Chapter 172, first update of 172.
Luo Yan said she stayed up late, but she actually went to bed around midnight. She woke up early, looking refreshed, giving the impression that she was going to work for the first time.
The family of three was having breakfast when Liu Yinfeng chuckled and said, "It's your dad, he grumbles even when he's working overtime."
My husband is a veteran revolutionary with high political awareness, but he can be quite troublesome when things get busy.
Luo Xinmin only gradually became less busy at work in the past few years as he was approaching retirement.
He said, "I was very energetic when I was young."
Well, Liu Yinfeng said, "Then I missed out on your youth."
Luo Xinmin got married at the age of thirty, which is not old, but he had spent almost half his life wandering. His only wish after getting married was to have a wife and children by his side. After get off work, he just wanted to be with his wife. Working was just too much of a hassle.
It's not appropriate to say such things in front of children, so he said, "It's okay, as long as I get a raise."
Since the reform and opening up, wages have changed every year.
Liu Yinfeng said, "Didn't they say prices would go up again this year?"
This year's document is about enterprise wage reform. As long as the amount paid in accordance with the standards is met, enterprises can adjust their wages independently starting from the fourth quarter.
The No. 8 State-owned Cotton Mill has always been profitable, and the mill is a sure thing to implement this policy, but the specific standards are still undecided.
Luo Xinmin: "I reckon we can postpone posting the announcement until before National Day. If we post it earlier, people will cause trouble."
He has worked for the country for over thirty years, participated in the revolution before the founding of the People's Republic of China, and made contributions and sacrifices for the country. No matter how the announcement is written, he will definitely be mentioned.
It would be good if prices could rise a little at this juncture, since a daughter's wedding costs a lot of money.
Liu Yinfeng was calculating in her mind when she suddenly remembered and asked, "My brother said you wouldn't let him buy a motorcycle?"
The night Zhou Weifang brought up the motorcycle, Luo Yan told her brother she didn't want it.
She thought the matter was over and muttered, "It's so expensive, and my workplace isn't far away."
Liu Yinfeng came to persuade her son, saying, "I was thinking that you would have one too in the future, so that your father and I would have one more person to ask for help when we go out."
Luo Yan understood what he meant and whispered, "I'm worried about what my sister-in-law will do if she finds out after he gets married."
When did this child start thinking about these things?
Liu Yinfeng: "Who's talking nonsense to you?"
Luo Yan: "We talk about these things every day in our office, about sisters-in-law and aunts-in-law, and how they fight so fiercely."
Admittedly, she had always thought about her brother's future marriage, but she couldn't imagine what would happen. Recently, she was quite frightened by her married colleagues.
Liu Yinfeng said irritably, "We're at work, why are these people always gossiping?"
He lowered his voice again: "You accepted the camera that Sanfang bought for you, but you didn't want the motorcycle that your brother bought for you. You're still sulking."
Huh? Luo Yan hadn't thought of that. She twisted her hands together in a panic, then realized, "No wonder he's been leaving early and coming home late these past few days. He's angry with me."
But she was busy and didn't notice anything amiss.
But her parents knew all this. Liu Yinfeng said, "Go tell him yourself, don't say I told him."
Luo Yan nodded vigorously and patted her brother's bedroom door: "Brother! Come pick me up tonight, I'll treat you to hot pot!"
Luo Hong opened the door: "The weasel is offering New Year's greetings to the chicken, but we won't eat it."
"No way," Luo Yan said, circling around her brother. "Then you treat me, I won't mind."
This girl, is she born to be beaten?
Luo Hong tapped her on the forehead: "You've started to look down on me."
Luo Yan chuckled, "Then it's settled. I'll wait for you after get off work."
She ran away as soon as she finished speaking, ignoring her brother's shouts behind her, "How dare you force me to buy something?"
Luo Hong always gets up a little later. After washing up and sitting down to eat breakfast, only the mother and son are left at home.
He said, "You told her."
Liu Yinfeng: "Isn't this what you wanted me to say?"
"Otherwise what?" Luo Hong took a sip of porridge. "I've been giving them the cold shoulder for days, and I haven't been able to catch them."
Liu Yinfeng also spoke up for her daughter: "Your own life is still not settled. When you get married, you'll need a decent house, right? Your father and I can't help you much. You'll have to rely on yourself."
No matter how old his sister is, Luo Hong believes that "these are not things she should worry about."
Liu Yinfeng tidied up the bowls and chopsticks: "You'll have to talk to her yourself. Who listens to me?"
Luo Hong flattered him: "Everyone knows that your word is law at home."
Don't give me that, Liu Yinfeng said, "If you're not coming back tonight, your dad and I will go out to eat too."
He added, "By the way, Xu Laosan has been taken away. Don't wander around outside these next few days."
Luo Hong's childhood friends were all decent people, but there were bound to be some bad apples in the alley. Since they lived close by, they would often get together to play cards and gossip.
However, given the tense atmosphere, he certainly wouldn't go out of his way to approach them, and instead asked, "Is there only one?"
Liu Yinfeng chatted with people in the alley every day, so she naturally knew more. She said strangely, "It's just him. The newspaper said the other day that they would crack down hard and quickly. I thought they would arrest several people. It seems that it was all bark and no bite."
Luo Hong disagreed: "I think something big is bound to happen sooner or later."
Liu Yinfeng, who believes she has seen it all over the years, said, "Anyway, we are all law-abiding people in our family, so it won't bother us."
Luo Hong put down his bowl: "Don't worry, I'll definitely behave properly."
How could his whole family dare to do anything wrong?
Liu Yinfeng: "I trust you completely, but I'm just worried that you might get drunk and ask others to instigate you."
Luo Hong wiped his mouth: "When I drink, I only come back to dance with Huang Laishun. There is no such thing as instigation in this world. That person is inherently bad."
It would rush over as soon as Huang Laishun was mentioned, but last time Luo Hong got drunk and dragged it along to cause a scene, the dog ignored people for several days.
He said, "You're the kind of person who never learns from a bad experience."
Huang Laishun heard the word "eat" and wagged his tail even more vigorously.
Luo Hong grabbed its head twice, got on his bike, and went to work.
He now owns three stores, all of which employ people, but he has to handle all financial matters himself, so he goes to check on them every day.
Busy with this and that, the daytime passed quickly.
At five o'clock sharp, Luo Hong went to pick up his sister.
He parked his motorcycle on the side of the road, crossed the street to the traffic bureau, and leaned against the large pillar at the entrance, with a book in his hand.
As soon as Luo Yan got off work, she saw her brother's outfit and tiptoed over to him, saying, "Wait, why are you bringing a book?"
Luo Hong rolled up his book and tapped her shoulder: "Who knows if you're working overtime or not."
Luo Yan: "I already told you, am I the kind of person who's late?"
"What's the point of agreeing?" Luo Hong asked. "What if something comes up unexpectedly for the leader?"
Luo Yan actually went to a meeting just before leaving get off work, so there was no way to refute her, and she could only push her brother along.
Wu Huiling, who was passing by, thought it was her boyfriend coming to pick her up again, but when she looked closely and realized it wasn't him, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
If this isn't clarified, who knows how many news stories will spread tomorrow.
Luo Yan quickly explained, "Sister Wu, this is my brother."
Luo Hong also offered a string of polite remarks, such as, "I often hear Yan Yan say at home that you take special care of her."
Wu Huiling exchanged a few polite words with him, and then they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
Luo Yan sat on the back of her brother's motorcycle and directed him, "Go to Mao'er Hutong."
Luo Hong turned right at the intersection and stopped at a Chongqing hot pot restaurant in Mao'er Hutong: "Doesn't anyone mind the heat?"
Sure enough, even in July, it was still packed with people, and the air inside was thick with heat.
Luo Yan kept waving her fan, but the smell of the broth made her throat itch, so she coughed twice with her mouth closed.
Luo Hong glanced at the wind direction and said, "Why don't you switch seats with me?"
After Luo Yan and her brother switched places, they started ordering from the menu on the wall.
Luo Hong interrupted her: "No, let's agree on who's treating today."
Luo Yan said matter-of-factly, "I haven't even received my first month's salary yet. Whoever treats me, it's all your money."
Luo Hong was speechless. He gave up on himself and ordered two more servings of beef, waiting for his sister to say something.
Luo Yan never hides anything, so she asked first, "Why did you suddenly say you'd buy me a motorcycle?"
It wasn't sudden. Luo Hong said, "Your dowry should include at least one major item, right? We've already bought all the appliances and furniture from the three parties, and this is the most suitable one that you can use."
Luo Yan felt it wouldn't be very useful: "I can't ride a bike."
"You just can't learn it," Luo Hong said. "They all have two wheels. If you can ride a bicycle, you can ride a motorcycle."
Luo Yan's eyes lit up: "Then I'll learn in your car."
Don't even think about it, Luo Hong said: "Whoever taught me to ride."
He wipes down the car once a day, so no one can afford to bump or scratch it.
Luo Yan: "Then you can ride the new one and I can have the old one."
"New or old?" Luo Hong said sarcastically, "Didn't you say you didn't want them?"
Luo Yan smiled at her brother: "Yes, why wouldn't I? If you're willing to buy it for me, I'll take it."
Luo Hong wasn't buying it: "You don't even invite me to a meal, and you just want to go back on your word so easily."
Luo Yan nodded repeatedly, two strands of hair on her forehead swaying as she spoke: "Who told you to be my brother?"
Luo Hong was even more annoyed: "You still remember? I thought you had forgotten."
Luo Yan had no choice but to draw out her brother's name and say, "How about I roll around on the ground for you twice?"
Luo Hong slapped her hand helplessly: "Are you planning to make a scene here, crying, shouting, and threatening suicide?"
Luo Yan shook her head vigorously, and the little flesh on her cheeks twitched along with it.
She said, "My brother wouldn't be so petty, would he?"
Luo Hong threatened, "Hey Luo Yan, I'll let you get away with this time. But try it again if you do it twice."
Luo Yan kept a low profile: "I was wrong, there will definitely be no next time."
Luo Hong glanced at her without saying a word, and poured the freshly served meat into the pot.
He used too much force, and the chili oil splattered out.
Luo Yan instinctively backed away and said, "There's something I need you to analyze for me."
Analysis? Luo Hong immediately knew: "What happened at work?"
Luo Yan: "I feel that my leader is a bit enthusiastic towards me, or rather, kind of friendly, or maybe not quite, but you could say he values me a lot?"
She gave an example: "When I first entered junior high school, after my first monthly exam, that's roughly how my teacher treated me. But I haven't done anything at work yet, so why do you think she did that?"
Oh dear, this little head of hers is already starting to ponder such complex interpersonal relationships. Ever since his sister started working, Luo Hong has found out everything that's going on in their office.
He said, "In your department, excluding Director Zhang, there are only two college graduates, including you. Promotions are all based on education. As long as you don't cause any major problems, your future prospects will definitely be wider than others. You just graduated and don't have any factions in the unit yet. She took the initiative to mention that she's your senior and a classmate of your teacher, which means she wants to get closer to you. The pedestrian overpass incident is an opportunity. If you seize the opportunity and perform well, they will definitely promote you in the future, and it's not impossible that they will groom you as their successor."
Luo Yan wasn't good at social skills, but she wasn't so clueless that even after her brother explained everything to her, she was still confused. She nodded and said, "You're the one who's more shrewd."
Then he asked, "What should I do?"
Luo Hong: "Just do the tasks I give you. No matter how big or small the matter is, go to her for help. Report to her and listen to her advice."
I can't change people's minds, so I might as well let everyone think that my sister is stubborn.
Luo Yan hesitated for a moment: "Even for small matters?"
Luo Hong quipped, "Take the same energy you had when you were a kid, always tattling on the teacher."
That's why Luo Yan was unsure: "Back then, everyone was so annoyed with me, I just couldn't get the balance right."
Luo Hong: "Your Director Zhang is a person who gets things done. As long as you complete your work properly, she definitely won't find you annoying."
Luo Yan herself didn't even know what kind of person Director Zhang was.
She asked, "How did you know?"
Luo Hong: "Because I'm cunning."
Luo Yan snorted: "And she especially loves to be sarcastic and sarcastic."
So what if you're being sarcastic? Luo Hong: "I still have a grudge against you."
"What do you mean by 'little braids' or 'big braids'?" Luo Yan retorted, turning her back on everyone: "You always say I'm bringing up old grievances, but look at you."
Luo Hong cracked his knuckles: "Tonight I'll put mice under your bed."
Luo Yanguang was so frightened by the thought that she wanted to scream, and she was so angry that she stomped on him under the table.
Luo Hong didn't dare to move, afraid of accidentally overturning the pot.
He said, "Be careful, or you'll get burned again."
Luo Yan, who has always been a security enthusiast, had no choice but to back down and talk to her brother about other things.
She actually talks a lot, it's just a matter of who she's talking to.
Luo Hong listened quietly, and after finishing his meal, he said, "Come with me to Hongyang's place."
Zhang Hongyang's restaurant has recently been renovated and is in the process of preparing to open.
He was finishing up some work when his childhood friend arrived with his sister. He joked, "You're a strongman, and we're offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal!"
Luo Hong waved his hand dismissively: "She's not even half a laborer."
Luo Yan punched her brother from behind: "Don't underestimate me, Brother Hongyang. I can still help with small tasks."
"No, no, no," Zhang Hongyang teased, "Do you think the other three parties will let me off the hook?"
Luo Yan smiled sheepishly, unsure of what to say next.
Zhang Hongyang simply said a few words, inviting the two of them to sit in the courtyard and pouring tea for the guests.
Luo Hong sat down, first handing his sister a copy of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" that he had been carrying, then took a sip of his drink and asked, "When are you planning to open your business?"
"Let's try to get it done by next Sunday. If we wait any longer, it will be July, and the dates won't be good either."
"Okay, save me a table then."
It's normal for childhood friends to help out, Zhang Hongyang said: "Noon or evening? I'll reserve a good private room for you. Do you have any preferences regarding the menu?"
Luo Hong had a few small requests, and after stating them, he rambled on about other things.
Luo Yan was reading a novel and didn't pay attention to what they were talking about. She just heard another familiar voice and looked towards the door.
Zhou Weifang called out his childhood friend's name as he entered the store, only to find three people there. He laughed out loud, "What a coincidence."
It was quite a coincidence. Zhang Hongyang got up to get him a chair and said, "You two are truly a family; you're quite in sync."
"We're in perfect sync," Luo Hong said. "No need to get it for him. Does he look like he wants to sit?"
Zhou Weifang did not sit down, and said, "I have something to say to Yanyan."
"With me?" Luo Yan thought it was something to do with the renovation, so she followed him outside and stopped in a quiet spot in the alley.
Zhou Weifang looked around to make sure no one was watching before saying, "You know how good God is to me. He knew I missed you and immediately arranged for us to meet."
Luo Yan nudged him: "Is this what you call telling me something?"
Zhou Weifang replied matter-of-factly, "This is the most important thing for me."
The most important thing? From Luo Yan's angle, you can see his precious motorcycle.
She said, "What if I damage your car while I'm learning to drive?"
What kind of talk is this? Zhou Weifang: "I'm yours, and the car is yours too. You can crash into it if you want."
Luo Yan chuckled: "How can bumping into things be fun? I can't take being thrown around like that."
Indeed, that was a rather unlucky statement, so Zhou Weifang changed it to: "No matter how much I like this car, it can't compare to yours."
The moonlight was like water, and his face was somewhat hazy in the night.
Perhaps it was this elusive feeling that gave Luo Yan a strange sensation. She reached out and hugged him, nuzzling him affectionately, saying, "I like you the most too."
Zhou Weifang kissed her face gently, his heavy breathing gradually subsiding.
But the more he looked around at the pitch-black surroundings, the more he felt he was about to make a mistake, so he didn't dare to linger any longer and said, "Let's go in."
Even though they were in a hutong (alleyway) and no one was around, Luo Yan felt as if she were in a public place.
She wasn't used to being affectionate in a place like this, so she hummed in agreement, secretly took his hand, and then let go.
Zhou Weifang chuckled to himself, then asked, "Are you free on Sunday? If not, let's go choose furniture together. I've had the carpenter draw up some designs."
He originally intended to keep this aspect simple, since even slightly better carpenters would need to start work a year or two in advance. But since the wedding is next year, he naturally wants to put his heart into everything.
Luo Yan said it was nothing, and the two of them returned to Zhang Hongyang's shop, talking about the matter in a very serious manner, as if they had just gone to discuss these things.
Even if that's not the case, what can anyone say?
Luo Hong never thought about things in detail anyway. He just looked at the time and said, "Let's head back first."
Zhou Weifang still had something to say to Zhang Hongyang, and only looked away after watching the siblings walk away, for which he was teased by his childhood friend.
But he was deeply proud of it, and even felt that having someone he cared about was the best thing in the world.
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Author's note: Good night!
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