The next morning, bright sunshine shone through the glass windows, illuminating the study inside and outside.
Liu Xinnian woke up in a daze, and was surprised to find that he woke up in an unfamiliar place. Regardless of the pain in his head from the hangover, he looked around and realized that it was Gu Qi's study!
"Brother Liu, are you awake?" Gu Qi brought in a thermos bottle, holding an enamel cup in his other hand: "Come and wash up first."
Liu Xinnian finally remembered that he had sent Gu Qi back last night, and then they had eaten hotpot, drank wine, and chatted together - and then he couldn't remember anything.
"Archie... am I drunk?"
Gu Qi glanced at him and asked, "What else? Your office and dormitory are in the factory, just a few steps away. If you weren't drunk, why would I let you sleep in my study?"
"I'm really sorry!" Liu Xinnian said in an embarrassed voice, "I don't usually drink much. It's all... it's all because the wine Lao Guo sent was too strong. You, remember to be careful when you drink next time, only a small glass at most, otherwise you will get drunk easily."
Gu Qi explained coldly: "It's gone. You drank it all."
Liu Xinnian: “…”
After brushing his teeth, washing his face and drinking water, Liu Xinnian felt much better and his headache wasn't as painful anymore.
"Aqi, I'm going back to the factory first. I have to check the hygiene and fire safety of each department today. I can only take a holiday after I make sure everything is in order."
"Wait!" Gu Qi stopped him and said, "The cafeteria is closed. Where can you find food so early in the morning? Xing'er has already made some porridge and buns. Come eat with us."
"No." Liu Xinnian said in an embarrassed voice: "I don't know if I lost my composure last night... I ate one meal after another, I'm really embarrassed."
Gu Qi shook his head: "Wait, I'll bring it to you. You just sobered up, so eating some light porridge will be good for your stomach."
Liu Xinnian had been hungry for a long time. Thinking that the factory cafeteria was closed and he had no idea what to eat by himself, he did not refuse.
A moment later, Gu Qi came with a big bowl of porridge and four buns.
"Delicious!" Liu Xinnian drank a few mouthfuls of porridge and munched on the buns: "The barbecued pork buns made by my sister-in-law are so delicious! Aqi, why don't you eat some?"
Gu Qi explained: "We'll eat together when my family arrives. My fourth brother-in-law is getting married today, and we're all going to Xing'er's family home to attend the wedding banquet."
"I see." Liu Xinnian ate with big mouthfuls: "Hmm... the buns made by my sister-in-law are so delicious! You are so lucky!"
Gu Qi smiled slightly: "Go get her address and send her a telegram to get in touch. I hope I can attend your wedding next year, so you don't have to envy others who have a wife and son, a warm bed, and hot buns to eat in the morning."
Liu Xinnian was stunned for a moment, frowned and asked hesitantly: "I...what did I tell you? Which her? Who?"
"Liu Qing'er." Gu Qi replied calmly: "You said it all."
Liu Xinnian: “…”
He lowered his head in embarrassment and muttered, "Then I-I'll go ask after I'm done with my work. It's New Year's Day, maybe there will be good news this time."
"Yes." Gu Qi said, "I will accompany you to send the telegram abroad. As long as we have the specific address and name, it won't be difficult."
Liu Xinnian nodded: "...Okay."
After a pause, he rolled his eyes in embarrassment: "I didn't shout loudly when I was drunk, right? Only you and sister-in-law knew about it, right? No one else, right?"
"No." Gu Qi replied.
Liu Xinnian heaved a sigh of relief and whispered, "That's good... That's good."
Gu Qi glanced at him with a half-smile and said, "You didn't shout loudly, but you were angry. Moreover, you had a quarrel with my wife."
Liu Xinnian: “…”
So Liu Xinnian said, "Apologize to my sister-in-law for me! I have to leave first!" Then he picked up the buns and ran away.
Gu Qi watched his friend's embarrassed back as he fled leisurely, feeling very happy.
Just as I was about to close the door, I heard a familiar sound of footsteps!
"Aqi!" Ma Dali came, twisting something in each hand, and ran in with surprise: "You're back from your business trip? When did you come back? Why didn't I hear Lingling mention it yesterday?"
Gu Qi smiled and replied, "I got home around 8 o'clock last night. I came back specially to attend the wedding and celebrate the New Year."
"Great!" Ma Dali said, "Luckily we made it in time! Here, take it, this is for you. The basket contains something I sent to Fourth Brother Lingling for his wedding."
Gu Qi twisted the heavy net bag and said, "You are too polite. Lingling seems to have prepared New Year gifts for you as well—"
"She gave it to me yesterday." Ma Dali interrupted him and smiled embarrassedly: "She gave me good things, such as bacon, apples, and two packs of tea. I - these are not worth much, just some vegetables and radishes grown in front of and behind the house, and crispy dumplings made by my sister."
Gu Qi smiled: "The material thing is light, but the sentiment is heavy. You have such a heavy pile, and your sentiment is so heavy that I can hardly twist it."
Ma Dali laughed out loud.
When Chen Xingling heard that there were crispy dumplings, he was extremely happy!
“I like crispy dumplings best, especially those with mung bean filling – they’re my favorite!”
Ma Dali explained: "My sister and I spent several hours frying them yesterday afternoon. We fried them and dried them last night, so I quickly brought them over this morning while they were fresh."
"Oh! It's filled with mung bean!" Chen Xingling laughed excitedly, "It's delicious! Crispy on the outside and sweet on the inside!"
Then she quickly took one out and gave it to Gu Qi.
"Try it. This is a traditional snack here. It is usually only made during Chinese New Year or other major festivals. It takes a lot of work to make it!"
Gu Qi looked at the fried golden dumplings and raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"I never thought that the dumplings you guys eat for the New Year are... fried."
Chen Xingling said, "Different cultures are shaped by the land and water we live in. They are also reflected in our food. Come, try it. Yours are salty dumplings filled with meat, but ours are crispy and sweet dumplings."
His beloved wife personally brought it to her mouth, and Gu Qi did not dare to ignore her, so he took it and took a bite.
"Mmmmm~ Delicious! The outside is crispy and fragrant, and the filling inside is slightly sweet - mine is filled with red bean filling."
Seeing that the couple both liked it, Ma Dali proudly explained: "Although Sanyue and Sifang are not very smart, they are both good at making our traditional snacks!"
Gu Qi couldn't help but say, "There are quite a lot of snacks here, and I've tried quite a few of them. But this is the first time I've seen crispy dumplings like this."
Ma Dali explained: "It's not easy to make stuffing. Usually, we only make some to add to the fun during major festivals, such as Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year."
If the family's financial situation hadn't improved significantly this year, the whole family would have been happy enough if we could buy a pound of pork belly during the Chinese New Year.
He earned a lot this year and finally solved the problem of food and clothing for his family.
The most difficult problem was solved, and my younger brother returned to his hometown in the city, partly to celebrate and partly to celebrate the New Year. He bought a lot of New Year's goods in one go, intending to have a happy New Year!
After a while, Gu Yi and his wife arrived.
However, everyone waited and waited, and until after 7:10, Li Ying and Gu Xuan still did not show up.
Gu Yihu asked, "Did he oversleep?"
Chen Xingling suggested: "Aqi, you ride your bike into the factory to take a look. Xiaoxing and I will go and scoop up some porridge and bring out some side dishes. You go and urge them. The bike will be at our doorstep around 7:30."
"Okay." Gu Qi hurriedly rode out.
After a while, he came with his parents.
Li Ying looked a little bad, walked in with messy hair, and yawned while talking.
"You're all here? So early! I...I couldn't sleep last night. I went to bed almost at dawn...I almost couldn't get up."
Gu Yi couldn't help but ask: "Where's Xuan? Isn't she going?"
Li Ying gestured to the back: "She walks slowly, Aqi went back to pick her up."
Chen Xingling was a little surprised - Gu Xuan had always been very resistant to such lively occasions, so why did he agree to attend the wedding this time? This was strange!
After a while, Gu Qi drove Gu Xuan into the house.
Gu Xuan was wearing a brand new floral cotton coat with his bangs combed neatly, and although he still didn't speak, he looked quite energetic.
Everyone quickly gathered around the table to eat porridge and buns.
When they were full, Chen Xingling's rental car arrived.
Everyone packed up their things and went into the kitchen, closed the doors and windows, packed up their gifts and left in a hurry.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
