On the twenty-eighth of the year, with the factory on holiday, the employees each went back to their hometowns for the New Year. Considering that the Joy Soon Loy Restaurant was still under construction and there werenât many dining spaces to begin with, Cheng Su, who had originally decided not to take a holiday this year, changed his mind and gave everyone the same vacation, starting work again on the thirteenth of the year.
Some people expressed confusion over Cheng Suâs generosity, as none of the bosses are willing to forgo business.
Cheng Su said that the New Year is a time for reunion and gathering, and not many people dine out. Besides, the environment isnât great, so why not just sell well and take a nice long vacation? Then, when the new year begins, everyone can happily return to work and be a bit more motivated.
Moreover, this is just for this year. Once Joy Soon Loy is built, next year wonât see such a holiday, so itâs counted as everyoneâs last big celebration.
Salaries were paid, bonuses were given, and the restaurant renovation was halted. Even Ning Ge returned to Beijing for the New Year after the factory holiday.
With no need to manage the various businesses, Cheng Su was truly freeâlight without responsibilities. Her thoughts of spending the New Year in Qing City led her to head downtown to buy New Yearâs supplies, as the two of them needed food too.
In their building, Chunhua and his wife went back to their hometown for New Year because their daughter was there, and Guiyingâs family did the same. Their son was only a few months old, and according to the Southern hometown customs, he needed to go home for some ceremonies. So, it was just Cheng Su and Hualingâs households left, very quiet.
Cheng Su invited Hualing to buy New Year goods together, but Hualing said, "Even my hospital has vacation, and Iâm going to my own family for the New Year; I donât want to prepare New Year goods!"
Cheng Su was puzzled, "What about Chen Shouwang?"
Hualing, a bit awkward, said, "He has to stay on duty. If he visits, heâll come to my familyâs anyway, as Iâm not going to his home this year. My condition isnât good enough for a visit." She said this, touching her belly.
Sheâs now three months pregnant; though her bump isnât visible yet, she doesnât want to exert herself.
Cheng Su knew she was just using her pregnancy as an excuse, saying, "Even if youâre going to your familyâs, you always need to put up some couplets at home, right? A New Year without red decorations doesnât look nice. For the childâs luck, you should stick a couple of âFuâ characters, right? Anyway, no rush, letâs go out for a while."
Hualing hesitated for a bit and said, "Alright then! Iâll go change my clothes!"
"Alright, Iâll get dressed too." Cheng Su then smiled.
Hualing returned to the room to change clothes, and Chen Shouwang saw her dressing up, so he asked, "Itâs so cold outside, where are you going?"
He didnât expect Hualing to reply, as she had been ignoring him these days. Yet to his surprise, Hualing responded, "Cheng Su invited me to go buy New Year goods. I figured since I have nothing to do, Iâll go out with her for a walk."
Chen Shouwang was delighted to hear her reply and even more pleased when he heard about the New Year goods, saying, "Wear flat, slip-proof shoes, walk slowly, thereâs snow outside."
Hualing replied with a simple "Mm".
Chen Shouwang stopped her again, took out some money from the room, and pressed it into her hand, saying, "Yesterdayâs year-end bonus, New Year; buy a couple of clothes for yourself and the child."
Hualing glanced at the Great Unity RMB in her hand, blinked, and without saying a word, put it straight in her pocket and went out the door.
Chen Shouwang sighed with relief, fearing she might say somethingâbut she didnât. Does this mean sheâs showing signs of softening?
Thinking of this, Chen Shouwang couldnât help but smile, looked around the room, rolled up his sleeves, and began tidying upâitâs almost New Year, and the home should be neat.