As soon as I entered the kitchen, I smelled the aroma of meat mixed with the refreshing scent of stir-fried vegetables.
They sat around the table, and Lei Feng started talking first, "The batch of apartments our company developed recently is selling like hotcakes, and the sales staff at the sales office are paid incredibly high salaries. I'm even thinking of selling houses myself. Hua Hua, let me tell you, you should really try real estate sales."
Fang Huahua put down her chopsticks, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes. "I want to too. Over the years, I've either worked as a waitress in a restaurant or in a factory. I'd like to find a job with a higher salary. But I only have a junior high school education, and no decent place will hire me."
"I know the sales manager. I can talk to him. In sales, performance is the most important thing. A high degree is useless if you can't sell houses."
Fang Huahua lowered her head, her voice lacking confidence, "I've never done sales before, and I'm not good with words." Fang Huahua still hesitated, subconsciously looking at Fang Yu.
Fang Yu immediately chimed in, "Hua Hua, you should give it a try while you're young! If you succeed in sales, you can earn much more money than you would in the factory. Even if it doesn't work out, you can always go back to the factory."
The atmosphere at the dinner table gradually warmed up, and Lei Feng brought up his plans again, "I'll do it myself next year. When you sell your house, you can introduce me to the water and electricity companies. It'll be a win-win situation for us!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Huahua's initial hesitation gradually dissipated.
From a young age, I always felt inferior to others. The younger sister I just met, born to the same mother, led a completely different life from mine. She also wanted to improve herself, but didn't know how.
Hua Hua looked up and said, "Coming to your house for dinner today was the right decision. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known I'd have this opportunity."
"Come over for dinner after get off work from now on. We have a large family and need to cook dinner. We won't miss you. It's just a matter of adding another pair of chopsticks."
The cold wind outside the window was still howling, swirling withered leaves, but inside the house was warm and cozy. The aroma of food, mixed with hopes for the future, sprouted quietly in Fang Huahua's heart like a seed.
Fang Huahua went back to work for three more days before having a holiday. This year, she bought new clothes for the whole family. The new clothes weren't for the first day of the Lunar New Year, but for the day her younger sister came back.
The days slipped by quietly amidst Fang Shugen's anxiety and Hua Mei's anticipation.
When Hua Hua got home, she and Hua Mei thoroughly cleaned the house, wiping the windows until they were sparkling clean and even picking out the dust from the crevices between the table legs.
Saturday arrived in the blink of an eye, and Fang Dongqiang was bringing He Xiaolei over. Fang Meixiang's parents and Fang Meixiang all dressed in their most presentable clothes.
Fang Damiao went home the night before.
Fang Dongqiang rode in Bao Wenzhao's car to pick up He Xiaolei.
He Xiaolei's parents came out with He Xiaolei, carrying gift boxes. "Dongqiang, this is for your maternal grandparents and your mother. This one for Xiaolei is for her," He Xiaolei's mother seemed a little hesitant to say, "It's for her parents."
"So much, Xiaolei's dad, Xiaolei's mom, you're too kind!" Fang Dongqiang quickly stepped forward to accept it.
“The adults have made arrangements. You two just need to take care of her. Please give our regards to your grandparents, parents, and your husband. Xiaolei,” Xiaolei’s father looked at Fang Dongqiang, “This is her first time going, so you’ll be taking care of her!”
"Okay, let's go now." Fang Dongqiang put the things in the trunk, took He Xiaolei's hand, and sat in the back.
"Dr. Bao, drive slowly!" He Xiaolei's mother greeted Bao Wenzhao.
Bao Wenzhao smiled and nodded. He then led them to Fang Meili's shop to pick up Fang Meili and Fang Meihao.
Today was also the day Fang Dongqiang brought his girlfriend home to meet him; they were both going home.
Yuan Tingting and Yuan Xinkang were minding the shop together. Yuan Tingting arrived at the shop early in the morning. She wanted to see what her future sister-in-law, Hua Hua's younger sister, whom she had played with at her grandmother's house, and Jingming's older sister, looked like.
Everyone stood at the store entrance waiting, with several large plastic bags next to them containing ingredients they had bought at the market that morning.
The car slowly stopped in front of Fang Meili's shop. The window rolled down, revealing Fang Dongqiang's smiling face as he introduced her to He Xiaolei, "Second Aunt, Second Uncle, Little Aunt, Tingting."
He Xiaolei, standing beside him, peeked out slightly, her fair cheeks tinged with just the right amount of shyness, her eyes bright and clear. She gently smiled at the people at the door and said, "Hello, Second Aunt, Hello, Second Uncle, Hello, Little Aunt, Hello, Tingting."
They all smiled and greeted He Xiaolei in the car. Yuan Xinkang put his things in the trunk, saying, "There's so much stuff in the back, it's almost overflowing."
"Take some and put it in the front seats," Fang Meihao said, bringing over a bag. Fang Meili sat down next to Fang Dongqiang.
The car headed towards the countryside. He Xiaolei's gaze remained fixed on the scenery outside the window, passing over the vast expanse of withered yellow rice paddies and the dilapidated farmhouses. Her heart was pounding like a rabbit. This was where Fang Dongqiang had grown up, the village where her biological parents lived, the root of her bloodline.
Fang Dongqiang held He Xiaolei's hand tightly the whole way, saying, "We'll be there soon after the next turn."
He Xiaolei gave a soft "hmm" and tightened her grip on Fang Dongqiang's hand.
The car stopped in front of the house, where Fang Dongqiang's maternal grandparents, Fang Meixiang, and Fang Damiao were already waiting to greet them.
Fang Dongqiang pulled He Xiaolei along, and He Xiaolei nestled against his arm, saying, "Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt!"
"Hey, Xiaolei, come inside quickly." Fang Dongqiang's grandmother hurriedly led her into the house.
Fang Meixiang smiled at He Xiaolei. Last night, Da Miao had told her that Dongqiang was bringing his wife home today. She liked the person Dongqiang liked too.
Fang Damiao helped take the gift box down from the back, saying, "Xiaolei, your parents are too kind!"
Upon entering the room, He Xiaolei was enveloped in warm, cozy air.
Fang Meixiang's mother brought over some egg tea. "Come on, Xiaolei, have some tea."
"Xiaolei, let's have some tea and then head over. Huahua is home too, and Jingming is home as well. He's not going to work today," Fang Dongqiang said softly to He Xiaolei.
He Xiaolei nodded, the warm teacup in her hand resting against her palm.
"Xiaolei, Dongqiang is taking you along, just follow him!" Fang Meixiang's mother instructed from the side.
Seeing that He Xiaolei looked a little nervous, Fang Meili quickly comforted her, "Xiaolei, everyone in our village knows each other. When Dongqiang takes you there, people will inevitably look at you. It's okay, don't be nervous. Everyone in the village is very nice. It's just that Dongqiang brought his beautiful girlfriend, and everyone is curious and wants to see her, right?"
He Xiaolei listened, couldn't help but smile, and nodded.
“Yes, they’re looking over here. Dongqiang, just greet them and smile at them.” Fang Meili thought for a moment and then said, “You should go see your parents and brother, check on your house, and familiarize yourself with the way. We’ll answer any questions the villagers have. Just stick with Dongqiang.”
Fang Dongqiang and He Xiaolei carried the gift box in one hand and pulled each other along as they walked to Fang Shugen's house. As soon as they stepped out of the house, He Xiaolei moved closer to Fang Dongqiang.
Fang Damiao was beside them and followed them over.
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