In the east room, on the square kang table, there were two plates of steaming hot dumplings filled with sauerkraut oil, a plate of steamed pork hock with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and strips of green radish.
Gu Wei hadn't had a home-cooked meal in a while, and he ate with great joy and satisfaction.
Actually, both the juicy radish and the braised pork knuckle are very meaty, but pairing them with fresh and crisp radish helps to cut through the richness.
Gu Hongjie sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), munching on a string of candied hawthorns that had frozen hard, occasionally wincing at the sourness of the hawthorns.
Gu Jianguo came in carrying a small iron box containing money and account books. When he saw the two of them eating, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened with laughter.
Gu Wei's gaze swept over Gu Jianguo and the small iron box, and he said with a smile, "Grandpa, no rush, let's talk about it after we finish eating."
Gu Jianguo responded, put his things at the end of the kang (a heated brick bed), and sat down on the edge of the kang. Then he asked with concern, "How are things going between you and your girlfriend?"
"We get along very well."
When Gu Wei talked about his real girlfriend, a smile spread across his face.
However, since they are in different times and spaces, he must be careful and add some artistic embellishment when telling the story.
Gu Jianguo, being an experienced person, could tell from the affectionate look in Gu Wei's eyes when he mentioned his girlfriend that the two young people were in love. So he was relieved and didn't dare to ask too many questions, instead asking others.
"I heard you went back to Antai before. Are your parents doing well?"
Since Gu Wei got a girlfriend, Gu Jianguo hasn't written to Gu Honghe much.
Because the other party's reply was filled with estrangement and condescension, as if he, as an uncle, had to flatter his nephew.
Actually, his family was very grateful to Gu Wei for his kindness in helping them out, and they developed a deep bond. He genuinely cared about Gu Wei's marriage and wanted to get along well with Gu Honghe and the others. As for any other thoughts, he really didn't have any.
Now we should inquire about it; otherwise, it wouldn't be appropriate to remain indifferent.
Gu Wei paused in his chewing. He had guessed that this would be asked before he returned, so he was prepared and calmly smiled, "It's fine."
He paused, then continued, "My dad is still such a heavy drinker, drinking three times a day. My mom can't control him either. As soon as I get back, he starts nagging me endlessly."
Gu Jianguo frowned: "This drinking is indeed a bit too intense. If it goes on for too long, it'll ruin your health. You should try to persuade them. Can't your grandfather control it?"
Gu Wei showed a rather helpless and disappointed expression, "I can't control it. If I could, it wouldn't have turned out like this."
Gu Jianguo recalled how his uncle, Gu Jianzhang, disciplined his son when he was still in his hometown. "That's true, he used to love drinking, he was addicted to alcohol. And you're not going back for the New Year this year, don't they have any objections?"
Gu Wei raised an eyebrow and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "What objection could there be? Making money is more important than the New Year. We're all counting on making more money before the New Year, and we can go back whenever we want at other times."
Gu Jianguo nodded: "That's true. Business has peak and off-peak seasons. If you don't make more money during the peak season, you can't do without it."
Worried that saying too much might lead to making a mistake, Gu Wei immediately changed the subject and asked, "Grandpa, what New Year's goods did you buy for the family? I didn't buy much since I came all this way and it's too much trouble, so I plan to buy some more when I get back."
Gu Jianguo waved his hand with a smile, "You don't need to buy anything. We've prepared plenty of New Year's goods for the family this year. We even bought a lot of firecrackers and fireworks, and they're all stored in the storeroom."
At this moment, Gu Hongjie, who had already eaten three and a half candied hawthorns, interjected with a smile, "My dad also went to the popsicle factory and bought back several boxes of ice cream, enough for us to eat until after the New Year."
Gu Wei especially liked the ice cream produced in the forest area, and upon hearing this, he immediately smiled and said, "Really? Then I'll have two after we finish eating."
"Hehe, I'll go get it now and put it under the window outside." After saying that, Gu Hongjie ran out of the house without waiting for Gu Wei and Gu Jianguo's reaction.
Gu Jianguo shook his head with a smile and complained to Gu Wei about his son, "That kid is just greedy. You'll see, he'll definitely bring his own share of the spoils."
Gu Wei couldn't help but laugh.
He actually really liked Gu Hongjie, who was so lively, energetic, and childlike.
In a few years, when people grow up, they may become more mature and stable, and it will be difficult to see them like this again.
After Gu Wei returned, he lived a very fulfilling life.
Not only did he take Gu Hongjie, his little shadow, to buy another batch of New Year's goods, but he also went with them to the river to try things like sledding, riding sleds, riding single-legged donkeys, and spinning ice monkeys, truly experiencing the joy of winter for children in Northeast China.
Of course, when people who were on good terms with him heard the news of his return, they all came to visit him.
Everyone was drinking and chatting, having a great time.
Li Bin specially brought his girlfriend home for Gu Wei to see.
Although she was three years older, Gu Wei felt that the girl didn't look old at all when she stood next to Li Bin, perhaps because of her round face, nor was she as unattractive as Gu Hongjie had said.
She has regular features and a good natural foundation; if she dresses up properly, she could be very beautiful.
He's just not very tall, about 1.55 meters.
But considering that he grew up in an era of scarcity, he wasn't considered short.
Zhao Dajiang built a greenhouse again this year and expanded its scale.
However, the few households that the forest farm had previously helped, along with Qiao Xinghai, felt that the effort and reward were disproportionate and gave up completely.
The children of Zhao Zhengyuan and Zhao Zhengying were naturally brought home as well.
Gu Wei had absolutely no resistance to the two fair-skinned children.
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