The days passed and it was already mid-March.
After resting at home for several days, Xu Guiying and Xu Songyuan returned to their respective jobs.
It's early spring now, and everywhere is lush and green. Business at Phoenix Pavilion is picking up and profits are rising. Regular customers are gradually returning to eat. Before leaving each time they pay the bill, they stare at the notice posted at the main entrance and read it several times. Phoenix Pavilion is truly an innocent victim of this disaster.
During his time recuperating at home, Xu Songyuan has developed two new dishes.
The pear balls we researched in December didn't meet our expectations, but the two new dishes were well received and enjoyed by both northern and southern customers.
After Xu Guiying returned to the supply and marketing cooperative, everyone came to care about her. During the days that Xu Guiying was away, a major event also occurred at the supply and marketing cooperative.
The supply and marketing cooperative was restructured, and its agricultural wholesale department was established as a separate company, with Ding Ge serving as general manager. Xu Guiying, the deputy director, replaced Ding Ge and was promoted to director of the purchasing department.
Xu Guiying will be fifty-two this year, and will retire in three years.
When people are happy, they are in high spirits. After lunch, Xu Guiying went to the famous pastry shop on Aiguo Street to buy pastries and fruit to take back to the supply and marketing cooperative.
Xu Guiying left work on time in the afternoon and went to Phoenix Pavilion again.
Looking at the number of customers tonight, Xu Guiying and her brother felt a little relieved.
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And just today, Song Guomin came to Heping Lane.
Song Guomin was far away in a rural town, so the news was delayed. He only heard about the Phoenix Pavilion from his bank colleagues when he returned to the city to hand in his work documents.
Song Guomin secretly blamed himself for being careless, not even thinking to go back to Heping Lane to take a closer look.
On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Song Guomin's mother and uncle had an accident, and on the seventh day, he took his two children back to town.
When Song Guomin arrived at Heping Lane, only Grandpa Song and Qian Yu'an were at home; Grandma Song had gone to visit Song Qiumin's pregnant wife.
It was Qian Yu'an who opened the door.
Qian Yu'an still wore a polite yet slightly awkward smile.
"Big brother's here."
Grandpa Song came out of the house. "Song Guomin, what brings you here?"
Song Guomin frowned, his expression worried. "Grandpa, I just found out that Mom and Uncle had an accident. Is it serious? How are they?"
Grandpa Song couldn't help but sigh.
No one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. But putting yourself in their shoes, and recalling the foolish things that Song Guomin and his wife did in the past, even if Grandpa Song is filled with regret and sorrow, he will not agree to let Song Guomin come back.
Grandpa Song: "It's nothing, he's all better now. Why are you in such a hurry? You have to go to work tomorrow, right?"
Song Guomin hurriedly said, "Grandpa, I'm not in a hurry."
Grandpa Song asked Qian Yu'an to go into the kitchen and prepare some food for Song Guomin.
“These are sweet potato cakes that your grandma steamed this morning. You can eat them on the way. They're not hot yet, so they can last for three days. Take them back for Yan Yan and Le Le to eat.”
Song Guomin still couldn't get into the Song family.
Grandpa Song stuffed the things into Song Guomin's hands, saying, "You still have to take the bus later, right? Hurry up, or you'll miss it."
Song Guomin's eyes reddened, "Grandpa..."
Grandpa Song waved his hand, "Go ahead."
After a long standoff, Song Guomin slowly left Heping Lane.
He walked to the station, tears streaming unconsciously from his eyes as he walked, drawing stares from passersby.
Just as Song Guomin got into the car, he saw people getting out of another car through the window.
Liu Aimei?
The last time I saw Liu Aimei was before the Lunar New Year.
Liu Aimei's hair had grown a bit longer, and a bald man was standing next to her.
Song Guomin sneered and then looked away, ignoring him.
Standing next to Liu Aimei was the Mediterranean man Liu Qiangdao had introduced to her before; his name was Xu Ping.
On New Year's Eve, Liu Aimei stormed out of the Liu family home and, still seething with anger, didn't return during the entire Spring Festival.
After the Chinese New Year, Liu Aimei found a job selling clothes at a wholesale market.
In early March, Liu Aimei got off work late one day.
It was already dark when she was followed all the way to her neighborhood. By the time Liu Aimei realized it, it was too late. The person behind her rushed over and chased after her. Just at the critical moment, Xu Ping unexpectedly appeared and saved the panicked Liu Aimei.
Liu Aimei didn't care about her receding hairline anymore; she cried to Xu Ping for a while, and their relationship improved.
Aside from being a bit bald, there's nothing wrong with Mediterranean syndrome.
That's how the two got in touch.
Over time, Liu Aimei and Xu Ping became acquainted. Old Man Liu and Liu Qiangdao even encouraged them to meet for a meal, and that's how Liu Aimei and Xu Ping confirmed their relationship.
Today, Liu Aimei and Xu Ping went back to the countryside to visit Xu Ping's parents.
Xu Ping held Liu Aimei's hand and asked, "What do you think of April 8th as a date?"
April 8th was an auspicious day that Xu Ping's mother had specially chosen.
Liu Aimei paused slightly, "Getting the marriage certificate on April 8th is too fast. Why don't we take it slow and get to know each other better?"
A glint of light flashed in Xu Ping's eyes.
"Of course, Aimei. This is the first time I've met such a beautiful woman like you... It's all my fault for being too impatient."
Liu Aimei wanted to speak, but when her gaze fell on Xu Ping's wrinkled face, she looked away with some reluctance. She had finally gotten used to Xu Ping's baldness, and now she had to get used to his face full of wrinkles.
It's quite a strange thing for a grown man to be bald and have so many wrinkles.
Liu Aimei sighed softly, "As you know, I went through a terrible marriage and need time to slowly get over it."
Xu Ping smiled slightly, "Aimei, it's okay, we have plenty of time."
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