Xu Ruantang leaned back on the sofa and nodded lazily, "Hmm, let's open it and take a look."
With his large, well-defined hand reaching into the bag, he carefully pulled out a belt. Upon seeing what it was, Chen Ji's eyes flickered slightly.
Do you like it?
Xu Ruantang tilted her head.
"Yes, I like it very much." Chen Ji's voice trembled slightly. "I like it very much."
He repeated it twice, saying he really liked it.
This was the first time he had received a gift like a belt, and what's more, it was a gift from his wife.
Xu Ruantang pouted, "You haven't opened it yet?"
Modern belts are all handmade by artisans, and their patterns are not as intricate as those made by machines in later generations.
After much deliberation, Xu Ruantang still felt that black suited Chen Ji better.
It's supposedly made of cowhide and can last a long time.
Xu Ruantang sat up, wrapped her fair arms around Chen Ji's neck, and said in a soft voice, "Husband, it would be so nice if you could think of me whenever you looked down, no matter where you went in the future."
Actually, she didn't think too much when she bought the belt; she just felt it suited him and he happened to need it, so she bought it.
I'm saying this now purely to tease Chen Ji, this old cadre.
The retired cadre's ears turned red, and he nodded very seriously, "Okay, I'll use it every day from now on."
He held Xu Ruantang in his arms, his deep voice incredibly alluring: "Wife, thank you."
Xu Ruantang didn't expect Chen Ji to be so easy to please; it turns out men also need surprises.
It seems she needs to be more attentive in the future and create more surprises for Chen Ji.
"husband."
Xu Ruantang's eyes were clear and bright, and the corners of her lips were slightly curved. "Is there any food in the pot? It looks burnt."
She could smell the burning.
Chen Ji quickly got up and walked into the kitchen.
Before leaving, he didn't forget to put the belt he was holding back on the sofa.
With ten days left until the Chinese New Year, the store also closed for the holiday.
Huan Yuanliang's decision shocked everyone, since the Chinese New Year is the best time for business.
The key employees from several stores were called to store one. Huan Yuanliang stood on a high place and said with a smile, "I know what everyone is thinking, but you can never earn enough money. The purpose of making money is to live a better life."
Thank you all for your hard work this year. It's the first year of the store's opening, and there have been many ups and downs. We are grateful for your unwavering support.
Everyone, stand your posts until the very end. After get off work, go to the accountant to collect your year-end bonuses!
Before he left, he emphasized one last time, "Oh, and don't discuss salaries and bonuses with each other in private. Remember our store's rules."
The unexpected holiday made all the colleagues in the store very excited.
Before even leaving get off work, they were already stealing moments to chat about how to make the most of their holiday.
“I originally thought we wouldn’t get a holiday for the Lunar New Year, and my son even threw a tantrum because of it.”
The manager of the second store is a woman in her early thirties; she is a native of Beijing.
"Who says otherwise? This is perfect! The little brat will be jumping for joy when we get back."
Xu Ruantang was also very happy. Just as she was about to leave, Wang Xiuxiu grabbed her arm.
She turned her head, and Wang Xiuxiu leaned closer mysteriously, whispering in her ear, "Let's go to President Huan's office."
After leaving Huan Yuanliang's office, Xu Ruantang and Wang Xiuxiu headed straight for the bank.
Even after she finished saving the money, she still felt a sense of unreality.
Looking at the numbers on the bankbook, Xu Ruantang ran her fingers over the paper and murmured, "Sister Xiuxiu, when I was in school, I heard that people in our major don't earn much money after graduation."
At the time, she was even prepared to change careers after leaving the military.
Who would have thought that Xu Ruantang would earn so much money on her own in the 1980s?
"Yes, when I was a corporate slave, I never imagined that I would become one of the shareholders."
Wang Xiuxiu was also deeply moved.
With money and free time, Xu Ruantang spent the last few days before the Lunar New Year following Chen Ji around.
It's time to prepare for the Lunar New Year, so she and Chen Jixian went to the Chen family home.
With the arrival of a new baby this year, Ye Lan and her mother-in-law were both busy, so they entrusted the task of purchasing New Year's goods to Chen Ji.
Fearing he wouldn't remember, Ye Lan specially found paper and pen and explained everything to Chen Ji one by one.
The old lady was in the kitchen, and the godmother was in the backyard.
Xu Ruantang went to the kitchen first, where it was filled with smoke.
"Ruan Tang, come on, try Grandma's sugar triangles, they're so sweet and delicious!"
The old lady casually picked up a triangular bun and stuffed it into Xu Ruantang's hand, which was so hot that Xu Ruantang had to shove it in her hand several times.
The old lady laughed at her, saying, "Young people are just too naive."
One bite reveals the soft, fluffy dough of the sugar triangle, the fragrant aroma of brown sugar, and a sweet and chewy texture.
Xu Ruantang exclaimed "Smack!" while giving a thumbs up, "Grandma, delicious!"
She doesn't like brown sugar, but the sugar triangles the old lady made actually tasted like red bean paste.
She took the steamed buns and wandered to the backyard, squatting down next to her godmother to watch her collect the strips of food on the ground.
"Godmother, what is this?"
Xu Ruantang offered the steamed bun to her godmother's mouth, but her godmother smiled and shook her head, "I don't want to eat it. This is dried radish strips, which are delicious with porridge."
She withdrew her hand. "Why does it smell weird?"
It has an indescribable taste, a bit stinky and a bit astringent like radish.
Xu Ruantang was skeptical of her godmother's claims.
"You'll see when it's done."
I don't know if this is the case for all people in Beijing, but before the Lunar New Year, every household starts steaming buns and making mantou, carrying them out in stacks.
The old lady and her godmother did nothing but steam buns for several days.
I made a lot of fillings, both sweet and savory.
Xu Ruantang ate until her belly was round. Just a second ago she was saying, "White radish won't taste good even if it's made into strips."
The next second, he was proven wrong; he finished the whole small plate by himself.
Soak dried radish strips in boiling water, then wash and squeeze dry. Add chili powder, pour hot oil over them, and season.
It makes a crunchy sound when you bite into it, and it's especially crisp and refreshing.
With steamed buns and porridge, it's so delicious you can't stop eating it.
Chen Jicai ate a bite of radish greens, then looked down and saw that Xu Ruantang had already finished showing off.
He put down his chopsticks, his voice tinged with amusement: "Eat slowly, I won't fight you for it."
Xu Ruantang ate with relish. After Chen Ji finished writing the New Year's shopping list, the two set off.
As the year draws to a close in Beijing, the city is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and people's faces are filled with joy.
Chen Ji took Xu Ruantang to Xifo Temple.
The usually quiet streets are now filled with all sorts of stalls, and the sounds of vendors calling out their wares fill the air.
"Chen Ji, aren't we not allowed to set up stalls here?"
Chen Ji rode his bike. "It's fine around the Lunar New Year. It's like this every year."
Many people brought their children, and the streets were filled with the aroma of fried cakes, followed by the aroma of fried dough twists.
"Shall we go down for a stroll?"
Xu Ruantang put her arm around Chen Ji's waist and made a suggestion.
She loves these occasions; wherever she goes, there's a strong festive atmosphere, filling her with a sense of inexplicable happiness.
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