Fang Qiao tugged at the hem of her clothes to smooth out the wrinkles.
Cheng Baidong reached out to tidy her messy hair, but Fang Qiao glared at him in annoyance.
However, Fang Qiao's eyes were soft and gentle, and it was more like she was glaring at him in a coquettish way. Cheng Baidong was not afraid at all, and even took the opportunity to kiss her face again.
Fang Qiao was both embarrassed and angry. She wiped her face and pushed him away, saying, "You're so annoying!"
She strode downstairs first, and Cheng Baidong touched his nose, awkwardly following behind her.
The two came downstairs one after the other.
At this moment, Fang Hai was facing away from the stairs, observing the layout of the house.
Hearing the noise on the stairs, he turned around and greeted Fang Qiao and Cheng Bodong with a smile, "Little sister, brother-in-law."
Cheng Baidong called out along with Fang Qiao, "Big Brother."
"Where's Tian Tian?" Fang Qiao asked. "I thought it was her calling me just now."
"I sent her out to play," Fang Hai said with a smile. "Several little girls are waiting for her outside; there's no need for her to stay inside and waste time with me."
After exchanging a few pleasantries with smiles, Fang Hai said to them with envy, "Little sister, brother-in-law, your newly allocated house is really big. There must be about ten rooms upstairs and downstairs."
Fang Qiao: "Downstairs there are two bedrooms, two living rooms, one kitchen, one bathroom, and one shower room. Upstairs there are six bedrooms."
Fang Hai exclaimed, "It's really spacious."
Cheng Baidong smiled and said, "Heshan is a remote suburb. Land is not valuable in the countryside, so the houses are all built spaciously."
Fang Hai nodded in agreement: "That's right. Housing is scarce in the city, and the planned residential buildings are incredibly cramped. Even so, who knows when we'll be allocated a room?"
Cheng Baidong said, "Ultimately, housing is allocated based on seniority. Brother, if you work a few more years, you'll be allocated housing sooner or later."
Fang Qiao didn't pick up on that topic, but asked, "Big brother, what brings you here?"
“My master was sent to Qingdao on business during the Lantern Festival. When he came back, he brought back 100 jin of frozen mackerel. I divided two of them and brought one to you while it’s still fresh.” Fang Hai said, “Mackerel isn’t anything expensive, but we don’t often see sea fish around here, so it’s nice to have something special.”
Fang Hai is right. Mackerel is not valuable along the coast, but in the days when transportation was underdeveloped, sea fish were extremely rare once they reached the inland areas. Ordinary people without connections could never even dream of seeing them in the market.
It was only because Fang Hai worked at a state-run restaurant that he was fortunate enough to be assigned two places.
"Oh, such a rare thing, why not save it for your sister-in-law?" Fang Qiao declined, saying, "Your sister-in-law is pregnant, she needs to eat more nutritious food."
“There’s another one at home. This is the one your sister-in-law specifically asked me to bring to you,” Fang Hai said. “Little sister, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have been able to keep this child. Logically speaking, we should have given you a big gift, but you know the situation your sister-in-law and I are in right now. We’re in debt and we really don’t have any spare money. A mackerel isn’t anything valuable, so please don’t think this is a small gift.”
"No, I'm already very happy that you and your sister-in-law remembered me after getting something good. I wouldn't think it's a small gift," Fang Qiao said. "In that case, I'll accept it."
"Take it."
After delivering the items, Fang Hai said he had to leave.
Fang Qiao wanted him to stay for dinner, but Fang Hai waved his hand and said, "No, I have things to do at home. Besides, your sister-in-law can't get out of bed and needs constant care. Xiao Long is too young to help his mother. I'm worried about leaving just the two of them at home."
"Alright, then I won't keep you any longer."
Fang Hai turned to leave.
Fang Qiao called out to him, "Big brother, wait a minute."
"Little sister, is there anything else?"
Fang Qiao picked up about ten eggs from the kitchen as a return gift, saying, "Brother, I picked up a few eggs for you to take back."
"I don't want it." Fang Hai waved his hand and declined, "Little sister, don't pick up the eggs, I don't want them. I came to deliver something to you, and I should leave after delivering the goods. I can't accept any more of your things."
"Don't say no, this isn't for you, it's for your sister-in-law to help her recover." Fang Qiao held Fang Hai's hand. "Brother, I know you're short on money right now, but your sister-in-law is weak and needs to be properly nourished. She can't afford to miss out on anything. If she doesn't get enough nutrition during her pregnancy, the baby will be born weak and sickly. Don't give up everything just to save face. Take these eggs back and give your sister-in-law one a day, so she can have a healthy baby."
Fang Qiao has put it this way; if Fang Hai still doesn't accept it, he'll be ungrateful.
He accepted the eggs with a grateful expression, secretly resolving to work hard and become a good older brother who could support his younger sister in the future.
That way, even if her family is bad, at least she still has him.
"Let's go, brother, I'll see you out."
The family compound was empty, a far cry from the bustling scene before the Lunar New Year. Fang Hai was full of questions when he came in, but since it was Tian Tian who brought him in, what could a child like Tian Tian know? He couldn't ask her anything.
When Fang Qiao saw him off, Fang Hai couldn't help but ask, "Little sister, why is your family compound so empty? Even the people from your brother-in-law's workplace are gone?"
Fang Qiao explained simply: "The pharmaceutical factory moved to a new address, and 90% of the employees moved with it. There are relatively few people left, otherwise they wouldn't have redistributed housing."
Fang Hai said "Oh," and asked, "Why didn't your brother-in-law come along?"
"How would I know?"
Cheng Baidong's work needs to be kept confidential, so Fang Qiao didn't answer directly. She just smiled and said, "I stay home with the kids all day, and I haven't asked him about his work."
"Oh, I see." Fang Hai asked casually without inquiring further.
Just by looking at the new apartment her family was allocated, you can tell that even if she stays, the benefits will be excellent.
Moreover, his brother-in-law is far more capable than him, so he has no reason to worry.
As they were talking, Fang Qiao had already escorted Fang Hai to the entrance of the family compound.
The bus stop is not far away.
Fang Hai arrived just in time, as a bus was pulling into the station. He quickly said, "Little sister, I'll leave here. I'm off."
"Okay." Fang Qiao nodded and waved goodbye to him, "Take care on the road, brother."
After watching Fang Hai board the bus, Fang Qiao turned around and returned to the family compound.
As she was about to enter through the side gate, her eyes lit up and she felt something was off. Why did it seem like the sign on the main gate of the workplace had been changed?
So they turned back and took two steps back.
Fang Qiao tilted her head and looked at the sign hanging on the pillar next to the gate.
Sure enough, her feeling was right; the sign on the main gate of her workplace had indeed been changed.
The wooden sign for "Heshan Pharmaceutical Factory" has been removed and replaced with a wooden sign for "Heshan Special Science Research Institute".
Fang Qiao clicked her tongue in amazement.
Hmm... how should I put it, it's quite unique.
It doesn't really look like a proper organization.
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