Xu Zijiang said shamelessly. Yu Jiu glared at him, but still patted An'an's back and coaxed her to sleep. As soon as An'an fell asleep, Xu Zijiang couldn't wait to pounce on her. His cool fingertips quickly slipped into Yu Jiu's clothes and set fire to her snow-white body.
He was already very familiar with Yu Jiu's body and quickly brought her pleasure. The two hid under the covers, and soft sobs and heavy breathing filled the night. Xu Zi used his super endurance to bring Yu Jiu the most pleasure.
The next day, New Year's Eve, Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu busied themselves preparing a lot of food: fried meatballs, crispy fried fish, braised pork, steamed shrimp, and chicken and mushroom soup...
Although there were only two people eating, they prepared many dishes and laid out a sumptuous feast. Yu Jiu even opened a bottle of wine for Xu Zijiang. Xu Zijiang rarely drinks, but since it was the New Year and there were so many delicious dishes, it wouldn't hurt for him to have a little wine.
Xu Zijiang would occasionally feel like drinking, but he wasn't addicted to alcohol and didn't mind not drinking normally. However, Yu Jiu couldn't drink because she had to breastfeed An'an, so Xu Zijiang would have to drink alone.
"It's okay, I'll drink chicken soup with you and toast with you the same way."
"That's good too, as long as I have someone to keep me company."
Xu Zijiang chuckled, holding An'an in one arm and raising his wine glass to toast the remaining wine. The two of them huddled together, always having endless things to talk about. An'an clapped her little hands, sometimes letting out a few "ahs," joining in their lively and heartwarming chat.
They ate their New Year's Eve dinner around noon, took a bath, and wore new clothes. Although people weren't as particular about these things back then, Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu were wealthy, so they valued the ceremony. Yu Jiu even dressed An'an in a cute onesie embroidered with little tigers, which made little An'an look even cuter.
Since they were wearing new clothes, they naturally had to go out shopping. Today was New Year's Eve, so it wasn't a good day to visit relatives and friends. Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu took An'an to wander around the commune area. They planned to visit the supply and marketing cooperative first, and then the department store. These were the only places they could visit.
Even during the Lunar New Year, department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives remain open. They just don't open as many counters; they operate on a shift system. Yu Jiu chose to take a break before the New Year and went back to work on the second day of the Lunar New Year.
Many people come to buy things before the Lunar New Year, which is very lively and tiring. It is easier to go back to work after the Lunar New Year. Also, there are no relatives to visit, so this is the most suitable time to come to work. Other employees with families prefer to work before the Lunar New Year and then take a break until the 8th or 10th day of the Lunar New Year before returning to work.
"There are so few people on the streets today."
Yu Jiu put his hands in his pockets, wrapped himself up tightly in his military overcoat, and had a thick scarf around his neck that covered his face and mouth, leaving only his eyes and nose exposed to breathe.
"Everyone is at home preparing for the Chinese New Year, unlike us who finished our New Year's Eve dinner so quickly."
Xu Zijiang carried his daughter in his arms and walked side by side with his wife, strolling casually outside. There were indeed fewer people on the street. Although the department store and supply and marketing cooperative would be open today, they would close early, around four or five o'clock, as they also needed to go home to reunite with their families.
"That's true, we can go back and have another meal after our walk."
Yu Jiu smiled broadly; as long as she was with Xu Zijiang and her daughter, she was in a good mood. The two reached the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative and were about to go in when several children playing nearby tripped and fell. One of the younger children lay on the ground, wailing loudly, seemingly unable to get up.
"Little friend, where did you fall? Auntie will help you up."
Seeing this, Yu Jiu kindly went over and helped the little boy who had fallen up, then brushed the dust off his clothes. He was wearing thick clothes and was probably around five or six years old. When he fell, the heavy clothes weighed him down, and he couldn't get up.
However, the thick clothes had their advantages; he probably wouldn't feel any pain if he fell. Sure enough, Yu Jiu pulled him up, and his crying stopped.
"Thank you, Auntie."
He was quite polite. Yu Jiu fixed his hat for him. His playmate, whether he was afraid of strangers or what, ran away as soon as Yu Jiu came over to help him up, and he never appeared again.
"Little friend, do you live around here? It's almost New Year's Eve dinner, why are you still playing outside? Also, are you wearing new clothes? You just put them on for the New Year, if you get them dirty, your parents will be angry."
Yu Jiu asked with a smile, "At this time, people usually only eat the New Year's Eve dinner, which is a very big meal in the evening, usually around four or five in the afternoon. Then they eat something in the morning, and skip the lunch meal, which is to save some food."
The afternoon meal was already quite substantial, so what's a little hunger at noon? Yu Jiu and the others ate three regular meals a day. They had some meat buns for breakfast, and then started enjoying a hearty New Year's Eve dinner at noon. When they got hungry in the evening, they could just reheat the leftovers from lunch and have another meal, feeling both satisfied and happy.
So their family eats early, but for other families, this is when they're about to have their New Year's Eve dinner.
“I don’t live here.”
The little boy shook his head, his face full of innocence.
"So where do you live?"
Yu Jiu was bored, so she casually asked him a couple of questions, but the little boy couldn't explain it clearly.
"Anyway, we live in a very high building; our family lives on the 5th floor!"
The little boy thought for a while before finally managing to utter a sentence. Yu Jiu keenly sensed something was wrong and asked again.
"Do you still remember the way home? Is it far from here to your home?"
"I don't remember, but it shouldn't be far."
The little boy was also a tiger. He had forgotten the way home, but he wasn't scared at all. He even told Yu Jiu that he had come here to play and that there were many children here. He had met many children his age.
····
So it's a lost child!
"You're really brave. How long have you been out? Your family must be worried sick. Quick, think again, do you know where your home is? We'll take you back."
Yu Jiu was both amused and exasperated. If she hadn't paid attention and asked, the little boy would have played wildly for who knows how long before remembering to go home. By then it would be late, there would be no one on the streets, and he wouldn't remember the way. That would be a disaster.
"It's close to a lot of houses."
What he said was as good as nothing. Yu Jiu looked at Xu Zijiang with pleading eyes, and Xu Zijiang thought for a moment.
“He probably lives in a tenement building. His parents work in a factory. Let him walk around first and see if he can remember the way home. If he can’t, we’ll take him to a nearby tenement building and ask if anyone knows him.”
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