The following day, the first day of the Lunar New Year, is the biggest festival in China. On this day, many people, no matter how far apart they are, will try their best to get together, accompany the elderly and children, and spend a peaceful and happy New Year.
After celebrating the New Year with Zhou Xinyun over the phone after midnight last night, Fang Yang called Fang Hai to wish his grandparents a Happy New Year before finally falling asleep. He didn't wake up until after nine o'clock, when Zhou Xin kept knocking on the door. He got dressed, opened the door, and saw Zhou Xin squeezing in.
"You lazybones, you're still not up! I've already brought you dumplings. Come on, eat them while they're hot."
Zhou Xin waved the lunchbox in her hand, signaling Fang Yang to hurry up and wash up and get ready for breakfast.
Fang Yang glanced at the lunchbox in Zhou Xin's hand. "Oh, then I have to thank Auntie. She got up early this morning to make dumplings."
"Dream on. I only made it after I got back from dinner last night. I just heated it up this morning. Hurry up and wash up, or it'll get cold."
Fang Yang smiled and went to the bathroom to wash up. He soon appeared in front of Zhou Xin, who smiled and opened the lunchbox. "Try it and see if it suits your taste?"
Fang Yang peeked inside and saw about twenty dumplings, all white in color, with thin skins and generous fillings. There was also a small bowl of garlic and vinegar sauce in the middle, typical of Beijing-style dumplings. He picked up his chopsticks, took one out, and put it in his mouth. The rich aroma of pork belly, minced ginger, and Sichuan peppercorn oil hit his nose. Inside, there were chives, fennel, celery, lotus root, cucumber, cilantro, chili peppers, and bitter greens, all very typical of Beijing style.
Seeing Fang Yang eat one, Zhou Xin quickly asked, "How is it? Is it alright?"
"Mmm, it still tastes just like that." Fang Yang nodded vigorously as he ate. "Auntie's cooking is excellent. These are the most authentic Beijing-style dumplings I've ever had."
Zhou Xin smiled as she watched Fang Yang devour several more dumplings. "You flatter me so much! My mom's not here, so she can't hear you right now. But I made some of them, so it's like I made all these dumplings. Hearing you say that makes me feel so comforted!"
Fang Yang quickly finished the last few dumplings. "Yes, yes, you're right. If it weren't for the dumplings you sent, I would have gone hungry this morning. Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"
Zhou Xin's face turned bright red, and she spat out, "What a disgrace! Someone like you dares to call himself emperor? Are you planning to set up a harem and never hold court?"
Fang Yang seemed to have suffered a great injustice, and said aggrievedly, "How dare I? There are hardly any honest people like me in the world. If I were the emperor, I would have been chopped into pieces long ago, leaving not even ashes."
Zhou Xin chuckled, "Not bad, not bad, you're quite self-aware. Are you all set now? We need to get ready to leave. It wouldn't be very polite to wait until it's time to eat."
"Let's go buy some things first. It's the New Year, we can't just come empty-handed."
Fang Yang checked the time; it was almost ten o'clock. If he bought the things and went over there, it would be past eleven o'clock by then. He really couldn't afford to waste any more time.
Zhou Xin smiled sweetly and did not object. No matter what the situation, it's the New Year, so it's always good to bring something to visit. It doesn't have to be expensive; it's just a matter of courtesy.
Fang Yang gave a painting to Grandpa Zhou and Grandpa Ni respectively before the New Year. It would be best to bring some tonics to their homes now. Considering that Zhou Xin, her uncles and aunts, and cousins would also be visiting Grandpa Zhou's house to pay their respects today, Fang Yang also bought some cosmetics, jewelry, watches, belts, and the like, filling most of the trunk. This made Zhou Xin laugh and say that Fang Yang had become the brightest star in the supermarket that day.
When they arrived at Grandpa Zhou's courtyard, it was already past 11:30, neither too early nor too late. The hall was already full of people. Grandpa Zhou had three sons and one daughter. Zhou Haijun was the youngest, with two older brothers and one older sister. The two older brothers were both in the military and were already generals guarding their respective regions. The older sister stayed in Beijing and now worked in the Ministry of Finance, a powerful official. Zhou Xin had introduced all of this to Fang Yang on the way here.
Logically, Zhou Haijun should have joined the military or government, but he didn't like that kind of repressive life. Instead, he devoted himself to his favorite film and television industry. It is said that this angered his father, and the relationship between father and son was quite tense. It was not until he married Ni Sufeng that the relationship improved slightly. The complete improvement came after the birth of Zhou Xin, the only granddaughter of the Zhou family. She can be said to be the family's darling, a princess-like figure, and is especially loved by the old man. What's even more rare is that the Ni family only has this one granddaughter. It is no exaggeration to say that she is showered with love and affection.
The eldest son of the Zhou family was Zhou Lujun, the second son was Zhou Kongjun, and the third son was Zhou Zhenguo. It is said that Zhenguo was no less capable than any man. Such a name is worthy of a revolutionary veteran. His thinking was truly different.
So when Fang Yang entered, he saw a group of people in military uniforms sitting around the hall. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were having a military conference. There were even two generals among them, which made Fang Yang's brow twitch. He felt so much pressure.
With over a dozen pairs of eyes focused on Fang Yang, even the usually composed and steady Fang Yang felt a chill run down his spine; the pressure was immense.
Ni Sufeng, ever considerate of Fang Yang, saw his embarrassed expression and greeted him with a smile, "Little Fang, come here, let me introduce you."
When Fang Yang walked in, he put the bags Fang Yang was carrying on the table next to him and complained, "You're already here, why did you have to buy anything? This is your uncle Zhou Lujun, the political commissar of the East China Military Region. He's actually a commander in your unit. If there's anything you can't handle in the future, just ask your uncle for help. We're family, don't be afraid of the trouble."
Fang Yang looked at Zhou Lujun's serious face and thought that the name was really fitting; he was indeed cut out to be an army soldier. Although he was over fifty years old, his 1.8-meter height and upright posture gave him an aura of awe and majesty.
"Hello, Uncle, I am Fang Yang."
Zhou Lujun nodded. "I've heard of you. Yangshen products are always top-notch. I hope you can maintain that. It seems you recruited over a hundred veterans this year. That's great. Come visit our barracks sometime."
The old man seemed to have a good impression of Fang Yang, and briefly mentioned Fang Yang's deeds in just a few words. "Thank you, Uncle. I will definitely visit in the future. Speaking of which, I have never been to a military camp before."
Ni Sufeng pulled Fang Yang over and said, "This is your aunt, Zhu Nanqing, who is now a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Southeast University."
Hello, Auntie.
"This is your older brother, Zhou Taowei, who is also currently serving in the Southeast China Military Region."
Fang Yang looked at Zhou Taowei, who was wearing a colonel's uniform. He seemed to be under thirty years old, but he was already a colonel, which should be a full regimental-level officer. "Hello, big brother."
Zhou Taowei wasn't so serious. He reached out and shook hands with Fang Yang. "Hello, Fang. Your rendition of 'The Lone Warrior' last night was excellent. Heroes come from all walks of life; the message was very profound."
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