tone, the person buying the car seemed like a complete idiot, so Lin Chen whispered:
"I'm also planning to buy a car this year."
Wang Xiufen didn't hear what he said, but Jiaojiao did. She grabbed Lin Chen's clothes, looked up, and asked:
"Dad, are you really going to buy a car?"
Wang Xiufen exclaimed in surprise, "Achen, you want to buy a car? Don't be so foolish. It would be better to save that money for Jiaojiao and Tongtong."
Jiaojiao clapped her hands and laughed, "I want to buy a car, so Sophia's dad can have a car."
Jiang Ning stroked Jiao Jiao's head and said earnestly:
“We don’t compare ourselves to others, but your father and I have discussed buying a car. We’ll be traveling a lot for business, so having a car will be more convenient.”
As for leaving you money, your father and I have thought about it. A hundred yuan now won't be worth that much when you grow up. It's better to spend it now or invest it. By then, we'll have earned so much money we won't be able to spend it all.
Tongtong, however, put on a serious face and said:
"When I grow up, I won't spend your money anymore. I'll earn money for you to spend."
Wang Xiufen pinched his cheek, her face crinkling with laughter:
"Okay, I'll be waiting for you guys to make money in the future."
Once the children have earned money, she should be able to be buried.
While the rest of the family was happily celebrating the New Year, the Jiang family presented a completely different scene.
Because Li Damei couldn't go home while taking care of Jiang Jianguo, Zhang Tiezhu actually moved in with his girlfriend.
The group of people made a mess of the house, which greatly bothered Jiang Jianguo.
But what could he do? His two sons only came to visit him once on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the rest of the time they treated Jiang Jianguo like he was invisible.
They didn't even bother to ask where Jiang Rou had gone.
Sister Hong was afraid that Li Damei would take the opportunity to steal the treasure, so she would come over from time to time.
However, her son is currently in a juvenile detention center, and she has no news of her daughter. She has no interest in trying to please Jiang Jianguo.
"Did your son really steal something?" Li Damei deliberately raised her voice and leaned closer to ask.
Sister Hong ignored her, "None of your business! Tell your son to leave. This isn't your home. Don't be so rude."
Li Damei straightened Jiang Jianguo's clothes and sneered:
"Are you trying to get rid of me? Why don't you take care of him? You'll be cleaning up his poop and pee every day. Let's see how long you can last."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Jianguo's face showed displeasure.
"Alright, the New Year is over. Everyone who is not important should leave now."
He certainly wanted Zhang Tiezhu to leave.
For several days, Zhang Tiezhu's palms were sweating as he wandered around the courtyard wall.
He had given up on Sister Hong; it was clear she was after his money.
Sister Hong was furious and loudly questioned Jiang Jianguo:
"I can forgive Lu Ming, but Rou Rou is your daughter! Are you just going to sit idly by and do nothing about it?!"
Jiang Jianguo's face was ashen, displeased with her aggressive manner.
"Otherwise, where am I supposed to find someone when I'm disabled? I think Lu Ming's matter was able to be downplayed because he must have met a benefactor. Just be patient and wait, Rou Rou will definitely come back."
There's nothing we can do anyway, what's the use of being anxious?
They had a particularly miserable New Year.
Meanwhile, Gao Baoliang was leading Yang Lu around the village.
They arrived home on the evening of the third day of the Lunar New Year, and their family was overjoyed. Instead of going to sleep, they surrounded them, asking them all sorts of questions.
Gao Guixiang puffed on his pipe, his smile revealing a set of yellowed teeth stained by tobacco. He couldn't be more satisfied with his youngest son's wife.
The problem was that Gao's mother had many requests. After they returned, she made them visit each household to offer New Year's greetings to the elders.
Yang Lu had been walking around for a long time, her legs were tired, and she hadn't even finished praying when she started to complain.
"Don't be upset. Paying New Year's visits is a local custom. If you don't feel comfortable with it, we won't go."
Gao Baoliang had never been one to follow rules, and he led her toward the lake.
"Lin Chen's family lives in Chayuan Village, which is a few kilometers away. Would you like to take a walk there? You can get there by walking along the lake."
After admiring the scenery for a while, Gao Baoliang made a suggestion.
Yang Lu became interested.
The people here all speak a local dialect, and the older women and young wives always laugh heartily when they hear her speak, as if her pronunciation is so strange.
Otherwise, they'll ask what your family does, what jobs you have, and how much money you earn, like they're checking your household registration.
What's most infuriating is that the older sister-in-law named Cuihua, while outwardly showing her exceptional warmth, secretly gossiped about her to Gao's mother, saying that she got up so late in the morning and didn't do any work, and that Gao Baoliang marrying her was like marrying a fairy.
At first, Gao's mother was very lenient with her. After Cuihua reprimanded her a few times, she began to educate her intentionally or unintentionally, saying things like she should learn to do chores and serve men.
She heard all this but didn't dare tell Gao Baoliang, because Gao Baoliang was protecting her and wanted to avoid any conflict.
The two walked hand in hand, marveling at how the trees in the South were still green and the mountains and rivers were beautiful at this time of year. No wonder the women here have such good skin.
"You know, girls from the South are so beautiful, why do you prefer girls from the North?" Yang Lu suddenly asked.
Gao Baoliang smiled, feeling like this was a life-or-death question, and kissed her on the cheek when no one was around.
"It has nothing to do with the North or the South. The key is that we two have to be attracted to each other. Fortunately, we're not like the flower that's interested but the stream that's indifferent."
Upon hearing this, Yang Lu retorted playfully, "You called me a 'fallen flower'?"
Gao Baoliang hugged her tightly: "Okay, okay, I am 'Fallen Flower,' and you cherish me."
Just then, Lin Qiao's shout came from afar.
She and Luo Guangming went for a walk and unexpectedly saw them.
The two hurried over, and Lin Qiao then joked:
"I could see you two flirting from afar."
Gao Baoliang put his arm around Yang Lu's shoulder, looking smug.
"My wife, I can hug her however I want."
Luo Guangming successfully embraced Lin Qiao and invited her:
"Let's go to my house for a drink."
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