Chapter 181 (1811th update)
When Luo Yan went to work for the first time after her marriage, many colleagues congratulated her, and some who couldn't go that day made up for it with a few more pleasantries.
She exchanged pleasantries with people, and the morning was quite lively.
In the afternoon, the entire planning department held a general meeting.
Director Zhang was a man who didn't like to drag things out. He said, "Rongquan and Yushui are being upgraded from communes to townships this year, so the road infrastructure needs to be improved accordingly. The city is adding 100 buses, and adjustments to stops and routes also need approval. The area in front of the coking plant needs..."
Although each of them is a task, there are many tricks to it.
Luo Yan had been working for almost a year and knew a little bit about the place. When she heard that Rongquan and Yushui townships would be assigned to her, her expression didn't change much.
Look, this is the right attitude for going to work.
Director Zhang was satisfied. After the meeting, he kept her behind and said to her alone, "When you're working, be sure to keep the villagers away from this road as much as possible. I've already spoken to the township government, and they will cooperate with your work."
However, it is impossible to carry out such road renovations without any relocation, which naturally increases the probability of accidents, and the planning department will ultimately bear the responsibility when the final accounts are settled.
Luo Yan was also in a dilemma, but nothing in this world is easy. She said, "I will be careful."
Director Zhang nodded, seemingly casually, and said, "By the way, at your wedding the day before yesterday, I saw someone who looked a bit like Minister Chen from XX?"
There's nothing to deny, Luo Yan said: "Yes, Uncle Chen and my dad are old comrades-in-arms, and he came to the wedding too."
When she was assigned to her job, this Uncle Chen offered to help her, but Luo Yan had good grades, and the bureau took the initiative to request her file. After she joined the company, her superiors also appreciated her, so these connections were naturally not used.
Old comrade-in-arms? Zhang Chu pondered these words, then suddenly said, "I knew we'd met. It's alright, you can go about your business."
Her expression was so thoughtful that Luo Yan was not shrewd enough to fathom it. She thought to herself: I'll ask someone who knows after get off work.
But tonight, Luo Yan was busy talking to her mother-in-law and the elders, and didn't even have time to look at her husband or brother.
It wasn't until she got home and sat down that she remembered to ask and recount what had happened that afternoon.
Zhou Weifang said, "If she has another chance to see Uncle Chen, she will definitely mention you. Your Director Zhang is obviously shrewd. She needs to determine the nature of this relationship before deciding whether to give you any preferential treatment."
Luo Yan pouted: "I don't need any special treatment. It's fine as it is now."
Zhou Weifang knew she didn't like these things, so instead of simply saying no, he said, "Your colleague XX in the office, you say his dad is XXX, and you're a hundred times better than him, but when it comes to performance evaluations and awards, will the leaders consider his dad's influence or your efforts?"
Luo Yan was speechless for a moment, but still honestly said, "I'm not a hundred times better than him, otherwise I would definitely have won through my efforts."
Leaders also need to consider public opinion and shouldn't be too blatant.
Zhou Weifang was truly amused by her and said, "Yanyan, how can you be so cute?"
"What else could it be?" Luo Yan asked, tilting her chin up. "Born by my parents."
She had barely finished speaking when she noticed a subtle change in Zhou Weifang's expression. She cursed at him, "Now you can't even say 'I'm alive'?! You're a complete scoundrel!"
"What a huge injustice!" Zhou Weifang said, both amused and exasperated. "I wanted to ask you, when do you want to have children?"
They hadn't seriously discussed this before getting married, but he'd been using protection these past two days.
When the topic of children came up, Luo Yan started counting on her fingers: "If we were to have a baby now, the due date would be before or after the Lunar New Year. That would be the busiest time of the year, and I just took on the road renovation project, which would take at least three months. So, we'll have another meeting in August to discuss it further."
"Hold a meeting to discuss it?" Zhou Weifang chuckled. "We won't vote. Isn't it all up to you, the leader, to decide?"
"It's up to one person to decide," Luo Yan blurted out, "What if you give birth..."
She realized something was wrong halfway through her speech and retreated to the very edge of the sofa.
Zhou Weifang also felt that he couldn't let her off easily. Like a hunting beast, he slowly approached, his eyes becoming much deeper: "Yanyan, what were you about to say, 'What if'?"
Luo Yan's eyes widened, and she refused to admit it: "I, I didn't say that."
Without saying anything, Zhou Weifang poked her soft spot: "Really?"
Luo Yan left a mark on the leather sofa with her fingernails, and with her eyes half-closed, she only remembered one thing: "I want to take a shower."
Zhou Weifang was very easy to talk to: "Okay, go ahead and wash it off."
Luo Yan is always slow at taking showers, and today she deliberately delayed.
Zhou Weifang wasn't afraid of anything else, except that she was suffocating inside, so he knocked on the door and threatened, "If you don't come out in three minutes, I'm coming in."
Luo Yan went out with a flushed face and glared at him: "You big hooligan."
Honestly, Zhou Weifang pinned her against the wall in the corridor: "Yanyan, there are even more lewd ones out there."
Luo Yan turned her face away and muttered, "I don't know where they learned all that."
Zhou Weifang whispered in her ear, "In my dreams."
In a dream? Luo Yan was stunned for a moment before she reacted, stammering, "You, dream, me, you."
Zhou Weifang helped her finish her sentence: "Yes, it was you in my dream too. I'll tell you about it later."
"What are you listening to?" Luo Yan poked his chest and told him to back away, saying, "Go take a shower, you reek of alcohol."
"I only had one drink," Zhou Weifang said.
Luo Yan simply pushed him into the bathroom, and after a while she heard him say, "I didn't bring my clothes."
Clothes? Luo Yan went into the room to get them for him, her eyes closed as she handed them in.
When you can't see, your ears are most sensitive, and she heard Zhou Weifang chuckle softly.
"What are you laughing at?" Luo Yan made a face at the closed door, strolled around the living room to calm herself down, and opened the curtains that had been drawn for the past two days to let in some fresh air.
Upon looking around, she noticed that the clothes hanging on the balcony hadn't been taken in yet, and wondered: When did I wash them?
She doesn't do much housework when she's home, except for washing her own underwear. But these past two days, she's been going to bed right after showering, and now, thinking about it carefully, her face turns even redder: Could it be that Zhou Weifang washed them?
She knew this was the only possibility, and when the other person came out, she stammered, "You washed my clothes?"
Zhou Weifang frowned slightly: "What do you mean 'you' and 'me'? Yan Yan, we agreed not to talk like that."
While other things could be shared equally, Luo Yan felt this matter needed to be divided: "That's mine, I'll wash it myself."
Her eyes darted around. "I'm a little embarrassed."
Zhou Weifang touched her palm: "Okay, now that the weather is hot, I'll give you some time to adjust."
Luo Yan grabbed his hand, stared at him for a long time, and finally managed to say, "Tomorrow is a holiday."
The next day was May Day, and Luo Yan slept until the sun was high in the sky.
She rarely woke up at noon like this. She hurriedly got up and went to the living room to find a note on the dining table: "I've gone to the shop. There's breakfast in the pot. I might not be able to come back to pick you up at noon. Meet me at the entrance of Changchun Garden."
This person clearly hasn't slept much, so where does all this energy come from?
Luo Yan heated up the steamed buns in the pot first, so they would be ready to eat after she washed up. After eating, she packed her bag and went out.
Today they are going to attend the wedding of Zhou Weifang's good friend from his time working in the countryside. A long banner with the names of the bride and groom is hanging at the entrance of the restaurant.
Luo Yan herself had only been married for a few days, but she already had the mindset of someone who had been through it all, watching with great interest.
Zhou Weifang arrived later than her and greeted everyone he met with, "Have you had breakfast yet?"
Luo Yan nodded and lowered her voice as she went over: "A man just tried to greet me. I feel like we've met before at our wedding, but I didn't realize it. He probably thought he was mistaken and walked past."
There were too many people that day, and she really couldn't remember.
Zhou Weifang didn't know who it was just from hearing this, so he said, "You can point it out later."
Luo Yan was able to do that; she followed him to congratulate the newlyweds and exchanged a few pleasantries before entering the venue.
As soon as she entered, Luo Yan subconsciously closed her eyes: "Why does everyone seem to love using colored lights this year?"
The ever-changing, multicolored lights made her feel a little dizzy, but they were generally well-received by most people.
Zhou Weifang reached out to shield her, saying, "Lower your head a little, take a break."
It took Luo Yan a while to adjust, and she blinked twice: "Okay."
He squeezed out another sentence through gritted teeth: "Five o'clock, five o'clock, without glasses."
Zhou Weifang recognized him at a glance and walked over: "Old Chen, you're dressed quite well today. My wife said she didn't even recognize you when she saw you."
"How come he can just blurt out anything?" Luo Yan smiled in agreement and secretly pinched his hand.
If it's neither too serious nor too light, then it's just flirting.
Zhou Weifang chuckled to himself as he chatted with his friends. They found an empty table and sat down to chat and eat sunflower seeds before the meal began.
The table gradually filled up, but Luo Yan couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Fortunately, she was only there to eat, and she ate her meal with great care.
Zhou Weifang knew she wouldn't feel neglected, so after the gathering, he asked, "Will you come again next time?"
Luo Yan said sweetly, "I'll come if you're with me."
Zhou Weifang pinched the flesh on her lips: "You always say I'm good at coaxing people, but you're not bad either."
Luo Yan raised her eyebrows, thinking the weather was really nice today, and said, "Let's take a walk, I'm so full."
It's a rare holiday, and the streets are especially crowded.
Many shops of all kinds have opened this year, and everyone has put some thought into their signs.
Luo Yan passed by the movie theater and saw the poster, saying, "We haven't seen this movie, 'King of Southern Fist' yet."
The movie was released two weeks ago, just as they were busy with wedding preparations.
Since he had some free time today, Zhou Weifang said, "Then I'll go buy the tickets?"
A movie takes a long time, and Luo Yan pondered, "Should I go to your house today?"
Her mother specifically reminded her last night that "Big Day" is a holiday.
Zhou Weifang: "I didn't go back before we got married either, my family doesn't have that habit."
He had no interest in putting on a show of politeness; it was just too exhausting.
Luo Yan squeezed his hand hard to show she was there, and said, "Then let's go see a movie now, and cook dinner at home tonight! We haven't cooked in the new house yet."
The parents need to accompany the elders around, and the older brother needs to accompany his two cousins shopping. I told the young couple in advance that they could spend the May Day holiday on their own.
That's good. Zhou Weifang: "What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."
Luo Yan replied without hesitation, "I love everything you make."
She's really sweet-talking me today. Zhou Weifang pinched her nose and said, "Let's go buy tickets."
They were lucky; the show started just five minutes after they bought their tickets.
Luo Yan had been holding a soda bottle, but she forgot about it while watching the show. When the party ended, she found that there was still more than half a bottle left, and she smiled at Zhou Weifang.
She always felt that soda lost its flavor two hours after opening, and although she would always finish it, it was still a bit disappointing.
Zhou Weifang knew her habits and said, "Take it first, I'll drink it when I get home."
The two of them didn't go straight home, but went to the market first.
Luo Yan only occasionally accompanies her mother to buy things, and can barely distinguish between different types of grains, let alone judge their quality by weighing them.
She was a little confused, and her eyebrows furrowed unconsciously.
The market was closed at this time, and they were cleaning it up. There were all sorts of vegetable leaves and blood on the ground.
Zhou Weifang knew she was a clean person, so he said, "Watch the motorcycle and wait for me. I'll be right back."
Luo Yan quickly grabbed him, saying, "I want to go with you."
Anyway, the motorcycle is being watched by the toll collector, so it won't get stolen.
She thought, of course, everything will go as she wishes.
The two walked in together, but unfortunately it was too late and they couldn't buy any decent vegetables or meat.
Zhou Weifang thought the place looked a bit shabby and suggested, "Let's cut some sausages on the way."
Luo Yan: "The chef has the final say."
With the compliments already bestowed upon him, Zhou Weifang said, "I'll have to show you something today, no matter what."
However, due to limited ingredients, he could only stir-fry some beef and some greens.
The first time Luo Yan smelled cooking oil in the bridal chamber, while serving the rice, she suddenly realized something: even though she never considered herself, her parents, and her brother as two separate families and hoped that everyone would always be together, some things would still change quietly.
Seeing her in a daze, Zhou Weifang asked, "What's wrong?"
Luo Yan first set out the bowls and chopsticks, and said, "It's just a feeling, like when you see a light in your house waiting for you."
Zhou Weifang roughly understood: "I'll try my best to cook for you from now on."
Luo Yan: "I'll cook for you too, but you'll have to wash the dishes."
She really hated it.
Zhou Weifang readily agreed and then discussed it with her: "Your mother and the others are going back the day after tomorrow. Will you be taking leave then?"
There's a lot of work at my workplace, but the old lady is getting on in years, and I only came all the way to Beijing for her sake. Northern Anhui is quite far away, and I don't know when we'll see each other again.
Luo Yan said, "Please give us a day. We'll go home later and ask Mom what her plans are."
They strolled over after they finished eating, but only saw their father and brother there.
Luo Yan asked curiously, "Where's Mom?"
The father and son had just returned and said, "She wants to live with her mother-in-law."
This is understandable. Luo Yan patted Huang Laishun's head, sat on the sofa and said, "I'll also take the day after tomorrow."
We really should hire one. Luo Xinmin lost his father at a young age, and at this age, even his memories of his parents are vague. He said, "Just sit at home the day after tomorrow morning, have a good lunch, and then we'll take you to the train station in the afternoon. You don't need to bring any things; I can't carry them. You can just send some over later."
Luo Hong added, "My cousins bought a lot today; I can barely carry it all."
My uncles have many children, and those children have children of their own. Whenever they come to visit, everyone gets a share of the gifts, and there are quite a few odds and ends.
Since even her brother said so, Luo Yan and her husband didn't prepare much. The day after tomorrow, they took the newly developed photos with them and sent her mother-in-law and the others to the train station.
Train stations are places where joy and sorrow, parting and reunion are always intertwined.
Liu Yinfeng watched her mother's retreating figure, and finally couldn't hold back her tears. Luo Yan also wiped her eyes and held her mother's hand.
When Luo Xinmin saw the mother and daughter like this, he said, "I will retire next year, and I will accompany you back to northern Anhui for a while."
Liu Yinfeng smiled and said, "Aren't you still hoping to earn some extra money from your son?"
Luo Xinmin said, "Even if I don't go to work, he still has to give me some secret savings."
Luo Hong tried to sarcastic remarks: "Mom, listen to this, I think Dad has a lot of experience in saving up secret money."
You brat, you just want to stir up trouble, don't you?
Luo Xinmin slapped him playfully, then breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his daughter smile.
Luo Yan sniffed, took a tissue from Zhou Weifang's pocket, tore it in half, and gave one half to her mother.
Liu Yinfeng, holding the half-finished piece of paper, was both amused and exasperated, and said, "Alright, let's go back."
Zhou Weifang and Luo Hong were both going to the store, while Luo Yan took her parents home.
Huang Laishun jumped three feet high with excitement when he didn't see anyone for a while.
Luo Yan nearly tripped over it, staggered forward a few steps, and then comfortably sat down on the sofa in the living room.
Liu Yinfeng had been wanting to ask her daughter how her wedding went these past few days, but she hadn't had the time. Now that she had some free time, she started by asking, "Is work busy?"
Luo Yan took the fruit her father had washed, took a bite, and said, "I'll be a little busy from now on; I have to head to Rongquan."
"How far is it?" Liu Yinfeng muttered. "They made you do this kind of work just because you have a motorcycle."
Director Zhang probably had the same idea, but according to Zhou Weifang's analysis, Luo Yan said, "I'm still too young. If I want to compete for the advanced award at the end of the year, I need to add some weight to my resume."
He then said to his father, "Next time you see my Uncle Chen, please mention that our Director Zhang knows him."
This kind of matter of personal relationships can be summed up in one sentence.
Luo Xinmin hadn't worked for over thirty years for nothing, so he nodded to show he understood and also advised, "You have a good education and are still young, so you should work harder in your career."
When asked about this, Luo Yan proudly declared, "I'm definitely the most hardworking."
My daughter never worries me in this regard; on the contrary, I always encourage her to rest more.
Liu Yinfeng said, "I see you've lost weight in just a few days."
"Really?" Luo Yan touched her face and said, "Zhou Weifang's cooking is quite good, I ate very well."
It's good to have someone cook, but Liu Yinfeng also said, "You should share some of the housework; he's quite busy at the shop too."
Luo Yan loudly affirmed that she did, giving an example: "I swept the floor before leaving the house this morning."
Wow, that's amazing.
Her parents praised her like a little girl, and kept nagging her with other instructions.
Luo Yan accepted everything without question, and only when she left her parents' house did she realize that she was an adult.
Zhou Weifang didn't come over for dinner that night. He came to pick her up after he finished his work. He and Luo Hong chatted for a long time about business matters.
Luo Yan was really curious, but after listening to a couple of sentences, she found it uninteresting and started yawning out of boredom.
Seeing this, Zhou Weifang thought that it was something that couldn't be finished in a short time, so he said, "Come to my house for dinner tomorrow night, and we'll talk about it there."
Before things were settled, Luo Hong didn't want his parents to worry, so he said, "Okay, at least I want four dishes and a soup."
She even ordered some dishes. Luo Yan said, "Dream on. It's not bad to have a cucumber salad."
Luo Hong shrugged indifferently: "Let's see if you two feel embarrassed."
Luo Yan said firmly, "I'm extremely embarrassed!"
His eyes seemed to say, "Who told you to be my brother?"
Luo Hong was at his wits' end. He waved his hand and said, "Take her away, take her away quickly."
Luo Yan left, but she wanted to pat her brother's hand as a sign of gratitude before she was satisfied. She smiled especially happily on the way back to the bridal chamber.
Zhou Weifang said, "Then I won't pick you up tomorrow. I'll go home and cook first."
He's been incredibly enthusiastic about cooking these past few days, and even bought a cookbook to look at, as if he wanted to use every trick in the book.
Do all married men act like this? Luo Yan couldn't recall hearing of anyone else like this, but as the person having the meal, she naturally kept praising him.
She knows a lot of words, and even after she got home, she kept coming out with them.
Zhou Weifang was delighted and immediately began finalizing tomorrow's menu.
After Luo Yan finished showering, she saw him still intently flipping through recipes. For some reason, she felt a little uneasy, so she leaned against the wall and stood crookedly, coughing to get his attention.
When Zhou Weifang looked up at her, only one thing was on his mind. He closed the book and said, "I'm going to take a shower."
Luo Yan chuckled and raised her hand to block him from passing: "You can continue your research."
Zhou Weifang pulled her close and rubbed against her, saying, "I think it would be good for Luo Hong to eat some cucumber salad."
After all, there are plenty of things he can "do" during the long night.
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Author's Note: Striving for the second update!
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