noffsinger Chapter 420 One family, let alone two families
Chapter 420 One family, let alone two families
Taking a city is not easy, especially for the cowardly Yin family, who used the lives of all the people in Lingsi Prefecture as leverage, resulting in a stalemate for the time being.
"It seems they won't be able to go back to the village for the New Year..."
Gao Mengli stood at the entrance of the restaurant and glanced at it.
The streets were unusually quiet, which made me feel a little regretful.
She looked up and called out, "Xixi, have you packed your things? We're going back to the village!"
Lin Xi cheerfully carried out two large bundles and came out with Da Niu. "Mengli, get everything packed, let's close the door and head out!"
“Boss… actually, there’s no need to close down. We can take care of the restaurant.”
At this moment, Li Chunhong walked over, carrying a heavy silver bag, looking somewhat regretful.
Following behind her were her fellow villagers who worked together at the inn.
"Yes, boss, if we close the restaurant during the New Year, we'll lose a lot every day. We live nearby, so we can keep an eye on the business."
"Yes, boss, we don't need to close down or take a holiday."
Everyone felt their wallets were heavy, and they felt uneasy if they didn't do something for their employer. They also felt anxious when receiving their year-end bonuses.
Gao Mengli pressed her hand down and explained with a smile, "Everyone, doing business doesn't matter about a few days. You've all worked hard for half a year, you're not animals working year-round without a break!"
The Spring Festival is a major national event, and you should all go home to celebrate it instead of staying at the inn!
I'll come back to work on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year!
Although it's only the 20th of the twelfth lunar month and there are still several days until the Lunar New Year, everyone is already visiting relatives and friends and buying New Year's goods.
Some skillful families even make new clothes for their family members.
All of this takes time, and we can't cut into everyone's time to go home and reunite with their families.
As soon as Gao Mengli finished speaking, the restaurant fell silent for a moment, followed by an even louder response.
Someone patted the bulging money pouch at his waist with a smile and praised loudly: "The boss is kind and generous! We will remember this favor and will be on duty on the eighth day of the new year. We guarantee that we will manage the restaurant perfectly!"
Lin Xi smiled and waved her hand, "This is what we should do. Everyone has worked hard with us for a year, so we should let you rest and reunite with your families. That's the important thing."
Gao Mengli smiled and waved her hand: "Alright, you all should go home now!"
"Hey, take care on your journey, we're heading back now!"
Seeing this, Li Chunhong could only smile and nod. After saying goodbye, she led a group of people away one after another.
"Mom, everything's packed, let's go!"
The ox on the carriage poked its head out and called out in this direction.
"Hey, coming right now!"
Gao Mengli responded and quickly pulled Lin Xi into the carriage.
Upon boarding the train, I was taken aback to see Jiang Bei and Da Niu tidying up the things in the carriage.
Gao Mengli frowned. "Where's Zhou Miao?"
Da Niu and Jiang Bei exchanged a glance, staring at each other blankly, before finally remembering what had happened.
“Hey, I saw Miao packing his things earlier, he should have come down by now…”
Jiang Bei slapped his thigh, as if suddenly remembering something, "Oh no, that kid probably thinks we didn't take him back to the village, so he ran off somewhere to be sad..."
Gao Mengli was taken aback, realizing her oversight.
She planned for everyone to go back to the village for the New Year together, but she didn't tell Zhou Miao in advance to come back with her.
After all, Zhou Miao was her and Lin Xi's sworn brother, and he had no relatives or friends left. Where else could he spend the New Year besides renting a house?
"Let's drive around the streets and see where he went."
"drive--"
The guard cracked his whip and gave a soft shout.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, street vendors hawk their wares of candied hawthorns and Spring Festival couplets, while children chase after candied hawthorn skewers, creating a lively scene.
They hadn't gone far when Lin Xi, with her sharp eyes, pointed to the street corner: "Look, isn't that Miao Di?"
Gao Mengli lifted the curtain and looked over. Sure enough, she saw Zhou Miao carrying a small cloth bag, standing in front of the wonton stall, staring longingly at the wontons boiling in the pot, neither saying whether he wanted to buy them nor not.
The shop owner had been staring at Zhou Miao for several moments.
However, since the person in front of him was a scholar and dressed well, he dared not send him away rashly, so he let him look around and did not urge him.
Gao Mengli gestured with her chin, and the carriage stopped beside Zhou Miao. Gao Mengli leaned out and laughed, scolding, "You brat, sneaking out like this, planning to squat here alone and eat wontons for the New Year?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Zhou Miao was startled.
He turned around and saw Gao Mengli and the others, and his face flushed red.
He scratched his head and chuckled, "Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"
"I...I was thinking...you all went back to the village for a family reunion, so I wouldn't join in the fun."
As he spoke, he puffed out his chest, pretending to be nonchalant: "I've already planned it all out. I'll buy two pounds of dumpling wrappers, cut some meat, and make dumplings myself on New Year's Eve. I'll sit by the stove and watch the fireworks. It'll be so comfortable!"
Gao Mengli raised an eyebrow.
Comfortable? Eating dumplings on New Year's Eve? That's a bit too stingy!
For people from the South, the New Year's Eve dinner table, while not necessarily featuring delicacies from land and sea, at least has plenty of chicken, duck, fish, pork knuckle, and seafood!
There's nowhere to put a plate of dumplings!
"You have no relatives or friends here, how can you be comfortable all by yourself! Get in the car and come back to the village with us."
Zhou Miao waved her hands repeatedly, took two steps back, and smiled with a hint of bravado: "Really, there's no need, sister-in-law! My wontons are almost ready. You should hurry on your way, or the boats at the dock will have to leave."
Gao Mengli wanted to persuade him further, but Lin Xi gave her a wink and then smiled at Zhou Miao, saying, "Alright, then take good care of yourself, Miao-di, and eat well. Oh, and remember to buy a couple of strings of firecrackers and hang up some Spring Festival couplets for the New Year, so it'll have some festive atmosphere!"
Having said that, he ordered the guards on the carriage wheels: "Go."
The carriage started moving again. Gao Mengli peeked out the window and saw Zhou Miao standing there, looking in the direction of the carriage with a panicked and disappointed expression.
All that pretense had vanished, leaving him all alone, looking rather pitiful.
Zhou Miao watched as the carriage wheels rolled further and further away, eventually shrinking into a tiny black dot.
The feeling of emptiness in his heart grew stronger. He raised his hand to wipe his face and was about to turn around and sit down at the wonton stall when Da Niu's loud voice came from behind him.
"Silly uncle, my parents are just teasing you. Get in the car, our family is going back to the village for the New Year!"
Zhou Miao turned around abruptly and saw the carriage that should have gone far away stopped at the alley entrance not far away. His sister-in-law was leaning against the carriage window and smiling at him, while his older brother was leaning against the carriage and gesturing with his chin.
Jiangbei and Da Niu waved to him cheerfully.
Zhou Miao's eyes instantly reddened.
Da Niu said, "We're all one family!"
He could no longer control himself; his eyes reddened, and he immediately grabbed his bag and ran over.
He ran to the car, but Lin Xi pulled him inside. "Silly boy, why are you crying!"
"Our whole family is going back to the village; how can we manage without you!"
The carriage was warm and cozy. Gao Mengli poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to him, saying, "You silly boy!"
Zhou Miao took the hot tea, her nose tingled, and tears almost fell. "I...I'm afraid of causing trouble for my older brother and sister-in-law!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Mengli gently patted his shoulder, her eyes crinkling with laughter: "What nonsense are you talking about? We're family, don't speak like that. From now on, you'll be celebrating the New Year with us!"