January 28, 1985, the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
There's a saying in Northeast China: "On the seventh and eighth days of the twelfth lunar month, your chin will freeze off."
If it weren't for the Jin family's insistence on inviting Gu Wei and his family to their home for dinner to celebrate their double happiness,
I doubt anyone would want to leave their warm home and walk in the freezing cold.
Fortunately, the two houses are not far apart.
They were wearing thick down jackets and cotton shoes, fully armed except for their eyes.
Even though the biting wind was piercing, I didn't feel too cold.
As they walked and talked, the warm breath they exhaled formed a layer of frost on their scarves and hats.
By then, it was completely dark.
Gu Wei saw from afar a person in a black cotton-padded coat standing at the gate of the Jin family's house, stamping his feet and breathing on his hands to warm them.
"Is that Dafei?"
Gu Jianguo narrowed his eyes. "Judging from his build, it should be him."
Li Guizhi and Gu Hongjie both felt the same way, and the group quickened their pace.
"Brother Gu, you're here. Are you all freezing? Come inside, take off your shoes, and warm up on the kang (heated brick bed).
Jin Hongfei is getting engaged today, and in high spirits, he stood outside the door early to welcome Gu Wei and the others.
"You're not freezing, you're all dressed quite warmly." Gu Wei chuckled and patted his arm. "But you, how long have you been standing outside?"
"It wasn't long." Jin Hongfei smiled and ushered the people into the courtyard, then shouted at the top of his lungs, "Brother Gu and the others are here!"
Several people suddenly emerged from the house.
There were Jin's father and mother, and Zhao Dajiang and his family.
Each one was more enthusiastic than the last.
"Come inside quickly, it's really cold today, Laba Festival."
"We were just saying that we thought we'd be here soon."
"We only need to cook two stir-fries, then we can eat soon."
"..."
After chatting and laughing for a while, everyone took their seats to prepare for dinner.
Before the meal began, Mr. Jin, as the head of the family, raised his glass and toasted.
"My Dafei got engaged today, and Dazi and his family have a child. I'm so happy! I have to thank you, Gu Wei, for all of this. I'm clumsy with words and don't know how to say nice things, but if any of them dare to forget their roots or not work hard for you, I'll be the first to object!"
Gu Wei knew that Jin's father was an honest man and that he was speaking from the heart.
But what happens in the future is not something anyone can control. In any case, people will come together if they agree and separate if they disagree. Moreover, everyone has their own ambitions, and it is perfectly normal for someone to go solo someday.
He raised his glass, smiled, and said, "Uncle Jin, you're being too polite. Today is a day of double celebration for your family, and we're happy for you too. Come on, let's drink."
Mr. Jin smiled broadly, his face crinkling with wrinkles. "Good, good."
Next, Jin Hongfei also toasted Gu Wei to express his gratitude.
“Brother Gu, even if you don’t want to hear it, I still have to say it! Without you, my girlfriend and I definitely wouldn’t have gotten together so quickly. When we get married in warmer weather, you have to be our witness.”
"Yes, when Dafei and the others get married, you, Brother Gu, must be the officiant."
The officiant at a wedding is usually someone of high status, typically an older person.
Gu Wei hadn't expected that the two brothers would have such thoughts.
Looking at the expressions of the Kim family parents, it was clear that they agreed and supported it.
He could only give a vague answer: "We can talk about that later."
“Alright.” Jin Hongda continued earnestly, “Brother Gu, Yingzi and I have already discussed it, and we’ll ask you to help name the baby after it’s born.”
Gu Wei's first reaction was to refuse, "Naming a child is a big deal, and this involves some areas where I have no experience."
"It's okay, Brother Gu. I still have seven or eight months before I give birth. Take your time thinking about it. Let's start drinking. Da Zi, bottoms up. You can drink as you like."
"Alright then," Gu Wei said with a hint of helplessness.
Zhao Zhengying's glass contained soda, and after clinking glasses with Gu Wei, she gulped it all down.
Everyone knew that Gu Wei's alcohol tolerance was average, so no one forced him to drink; he only drank to a certain extent.
Even after the meal ended happily and everyone left, Gu Wei was only slightly tipsy.
Gu Jianguo and Zhao Dajiang had drunk quite a bit, and the two walked ahead arm in arm.
Li Guizhi and Tang Jiamei were also chatting, arm in arm.
Gu Wei, with Gu Hongjie by his side, lagged a few steps behind Zhao Zhengyuan, who was walking unsteadily.
It was cold and the roads were slippery, and Yao Shulan's belly was getting bigger and bigger, so she stayed at home and didn't come over.
Zhao Zhengyuan let out a burp. "Brother Gu, I heard that a clothing store opened near that store in the city?"
Gu Wei said in a flat tone, "Yes, it opened a few days ago."
"Won't that affect us?" Zhao Zhengyuan asked with some concern.
"There will definitely be some impact, but it's okay. I had someone go in and check, and the items are different."
Gu Wei didn't take it seriously; they each sold their own goods and kept to themselves.
Of course, he is not afraid at all if the other party wants to compete.
Seeing Gu Wei so calm, Zhao Zhengyuan's worries dissipated considerably. "That's good."
After traveling together for a while, they parted ways at a fork in the road.
After returning home, Gu Wei followed them into their house.
A fragrant aroma wafted from the large pot near the east side of the room.
Gu Wei lifted the lid of the pot and saw that the Laba porridge, which contained glutinous rice, black rice, peanuts, kidney beans, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, and dates, had been cooked to a very thick consistency.
Gu Jianguo and Li Guizhi both said they couldn't eat anymore.
Only he and Gu Hongjie each filled a bowl, adding a lot of white sugar.
After eliminating the remaining enemies, Gu Wei returned to his own side.
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