The double happiness character with curled edges slowly faded, and it was the end of the year again.
Yu Jihong and Lei Feng's father also publicly dated.
Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve. In the evening, Yu Jihong asked Lei Feng's father whether he would save a seat for Lei Feng's mother during the New Year's dinner or hold a memorial service before the meal.
“We only visit during the Qingming Festival. For several years, it was just the two of us, Lei Feng and I, who didn’t spend the Spring Festival at home. We ate at relatives’ houses.”
"Let's pay our respects to her before dinner this year. Lei Feng got married. Let's tell her so she can rest assured. It's New Year's Eve, let's invite her back for dinner."
Lei Feng's father embraced Yu Jihong and said, "Jihong, thank you. I will be good to you."
On Lunar New Year's Eve, Yu Jihong's shop closed earlier than usual. At noon, she and Fang Yu went home first to cook a few dishes to pay respects to Fang Sandi.
For dinner, they went to Lei Feng's house. Before dinner, Yu Jihong set out the dishes and wine and asked Lei Feng to let his mother know that he was safe and to tell her about the year's situation.
Lei Feng held the incense stick and said, "Mom, I got married this year." But as soon as he opened his mouth, his throat felt blocked and his eyes reddened.
Yu Jihong's thoughtfulness made Lei Feng and his son cherish her and her daughter even more.
Fang Huahua did not go home for Chinese New Year's Eve that year.
The restaurant was preparing New Year's Eve dinners and Lunar New Year gatherings. The owner said that those who worked on New Year's Eve and during the first few days of the Lunar New Year would receive double pay and a red envelope. Fang Huahua decided to stay and work without hesitation.
I went home early on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
"Huahua, a matchmaker came to introduce a breakfast shop during the New Year, and asked if you want to meet them," Fang Shugen said to Huahua.
"Dad, it's still early, I won't say it now." Fang Huahua hadn't told her family about her relationship with Teng Xiling yet.
"Oh, I told her I'd ask you first when you get back."
"Just go back."
"Hua, have you started dating anyone yourself?" Fang Shugen stared at her for a while, then suddenly asked.
"No, no." Fang Huahua still didn't dare to admit it. If she did, and they asked if they were already living together, that would be terrible.
"Oh!" Fang Shugen seemed to want to say something, but couldn't bring himself to say it. "Hua, Mom isn't like other mothers, so attentive to you and saying everything to you. You're all grown up now, you need to be more mindful of what you do."
"Okay, I understand," Fang Huahua replied vaguely.
Fang Shugen spoke vaguely, and Fang Huahua answered vaguely as well.
Fang Huahua stayed at home for a day and rushed back to the restaurant early on the second day of the Lunar New Year.
Fang Dongqiang is a senior in college and is facing the issue of choosing a career after graduation.
While his classmates were weighing their options—whether to stay in the provincial capital or return to their hometown—Fang Dongqiang didn't have this dilemma. He had always planned to return after graduation, but he was having trouble choosing a job.
Fang Meihao and Bao Wenzhao came to her parents' home on the second day of the Lunar New Year. They are highly educated, and their family wanted to hear their opinions on these matters.
Fang Meihao held up the "2002 County Bureau Job Requirements Table" borrowed from the unit's information department, pointed to the "Information Center Technical Positions" row, and said, "The bureau is currently promoting the 'Golden Tax Project' and has just installed a new tax collection and management system. We are short of people to maintain the server and debug the network. Last time the system crashed, we had to bring in someone from the city to fix it. If you were here, you could lend a hand with any computer malfunctions or data backups in the bureau in the future."
She pointed down again, "There's also an 'electronic tax filing support position.' Now, the pilot program allows companies to file taxes online, so someone needs to teach taxpayers how to use the system and also handle their technical problems when they can't file their taxes. If you understand computers, you can explain the operation clearly to people."
Bao Wenzhao added, "The county hospital is also currently switching to an electronic medical record system and is short of people with computer skills to maintain the equipment. I can talk to my colleagues in the IT department and go there for an internship to familiarize myself with the situation. However, the position at the tax bureau that your aunt mentioned is more stable and has better benefits. If you are interested, I can ask someone to inquire about the exam scope."
Fang Meixiang's father, Yuan Xinkang, and Fang Damiao listened to their opinions from the side.
Fang Meili and Fang Meixiang's mother were busy at the stove. Fang Meixiang made the stove burn brightly, making the whole room warm and cozy.
During the first few days of the Lunar New Year, Yu Jihong didn't open her shop. The four of them ate dinner and sat in the downstairs living room, discussing when Lei Feng would resign and start his own business.
The door was closed, and the snacks on the coffee table emitted a faint sweet aroma. The room felt warm and harmonious with their presence and voices.
“Our construction company has started several new projects. There will be more and more commercial housing in the county, and I want to start doing it myself as soon as possible.”
Lei Feng's father worked in the factory for many years, but he still wanted to prioritize stability. "The salary is pretty good now, and our family has enough to eat and drink. Working is quite nice."
“If the kids want to do it, they can try it while they’re young. Starting early will also help them build up more clients.” Yu Jihong supported Lei Feng’s idea.
“When we have children, our expenses will increase. If we start our own business and earn more money, we will be able to raise our children better in the future.” Fang Yu leaned against him and nodded.
After discussion, we decided to work this year while making thorough preparations for starting my own business, and then resign next year to start my own business.
There were fewer people working at the restaurant during the first month of the lunar year. Although Fang Huahua received more pay than usual, her workload was also heavier. By the end of the day, she was so tired that she could barely walk.
Tomorrow I can finally have a day off.
Teng Xiling went back to his hometown. Fang Huahua bought a pager, but Teng Xiling didn't contact her at all during the Spring Festival.
The evening breeze in January still carried a chill, and it felt like fine needles gently pricking Fang Huahua's face.
A thin mist covered the glass of the phone booth as she dialed the number she knew by heart.
"Beep—beep—" The busy signal echoed in the cramped space, each sound like a hammer blow to the heart. She stared at the streetlights outside the pavilion, the light reflecting the drizzling rain, the red lanterns in the shops across the street swaying in the wind, the festive atmosphere of the New Year still strong everywhere.
The phone rang for the seventh time before automatically dropping. Fang Huahua was stunned. Teng Xiling usually took his phone with him even when he went to the bathroom, so why was no one answering?
Hua Hua dialed again, but all she heard was a "beep-beep" sound. She looked out at the road outside the phone booth; occasionally, a bicycle would pass by, its bell ringing as if reminding her it was time to go home.
Fang Huahua thought of Fang Yu. She remembered Fang Yu's number, dialed a few digits, and then hung up. Fang Yu was married, and they couldn't sleep together and chat until very late like before.
I'll just go to sleep tomorrow since it's my day off!
The lively reunion of the first month of the lunar calendar seemed to have nothing to do with her.
Stepping out of the phone booth, "beep beep beep beep," Hua Hua's pager went off. Was it Teng Xiling calling because he hadn't answered the phone earlier?
Hua Hua looked at the screen with hope, but it wasn't Teng Xiling; it was a landline number with "8182" appended to it.
It's Fang Yu. This is the code between her and Fang Yu, followed by their birth years.
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