"This year marks the factory's first year of operation, and achieving such excellent results is thanks to everyone's collective efforts."
Chen Lishu said with a smile, looking at the leaders of several departments.
Yesterday, she had reviewed the annual financial report compiled by the finance department. The factory's net profit for the year had successfully surpassed one million.
"Well, you all know my character, so I won't say any more encouraging or mobilizing words. Everyone has worked very hard this year. Nan Zong and I have discussed it, and we've prepared a red envelope for everyone present."
Chen Lishu said, looking at Nan Haitao.
He took out a stack of red envelopes from his drawer and handed them out to each person, according to the department and name on them.
As the employees held the red envelopes, they couldn't help but brighten their eyes as they felt their thickness.
"As for the grassroots employees, we won't be giving gifts or anything. We'll be practical. Everyone will receive double their last month's salary."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Xingwang and Wang Aixiang led the applause.
"Furthermore, starting today, the factory will no longer accept any new orders. You will all lead your respective departments to complete the year-end closing work before the Spring Festival in the next two days. Inventory checks and machine maintenance will ensure smooth production upon resumption after the new year."
After the meeting, the department leaders returned to their offices and secretly opened their red envelopes. After counting the money, they were all shocked to find that each contained a full five hundred yuan!
The bonus was more than a year's salary for some.
When the factory employees heard that the year-end welfare was double their last month's salary, the entire factory erupted in excitement.
"Getting money is much more practical than getting gifts. President Chen is truly thoughtful. With this money, we can buy a lot of things for home. I heard the department store is having a sale before the festival, and it's the perfect time to buy a wool blanket."
"Yesterday, my mother asked me when the factory would be distributing things. My second sister already took her share home days ago and has been showing off in front of me. I'll shut her up with this money."
"My boyfriend has been pestering me to buy a bicycle. As soon as I get my pay, I'm going to pick one up."
"..."
On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the factory officially ceased production.
In the afternoon, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong, along with their children, boarded the train home with Li Xiulan and Gu Xingmin.
Seeing that only Zhao Qiuyue was left at home, Chen Lishu invited her to come home with them for the New Year, but she declined.
As an outsider, she felt it would be improper to disturb others during the Spring Festival and preferred to stay home and look after the house.
Ever since her mother passed away last year, she had seen through the true nature of her brother and sister-in-law, and she had never returned home since then.
With her mother gone, that place was no longer her home.
Returning to their hometown would only be for about ten days, so Chen Lishu didn't insist.
On the train, the children were all excited, with Gu Lin leading his younger siblings in games and running around.
The adults sat on their berths, chatting idly.
"My second brother and sister-in-law are having quite a bit of trouble with their relationship this year." Zhang Xiaoju and Chen Lishu's families were in the same carriage. After the sisters-in-law got together, Zhang Xiaoju quietly told Chen Lishu about Gu Xingmin and his wife's situation.
They both worked in the same mall, and their shops were not far from each other, so they were usually the first to know about anything.
"That woman seems very cunning. She keeps appearing in front of my second brother and sister-in-law from time to time. They've already argued several times because of that woman, and there's a lot of gossip in the mall now."
Chen Lishu couldn't help but feel curious, "What exactly is the relationship between my second brother and that woman?"
Zhang Xiaoju shook her head, "I'm not too sure, but I did see my second brother secretly giving money to that woman once."
Chen Lishu: "Didn't the second sister-in-law ask what was going on?"
"Of course, she did, but my second brother insisted that the second sister-in-law was mistaken," Zhang Xiaoju sighed. "I used to think my second brother was quite articulate, always managing to make my second sister-in-law so happy. If Xingye were half as eloquent, it would be good. Now, I think being honest isn't bad at all, at least it doesn't lead to so many stray thoughts."
Chen Lishu thought to herself that if a man decides to change his heart, honesty has nothing to do with it.
The family arrived at their hometown by train the next day at noon.
Having received a call in advance, Gu Shoufu arrived early with a horse-drawn carriage to pick them up. Seeing them exit the station, he happily rushed over to greet them.
After nearly a year apart, the children had grown taller, especially the two little ones held by Gu Xingdong and Gu Xingye. They were infants in swaddling clothes last year, and this year they could already speak and call him Grandpa.
Seeing his wife and grandchildren, Gu Shoufu's heart swelled with joy. He gestured for the adults and children to get into the carriage, cracked his whip sharply in the air, and the horses immediately started moving.
In the village, Gu Xingguo and his wife, along with their three children, had already cleaned the house thoroughly. The stove and hearth were all filled with firewood, making the entire house very warm.
Zhang Qin was busy cooking in the kitchen, while Gu Hong helped her mother by adding firewood.
Once she had prepared most of the dishes, the sound of voices could be heard from the yard. Knowing that everyone had returned, she wiped her hands on her apron and turned to greet them.
"Sister-in-law." Chen Lishu and the others greeted Zhang Qin as they saw her.
"The two children have grown so much." Looking at Xiao Chengzi and Xiao Bai held in their arms at the back, Zhang Qin was extremely fond of them.
"You must be frozen from the journey, quickly come inside, it's warm in here." She said, reaching out to take Xiao Bai from Gu Xingdong's arms.
The children weren't shy and looked around curiously with their blinking eyes.
After the family entered the house, they each went to their respective rooms to take off their heavy outer clothing. The younger children eagerly gathered to play.
After a while, the adults started chatting, and Zhang Qin began to call everyone to dinner.
"The factory is also making children's clothing now. Children grow so fast, so I chose a few outfits for the children based on references from your brother Linlin's size."
After dinner, Chen Lishu presented the new clothes she had brought to Gu Song and his two siblings.
Gu Song was about to graduate from junior high school this year. His height had increased significantly in the past two years, almost catching up to Gu Xingguo.
Seeing the new clothes, the three siblings happily said to Chen Lishu, "Thank you, Third Aunt."
"These clothes are really beautiful, Mom, can I try them on?" Gu Hong looked at the new clothes with great affection and turned to ask Zhang Qin.
Zhang Qin smiled and said, "Go ahead."
Gu Xingdong suddenly stood up, "Mom, Dad, Lishu and I are taking the children back to my maternal family's home."
Gu Shoufu: "Go ahead. They know you're back, and they'll surely be waiting."
Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong dressed the three children and then, carrying the gifts for everyone, went to the Chen family's home together.
Chen Mandun and Wu Chunmei were indeed waiting. Seeing the couple arrive, they were very happy, especially with the arrival of their two little grandchildren, whom they immediately held in their arms and were reluctant to let go.
The several aunts also crowded around.
The atmosphere was immediately lively.