Zhang Hongmei spent the entire afternoon developing the game, only stopping when she was called for lunch.
The three boys were eating in a hurry. "You guys don't have to work so hard, do you?"
Cheng Guangxu didn't even look up. "How can we not work hard? You've surpassed us by so much. If we don't work hard, one day when you go back to China, we'll still be here on our own. Why don't you wait for us?"
"If I wait for you, my grandfather will probably come and kill me."
"So, we'll have to catch up with you. You'd better wait for us."
"Let's work hard together. I don't plan to make any other investments. After I report to the research group after the start of the semester, I will study hard."
"You guys too, making money is definitely the best thing right now, but you can't let it interfere with your studies."
All three nodded, indicating they could distinguish between what was important and what was not. They wouldn't put the cart before the horse.
That evening, Zhang Hongmei sent Zhang Shouyi a short voice message, and received a reply in less than ten minutes, along with a bag of dried sweet potatoes.
Zhang Hongmei picked one up and chewed it. It was her favorite texture, slightly sticky, but the sweetness was just right.
I don't even need to read the letter to know it's from Liujiatun. It must have been Auntie San who dried it for her. Even if you're far away, someone will still remember you.
Zhang Shouyi didn't say what was wrong, just the usual thing: he missed her. Zhang Hongmei felt a sweet warmth in her heart. Was this what love was like? Heh, it really was true what they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder.
The next few days were spent studying, discussing, and reading.
That morning, Zhang Hongmei called all three of them out, saying, "Let's go for a walk. Our heads are all foggy. Let's go see how their steamed buns are selling."
None of the three had any objections. They hadn't gone out during the holiday, staying at home assembling equipment and learning programming. Going out for some fresh air would be nice.
The four of them discussed it and decided that taking a walk would be better, as cycling was too cold and this would be more comfortable.
Zhang Hongmei was fully equipped with a hat and scarf knitted by Wang Xinyi and gloves knitted by Shen Yunfang. The three men were much simpler, just wearing overcoats and scarves, all made by Wang Xinyi.
All three of them are over 1.8 meters tall, and Zhang Hongmei is 1.68 meters tall, so when they walk down the street, they don't appear short like typical East Asians.
“Hongmei, this place still feels more lively than our home.” Cheng Guangxiu looked around and finally came to this conclusion.
“No need to rush. In less than ten years, our home will be even more prosperous than this place,” Cai Peilin, who was usually silent, suddenly said with certainty.
“Yes, that’s what I think too,” Zhang Hongmei agreed.
Zeng Zhongkang nodded. "You two should learn more about positioning and such, so you can serve in the military when you go back."
Zhang Hongmei's eyes lit up, and she stared at the two of them eagerly.
"Is that okay? That's always been my dream. I originally wanted to join the army, but because of some reasons in the village, I couldn't go, so I went to university instead." Cai Peilin asked Zeng Zhongkang excitedly.
"Of course! The military needs people like you."
“Great, I’ll apply as soon as I get back.”
“I’ll go too. My goal was to follow Zhang Hongmei, but if I join the army, I won’t be able to achieve my goal.”
"What's the point of following me around? Zeng Zhongkang's suggestion is the best for you. I'm hoping you can develop advanced weapons, just like our great scientists. Didn't we still manage to develop the atomic bomb? Young men, work hard! I have high hopes for you."
"Why don't you join the army? You can do it too."
"Hehe. I haven't decided what I'll do in the future yet. But if the country needs me, I will definitely dedicate myself to it."
"Maybe we can still get together."
The four chatted and laughed, and even Cai Peilin was much more talkative today.
When they arrived at the street near the shopping mall, it was bustling with people. The four of them spotted Cao Binggang and Wang Minxia selling steamed buns from afar. A large crowd had gathered around them, and their business was booming. Just as they were about to go over, they saw Kong Yushun carrying two more buckets. He squeezed into the crowd, which showed just how popular the business was.
"Hongmei, shall we go over there? Do you need our help?"
"I'm not going. Does anyone know where their rented house is? If we want to help, we can go there too."
Cheng Guangxu gave Zhang Hongmei a disdainful look. "We don't know, but we can follow the smell, right? Where's your common sense?"
"Yes, yes, I'm such an idiot. Then please, with your keen sense of smell, lead me to find it!"
Cheng Guangxu felt something was very wrong when he heard Zhang Hongmei's words, but he couldn't figure out what was going on for a moment. However, Zeng Zhongkang and Cai Peilin both had smiles in their eyes.
We found it in no time, and the smell of steamed buns really did waft out.
Zeng Zhongkang went over and knocked on the door, and He Zhanhua opened the door after a short while.
"You've arrived? Please come in. I was wondering why Kong Yushun returned so quickly?"
The four followed him into the courtyard. The kitchen was steaming, and they could vaguely see several figures moving around.
Although the people in the kitchen couldn't see what was happening inside, they could see out, so they knew that Zhang Hongmei and the others had arrived.
"What brings you all here today?" Yan Yongxi asked with a smile, and the other two came out as well.
Jiang Mingyan simply greeted them and then lowered her head without saying a word. He Zhanhua invited them into the living room.
"Hehe, I just saw that your business is really booming, you have to deliver all the time, that's great."
"Yes, I didn't expect steamed buns to be so popular?" He Zhanhua said with a satisfied smile as he poured water.
"Don't worry about us, we're here to help."
"No need. We've reduced it by one point, but the number hasn't decreased, so there are still people who can make a living."
"Hongmei, I'll go get you some steamed buns to try. I think the ones we developed taste pretty good." Jiang Mingyan stood up, smiled, and went to the kitchen after speaking to the group.
He Zhanhua looked at Zhang Hongmei and said, "Since the last incident, Jiang Mingyan has become much more silent. She always rushes to do the work and refuses to go out to sell steamed buns."
"Hehe, people grow up." What could Zhang Hongmei say? Once bitten, twice shy. If you don't learn your lesson after being burned twice, then you're truly hopeless.
Jiang Mingyan brought in two plates of steamed buns, and then brought over another one, saying, "Try them!"
Zhang Hongmei didn't stand on ceremony, picked one up and put it in her mouth, nodding repeatedly. "Mmm, very good." After saying that, she ate another one.
The other three didn't stand on ceremony either, and finished eating in no time.
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