Chapter 146
After a few flights, Mi Hongjun had become quite calm. Qin Baotian and Tan Xiu, however, were a bit curious, looking left and right, and were even more shocked when they took off into the sky. Only Zhao Ping remained as nervous as ever, his muscles tense and his expression particularly serious.
Qin Baotian, having watched the excitement for a while, said cheerfully, "I never thought I'd get to ride a plane again at my age. My life hasn't been lived in vain. This will be enough for me to brag about to Secretary Qin when I get back."
Qin Xiang smiled and said, "Then we'll sit together again after the New Year."
It has to be said that it is easier to get things done when you have someone in the court. Meng Huaiqing set up an office in the capital and had his subordinates here. His subordinates helped buy the tickets and also delivered them to the door.
Although they used a backdoor, flying really saves time and effort. Otherwise, they would not have gotten home until New Year's Eve.
After she finished speaking, Qin Baotian waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, it's too expensive."
Mi Hongjun didn't have so many thoughts. He said cheerfully, "Uncle, it's okay. Let's sit down and let my sister buy it."
"You little brat," Qin Baotian said, feeling both amused and helpless. "You're already in a relationship, yet you're still so unstable. You'll have to save up some money, or else Comrade Hao Jingjing's father won't agree to let you marry her."
Mi Hongjun blushed a little at the old man's teasing, but when he thought of Hao Jingjing, he couldn't help but get excited. "She won't care so much, and I've saved a lot of money this year."
This is not a lie. Among all the employees of Qin Xiang, Mi Hongjun probably earns the most. Don't look at Mi Hongjun who is noisy all day long. In fact, he is almost like an old Grandet. Every time he gets his salary and bonus, he immediately deposits the money into his passbook. He only keeps enough for food every month and saves the rest.
As for eating, most of the time I eat with Qin Baotian, so I don’t spend much myself.
But in fact, after the New Year, the Red Army was only twenty years old.
It will take several years for them to get married, which is enough time for him to save money.
But thinking about the age issue, Qin Xiang couldn't help but laugh, "It's not that easy for you and Hao Jingjing to get married. You have to wait."
Mi Hongjun didn't react at first, but then he felt upset when he heard the age.
It’s a pity that he has the heart of a twenty-something, but his actual age is still very young.
Mi Hongjun couldn't help but sigh, "It's so hard for me."
After the plane arrived at the provincial capital airport, Qin Dong took Mao Yuxiang and Liu Xiaocao and drove back to Qinjiatun. Mi Hongjun had no family, so he must spend the New Year with them. The group went out and prepared to take a tricycle back.
I didn't expect to see Qin Yang waiting outside on a gasoline-powered tricycle when I came out of the airport.
It was freezing cold, so Qin Yang wore a thin cotton jacket and didn't know how long he had been waiting.
Seeing them coming, he hurriedly got out of the car to help carry things, "We have everything here, why do you have so many things?"
Qin Xiang smiled and said, "It's Chinese New Year now, so I have to buy some special products from the capital. Who doesn't do this during the Chinese New Year?"
Even Qin Baotian, who lives a simple life, agrees, "Whether we have money or not, we all go home for the New Year."
The things were placed on the tricycle, but there was no room for many people. They were about to take another tricycle, but before they could get one, they saw a car stop in front of the door. Miao Sheng came out and said with his head down, "Miss Qin."
Qin Xiang hadn't seen Miao Sheng for a long time and was a little surprised. She looked at the car. Could it be that Meng Huaiqing was back?
Miao Sheng seemed to understand her thoughts and quickly said, "The boss hasn't come back yet, but he asked me to come and take care of Uncle Ge for the New Year. Knowing that you guys would be coming back today, Uncle Ge asked me to come and pick you up. It's too cold, please get in the car."
Miao Sheng's attitude was much more respectful and polite than last time, and Qin Xiang understood why. Because of what Miao Sheng had said to her before, Meng Huaiqing had directly sent him back to the port city.
As a close subordinate, he had no intention of being banished to the cold palace. Miao Sheng hadn't had a good time these days, so when his boss was willing to give him a chance to correct his mistakes, he came over without hesitation.
Qin Xiang nodded, "Thank you."
It is better to sit in a car than to sit in a tricycle and be blown by the wind.
Moreover, Miao Sheng even turned on the heater, making the car warm.
Miao Sheng is now much more serious and doesn't talk as much as before. He answers every question Qin Xiang asks.
Looking at Miao Sheng like this, Qin Xiang didn't know what to say.
It's a good thing for people to mature, but it always feels awkward.
When they arrived at the shop on the other side of the square, He Liping came out of the shop.
Qin Xiang was surprised, "Why haven't you gone home for the New Year yet?"
He Liping chuckled and said, "I just miss you. I have to play with you for a day. I won't be in a hurry to go back tomorrow."
Qin Xiang couldn't help but smile as she looked at her. "Okay, let's play for a day."
"Well, Sister Xiang, I'll go back first."
The two stores here had closed down a long time ago, and Miao Xiaofeng and her colleagues had also gone on vacation a long time ago. The storefront on the first floor was empty, and it was obvious that they had done a good job of clearing out the stock in the last few days.
Qin Xiang nodded, "See you after that year."
They said they'd see each other after the Lunar New Year, but in reality, it was only about ten days away. Qin Xiang understood that after the Lunar New Year, few people would go shopping for clothes, so they simply waited until after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to open. After being so busy for so long, everyone rarely had a break, so they should take advantage of the Lunar New Year to spend more time with their families.
Tan Xiu left, and there were still many people in the room.
The charcoal stove on the second floor was still warm. Qin Yang and He Liping cooked in the kitchen. Seeing that everyone had arrived, they hurried to bring the food up.
Just as everyone sat down, Zhao Qian came in from outside, holding a large food box in her hand, and smiled, "I'm back."
Qin Xiang looked over and saw Zhao Qian's face turning red.
Looking at her and then looking at the third brother, it seems that the relationship between the two has become closer, which is good.
Zhao Qian is gentle, and the wildness of the third brother has been restrained a lot.
Zhao Qian brought three dishes over. "My parents made these together. They said we'd have time to get together after the New Year. They missed you a lot."
"Okay." Qin Xiang couldn't refuse. She was very grateful to them.
After finishing their meal around the table, Zhao Qian was about to go back. Qin Yang put on his cotton-padded jacket and said, "I'll take you home."
After the two of them left, Qin Baotian dared to ask Qin Xiang, "Are they dating?"
Qin Xiang nodded, "It seems so."
Qin Baotian frowned, "Your third brother is only a junior high school graduate, while Xiao Zhao is a university student and a teacher. Would her parents like your third brother?"
Although this was not pleasant to hear, it was also true. Qin Xiang didn't know how to comment on it. Who could say anything good about matters of the heart? But after all, they were in love.
Just like Mi Hongjun and Hao Jingjing, she had never thought about it before.
She looked at her father and began to analyze, "I think it should be fine, otherwise Zhao Qian's parents wouldn't let her deliver the food."
Qin Baotian thought about it and it seemed to be the case.
If the parents were really unhappy, how could they have prepared a sumptuous meal and asked Zhao Qian to deliver it? He saw it clearly, and the meal was made with great care.
Thinking of this, Qin Baotian became happy again. "That's good, that's good. When your third brother comes back, I'll have to tell him to be nice to Xiao Zhao and not lose his temper. I'm worried about his bad temper. What if he can't control himself and gets angry at others?"
Zhao Qian has a soft temper and is easy to talk to. Qin Baotian is afraid that Qin Yang's bad temper will ruin such a good partner.
Qin Xiang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Dad, Third Brother is not that kind of person. He is just mean to outsiders. Have you ever seen him mean to me?"
Others may think that the third brother has a bad temper, but only she knows how good the third brother is.
Qin Baotian smiled and said, "Okay, I know you two have a good relationship. By the way, why isn't your fourth sister here?"
Qin Xiang knew a little bit about it. Before she could answer, He Liping said, "Sister Juanjuan has been setting up a stall in the square since she closed her business in the university town. I guess she's stocking up on braised meat in the store right now."
Qin Baotian couldn't sit still any longer, "I'll go help her."
"Please take a break first."
Qin Xiang couldn't stop him, so Qin Baotian left with a sentence, "Why are you taking a break? My butt hurts from the flight, so I'd like to move around." Then he left.
Qin Xiang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He Liping grinned, "Sister Xiangxiang, did you miss me?"
"No."
He Liping's face immediately fell, "I am no longer the one you love the most."
Mi Hongjun was making a fuss at the side, "Why would I love you? What's there to love about you?"
"What do you care?" He Liping spoke to Mi Hongjun in a bad mood, and kept talking about Sister Qin Xiang.
Qin Xiang was worried, "Have you bought your ticket?"
"I've bought it." He Liping said shyly, "Sister Xiangxiang, I want to go to the capital with you after the New Year."
Qin Xiang was stunned. She had this plan in mind and was still thinking about how to persuade her, but she didn't expect the girl to bring it up herself. "Have you figured it out? The capital is not like the provincial capital. You can still go back occasionally. If you go to the capital, you might only come back once or twice a year."
"I've made up my mind." He Liping held her chin and began to sigh. "The few times I've been back, someone has actually wanted to propose marriage to me. My two sisters have also been urging my mom to bring them over to work here, but they like to slack off at work, so I don't want them to come."
Qin Xiang saw her distress and said, "If they still talk about it when you go back this time, just tell them that we're not hiring."
"I know." He Liping frowned, and even the dimples on her face disappeared. "I'm only 17. I don't want to get married so early."
Qin Xiang had no choice but to say, "Then don't get married. Come with me to the capital and get married whenever you want. If all else fails, ask your aunt for help."
When Deputy Director He was mentioned, He Liping smiled and said, "My aunt has already made an appointment."
Unfortunately, the person who had made the reservation is now in trouble, and she doesn't want to go to her aunt unless it is absolutely necessary.
Moreover, her aunt called her a while ago, hoping that she could help persuade Qin Xiang to participate in the public-private partnership of Xiangyanghong Garment Factory.
But she felt that she couldn't persuade her aunt in this matter. Since her aunt came to her, it meant that she had talked to Qin Xiang about this matter and had been rejected. She was just an employee, and it was not easy to gain Qin Xiang's trust. She didn't want to make her close friends unhappy because of this matter.
Although she felt a little sorry for her aunt if she didn't persuade her, she understood that even if she did, there would be no good result, so why bother.
Qin Xiang didn't know what was going on in the little girl's mind, so she asked her to pack up and prepare to go back home tomorrow to celebrate the New Year.
Qin Baotian didn't come back in the evening. Mi Hongjun went out for a stroll at the night market and came back to say that Qin Baotian and Qin Juan were setting up a stall in the big square. The night market will be temporarily closed tomorrow night and will reopen after the New Year. Tonight is the last night of the year.
Qin Xiang was in a good mood and went out to stroll around the night market. She found that in the past few months, there were many more snack stalls in the night market than before, and there were more varieties of them.
In the past, there were more wontons, dumplings and noodles, but this time there are even pot cakes and other things.
However, there are three shops selling braised meat, and they are not far from Qin Juan's stall. But the color and other aspects are different from what Qin Juan makes.
In the past, as long as it was meat and it was cooked, people would eat it. But now people’s conditions are getting better and better, and the living standards of people in provincial capitals are originally higher, so their requirements for the taste of food are also higher.
I asked about the price, and it was a little cheaper than Qin Juan's by 10 cents, but it seemed that the flow of people was not as good as Qin Juan's.
Qin Juan's stall is not big. Qin Zhen went back to celebrate the New Year, so she usually runs it alone. Now Qin Baotian is there helping to collect money, and Qin Juan is responsible for cutting the meat.
Although there was no queue, there was still a constant flow of people.
Qin Xiang makes clothes herself, so she couldn't help but go and look at the stalls selling clothes at the night market. The quality of the clothes was pretty good, but the styles were just so-so. They were probably all from clothing factories around the provincial capital.
There is only one store that sells good clothing styles. Looking at the tag, it's from Hangzhou No. 2 Garment Factory.
No wonder.
Qin Xiang walked around and bought some food before going to Qin Juan's stall to chat for a while.
Qin Juan smiled and said, "Nian Nian has been missing you for a long time, but she had to go to piano lessons this afternoon, so I didn't let her come. She has a complete day off tomorrow, so I sent it to you early in the morning."
Qin Xiang was a little surprised, "Nian Nian is learning piano now?"
"It's just learning for fun," Qin Juan explained. "I took her to the Children's Palace before, and saw a little boy playing the piano and couldn't even walk. I thought she wasn't that old, so if she wanted to learn, she could just treat it as fun."
Listening to the tone, it seemed very normal. Qin Xiang understood that Fourth Sister had made a lot of money in the past few months, and her finances were relaxed. She only had this one child, so she wanted to give the child the best.
She nodded and said, "Okay, let her come over. Let's celebrate the New Year together this year."
Qin Juan had no intention of going back home for the New Year anyway, so she nodded immediately and said, "Okay, I'll make the New Year's Eve dinner."
The night market was open until ten o'clock, and Qin Xiang couldn't hold on any longer and went back to sleep. She didn't even know when Qin Baotian would come back.
The next morning, He Liping went home with lots of bags to celebrate the New Year. Qin Baotian also went back to their hometown with Qin Yang to worship their ancestors.
Not long after the two left, Qin Juan also brought Qin Niannian over.
Qin Niannian will be four years old after the New Year. She seems to have grown a little taller. When she saw Qin Xiang, she ran over cheering for her aunt.
Qin Xiang caught the child and lifted him up. "Oh, Nian Nian is so heavy. Auntie can't hold him anymore."
The little girl was very gentle. She hugged Qin Xiang's neck and smiled happily, "Auntie, Auntie, I miss you so much."
"Aunt misses you too." Qin Xiang took out the little skirt she bought for Nian Nian. Qin Juan was helpless, "You still buy clothes for her, Zhao Qian and Jing Jing, and buy clothes for them from time to time. The closet is full of her clothes."
Qin Xiang smiled and said to Nian Nian, "Look at your mother. She just envies Nian Nian for having so many beautiful little dresses."
As she spoke, she took out a package from her bag and said, "This is yours. You and your second sister-in-law each have a set of clothes."
Qin Juan didn't refuse. She opened it and immediately liked it. "This color is really beautiful."
Besides the sweater, there was also a pair of winter trousers that Qin Xiang had matched. Qin Juan and Huang Xiufen's were exactly the same, except for the different colors of the sweaters.
Qin Xiang smiled and said, "You won't be jealous of Nian Nian this time, right?"
"No more jealousy, no more jealousy."
The two sisters were talking happily, and Qin Juan added, "There was some meat left over from yesterday, and I brought it all over. Let's have a good New Year's Eve together this year."
This was probably the happiest New Year she had ever had. When she was at the Zhao family, she and her mother always ate the worst food during the New Year.
But who could have imagined that this day would come?
At noon, the two sisters took Nian Nian out for lunch, and Qin Baotian finally arrived in the county town with Qin Yang after being away from home for several months.
In the county town, Qin Hai had already prepared all the necessary items for visiting the graves. When the two grandfathers arrived, they became three grandfathers. Qin Hai borrowed a bicycle, and the three grandfathers returned to Qinjiatun.
Every year on the 28th or 29th day of the lunar year, villagers worship their ancestors, and this year is no exception.
Seeing Qin Dong, Mao Yuxiang and Liu Xiaocao returning home in glory, Tian Zhongmei and Qin Jun became extremely jealous.
But why haven’t they come back yet?
This person couldn't help but mutter, and finally heard someone shout, "Uncle Qin is back."
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