In the afternoon, Song Lili was busy doing the accounts in the store. It was the end of the year, and she should do the accounting, including calculating the employees' wages and bonuses.
Seeing that Song Lili was busy, Zhang Qinghua didn't bother her and went to find something to do himself.
Zhang Shengtian was playing with his two children in the store.
There were fewer people today, so they could run around without any problem. Normally, they wouldn't dare to, for fear of getting burned by the soup.
"Qiao Lin, how many people in the store aren't going home for the Chinese New Year? Are there any part-time workers staying behind?" Song Lili asked.
"There are several of them, saying they don't want to go home. What's wrong, Sister Lili?" Qiao Lin asked curiously, wondering why she would ask this.
"Oh, it's nothing. Please gather everyone together in a bit, I have something to do."
"Okay, I understand." Qiao Lin went to work.
When the store was empty, Song Lili gathered everyone together and said, "I called you all here today because I have something to say."
"There are still more than two weeks until the Chinese New Year, so I should give you your New Year's bonuses."
"Let's do it today, so everyone can have a good time and have a good New Year," Song Lili said with a smile. She went out for a while to get some money.
"Wow, thank you, boss. You're so kind."
"Long live the boss!"
"Very good"
Upon hearing this good news, everyone was excited and jumped up, their eyes sparkling as they looked at Song Lili.
"But I'm telling you, you'd better work hard, or you won't get any bonuses later." Song Lili held up the envelope and pointed at the excited people.
"Yes, we will definitely work hard to put the boss at ease," everyone shouted in unison.
"Alright, I'll see how you do. Come and get yours."
Each person received an envelope, which Song Lili had already packed and labeled with their names. The mailings were done quickly.
"In addition to everyone's salary and bonus, we'll give each person a 10 yuan New Year's red envelope. May everyone have a good New Year!"
"Thank you, boss."
"Alright, everyone go back to work." Watching the group leave happily, Song Lili also felt pleased.
Is this what they mean by "giving roses to others leaves a lingering fragrance on your own hands"?
Is it right?
Before anyone came to eat hot pot, Song Lili called over those who weren't going home for the New Year. "I heard none of you are going home, is that right?"
“Yes, boss,” someone said.
"Where do you live?" Song Lili asked. These people were all students who hadn't gone home for the holidays.
The full-time employees she hires are all local residents, so there is no accommodation issue for them.
"You can live at the school, and you can stay at the school until the eve of the Lunar New Year on the 23rd." Someone who knew asked.
"Where are you going next?" You can't just walk around on the street, can you?
"I'm trying to figure something out." Ideally, we'd like to find a place to stay.
Song Lili was silent for a moment, then said, "It's like this, I'm going home for the Chinese New Year, and I guess the shop will be closed. If you're not going, you can stay here for a few days. Consider it as keeping watch for me."
This idea just popped into her head suddenly; otherwise, she could have just closed the shop and wouldn't have needed to keep an eye on it at all.
She only said that because she felt sorry for the three people in front of her, and they didn't seem like the type to spend money on a guesthouse.
"Really?" they exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course it's true, but you can't damage anything in the store, or I'll hold you accountable," Song Lili said sternly.
"No, no, thank you, boss." The three were moved to tears, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted off their shoulders, and they were overjoyed.
"Alright, you can go back to work now," Song Lili told them to leave.
That evening, Song Lili and Zhang Qinghua left early to pick up Xiao Chen and take her home.
When we arrived at the elementary school gate, the gate was not yet open; school must have started before we were dismissed. "We'll have to wait a while."
"Are you cold?" Zhang Qinghua held Song Lili's hand and put it in the pocket of his cotton coat.
"I'm not cold, I'm dressed warmly." Song Lili looked at her newly bought cotton coat. How could she be cold?
This coat is very expensive; the fur inside is pure animal fur, so it's very warm and not cold. It's just that Zhang Qinghua is worried.
"If it's cold, we'll find somewhere to hide." Zhang Qinghua stood in the wind, shielding Song Lili from the cold.
"Xiao Chen should be out soon, it's okay." Besides, she's not cold.
"Okay," Zhang Qinghua said, then stopped talking and looked at the school gate, waiting for it to open.
The two stood quietly together, yet a warm atmosphere could be felt around them.
It was as if there was an unspoken understanding between the two of them that prevented a third person from interfering.
When Luo Juan arrived, this was the scene she saw, and the jealousy in her heart almost materialized.
She twisted her face, glaring at Song Lili with resentment.
Why should she have a happy marriage and family?
Why should she get Zhang Qinghua and his indulgent love? Why should she live a better life than me?
On what grounds?
She called out "Song Lili" in a low voice, filled with hatred, before composing herself and slowly approaching the school gate, and also approaching Song Lili and the other person.
Song Lili and her companion didn't notice Luo Juan, because there were many families picking up children from their hometowns, and they simply didn't pay attention.
Luo Juan finally couldn't help but call out, and only then did the two realize that Luo Juan had also come.
Song Lili was surprised. Was she really that destined to meet Luo Juan again?
Then, I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows. Could it be that Luo Juan's child is also in this school?
Thinking about it, it's not impossible.
Because of its proximity to Metropolitan University, many people with the means and children place their children here for convenient drop-off and pick-up.
Luo Juan also got married, and the Wang Li she saw that day was her husband.
Luo Juan and Zhang Qinghua are about the same age and should have children by now.
"You're here to pick up your child too?" Song Lili said casually as she took her hand out of Zhang Qinghua's pocket.
Then, Luo Juan stared at Song Lili's fair and tender hands, which clearly showed that she hadn't done any work for several years.
In her heart, she was filled with hatred. It seemed that Song Lili had been living a very good life since marrying Zhang Qinghua, and had never done any work.
Otherwise, her hands wouldn't be like this.
"You have a child too!" Song Lili whispered, seemingly surprised but also in disbelief, when Luo Juan didn't react.
He couldn't help but curse inwardly, thinking, "What a twist of fate! I feel like I run into Luo Juan everywhere. I'm really having the worst luck."
Did she not go out today, according to the old almanac? Otherwise, why is she having such bad luck?
He was secretly furious, but he didn't show it on his face. He was all smiles, and you could tell at a glance that he had a very good personality, which was actually true. He was in an even better mood.
If she pretends well, Luo Juan will be in a bad mood; she'll be completely miserable.
Looking at Song Lili's smile, she wished she could tear that face she hated to shreds.
That's how it was back then. That's how she was back then, letting herself go astray step by step, watching herself step into the trap.
In the end, all they could do was flee.
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