To keep warm, Mo Jingchun dressed the little one in several layers of clothing, leaving only the arms free. Apart from being able to lift her arms, she couldnât move at all. Her usually lively little hands were stuck inside and couldnât come out.
Watching Mo Jingchun eat non-stop, the little one grew anxious. When she couldnât hold back any longer, she would let out a loud "Ah," trying to get Mo Jingchunâs attention.
"Alright, alright, Iâll make you some milk once your brother finishes eating."
The little one pouted, her face full of grievance, and whined in a childish voice, "Milk."
After filling up, Mo Jingchun didnât wait for the remaining dishes. He said goodbye to his sister-in-law at the table before heading off to find hot water to make formula for Candy.
When Mo Jingchun held the bottle to feed the little one, only then did the frown on her face relax. Sitting comfortably in Mo Jingchunâs lap, she drank the milk heartily.
A few minutes later, Candy, unable to suck out any more milk, looked at the empty bottle and then pitifully raised her head to look at Mo Jingchun.
"No more~"
Mo Jingchun couldnât help but chuckle and gently patted the little oneâs tummy.
"Candy has already had enough, you canât drink anymore."
Without any more milk to drink, the little one bumped her head against Mo Jingchunâs chest. Even the nearby firecracker sounds could no longer pique her curiosity.
After the group finished dinner, they all headed back together; no one wanted to stay longer.
The harsh winter was undeniably cold, and there wasnât even a warm place to sit by the fire.
Mo Jingchun, returning home with everyone, declined the invitation to sit by the fire. He took his sister Candy home, knowing if he didnât get the little one to sleep soon, she would likely become restless again at midnight.
After finally coaxing Candy to sleep and placing her in bed, Mo Jingchun found some time and free hands to tap away on code that seemed to have no end in sight.
January 26 marks Little New Year. According to Southern customs, itâs a day for cleaning the house and bathing.
On the 24th of the twelfth lunar month, cleaning begins: starting from the 24th up until New Yearâs Eve, Southerners refer to this period as "Spring Welcoming Days," also known as "Dust Sweeping Day."
The purpose of dust sweeping is to remove the old and welcome the new, to eliminate the unlucky.
Similarly, bathing is intended to cleanse oneself of impurities, all in hopes of a better new year.
In the evening, Mo Jingchun boiled a large iron pot full of hot water, thoroughly satisfying Candyâs needs.
In the bathtub, the little one laughed joyously, her feet constantly kicking the water, splashing it all over the floor and Mo Jingchun.
"Ah~"
When Mo Jingchun scooped water with a cup to wash the little oneâs hair, she seized the chance to drink the bath water, looking satisfied as if it tasted better than milk.
Fortunately, the stubborn cowlick on the little oneâs head finally lay flat naturally.
In winter, bathing and the time after a bath are Candyâs happiest moments.
Without the restraint of thick clothes, she could freely play on the bed.
Mo Jingchun was delighted to see Candy so happy. With the air conditioner on, he didnât have to worry about her catching a cold. As long as his sister was happy, that was enough.
A little after eight in the evening, after their bath and hair wash, Mo Jingchun used a hairdryer in his room. His phone on the nightstand buzzed non-stop.
Turning off the dryer, Mo Jingchun walked to the bedside and picked up the phone. It was Xu Pengfei calling.
"Hello, itâs me."
"Boss, Iâm calling to report the latest progress." Mo Jingchun could hear the fatigue in Xu Pengfeiâs voice on the other end.
"Okay, go ahead."
After organizing his thoughts, Xu Pengfei reported to Mo Jingchun:
"Boss, the first batch of raw materials has all been processed into smart anti-shake spoons."
"Weâve scheduled with those short video creators; theyâre all set to release review videos tomorrow. Each will tag our companyâs official short video account in the video description."
Thatâs right, Xu Pengfei and Su Wenyanâs plan was to sell through the short video platform.
This was the best sales strategy for the newly established Candy Technology Co., Ltd.
Direct sales wouldnât gain traction at all, and Candy Technology didnât have the financial strength to run ads.
On the contrary, as long as the product was good, collaborating with those review creators might prove effective.
"Got it. You and Su Wenyan have worked hard."
"You guys havenât had dinner yet, right? Today is Little New Year in the South; go out for dinner, and the company will reimburse you."
"Oh yeah!" Su Wenyanâs jubilant scream made Mo Jingchun pull the phone away, almost blasting his ears with its volume.
"Xu Pengfei, Su Wenyan said sheâs staying at school for the break; what about you?"
"Boss, my house is relatively close. Iâve bought a ticket for New Yearâs Eve morning, just in time for reunion dinner."
In the office, though Su Wenyanâs face was filled with smiles, her eyes couldnât hide their envy and were slightly red.
"Alright then, if anything comes up, contact me."
After hanging up, Mo Jingchun felt somewhat anxious about the sales situation of the smart anti-shake spoons.
At the end of the day, his newly founded Candy Technology Co., Ltd. was still an unknown start-up, and without prior users, there was no established trust for the products.
Meanwhile, setting aside her disappointment, Su Wenyan grinned broadly at Xu Pengfei, "Come on, letâs go out and bleed the boss dry, or Iâll feel my dark circles were worthless."
Xu Pengfei shook his head and laughed, "Letâs go then
Their idea of bleeding Mo Jingchun dry was merely visiting a small restaurant at the schoolâs gate, ordering a few extra dishes, totaling just over two hundred, less than three hundred yuan.
On the way back to her dormitory after parting ways with Xu Pengfei, Su Wenyan strolled along the road with a face full of melancholy.
Suddenly, she received a WeChat message from Li Na. Upon reading it, she felt a complex mix of emotions.
"The old man wants you over for dinner on New Yearâs Eve. You know how it is; you donât want to make him angry. Otherwise, heâll really beat you, you know that."
How many years has it been? Seems like the fourth year now.
Every year before New Yearâs Eve, sheâd get a similar WeChat message.
Su Wenyanâs lips curled slightly; she smiled gracefully.
The old man really does hit people, and once he decides to, no one dares to sprint away.
But, thatâs not entirely true; someone did run away as a child, only to be caught and suspended for a thrashing, never daring to run again.
In Jing City, on the top floor of a tall building, Li Yuanfang, who was being teased by his wife, suddenly sneezed out of nowhere.
"Damn, which rascal is talking about me again."
Beside him, Xue, lying on the sofa, laughed by Li Yuanfang, glared at him angrily upon hearing her husbandâs words.
"Canât you fix that foul-mouthed habit of yours?"
"No wonder you get beaten every year."
PS: Thanks to Duan Wengang for the tip. (ïŸâïžă)