Chapter 678: 67869 years
The two fell into a moment of silence. Zhang Chunsheng reacted after a while and then gave a bitter smile.
"Su Yuanyuan, I’m off. Goodbye."
Zhang Chunsheng left on his own, without anyone seeing him off.
He still sat in the car for a while, wanting to go inside and tell Su Yuanyuan that he was forced into it. To share his helplessness.
But he didn’t move, knowing that, no matter the reason, it was his betrayal.
Zhang Chunsheng’s visit only affected Su Yuanyuan’s mood for a moment. With Zeng Hongling interjecting, she quickly moved on.
"How are we going to eat twenty pounds of beef?" Zeng Hongling asked while the two watched the men cook in the kitchen.
"Braised beef."
"Sounds great, let’s start this afternoon."
It’s seafood dumplings for lunch, and everyone gathered together to wrap them. Da Yang seemed a bit distracted.
After the meal, Su Yuanyuan started braising the beef, and the rest of the work was up to Zeng Yixin.
She found Da Yang. "Sister-in-law."
"Da Yang, I know what kind of person you are. Actually, Zhang Chunsheng was also helpless. I respect your decision. No matter what, you will always be Tan Shaoting’s brother."
"Sister-in-law."
Su Yuanyuan stood up and pushed the recently brought cloth bag towards Da Yang, "These are hemostatic pills, ten for each of you six.
I still say, no matter what, you must protect yourselves.
We are each other’s strong dependents.
You should be at ease with me. I will be fine."
Da Yang looked at Su Yuanyuan with a complex expression, feeling it was a betrayal to both his boss and his sister-in-law.
"Don’t overthink it. You are brothers who have been through life and death together."
"Sister-in-law, I should go back. Can’t bring negative talk upon you."
"Go back, but be sure to protect yourselves. It doesn’t matter if the mission isn’t completed; you only have one life."
Da Yang nodded firmly, knowing how good she was to them.
"Drive back then, the car is of no use here."
Da Yang shook his head, "Sister-in-law, this was the boss’s trophy from before, it’s meant for you."
In the end, Su Yuanyuan drove Da Yang to the garrison.
When she returned, Zeng Hongling teased with a laugh, "The big lunk finally left."
"Is he foolish?"
"You haven’t thought he is foolish? Single-mindedly."
Su Yuanyuan just laughed. She felt somewhat relieved as well. It’s not that they were a burden; it’s just that since they weren’t too familiar, having them return to normalcy was a good thing.
"Tomorrow is the big market here, want to check it out?"
"Of course, the past few days, since you’ve been unhappy, I didn’t want to mention it."
Su Yuanyuan chuckled, it’s just like that. This is friendship.
The next day, five of them set off together, taking a public bus. It was remarkably leisurely and free.
"It’s really lively, but there aren’t many sellers."
"Here it must be stricter than where you guys are, just here for the fun."
Zeng Hongling seemed quite curious about everything. The difference between the north and south was quite large; she didn’t even know what some things were for.
The two chatted and laughed as the three men followed behind, carrying things.
They bought some bits and pieces, and Su Yuanyuan’s mood improved greatly. There are millions of people in the world, no need to be tangled up; not everyone can go along with you.
The embroidery from here was Zeng Hongling’s favorite. She bought many insoles.
"I’m going to send these back to my dad and grandpa; my grandpa will surely like them."
"They are indeed quite beautiful." The two girls walked and paused leisurely.
They didn’t go back for lunch but ate outside.
When they arrived home, they saw a car parked at the door again. Qin Zhiyuan stood by the car, "Su Yuanyuan, I brought you New Year’s goods. These are your rightful share according to your position."
It was a feast of fish and meat, rice, flour, oil, candy, tea, snacks – all included.
"Thank you, Secretary Qin."
"No need to be so polite."
Su Yuanyuan invited Qin Zhiyuan in for some water, exchanged a few polite words, but he refused.
When it was just the five of them left at home.
"Yuanyuan, we really don’t need to buy anything anymore."
"As long as it’s enough."
"This is our siblings’ first time not spending New Year at home. Still, it’s more lavish than being at home."
Everyone busily worked around. Zeng Yixin and Wei Guangxiang were in charge of making southern dishes.
Su Yuanyuan took care of preparing northern dishes. On New Year’s Eve morning, a full table was set with both northern and southern cuisine.
"It’s the sixty-ninth year. Congratulations, Su Yuanyuan, you’re a year older."
"Growing older isn’t necessarily a good thing for us two, right?"
"What does it matter? I’m indifferent. It’s just a year older."
The five of them were bustling and lively, even set off fireworks.
Wei Guangxiang, looking at this scene, thought
of the younger brothers, wondering how they were doing.
The younger brothers didn’t want to withdraw, something beyond one’s control. I have analyzed it with them, but ultimately it’s their own choice.
Even when the master was still around, there was never such a lively New Year.
The grandmaster liked bustling crowds; everyone gathered together. But with many people comes many conflicts. Each year wasn’t too pleasant, always someone stirring trouble.
As far back as memory goes, this was the happiest New Year. The more so, the more one is pishi (infatuated) with this kind of life.
Setting off fireworks in the courtyard, this being a big city, the fireworks in the sky were particularly beautiful.
Today, the five of them were especially joyful, letting go of the burdens in their hearts, just smiling. According to Su Yuanyuan, it’s about happily welcoming the new year.
"Yuanyuan, when do we leave here?" Zeng Hongling asked, munching on a dumpling.
"Have you had enough of staying here?"
"No, I’m just curious what your plans are. You definitely want to go to the seaside, so will you still go to the grassland?"
"Who knows, if you’ve had enough of staying here, I’ll take you to the seaside. The kitchen staff at the spa there is great. I love his cooking the most."
"Really, he must make seafood taste delicious?"
"Yes, everything that chef makes is delicious."
"When will we go, then?"
"If you want, we can go tomorrow. It’ll take several days to reach the seaside, and by then, they have to return to work.
But last year I saw the Lantern Festival here; it was quite beautiful. Want to see it before we leave?"
"Let’s watch it. After all, we have so much food left. From today onward, we won’t buy anything. Once it’s all eaten, we can leave."
"Alright, I’ll go with your decision. Going to the seaside is fun anyway."
"Actually, I’m more drawn to the grassland, the vast grassland."
"I haven’t been there either. After we’re done with the seaside, how about we go to the grassland?"