Mr. Cheng gave up all the power in his hands and left calmly.
But not everyone can do this.
If you don't get out of the chess game, no matter whether you are the one who arranges the game or the chess pieces, you will always have to continue to calculate against each other and hurt each other.
As soon as the autumn wind blows, the first snow of the year arrives.
Unlike previous years, in the early morning, with the streetlights still on, snowflakes began to fall from the gray sky. The snow wasn't heavy, but the biting cold was unforgettable.
In the evening, after the first snow stopped for a while, it came back with even greater force. After the last bright spot in the sky disappeared, the north wind blew towards us with an extremely cold force.
Zhou Jiao, looking tired, rubbed her cheeks hard, pulled her coat tighter, then picked up her bag, closed the office door, and turned to leave.
Before reaching the turning point of the stairs on the first floor, Jin Lijuan came towards me, and Tian Miao was arm in arm with her. I don't know why these two were going upstairs at the end of the working day.
"Jiaojiao, are you off work? Do you want to go to the movies together tonight? Or how about calling your Xiaowu and the kids to go to the cinema together?"
I see, but Zhou Jiao wasn't really interested. The cinema was simply too crowded, and the title suggested a war film. The black-and-white screen was filled with the clatter of cannons and artillery fire. Honestly, it was a headache, and there wasn't much atmosphere at all.
Zhou Jiao smiled and shook her head slightly, "Next time! It's snowing today, I'm afraid of the cold, and it's a long way back and forth, and the children can't stand the tossing."
"Jiao Jie, let's go. I heard it's a new movie." Tian Miao pouted and muttered, "It would be a shame not to go after we've already given you the movie tickets."
Even in the city these days, entertainment options are pitifully scarce. Let alone the cinema, which is often on and off. The occasional screening is often a model opera, and to be able to see a new film today is already a stroke of luck. No wonder Tian Miao grumbled about it.
But Zhou Jiao really didn't want to go. On such a cold night, going to the cinema was not as comfortable as making a cup of tea and reading a few pages of a book.
Seeing this, Jin Lijuan slapped Tian Miao and said angrily, "Do you think everyone is as strong as you? Your sister Jiao is weak. If she doesn't go this time, it doesn't mean she won't get movie tickets next time."
Zhou Jiao glanced at her and smiled at them, "Have fun, see you next Monday." She waved her hand and turned to leave.
"...You're such a fool! You think she's like you? Their compound has already shown these films... They have a special screening room, no worse than a movie theater..."
"Really? Sister Jin, have you been there? Sister Jiao is so happy..."
Listening to the gradually fading discussion behind her, Zhou Jiao's eyes flashed with a hint of sneer. The naive, young Tian Miao seemed to be getting more and more adept at playing tricks lately.
Jin Lijuan, who had been tricked by the other party, really didn't know whether the girl next to her was a wolf in sheep's clothing, or whether she was intentionally associating with a wolf?
During this period of time, these tricks were comparable to the palace fights in novels, which really opened Zhou Jiao's eyes and made her enjoy the excitement.
After leaving the office gate and stepping on the thin snow, Zhou Jiao could clearly hear the old man guarding the gate muttering quietly: "I've been feeling unwell these past two days. I might even start to make trouble."
Yes...in winter, the capital city would be covered in snowfall after snowfall. Before the first snow had completely melted, piles of snow still formed at the base of the walls and in the corners of the houses. When it finally formed piles of ice with many holes, the next snowfall would arrive.
Will it cause a big fuss? She didn't know, she was just really cold, it felt like she hadn't been this cold in ages. The wind blew, and she shuddered from the depths of her heart, and quickly put her hands in her pockets to keep warm.
Winter days are short, and by the time she got off the bus and arrived at the compound, night had already fallen. From a distance, she saw a familiar figure, wrapped tightly in a blanket, walking quickly towards her.
Zhang Guoqing quickly reached her and, without a word, threw his coat over her. Zhou Jiao was probably familiar with her man; otherwise, under the dim streetlights, she might have kicked him.
"Why did you come out?"
"I think the weather is going to change tonight. Why are you so late today?"
"I was delayed by something urgent at work." Zhou Jiao looked at the two coats on her body anxiously. The weight made her feel like a snail carrying a heavy shell on its back.
"Are you starving? We're having hot pot at home today, and Aunt Chen even made a lot of fish balls, all of which are your favorites. We finally have a day off tomorrow, so do you want me to go for a walk with you?"
Zhou Jiao actually swallowed her saliva at his reminder. Imagine the blazing copper pot, sparks occasionally emanating from it, the bubbling broth swirling with scallions and ginger slices. Use chopsticks to gently dip a few thin slices of lamb into the broth, their bright red instantly transforming to a lovely white. Then, sprinkle a handful of cilantro and a pinch of white sesame seeds in a dish of sesame sauce, and then dip the lamb into the dish.
It was so delicious she wanted to go to heaven! Now she just wanted to stay in the warm house and not go anywhere. They had already run around all the places around the capital, big and small, and no longer had any interest in it.
Zhang Guoqing saw her shaking her head and staring at the north wind. He was reluctant to say a few more words to his wife, so he tried his best to hold her and walk towards the shortcut. Fortunately, it was winter, and she was wearing more clothes. There were few pedestrians, so for a while, no one could see that he was holding his wife and walking back.
So among the four seasons, he still prefers summer and winter, each has its own charm.
The Zhou family always takes great care in preparing their first hotpot each year.
After the piles of dishes in the kitchen are prepared, take out the hot pot wrapped in old newspapers and light a fire at the door. First put some wood shavings in the hole, then lightly press charcoal on it, and then fan it vigorously with a fan. Only when the charcoal fire turns slightly red can you enter the kitchen.
First put some mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots and other foods that are not easy to overcook in a circle in the big belly of the hot pot, then put frozen tofu, fish balls, meatballs, potato slices, sea cucumbers, dried shrimps, vermicelli... and then pour the simmered meat and bone soup on it.
Therefore, when she and Zhang Guoqing arrived home, the three Ping'an brothers were so happy that they were drooling at the rich fragrance. They kept getting slippers or helping to pour hot water.
Zhou Jiao laughed happily when she saw this, "Why don't you eat first?"
Wuyi blinked and said, "Meat doesn't taste good without mom."
Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at his grandson with a smile on his face. His tongue became more and more eloquent, and sweet words came out of his mouth casually. He was exactly like his father.
While waiting for her to return, the hot pot had already boiled. After opening the lid, white steam lingered above the dining table. Zhou Jiao squinted her eyes comfortably.
Walking under the stars and moon, along the street lights, facing the flying snow, all the way, longing for the word "hot pot" to become a reality, sitting there with the hot pot, sharing the delicious food with the family, and talking about the fun they encountered during the day, isn't this another kind of happiness with a unique taste.
In this life, she only wishes for a peaceful and tranquil life. A copper pot, a round table, and a circle of people, complete and warm!
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