On the 28th, Zhang was in charge of fermenting the dough, Tian Sangui was in charge of preparing the filling, and Tian Laosi and his sons went to the village ancestral hall to prepare for the sacrificial ceremony on the morning of the 30th.
The women were busy preparing the New Year's Eve dinner at home, while the men were busy preparing ancestral worship at the village ancestral hall.
In the afternoon, Tian Sangui had to go to the county. The restaurant was officially going on holiday, and she was in charge of the final inventory and accounting.
Upon hearing this, Tian Dayi was overjoyed: "Little sister, I'm free this afternoon, I'll go with you!"
"No need, my older brother is helping our parents at home. I can drive the donkey cart by myself. It's not like it's my first time going!"
"Oh dear, Mother, it's the New Year, how can you bear to let my sister go to the county town alone?"
Seeing Tian Sangui's firm attitude, Tian Da panicked and began to plot against Zhang.
"Oh, the boss is right."
"San Gui, let your eldest brother go with you. There's not much work to do at home. Your father and second brother are here and can manage. I don't need to worry about having your eldest brother with you!"
Unable to refuse Zhang Shi, Tian Sangui had no choice but to agree: "Alright then, brother, you hitch up the cart, I'll go get some things and we'll be on our way!"
"Hey, hehe!" Tian Da happily took the cart, put it on the donkey's neck, and waited for Tian Sangui.
He secretly touched the bulging little bag in his pocket with his right hand; finally, he had the chance to give it to her.
At Hefang Restaurant, Lanjuan saw Tian Da driving over in a carriage with Tian Sangui sitting behind him, and immediately called out happily to the person behind her.
"The head manager and the third manager are here! Everyone come out and welcome them!"
After Tian Sangui generously distributed gifts, everyone felt even closer to him.
"Happy New Year, Head Manager and Third Manager!"
Happy Chinese New Year everyone!
Tian Lao Er personally welcomed Tian San Gui into the hall and had him sit down.
"It's Chinese New Year now, and the restaurant has no customers. Everyone should go back to their hometowns to celebrate the New Year starting today!"
"Oh~"
"Time for a vacation!"
Everyone cheered and jumped for joy, throwing their aprons into the air.
"Third Manager, when will we have our grand opening?"
Tian Sangui thought for a moment: "Da Niu, you're from this county town, you should know when other restaurants open, right?"
This was also the first time Tian Sangui had come here, so he asked the local residents to confirm his arrival.
After circling three times, the chubby guy squeezed through the gaps to stand in front of Tian Sangui, straightened his tilted chef's hat, and thought seriously, "Third Manager doesn't know, things in the county town are earlier than in the town, around the tenth of the first lunar month, at the latest the fifteenth, any later is bad luck!"
"Okay, let's set it for the tenth day of the Lunar New Year. Everyone can come over then, clean the shop thoroughly, and I'll bring you a surprise!"
"What?"
"Another surprise?"
"Third Manager, could you give us a sneak peek?"
Several impatient fellows knelt down in front of Tian Sangui, extremely eager!
"Would it be a pleasant surprise to tell you later?"
"Want to know? Come early on the tenth day of the first lunar month next year!"
"Hey~ The Third Manager is always one of those guys who can drive you crazy!"
Tian Sangui smiled and said, "Alright, everyone, hurry up and pack your things and go home for the New Year. Remember to prepare some New Year's goods for your families as a token of your filial piety!"
"Don't worry, Third Manager, we'll go buy meat and wine right away and go home for the New Year!"
Amidst the commotion, everyone politely bid farewell to Tian Sangui, leaving only Tian Lao Er and his sister Lan Juan.
Ever since Tian Da entered the room, his eyes have been glued to Lan Juan, as if he wanted to see right through her.
Lanjuan felt embarrassed by his intense gaze and avoided looking at him.
"Second Uncle, you should go back and pack your things too. Take the New Year's goods and we'll go back to the village together tomorrow!"
The New Year's goods are naturally prepared for the old house.
"Alright, I'll go back and prepare with your second aunt. I'll take the carriage here to wake you up early tomorrow morning!"
"Um!"
After spending a few months together, she found that her second uncle was a good person who knew how to repay kindness and helped her manage the restaurant very well.
She is also willing to get along with Tian Lao Er again, hoping that he has truly changed his ways.
After seeing Tian Lao Er off, Tian San Gui told Lan Juan and her siblings, "Pack your things and come back to the village with us for the New Year. My mother is waiting for you at home!"
"Okay, let's go right now!"
The two happily ran to the backyard. Tian Sangui and Tian Da arrived at the backyard together as dusk gradually fell.
I'll stay in her room tonight and rest, then set off again tomorrow morning.
Tian Da finally got his chance and quietly came to Lan Juan's door.
Lanjuan knew he would follow, so she left the door open and tidied up her change of clothes inside.
Lan Cheng was in the room across the hall, packing his things.
Tian Da coughed deliberately to let the people inside know that he was outside.
Hearing the noise, Lanjuan came out: "Brother Tian, is there anything else you need?"
"Hehe, I'm not here to give orders, I..."
I tried for a long time, but in the end, I was too embarrassed to speak.
He frantically rummaged in his pocket for a while, which startled Lanjuan, who thought he was about to...
I knew from the sight of the floral cloth spread out in his hand, on which was a delicate little box, that it must contain cosmetics or something similar, just by the smell.
"This... is for you!"
No woman could refuse Yan Zhi's small gift, especially since she also had feelings for Tian Da.
It turns out he was going to give her a gift; she had misunderstood.
When she received the cosmetics, her face flushed red, and she stammered, "Thank you, Brother Tian!"
After that, regardless of whether Tian Da heard it or not, he hurriedly locked the door from the inside, hid behind it, his heart pounding, and the joy he felt was indescribable.
Seeing that she accepted it, Tian Da was overjoyed and stood outside the door grinning foolishly.
He certainly heard her words of thanks, which proved that she liked it very much and that the silver flower was worth it.
I'll make a lot of money next year so that Lanjuan can live a good life with me.
Early in the morning, under Tian Lao Er's shouts, two donkey carts carrying New Year's goods swayed and rattled into Tianjia Village.
Tian Lao Er would stay at Tian San Gui’s house at night, because Qin Shi was unwilling to return to the old house.
Tian Sangui had no objections; more people would make it more lively.
"San Gui, Tian Da, we'll go to the old house to deliver the gifts first, and then we'll come find you later!"
"Hey, Second Uncle, just come over later, the gate is open!"
"Good!" The second son said happily, pulling the donkey cart and leading Qin Shi around the corner.
Tian Da and his younger sister Lan Juan arrived at their doorstep. Upon seeing the two lanterns, the siblings' faces lit up with joy.
"Wow, your house is so beautiful! It's just like the house of a wealthy family in the county town!"
"Yes, Sister Sangui, our house looks so beautiful!"
Tian Sangui was helped off the car by Tian Da. He turned around and smiled, "You have such a sweet tongue. Tomorrow is the Lunar New Year, and our house will look even better with red lanterns!"
"And there are red lanterns too! How festive! I never thought my siblings and I would be so lucky to have such a joyous New Year!"
"Why are you saying that? We're family, no need for formalities. Come inside, your mother is waiting!"
Tian felt sorry for Lanjuan and already considered her one of his own. Hearing her shun him and his brother from them made him feel uncomfortable.
"Hey, Sister Sangui, let's go inside!"
Lanjuan took Tian Sangui's hand and led her younger brother through the gate.
Tian Sangui turned around and glanced at Tian Da, who was tidying up his things.
She felt there was something about their expressions that she couldn't understand, but she couldn't quite grasp the point.
A question lingered in her mind: Could it be what she was thinking?
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