The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 728 - 697: Family Photo, Holiday_1

Chapter 728: Chapter 697: Family Photo, Holiday_1

When Huo Yingjie received the drawing of the family portrait from his daughter, his eyes moistened slightly.

Though the child was young, she still missed him.

He just worried that after a year or eighteen months without returning, his two children might forget him.

Thinking of this, Huo Yingjie immediately wrote back to He Tiantian, expressing his concerns.

When He Tiantian received the reply, she shook her head and chuckled. This man was actually worried that the children might forget him.

How could they forget?

Such a big fool.

Under her intentional guidance, the children spoke to Huo Yingjie’s photo every morning, greeting Dad, and would not go to sleep at night without sending a goodnight kiss.

In her letter, He Tiantian told Huo Yingjie not to worry, that the children would not forget him.

Moved by his wife’s letter, Huo Yingjie felt comforted.

As long as they didn’t forget him, that was better than anything!

Distance hadn’t made their affections fade; on the contrary, they missed each other even more.

The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching quickly.

He Tiantian had prepared festival gifts for the relatives in Yanjing and Qijia Village and had already sent them off early.

In these few days, the business at Sanfeng Bridge Marinated Meat Shop and the pastry shop was exceptionally good.

The reason for the booming business was twofold: on the one hand, Sanfeng Bridge’s regular customers were increasing because of the good taste; on the other hand, the fundamental reason was that the common people’s income had risen, and life was getting better than before.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, they needed six live pigs, fifty chickens, thirty ducks, and thirty geese daily. Sometimes when they sold out, people still came looking to buy.

The sales volume at the pastry shop, especially for the gift-boxed items, had multiplied several times over compared to before.

All employees worked overtime.

Seeing everyone working so hard, He Tiantian suggested, "Uncle Sun, let’s not work overtime tonight. Make less, earn a little less; it’s not a big deal."

"No way. We don’t sell much on ordinary days. We should take the opportunity to sell more and earn more during the holidays," said Sun Sihao. "If you feel bad about it, you can give out more wages and benefits during the Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Is this what everyone thinks?" asked He Tiantian. As long as they were physically able to cope, she didn’t mind giving out more money.

"Yes!" Sun Sihao laughed, "Everyone’s tired, but if they can make money, they’re happy to do it."

"Alright, I’ll prepare something," nodded He Tiantian, planning to surprise everyone.

With such sales volume, profits were two to three times greater than before, and the pastry shop’s profits were estimated to be four to five times greater.

He Tiantian couldn’t be stingy; everyone was busy just the same. So she decided on equal festival benefits for everyone: 200 yuan each, plus one chicken, one duck, one goose, and ten kilos of marinated meat, along with ten kilos of various pastries.

On the afternoon of the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, after selling out all the pastries and marinated meat in the shop, they would take a half-day rest and go home for the festival.

"You’ve all worked hard. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival. Here’s a little token of appreciation." He Tiantian handed out red envelopes, one for each person, then a large gift pack for each, and a basket of meat.

Seeing so much stuff, everyone’s spirits were lifted.

They had heard that the management would show some appreciation, but they hadn’t expected it to be so fitting— not just a bonus but also so much meat.

This was even better treatment than what a government unit offered!

With this in mind, they appreciated their jobs even more!

Tang Qinghe had not expected He Tiantian to be so generous either. She had previously worked at a state-owned hotel but had been fired for offending the leadership there.

Fortunately, I listened to my friend’s persuasion and came here to work.

The work is a bit tiring, but most of it is done by the two apprentices.

Not being mistreated, being tired is nothing!

"Thank you, boss!" Everyone thanked them in turn.

The bonuses and benefits are very pleasing, but they know the salary at the end of the month is even more so.

Both shops distribute according to ten percent of the profits. If we sell more this month, we make more money, so ten percent of the profits is also more than before.

"No need for thanks. Go home and enjoy the holiday," He Tiantian said with a smile. "Oh, and make sure to do a final check before you leave. Our shop is doing well now, but we still need to have someone watch over it at night."

Qian Shikun thought for a moment and said, "I’ll keep watch. It’s just me going back anyway!"

Sun Sihao and his wife, who were on good terms with Qian Shikun, had no children by their side and would feel lonely going back, so they said, "Tiantian, don’t worry, the three of us will watch the shop and celebrate the holiday here."

He Tiantian nodded and said, "Thank you for the hard work."

"It’s not hard work. It’s all the same wherever we celebrate," Sun Sihao said with a laugh. "It’s getting late, Tiantian. You should head back too."

"Okay then, I’ll be heading back." He Tiantian agreed, and although Huo Yingjie wasn’t there, she still had the children, her in-laws, and Grandma Wang, so she wanted to celebrate properly.

When He Tiantian went back, she also carried a big gift bag, a basket-full of marinated meat, chicken, and ducks.

To celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, Sanfeng Bridge made mooncakes. Due to limited ingredients, there weren’t many varieties, only four: classic mixed nut, red bean paste, mung bean paste, and pork floss.

Jiang Lifang and Huo Zhekun were already waiting at home.

The meal was ready, and after He Tiantian’s return, she brought out some dessert plates, arranging the mooncakes and pastries on the table.

He Tiantian took out the last small jar of Peach Blossom Wine to share a drink with her mother-in-law and Grandma Wang.

Huo Zhekun poured himself some white liquor, drinking on his own.

If his son were here, he could have a drink and a chat with him.

The house felt incomplete without Huo Yingjie.

Fortunately, the laughter of the children diluted the sense of loss.

At night, after the children had gone to bed, He Tiantian tidied up the pots and dishes. Jiang Lifang came over to help out.

"Tiantian, it has been rough on you," Jiang Lifang said, feeling more pity for He Tiantian since her son wasn’t there. She had to study, take care of the children, and run the shop.

It was too much to bear.

"Mom, it’s not rough," He Tiantian smiled. "It’s quite nice actually, as long as we live peacefully and healthily, that’s better than anything."

Hearing He Tiantian’s words, Jiang Lifang felt even more sympathetic toward her.

"You’re such a good child," Jiang Lifang said. "If you encounter any difficulties, don’t keep them to yourself. Talk to us. Your father-in-law and I will definitely help you."

"Yes, I know," He Tiantian nodded. "There’s really nothing wrong. The hardest times are already behind us. Now it’s just a temporary separation, nothing serious. When Brother Yingjie gets a holiday, he’ll come home."

"Right, that’s right!" Jiang Lifang said. "There are too many things beyond our control. Yingjie is now a national scientific researcher, he has his responsibilities. As his family, we just need to take good care of everything at home so he can be free of worries."

"I understand, Mom," He Tiantian said. "I will take good care of the children, be filial to you, and wait for Brother Yingjie to come back."

After everything was tidied up, Jiang Lifang went back.

Huo Zhekun was sitting there drinking tea, waiting for Jiang Lifang.

"It’s a big holiday, why do you seem a bit unhappy?" Huo Zhekun asked puzzled, wasn’t she quite happy earlier?

"Men are just heartless," Jiang Lifang teased. "With Yingjie not here, shouldn’t I comfort Tiantian a bit? She’s so young, yet she has to live apart from her husband. It’s tough on Tiantian."