460 The Last New Year's Eve
Fu Zhengtu had a rare holiday, and he didn't have to prepare for the New Year this year. He had already sent all the things that needed to be sent to the capital.
With a rare free time, Fu Zhengtu drove his family to visit nearby attractions, which was a bit like a self-driving tour in the 21st century.
To be honest, in the past few years here, either Fu Zhengtu or Su Taotao was busy. This was the first time that both the husband and wife were free and took the whole family and the dog out together.
The couple headed north, taking turns driving, and did not miss any of the scenic spots and local snacks along the way. They even stayed in a nearby tourist county for a night, soaked in an authentic hot spring, and brought some local specialties.
Chenchen was the happiest. He ate a lot of snacks he had never eaten before and saw a lot of good things.
The whole family had a great time and returned to the family area on New Year's Eve.
The telephone booth operator waited for several days and finally saw Su Taotao.
She smiled and stopped Fu Zhengtu's car and knocked on the window:
"Director Su, you are finally back. There is a phone number for Huaqing Admissions Office here. They called several times and said they are available 24 hours a day. Please call me back."
Su Taotao thanked them and got off the car to call them back.
Chenchen wanted to drag Baibai out of the car: "Mom, I'll go with you."
Su Taotao touched the child's slightly tired face: "You and grandma go back to pack up our spoils, I'll be back in a few minutes."
The child nodded obediently, and when he went up the stairs, he stretched out his hand for his father to hold him.
You know, since the child thought he had grown up, he rarely asked adults to hold him, which shows that he was really tired from playing.
The auntie who answered the phone looked at Director Su with a vigilant face: "Director Su, you won't refuse again this time, right?"
Su Taotao smiled and shook her head: "No."
...
The Huaqing Admissions Office called for no other reason, just to worry that the provincial champion was poached by the capital university with generous conditions, so they gave Su Taotao a heads up in advance so that she could wait for the admission notice and the start of school with peace of mind.
The conditions offered were similar to those of Shouda. Tuition was waived and meals were subsidized. These were the basics. Going to university was free these days, and
there was also a food subsidy. Su Taotao was also given a scholarship to spend as she pleased.
In fact, Su Taotao's first choice was Huaqing. They probably did this because they heard that Shouda was trying to pry her away, so they offered an extra scholarship.
No one would complain about too much money, and Su Taotao was no exception.
Even though she had a good idea when she estimated her scores, and the call from Shouda confirmed her provincial top scorer status, Su Taotao didn't feel settled until now.
This university is stable.
As soon as she stepped into the house, Fu Zhengtu asked out of the blue: "Are you sure?"
Su Taotao nodded: "Sure."
Fu Zhengtu curled his lips and reached out to rub her hair: "Great."
As smart as Fu Yuanhang was, he also said out of the blue: "Congratulations to sister-in-law for getting what she wanted."
Su Taotao: "Thank you."
...
Today's New Year's Eve dinner is still a gathering of several families. Xiaochu's family, Pangpang's family, and Xiaolu's family are all here.
Xiaomeizi didn't want to come, she spent it with Baihua.
Xia Zhiqiu and Aunt Zhong canceled their plans to go back to their hometown for the New Year and stayed here with Su Taotao's family.
Everyone was the same as in previous years. Your family brought out a chicken, my family brought out a duck, your family brought out a whole plate of braised pork, my family brought out braised shrimps...
Everyone brought out their own specialties and filled two large tables. They
were not bound by form, and simply had a buffet style. When the food was served, you could eat it anytime and anywhere. You could eat whatever you liked from your own bowl. You had to finish the food in your bowl before you could take it a second time. You couldn't waste food.
The children were the happiest. Everyone held their own bowls and lined up to get food, and they all picked what they liked to eat.
Su Taotao set up a grill in the yard, and Fu Zhengtu got a sheep from somewhere, which was now sizzling on the grill.
Everyone was obviously already full, but they couldn't help swallowing their saliva at the overbearing aroma.
After the mutton was roasted and served, Su Taotao asked Fu Gong to distribute the mutton to everyone, and the children lined up to "get" the mutton.
Xiao Lu was very tactful, so he couldn't let Fu Gong do this job. He rushed over without saying a word and made a mess with the children.
Su Taotao and the female comrades were chatting on the side.
The men had a few drinks and talked happily.
There was no sadness of parting, only blessings to each other that the new year would be better than the old year, and that we would be better next year than this year.
After eating and drinking, everyone gathered together to chat.
"Taotao, on behalf of the women in my family district and even the whole county, I want to thank you. Please listen to me. This is not just a polite remark.
If it weren't for you, I would still be waiting in the market for that fish that had already turned over but was not dead to die in order to save some money on vegetables and kill time. It is you who made my life possible and made me who I am today.
If it weren't for you, most of the women in our family district and even the whole county would not have job opportunities. It is you who led us and gave us jobs, food to eat, and spare money to buy clothes. We no longer have to wait for that fish that has already rolled its eyes to die...
Taotao, I'll drink this cup, you can do as you please. To borrow your words, there is a long way to go, and we will see each other later!"
Aunt Zhong originally did not intend to be sentimental, let alone cry. She was ready to say goodbye to Su Taotao and her family happily.
Who knew that after drinking a few more cups, he couldn't help himself when his emotions were aroused.
Xia Zhiqiu also said: "Taotao, Director Zhong has said what should be said, and I won't repeat it.
But if it weren't for you, I don't know if our Dongdong would still be here today. Without you, there would be no Xia Zhiqiu today. I'm done, you can do whatever you want."
Dong Shengping is not good at speaking, but if it weren't for Su Taotao, he would probably be a useless person.
In terms of the grace of recognition, no one here is as important as him.
Xiao Lu's eyes were also red. He was the first to follow Fu Zhengtu and Su Taotao. When the small workshop was not yet opened, he had already followed Su Taotao's ass. He knew better than anyone how glorious the food factory is today and how much sweat Su Taotao had put in behind it.
"Sister..."
"Okay," Su Taotao raised her hand to interrupt them, her eyes reddened, "My sisters, my brothers, didn't we agree to have a good New Year? What's going on?"
Fu Zhengtu rubbed Su Taotao's head and hugged her in his arms. His wife was great. The glory of the food factory and the smooth operation of the base were all due to her.
They devoted their youth and sweat to this place and this land. They did not seek to be remembered by the world, nor did they seek to be famous in history. They were just doing what they thought was right.
They were colleagues, comrades-in-arms, and friends among their families, not relatives, but emotionally, they had already surpassed relatives.
This New Year's Eve dinner was more delicious than any other New Year's Eve dinner in the past.
It was just that the last hug was filled with tears and sadness.
...