Qin Xiaoyu forced herself to stay alert. Zhou Xing's mother knew the reason but wanted to offer advice but didn't know how to start.
For her, one night of healing was enough; she would be a hero again the next day.
She informed the new employees to report for duty after the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, as the benefits for the veteran employees had already begun to be distributed, including large red envelopes of bonuses, as well as rice, flour, and oil. This was something that hadn't happened in the garment factory for many years, and everyone was overjoyed.
Reports from the provincial capital and Fengcheng are being sent out weekly, and sales are both very good. The situation has stabilized.
Now we're just looking forward to a proper New Year celebration; this is the first time since we moved. Qin Xiaoyu asked Xiao Chen and the others to hang big red lanterns all over the outside of the building.
Grandpa Hanhan and several children made simple ice lanterns using buckets.
Making a simple ice lantern isn't difficult. Fill an iron bucket with water and let it freeze overnight. The bucket will solidify into a cylinder with a concave center. Separate the bucket and the ice cylinder with hot water, then attach a small light bulb to the concave area. The ice lantern is now complete.
Qin Xiaoyu was worried that it wouldn't be safe for them to connect the electricity themselves, especially with so many children, so she specially called Xiao Pang over.
"I never knew Dad had this ability." Qin Xiaoyu watched as the little light bulbs inside the ice lantern lit up, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere like a fairy tale world—a dream she had had since childhood.
"Your dad is very skillful, but he just doesn't know where to use his skills. Look at this place, he's so excited about it, he keeps making things up, that old man." Grandma Hanhan's words were ostensibly a dig, but the admiration in her eyes was unmistakable.
After the last incident, Xiaoli became a regular customer, coming over every day. Gradually, the children also accepted this straightforward and outspoken sister-in-law, and they truly became like family, coming and going from house to house.
The day before the 28th, Qin Xiaoyu brought back clothes for her family. These were custom-made by the factory she had asked earlier. Although they weren't high-end custom-made, they were all tailored to each person's individual characteristics and showed her thoughtfulness.
Only Zhou Yue's clothes no longer fit. Although there was plenty of room for growth beforehand, it couldn't compare to her belly, which was growing too fast.
Zhou Xing's mother wore a light beige wool cape-style half-length coat with matching trousers, which made her look much younger.
"Mom, add a brooch, it's still too plain."
Qin Xiaoyu looked at it from all angles for a long time.
"Mom, your hair is so white!" Zhou Yue blurted out, making another slip of the tongue.
This was something Qin Xiaoyu had discovered long ago. From the first time she entered the Zhou family home and saw that proud and cold woman, to the kind old lady with a weathered face now, Zhou Xing's mother had only taken a little over two years.
She's been through so much.
On the 28th, several cars from our family went out in a grand procession, heading straight for the Grand Theater.
Today is not only a big day for Tang Fengqin's first performance, but also a surprise prepared by Commander Wang: the little sister will be performing for the third time.
Qin Xiaoyu got a big cotton-padded coat and wrapped her little sister up from head to toe. She had grown quite a bit taller that year, and her baby fat had disappeared a lot, and she was already showing the beginnings of a little beauty.
Tang Fengqin's dress was designed by Zhou Yue herself; it was simple and elegant, drawing all eyes to her face. To be honest, no one really paid attention to what she said. Whenever she appeared, everyone's eyes followed her, cheering and applauding. What she said, whether right or wrong, was completely unimportant.
At first, Tang Fengqin was a little nervous, but she quickly became poised and confident.
My younger sister's piano solo was scheduled for last. Originally, we were going to have Zhou Xing's mother go up and accompany her, but this time she refused no matter what, saying that my younger sister could handle it on her own.
“Playing, Tang Zimei, five years old.” Tang Fengqin proudly announced her little sister’s name.
The younger sister walked out from the side, wearing a white princess dress, with her hair in a bun, and calm, large eyes, looking somewhat serious.
Needless to say, the performance was met with thunderous applause. After several curtain calls, Tang Fengqin led him away by the hand.
Commander Wang didn't perform; he sat in the audience with them the whole time.
"Commander Wang, I heard that's your daughter-in-law?" Someone in the front row, who couldn't hold back any longer, came over to ask about the gossip.
"Yes, the wedding will be held right after the first month of the lunar calendar!" Commander Wang's face was beaming with pride; he couldn't contain himself anymore. If Qin Xiaoyu hadn't been holding him back, she probably would have shouted into the microphone on stage, "Look at my daughter-in-law, she's so beautiful!"
Qi Si originally said he would treat everyone to a late-night snack when the holiday ended, but Qin Xiaoyu stopped him. She said there were many elderly people in her family, and it wasn't good for them to go home too late, in case they caught a cold, which would affect the quality of everyone's New Year celebration.
The next day was the day to visit the in-laws, and Qi Si directly arranged for help. Although it was a bit chaotic, everyone could relax a bit.
Aunt Wang just came back from the detention center, and sure enough, she had gained weight and her face was glowing.
"Godmother, you need to lose weight. You can't jump like this anymore. It's not sincere enough. What god would want to see you?" Qi Si would tease her.
"Get lost, you little brat!" Granny Wang raised her hand, and Qi Si jumped up.
"Her godmother, I've heard so much about you! Please take a look, quick!" Xiaoli's mother pulled a notebook out of her bag and handed it over.
When Aunt Wang took a look, her eyes widened. The densely written birth dates and times filled more than a dozen pages.
Qin Xiaoyu was also a little flustered; this would have to wait until next year.
"It's time to eat. Let's start with the important things." Qin Xiaoyu winked at Aunt Wang. They were both old hands at this, and Aunt Wang understood immediately.
Aunt Wang first declined Xiaoli's grandmother's gift, saying she had caught a bit of a chill while out at night, but it was nothing serious, and gave her a ginger powder sachet. She then talked about Xiaoli and Tang Long's compatibility for marriage, which was something people liked to hear, and that's how she managed to get to dinner time.
Xiaoli's mother had seen a bit of the world, but when this large family of over thirty people sat down, she was a little stunned. She then realized what kind of courage her daughter had taken to argue in public the last time.
She was relieved that the child wouldn't suffer any losses in the future.
Aunt Wang didn't like too much noise. After eating a little something and drinking two cups of wine, she complained of dizziness. Qin Xiaoyu helped her back to Building No. 2.
Xiaoli's mother was still thinking about those dozen or so pages of paper, but she couldn't stop her and could only watch helplessly as she left.
"This place is not bad. Tang Long will definitely need to rely on it in the future. It's just that this brother-in-law is a bit unreliable." As soon as they left, Aunt Wang became energetic and started calculating.
"As long as the young couple is doing well, that's enough." Qin Xiaoyu has never had high expectations.
“They’re doing well on their own, so you shouldn’t worry about them. Look how tired you are all day,” said Aunt Wang with concern.
"Godmother, didn't you do a fortune telling for me? When will my marriage come?" Taking advantage of the darkness, Qin Xiaoyu shamelessly asked.
"This liquor is quite strong; I'm so sleepy I can barely keep my eyes open. You should go back now; everyone's waiting for you." Before they even reached the entrance of Building No. 2, Aunt Wang started urging Qin Xiaoyu to hurry up.
That old lady is incredibly cunning; she won't take the bait easily.
Was it that she couldn't figure it out, or was she deliberately keeping it a secret? Qin Xiaoyu wondered.
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