The old street is basically filled with houses behind shops, and all the unpopular things you can think of are sold here.
Ling Ran opened the trunk and backseat door and wanted to buy a jar, which naturally pleased the shopkeeper.
Six people were stuffed into the trunk, five into the back seat, and one into the passenger seat because the customer said he would buy as many as he could fit in.
Ling Ran laughed. This shop owner was quite interesting. He paid the bill, drove out of the old street, and after a short drive, he returned to the shop. "Boss, come again."
"Okay!" The store owner took out all the big and small items in the inventory and filled it up again.
"Young man, are you still coming? I can help you find some other goods."
"Okay! Let's do it again, and I want it to be as big as the first time."
"OK."
After collecting all the jars for the third time, Ling Ran returned to the town.
He prepared a small jar of salted eggs in the trunk, went into Zhou's house, called Zhou Xiang, and the two went to Dr. Cao's clinic.
Doctor Cao saw the jar in Ling Ran's arms and said with a smile, "If you don't come today, I'm going to send Ren Qing to urge you. Giving a New Year's gift to an old man like me is too unproactive."
Zhou Xiang handed the cloth bag to Doctor Cao and said, "You can go anytime."
Doctor Cao took the cloth bag and smiled even more. "Well! Next time, if it's gone, I'll ask Ren Qing to get it back."
"Yeah! That's it."
Zhou Xiang turned around and asked Ren Qing, "How are you? Do you miss home? Are your family urging you to go back for the New Year?"
Ren Qing shook his head. "They didn't rush me. They were very happy to know that I became their apprentice. They also told me to take good care of my master. I'm doing well. I'm studying hard and don't miss home."
"If your parents heard what you said, they would be very sad!"
Ren Qing chuckled foolishly.
Doctor Cao also smiled. He was very satisfied with this apprentice, who was diligent, capable and steady.
After sitting for a while, the two left. Ling Ran held his wife's hand and said, "Are you relieved now?"
"I've let go of half of it, but we'll have to wait and see."
After giving out all the New Year gifts, Zhou Xiang went to look for his elder brother who was hiding in the studio upstairs.
"Brother." Zhou Xiang knocked on the door.
When he saw the person on the easel, Zhou Xiang could only sigh in his heart. His elder brother probably didn't want to forget. It would be strange if he could forget if he kept painting like this every day.
"It's just right that my sister is here. Put all these paintings away." Zhou Niao pointed to a bundle of scrolls on the desk.
Zhou Xiang waved his hand, collected all the scrolls, and asked, "Brother, are you really planning on pretending?"
Zhou Niao nodded, "Yes! Otherwise, it would be too annoying to face pressure to get married or have children all day long, or to face people who come to see me curiously all day long."
"Do you regret it?"
"I don't regret it. It's good to be sober now. Even though I face more problems, it's better than being confused. Besides, haven't I found a solution?"
A way to escape? Although Zhou Xiang didn't agree, he couldn't say it out loud. Big Brother had too little experience, so if he wanted to escape, then let him escape!
By leaving the familiar environment and people, he can be a normal person and not have to face the ridicule and pitying gazes of strangers.
"When do you plan to return to the capital?"
"I'll go on the 16th, with a clear mind and eyes, to see the Lantern Festival in my hometown again."
"What are your New Year's resolutions?"
"After returning to the capital and settling in, I'll go out and collect folk songs and hold another landscape painting exhibition during the summer vacation."
"I'll go if I have time during the summer vacation. I'm going to build a big shopping mall in Beitou during the New Year."
"Okay! Ask Zhu Hang and his family to go. They should go out more often to stay healthy and gain more knowledge and broaden their horizons."
"good!"
Zhou Niao patted his sister's head and said, "Don't worry about me. My life goals are very clear. I live a very easy life these days, even easier than when I was confused before."
"Yeah! As long as Big Brother knows what he wants."
On New Year's Eve, the ten young men who had been in charge of the front yard came to Zhou's house, and there was someone to help.
Ling Ran was assigned by his wife to help in the kitchen, so two chefs were enough.
There is strength in numbers. By eleven o'clock, the two round tables were full.
The two newborn babies upstairs have been settled in. Aunt Wang has two days off, on the 30th and the first day of the new year. This year her son will not be coming home for the New Year, so there is not much for her and Uncle Wang to do. Mother Zhou also gave her a basket of buns, a salted fish and some bacon.
It’s enough for the old couple to celebrate the New Year, especially considering Aunt Wang is so stingy, she can probably only eat until the 15th.
Jiang Weihua stopped competing to set off firecrackers, and Zhou Niao took over. He wanted to experience the excitement of setting off firecrackers with an adult's mentality.
Then, he coaxed Jiankangkang, "From now on, setting off firecrackers at home will be left to you two little men."
Kang Kang refused, "My aunt said that setting off firecrackers can easily damage the eardrums."
Jianjian nodded.
Seeing that no one liked to set off firecrackers anymore, Zhou Xiang suggested nailing a nail on the wall outside the gate and hanging it on the wall.
Received unanimous approval.
After being reminded by his eldest son, Mr. Zhou did not mention that he was already awake. He just raised his cup and wished everyone better and better in the coming year!
People at the two tables raised their glasses together, wishing each other a happy new year and good health. After finishing the second glass, they immediately ran to his grandfather to say auspicious words.
Father Zhou couldn't help but tease them, "You wait for it every year, why are you asking for it this year?"
"We need to ask my aunt for investment and earn money for my sister. Mom doesn't have a salary and Dad eats for free. We have to take on the responsibility of supporting the family."
Zhou Xiang spit out a mouthful of drink, and not only she spit out the drink, but many people spit out the drink as well.
Who taught you that? The first person Zhou Xiang looked at was Jiang Weihua. Jiang Weihua shook his head guiltily, "That's definitely not what I said. Healthy and healthy, is that what my uncle said?"
Jian Jiankang nodded, "That's what you mean."
Jiang Weihua quickly stood up and explained, "I heard they were in charge of their own red envelopes, so I suggested that instead of saving their money, they invest it. I asked their aunt to invest. To make them feel how hard it is to make money, I told them that their parents had no source of income and were living off their savings. Adding their younger sister, the pressure on three children is huge."
"Healthy!" Zhu Hang called out his two sons' nicknames seriously, "How could you change my words without my permission?"
Father Zhou hugged his two grandsons and criticized his eldest son-in-law, "Well, it's New Year's Day, the kids might have said that on purpose, just to be funny. Don't do that next time, Jiankangkang. Changing the words without permission will hurt the family's feelings."
Jiankang nodded and said, "I'm sorry, uncle, we did it on purpose. You insisted on brainwashing us by saying that the family was burdened."
Zhou Xiang frowned. "If you're healthy, you should admit your mistakes properly. Don't make excuses. Sit back and have a good meal. This afternoon, your aunt will give you a class called Understanding Poverty."
Jiankangkang immediately returned to his seat and ate his meal obediently.
Ling Ran quickly picked up a drink to liven up the atmosphere. "There are so many happy events at home this year, and I think everyone should say at least one New Year's greeting. I'll take the lead and wish everyone here a happy new year and all the best!"
After saying that, he raised his glass and drank the drink in it.
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