EBE Chapter 377, Grade 2, Visiting the Door
Chapter 377, Grade 2, Visiting the Door
Tu Nan nodded in agreement. "I heard that Shanghai has the lowest per capita living space in the country, less than six square meters per person. If your living space is less than four square meters, you can be classified as a household with housing difficulties, and they even allow you to build a loft on it."
Huang Ling and Song Ying exchanged a glance, their understanding unspoken.
Song Ying thought to herself, "Policies are constantly changing. Maybe the house I bought in the suburbs will become more valuable and worth a lot of money in the future, just as Wu Feng said."
Soon the water boiled, and Zhuang Chaoying skillfully put the glutinous rice balls into the pot.
Today, he was the head chef, with Lin Gong assisting him, and Tu Nan diligently learning from him.
The New Year's Eve dinner was very lavish, featuring dishes like pig's trotters, bean sprouts, and celery—all essential traditional dishes for the old city of Suzhou during the Spring Festival.
Steamed fish symbolizes abundance year after year, along with twelve hearty dishes including braised pork, sweet and sour pork ribs, stir-fried cured pork with chili peppers, and poached chicken.
A table laden with delicious food, brimming with the festive spirit of the New Year.
The festive atmosphere is definitely stronger now. Everyone wears new clothes, sits together to make glutinous rice balls, watches the Spring Festival Gala, and sets off firecrackers together when the clock strikes midnight. It's more exciting and more fun.
Xiaoting clapped her hands and stood up: "I'll go get the bowls and chopsticks."
Lin Dongzhe eagerly followed. "I'll go help."
In the kitchen, Lin Dongzhe took the opportunity to approach Xiaoting and lower his voice. "Xiaoting, I bought fireworks. Let's set them off after we finish watching the Spring Festival Gala."
"Okay, here you go..." Xiaoting blushed slightly as she handed him the bowl and chopsticks.
Lin Dongzhe took the bowl and chopsticks, looked at Xiaoting with pleading eyes, and said pitifully.
“I haven’t been alone with you for half a month. Let’s go to Hanshan Temple on the eighth day of the lunar new year. I heard that it’s very effective for making wishes there. I’ll tell my parents that it’s a classmate reunion.”
Song Ying's voice came from the living room. "Dongzhe, where did you take the bowl?"
Xiaoting's face turned even redder, and she hurriedly pushed Lin Dongzhe to leave. "Hurry up and get out, or Mom and Dad will find out. We can talk about going to Hanshan Temple in a couple of days."
Lin Dongzhe reluctantly left the kitchen, his heart filled with anticipation for the eighth day of the lunar new year.
,,,,
The television screen was showing a skit called "Emergency Room" performed by Teacher Zhao and Teacher You Benchang. The humorous and interesting plot made everyone laugh from time to time.
After the skit ended, the four main characters from "Journey to the West" were surprised and invited onto the stage.
Lin Dongzhe picked up a piece of lean meat, put it in Xiaoting's bowl, and stared at the TV screen, saying excitedly.
"Look! The main actors from Journey to the West are coming on stage!"
After finishing their meal, the sensible children took the initiative to clean up the dishes.
The adults sat together and played cards, while the four of them finished washing the dishes, sat on chairs, ate snacks, and continued watching the Spring Festival Gala.
As the melody of the grand chorus "Unforgettable Tonight" slowly faded away, the clock struck midnight precisely, and 1988 arrived amidst everyone's anticipation.
Lin Dongzhe was holding fireworks. "Zhuang Xiaoting, Pengfei, Tu Nan, let's go set off fireworks!"
Then they ran into the yard, waving sparklers.
Just like when they were kids, Lin Dongzhe handed the already lit sparkler to Xiaoting.
Zhuang Chaoying gently put her arm around A-Ling's shoulder and looked up at the fireworks blooming in the sky. "Another year has passed. The children have all grown up, and we've gotten a year older too."
Huang Ling turned her head slightly, looking tenderly at Chao Ying who was watching the fireworks.
Time flies so fast, year after year.
Chao Ying is still the same Chao Ying; in her heart, she is still her solid support.
As long as he's by her side, she can act like a little girl, freely showing her truest self without reservation.
If she had to say what she's most grateful for over the years, it would be the appearance of this superhero.
She knew very well what kind of person he was; after all, they had been husband and wife for twelve years. She was genuinely surprised by Chao Ying's sudden change in personality at first.
As Chao Ying does things that were previously impossible, the first thought that flashes through her mind is "reincarnation".
After all, how could Chao Ying, who used to obey her grandparents, possibly stand up for her?
So, at that time, she felt that Chao Ying was no longer the same Chao Ying. But this new Chao Ying was so good, so good that it was almost unreal, that she couldn't help but fall in love with him, and slowly got used to and gladly accepted his kindness to her, hoping from the bottom of her heart that he could stay by her side forever.
She was afraid of what she would do if the original superhero returned one day.
If... no, there are no ifs...
. . . . . . . .
Wanshu and Wanqing, the two sisters, have both returned from Shanghai. This year, due to the infectious disease hepatitis A, few people have visited their home, so they've skipped the usual visiting rituals.
After discussing it with his family, Zhuang Chaoying felt it was time to go to Wanshu's house to propose marriage between Tunan and Wanshu.
Zhuang Chaoying rode the motorcycle, Huang Ling sat in the middle, and Xiao Ting sat behind her. The prepared gifts were hanging on the handlebars.
Tu Nan and Peng Fei followed closely behind on another motorcycle.
Pengfei was initially reluctant to go, feeling that he could stay home and look after the house.
Ke Tu Nan pulled him along. "Wan Shu's parents know you, and you're Wan Qing's classmate too. They specifically asked that you be brought along."
Pengfei then agreed to go with them.
They had already informed Wanshu's family in advance, and the whole family would visit at 10 a.m. on the second day of the Lunar New Year.
Initially, Zhuang Chaoying considered that they were the groom's family and thought of setting up a table at Songhelou Restaurant, which would not only express their sincerity but also save Wanshu's family the trouble of cooking at home.
However, Tu Nan said that the hepatitis A epidemic is serious now, and it is not safe to eat out. Wan Shu's parents also said that they would entertain them at home and let them come directly to their door.
At this moment, Wanshu stood at the gate of the family compound, wearing a scarf, watching two motorcycles slowly approach one after the other. As they drew nearer, Wanshu hurried forward to greet them. "Uncle Zhuang, Aunt Huang, Happy New Year! Were you cold riding your motorcycle? Auntie, you look so beautiful today!"
Zhuang Chaoying parked the motorcycle steadily. Xiaoting got off the motorcycle first, and then helped her mother off.
Huang Ling gently patted Wan Shu's arm. She had such a sweet tongue that she could make anyone feel happy. "Happy New Year, Happy New Year! It's not cold, it's not cold. We're dressed warmly and have blankets over us. Wan Shu, have you been waiting for a long time?"
Wan Shu quickly replied, "I didn't wait long; I timed my coming out."
Huang Ling took out a prepared red envelope from her pocket. "Wanshu, here's your New Year's money."
She glanced at Tu Nan, and seeing him nod and blink repeatedly, she finally accepted the gift. "Thank you, Uncle and Aunt."
"You're welcome. In my eyes, you're the same as Tu Nan, Xiao Ting, and Peng Fei. They're all my own children."
After Zhuang Chaoying and Tu Nan parked and locked their motorcycles in the shed, Tu Nan and Peng Fei followed behind, carrying two bottles of Wuliangye liquor, two packs of good cigarettes, two boxes of pastries, and a whole rack of spare ribs.
Huang Ling dressed up specially today. Song Ying even did her eyebrows and lips this morning. She wore a cashmere sweater that Pengfei bought for her, with a down jacket over it, and a gold necklace around her neck. She looked as fashionable and stylish as a modern woman who had stepped out of a Hong Kong and Taiwan poster.
Zhuang Chaoying was dressed in a gray suit with a thick coat over it, and she looked very successful.
He was carrying a leather bag containing a metal box and a bankbook, which was the highlight of the day, representing their sincerity and support for their two children's future family life.
. . . . .