Chen Zhou's voice came through.
"What are you two whispering about? The dumplings are getting cold."
"Coming, coming." After saying that, Song Jianmin ladled out a bowl of soup that was simmering on the stove.
Chen Zhou had already set out the glasses on the table. The third and fifth brothers had beer in their glasses, while Chen Zhou was drinking a soft drink.
Amidst a table full of dishes, Chen Zhou raised his glass, "Hey, a new year, a new beginning! I hope everything goes smoothly next year, and everyone stays safe!"
Song Jianmin chuckled mischievously, earning a glare from both Chen Zhou and Song Anmin.
Song Anmin: "Come on, let's drink! May everything go smoothly for us next year!"
Chen Zhou ate with gusto that night, finishing two heaping bowls of rice and leaving half of the dishes on the table. The third and fifth brothers drank and complained to Chen Zhou about embarrassing things that happened to each other when they were young.
Song Anmin's mouth never stopped.
"Chen Zhou, don't laugh yet. Besides hiding the teacher's shoes, he also soaked chalk in water until it was unusable. He soaked it for a whole month, and the teacher had to go to the next class every day to ask for more chalk. In the end, he was caught but wouldn't admit it, saying he was sleepwalking..."
Chen Zhou laughed so hard he lay on the table. "Even the teacher probably didn't expect him to get into university."
Song Jianmin's face darkened. "Don't you understand? This is about balancing work and rest, learning through play, and creating a lively classroom atmosphere. Otherwise, how could our class have the best grades in the school?"
Chen Zhou covered his mouth. "Okay, I won't laugh anymore."
Song Jianmin: "Let me tell you, don't let Third Brother's current serious appearance fool you. He used to be a real scoundrel. He didn't pay attention in class and would bring cards to school every day. He would play cards during breaks. He could only play if no one gave him a single penny. Third Brother was very shrewd. Do you know how he ended up having his cards confiscated?"
"Fifth brother, shut up!"
Chen Zhou knew without asking that in the end, a classmate would definitely report Song Anmin.
"Let me tell you, back in the second year of high school, there was a girl who liked Third Brother, but he didn't reciprocate, so she reported him to the police."
This time, it was Song Anmin's turn to have a dark expression.
The commotion lasted until almost nine o'clock, when Xu Songyuan returned.
"uncle!"
Xu Songyuan drank some wine and saw the three children in the main room laughing happily, which made him happy too.
"Uncle, give me a red envelope for wishing you prosperity!"
"I want one too!"
Xu Songyuan wasn't drunk. He stepped inside and cheerfully took out three red envelopes from his pocket.
One for each person.
Chen Zhou was surprised to find that she had one too. Her nose tingled, she grinned, said "Thank you, boss," and accepted it.
Xu Songyuan: "If you're not in the shop, just call me uncle. Calling me anything else is too formal."
Chen Zhou's eyes welled up with tears. Lao Wu nudged Chen Zhou's arm, and he glanced at the red envelope in surprise, "Twenty!"
Chen Zhou smiled again and said loudly, "Thank you, Uncle!"
The third brother chuckled, "Uncle, did you see anything else when you came back?"
Xu Songyuan: "What's up?"
Song Anmin coughed lightly: "The eldest brother just came back with Yan Yan and Lele. He put down his things and left. The fifth brother saw him."
Xu Songyuan's expression remained unchanged as he hummed in agreement, "They were given to Aunt Wang and Zhuo Huai by your grandparents."
Song Anmin responded with an "oh".
Song Jianmin sighed silently to himself.
Xu Songyuan: "You three, hurry up and clean up after you finish eating. I'm going to sleep."
The third brother cooked the meal, the fifth brother washed the dishes, and Chen Zhou swept the floor.
After finishing their work, Song Jianmin took Chen Zhou out to buy fireworks and set off firecrackers. Song Anmin, feeling bored, went out to throw away the trash and caught a thief along the way.
"Hey kid, stop right there!"
The trash can was at the entrance of the alley. Song Anmin was about to throw away the trash and go back when he heard hurried footsteps coming from the road outside. Song Anmin peeked out to take a look.
A tall, thin young man dressed in black, carrying a woman's handbag, ran quickly towards them, with a girl chasing after him.
Song Anmin stretched out his foot and tripped the man.
"Where else do you want to run off to?"
"Thank you." The owner was a young woman, who looked to be under thirty. Song Anmin handed her the bag. "Take this."
"Thank you. Are you busy later? I'd like to take him to the police station!"
Song Anmin looked at her with some surprise.
Most people, especially young women, wanted to avoid trouble and wanted to make a big deal out of it. Song Anmin thought she would let the person go.
Song Anmin nodded casually and said, "Let's go, the police station isn't far."
"No, brother, I'm just doing this one job, please stop!"
"You have the nerve to rob me! Shut up!"
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