As the end of the year approaches and the countdown to New Year gets shorter, Cheng Suâs school is on break, giving her more time. Besides handling business at Joy Soon Loy Jam, she can also visit the restaurant. Additionally, sheâs planning on a dried seafood shop in Guangcheng and gathering some inventory information.
Aside from that, most of her time is spent on the new house. Furniture has been arriving one after another, and the brand-new pieces are placed in various spots. The storage room at home, designed by Cheng Su, has been transformed into a study, providing a place for both her and Qi Taiguo to study and read.
All the furniture and beds have been moved in, and Cheng Su is busy purchasing small essentials like bed sheets - they definitely need to be new.
With just over ten days until the New Year, theyâve planned to move into their new home on the 29th day of the lunar month. Therefore, the house is ventilated daily, and some of the larger items are slowly being moved in.
"The old house needs cleaning too. Although your dad will do the big cleaning, we canât just rely on him. Iâm thinking of going back to the old house on the 28th. Since youâre on break, you have time, and youâll need to look after Xiao Qi yourself," Mother Cheng explained her plan.
Cheng Su had no objections, "If Dad agrees, why not spend the New Year at our place!"
Mother Cheng was unwilling, "We have our own home; itâs not appropriate to celebrate the New Year at the son-in-lawâs place. Your brother is there too, besides, donât you need to return to the old home for New Year? Xiao Qi needs to participate in the Ding ceremony too."
That made sense, so Cheng Su didnât argue further.
With Mother Cheng around, and her hands free, Cheng Su focused entirely on setting up the new home. She bought lots of plants and placed tea leaves and bamboo charcoal to absorb odors, fearing that there might still be some formaldehyde in the new home, which would make living there uncomfortable.
While she was busy, Qi Taiguo was no exception. With the New Year approaching, the military needed to deploy people for holiday readiness, regular training, and handling various affairs.
For this yearâs New Year, he also had to be on holiday duty and couldnât return to the old home. The only time he could visit would be on the tenth day after the new year, during the Ding ceremony.
Upon receiving the notice, Qi Taiguo informed Cheng Su.
"Only on the tenth?" Cheng Su frowned.
"If time allows, Iâll return on the night of the ninth," Qi Taiguo said. "So, for this return to the old home, you should go back on the 28th with your mom for support."
"But our moving date..." she hesitated, since itâs set for the 29th.
"For the move, Iâve got plenty of help. No need to worry about not managing it. The small things can be sorted after you return. Once I move in, the house is considered moved into. Itâs just as good if we start using the kitchen then. Youâre a college graduate, afraid of being impolite?" Qi Taiguo laughed.
Cheng Su rolled her eyes, "For weddings and moving into a new place, who doesnât care about choosing an auspicious day? That has nothing to do with being a college student!"
"Still, itâs better to have support when you two head back to the old home. The child is still young, and you wonât know how much luggage youâll have. I was even thinking of having Jianguo pick you up." Qi Taiguo insisted.
Cheng Su was at a loss for words. She thought about it and realized it was true. In the past, sheâd just head back with a bag, but now with Qi Xiaoqi, whoâs not even a year old, thereâs a lot of stuff. Truly, if it were just her, sheâd have trouble handling it all. Managing the child means less focus on the luggage, and during the New Year, itâs chaos with so many people returning home.
"Alright then!" she could only compromise.