Eighties Sweetheart Wife
Chapter 401 Preparing for the New Year

Chapter 401: Chapter 401 Preparing for the New Year

Second Young Master Zhong had arrived at Erdao River on the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

He had reported to his superiors in advance and also contacted Chu Zizhou.

Chu Zizhou had arranged accommodations for him in the brigade department’s dormitory.

He was supposed to pay for this, and as for meals, Old Man Sun was still in charge.

Since he was here, of course, he would be treated well.

For instance, for the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner on the afternoon of the thirtieth, Old Mrs. Song and Zhu Feng decided to eat together.

Afterward, during the night’s vigil for the New Year, everyone could return to their own homes.

The two of them were now getting along very well.

They say that a poor couple is saddened by a hundred things.

Actually, it’s the same with relatives. There’s a saying, something like "The poor do not visit relatives, the rich do not return to their hometowns."

When you’re poor and drop by someone’s house, if you happen to arrive during mealtime, you’re often accused of purposely mooching a meal.

This is also true for interactions between in-laws.

Now both of the old ladies have money, their children are filial, their households are at ease, and even other village elders are envious and jealous of them.

So socially and materially, they belong to the wealthier group.

Therefore, when they’re together, there isn’t so much petty calculating.

Moreover, Old Mrs. Song couldn’t afford to be petty because her eldest granddaughter hated quibbling over such matters.

As a grandmother, she had to be magnanimous.

Luckily, Zhu Feng had a truly good temperament, and the two of them got along well.

All these troubles were absent.

Spending New Year’s together wouldn’t bring up any conflicts; whatever there was to eat, they would just eat, with no one hoarding anything for themselves.

And the master craftsmen at the garment factory had also received bonuses; they chose the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month as their holiday, as the factories in the city hadn’t closed yet.

That’s why the northern rural New Year’s festivities are so lively: because in winter, you can’t work on the farm, so you "hibernate" at home, naturally allowing time to prepare for New Year’s, like sweeping the house, sticking up paper, washing clothes, washing quilts, and even making new clothes for the children.

The atmosphere of New Year’s is indeed very strong.

This year, including Sunflower Commune, Erdao River Village was actually different from previous years.

First of all, there was no "hibernating" anymore.

A handicraft factory had been established, with prevention based in an office within the commune.

The county had also dispatched a person down here.

Old Man Song acted as a consultant.

He now managed the logistics at home, and on Sundays, he still picked up and dropped off Little Nuan.

This consultant job didn’t require going to work; when he had free time, he just needed to come up with new designs and send them to the company.

He was paid a salary of twenty yuan each month.

Though various industries are thriving now, the cost of living remains very stable, as do the wages.

Candied hawthorns made with black jujubes are still ten cents a skewer.

Shopping at the supply and marketing cooperative for orange slice candies, ten cents can still get you a handful.

Ready-made steamed dumplings are still four cents apiece.

Song Yunuan was particularly fond of the current prices.

Because with this comparison, she felt as if she were about to become a millionaire.

Second Young Master Zhong’s unfortunate background had gained him the sympathy of Zhu Feng and Old Mrs. Song, and they would insist he try a bite of anything tasty they made.

They also both liked this clever and gentle young man.

Xia Xindong didn’t expose him; after all, Second Young Master did truly respect the older folks.

That was enough.

Song Mingbo had started to study hard, sleeping only a few hours a day. If he wasn’t being tutored by Song Yunuan, then it was Xia Xindong tutoring him.

In this term’s final exam, Song Yunuan unsurprisingly came first again.

Song Mingbo actually also did very well, making it into the top twenty of his grade.

This was already his best performance.

But when compared to his sister, it still seemed inadequate.

There were even people asking why one of the twins was so dumb while the other was so smart.

He could not catch up with his sister.

But he tried not to lag too far behind. Besides, with his current performance, going to study in Beidu seemed somewhat challenging.

He had to work even harder.

Then, Song Mingbo was seldom seen, but Zhong Shaoqing could be spotted wandering around the village every day.

When he had arrived, he brought many gifts, and had considered nearly everyone.

He liked this small village.

Especially when rime appeared, the whole village seemed like a world from a fairy tale.

The villagers had grown accustomed to such sights, as Old Song always had various guests, and they were all distinguished ones at that.

Even during the New Year, there were visitors to his home.

Such as Hospital Director Zhuang from the hospital, Principal Cui from the cadre school, and Factory Director Zheng from the electronics factory, among others.

Sister Zhao and Old Niu, of course, also made sure to visit the elderly.

And then there was Kou County; he came with Deputy County Mayor Zhao.

These people brought gifts in two sets.

One for the Song family, and one for Zhu Feng.

In any case, when the children made their parents proud, it was a matter of face for the elders.

Because of Xia Xindong, Erdao River Village had set up a special security post.

It was staffed on rotation by officers from the county public security bureau and the commune police station.

Chu Zizhou even established a small shop.

It was said to be available for contracting.

Old Mrs. Song wanted to take on the contract, but she was too busy to manage it.

So, she let Old Mrs. Sun and her daughter-in-law take it on.

The brigade headquarters was the central location.

The shop was set up right next to the brigade headquarters.

Inside, cigarettes, liquor, sugar, tea, and daily necessities were fully stocked.

Basically, daily needs could be met.

It had been established after the tenth lunar month, and Old Mrs. Sun did not keep it from Old Mrs. Song, telling her that the shop had made more than ten yuan in those days.

Her expression was lively and joyful as she spoke.

Erdao River Village had never had such a prosperous year before.

Of course, they had never been this busy during winter either.

But being busy meant earning money, which was much better than playing cards or Pai Gow for money on the heated brick bed.

Even neighborhood disputes, marital quarrels, and mother-in-law-daughter-in-law conflicts had decreased a lot.

When busy, people simply didn’t have the time for it.

Consequently, Erdao River Village was also recognized as one of Nanshan County’s model villages for spiritual and cultural excellence.

Even in winter, the place was kept clean and tidy.

Chu Zizhou kept his word.

Every month, households deemed to have exemplified spiritual and cultural excellence received rewards.

Being able to live such days was due not only to Chu Zizhou but also to Song Yunuan.

Some people were saying behind the scenes that Song Yunuan was the little lucky star of their village.

Since her return, not only had they eaten more meat than in past years, but they had also had rice.

What mattered most was that many people had become factory workers.

At the end of the year, Zhilan Garment Factory distributed to each worker five pounds of flour, one pound of eggs, three pounds of meat, and one pound of egg cake.

The wages were paid on time, without fail.

Then the work resumed on the sixth day of the lunar new year.

The workers had a few days off more than their city counterparts.

Moreover, for those who volunteered to work overtime, the wages were doubled.

Once this policy was announced, more than half of the workers volunteered to work extra hours.

Thus, by New Year’s Eve, the second batch of orders was also completed.

It was also at this time that Song Yunuan received a telephone call from Kurt Gymm.

He excitedly thanked Song Yunuan, saying that because his father didn’t go, he was spared.

He also promised Song Yunuan not to tell others about the incident to avoid unnecessary trouble.

And he informed Song Yunuan that according to the Dragon Kingdom calendar, he would arrive in Beidu on the tenth day of the lunar new year.

They were already preparing the goods on their end, and as soon as the contract was signed, and it became effective, they would start shipping immediately.

Song Yunuan, "On my side, there will be no delay either. We have plenty of stock and can ship anytime."

After a few more discussions, they each hung up the phone.

Hans rubbed his hands together, saying, "I want to thank her in person, and I told a few good friends of mine. I told them I felt uneasy and didn’t want to go to West Canyon, and they actually believed me. When they reached the foot of the mountain, they turned back. Now, they’re very grateful to me, saying I’m their lifesaver. I didn’t tell the truth, but I owe this favor to Song Yunuan, and I will repay it in the future."