143 New Year
Whether it was because this monthly exam was relatively normal or something else, Zhou Xiaoyan and Ding Anni's scores increased significantly, but their rankings did not change much. Ding Anni, in particular, was still sitting in that row, looking at her test score, feeling very depressed.
Li Wei had managed to keep up with her martial arts lessons for over two months. While she couldn't compare to Li Lin—her kicks weren't as nimble or powerful—she was still doing quite well, much better than Cousin Zhong and Song Xuejiao. This made Li Wei very happy, and she decided to continue working hard so that she could take down a few more when she had real combat experience.
Luo Da massaged her several more times during the process. Luo Da's skills had improved by leaps and bounds. In the end, he was able to massage Li Wei until she fell asleep, which was a great improvement. Li Wei was overjoyed.
As for Li Lin, she was always subdued by Li Lianhui, who had given her the medicinal wine. The two almost came to blows each time they were subdued, and the last time it escalated into a full-blown brawl, which ended with Li Lin's defeat.
This medicinal wine recipe is different. It was made by the sixth senior brother using the best Chinese herbs according to the master's prescription. According to Luo Da, it strengthens the body, relaxes muscles and tendons, promotes blood circulation, cleanses the marrow, and is not usually given to ordinary people.
After hearing Luo Da's words, Li Wei felt that it was comparable to the Shaolin Yi Jin Jing. However, the effect was still quite good. At least the muscles in her arms and legs no longer hurt. In addition, due to the exercise, her body was much healthier and stronger, and she seemed to have lost some weight as well.
So she excitedly went to the pharmacy to weigh herself, only to find that she had gained two and a half pounds. She was upset because she hadn't eaten that much for lunch.
Aunt Cheng Fei found a house for the three siblings near the martial arts school. They could stay there whenever they had martial arts classes. There was also a bus nearby, although they usually took the bus driven by their tenant, Luo Da.
It was a three-story dormitory building that used to belong to a street-level collective enterprise. Later, the enterprise dissolved, and all the equipment and assets were sold. Cheng Fei and Li Wei discussed it, and Li Wei knew that the real estate market wouldn't be entering a golden age for long. They didn't have the energy for that now, so buying as much land as possible with high appreciation potential was a good idea; they could earn a little more by renting it out. Moreover, they had an advantage with Ding Hong; they could get inside information about any auctions in advance. Finally, they decided that for the next two years, all profits from their original business would be invested in real estate.
Actually, Aunt Chengfei was quite envious of Uncle Luo's success over the past few years, but she always felt that it was better to stick to what you know than something new, and their industry was quite profitable and stable.
She had talked to her father-in-law, Ding Hong, several times. He also felt that the real estate industry had great potential in the future, but because the investment was quite large and involved many aspects, he did not encourage Cheng Fei to pursue it.
However, Li Wei approached her one weekend, suggesting a safe investment first. They could assess the situation later. After all, any industry takes time to truly develop. They could accumulate some high-quality real estate first, providing a safety net for future expansion. This completely convinced Cheng Fei, and she began arranging for the project to be implemented.
Cheng Fei doesn't travel much for work because her child is young. She usually sends her staff to large-scale exhibitions and press conferences, which has cultivated a group of highly skilled individuals. It's quite normal for these people, who travel extensively, to be poached by well-known large companies; indeed, she has lost a few talented individuals.
Later, Li Wei found out. She talked to her aunt and analyzed the reasons. She felt it wasn't just a matter of salary and benefits. A crucial reason was the lack of sufficient career development opportunities to retain talent. Li Wei only had a general idea of this. The most effective solution many companies later adopted was to introduce advanced management systems and develop long-term, reasonable company plans.
This is something that Li Wei and Cheng Fei are not currently capable of handling. Finding a senior manager is an immediate problem.
Cheng Fei has worked for many years and has built up a network of connections. She has some goals, but she can't rush them. She needs to look for suitable candidates slowly. This is beyond Li Wei's capabilities. Let her aunt handle it. She should just focus on her studies.
Of course. Li Wei told her aunt to keep real estate in mind. It could be a huge opportunity in the future.
The city where Li Wei and her friends live is considered one of the top three medium-sized cities in the province. It is an old industrial city known for its chemical industry, and its real estate development potential is still very large. In particular, it is a famous tourist destination with a scenic hot spring area.
For women like Cheng Fei and Li Wei, who don't have much ambition, that's enough.
Before they knew it, another winter had arrived. They had a two-day holiday for the New Year. Li Wei and her two siblings were sent home by Luo Da, who was delivering gifts to Grandpa Cheng. They stayed home for two days, and with their final exams less than a week away, these two days of holiday were especially precious.
The next day, Luo Da and his father, Luo Sanjiu, also came. They first went to the old man's house in the old house for a while, and then came to Li Wei's house to have lunch and drink with the old man, Li Zhaoxing.
The Li family's food factory has decided to move to the city after the Lunar New Year. The specific location has been decided by Uncle Luo. They are just waiting for the renovations to be completed and the new equipment to arrive before the move.
Cheng Min was initially worried that it would affect the business, but after being persuaded by her husband, she realized that it didn't really matter where their factory was located. After all, many of their products were sold in the city, and their family's trucks delivered goods everywhere. Going to the city actually expanded their reach to more areas.
Moreover, Li Zhaoxing had some other ideas, but he didn't have a specific plan. He just hadn't told his wife about them. However, the relocation of the factory was inevitable.
Besides Grandma and Grandpa, the only other people at the dinner table were Luo's father and son. Li Wei's large dining table could accommodate everyone, and all the dishes were served. Cheng Min and Li Wei and Li Lin, who were helping out, found seats and sat down.
Uncle Luo was still polite to Cheng Min: "Sister-in-law, don't bother, sit down and rest. Today, coming here to have a couple of drinks with your brother is just to liven things up. It's not a problem if you get tired."
Cheng Min smiled and said, "What are you talking about? I only see you during holidays. I just stop by more often when I'm passing by."
Grandpa Cheng said, "We'll move to the city tomorrow; it'll be much more convenient to travel back and forth." To be honest, the old man really didn't like traveling much.
Li Zhaoxing poured baijiu for his father-in-law and Luo Gang, and gave Luo Da and Li Lianhui each a small bottle of beer. Luo Sanjiu laughed and said, "It's alright, brother, give my eldest son a glass of baijiu instead. Let him have a drink with the old man. He's all grown up now, how could he not know how to drink? He can drink with me at home all the time, it's fine."
All the women at the table—
Li Lianhui has always been strictly forbidden from drinking alcohol, except during holidays when he's allowed to have a little beer. It seems this guy doesn't really like drinking, and he's never asked to.
Looking at the Luo family, they've been groomed to be alcoholics from a young age. However, Li Wei and the others have never actually seen Luo Da drunk, so he probably hasn't drunk much. Otherwise, he really would have become an alcoholic in the future.
Luo Da drank a glass with the old man, then refilled his glass, and poured wine for Li Zhaoxing and his father as well. He didn't drink any more and started eating.
This behavior made Cheng Min look at her youngest son, who seemed to never grow up, and she couldn't help but sigh, "Actually, the children are about the same age, but why do I always feel that your eldest son is like an adult?"
Grandma Cheng nodded in agreement: "That's right. He's been sensible since he was little. He's helped us with a lot of heavy work and even helped his grandma take care of the two younger ones and the elderly. Luo San'er, I'm not trying to criticize you two, but the children have been raised like they don't have parents. It's all thanks to your mother for raising these three naughty kids. It's not easy. You should take good care of your mother."
Uncle Luo laughed: "Sixth Aunt, even if you don't say it, I know what's going on. My mother is the matriarch of our family now. My wife is such a shrew, but she wouldn't dare to talk back to my mother. She takes good care of the elderly every day. Although my mother is still healthy, no one would dare to mistreat her no matter what day it comes. Don't worry, Sixth Aunt, haha."
The old lady nodded without saying anything. However, she had heard from Grandma Luo when she came back to visit that her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson were all very filial, and there was nothing more to say.
Speaking of children, Uncle Luo couldn't help but think of Xiaoming, whom his mother always praised. He ate as he spoke, "Actually, when the children were little, it was all thanks to your Xiaoming who always helped take care of them. My mother still thinks about Xiaoming all the time, and whenever we chat, she talks about how sensible she is, how she makes meals for the boys while they're studying, and how she's given Xiao Er and the others a good scolding for their studies, hahaha..."
Everyone knows about this, especially the feud with Aunt Luo. Even years later, when they think about it, Li Zhaoxing and his wife find it funny and laugh along.
Li Wei inwardly grumbled at Luo Sanjiu, "Are you drunk? Why bring up something like this for no reason!" Luckily, Luo Er wasn't here today; that kid is incredibly vengeful, and so is Luo Xiaosan. Otherwise, given their personalities, they would have started plotting at the dinner table and who knows how they would have retaliated against her afterward.
Li Wei looked up and saw that Luo Da was the only one who didn't hold grudges. Of the three brothers, Luo Da was the most honest and simple-minded.
Luo Da never knew that he could be associated with such a positive word as honest and simple.
After dinner, the children went off to do their own things, while the adults continued drinking and chatting. Grandma Cheng also went to her daughter's room, where there was a heated kang (traditional heated bed), to rest.
Luo Da, Li Lianhui, and Li Lin went to the living room to play games and watch TV.
Li Wei wasn't so lucky. She went to the kitchen to reheat the wine and dishes for everyone, because she couldn't bear to see the food on the table gradually getting cold.
Seeing that some of the light and refreshing side dishes were almost gone, she made some more. Even the honest and simple Luo Da knew to help, bringing the food that Li Wei had made to the table. Cheng Min praised him for being sensible.
Li Wei suddenly realized that her credit had been so easily stolen by the honest Luo Da!
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