Read Novel Full Chapter 138
Chapter 138 : New Year’s Eve Dinner
“Boss, checkout! I want both of these coats,” a customer called out.
“That’ll be 120 in total. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you again!” Jiang Li replied warmly as she handed the customer their purchase.
Nearby, Grandpa Gu’s eyes turned red as he fixated on the cash Jiang Li put away. His intent was obvious, and Chen Xianyun’s heart sank.
He had been hanging around the store frequently, sometimes smoking and upsetting customers, other times staring at the cash register or loitering without buying anything.
Fed up with his pestering, Chen Xianyun grabbed a broom, shooing him away with sharp words. “Get lost, you shameless old man! Your wife hasn’t even been gone a hundred days, and here you are chasing women. You’re nothing but dishonest and spineless. Go away!”
But Gu Zhanjin wasn’t deterred. He believed persistence would wear her down. Confident in his “manly charm,” he returned often, bringing small gifts as though that would win her over.
In his mind, once he won over Chen Xianyun, the prosperous clothing store would be his to run. ‘What does a woman know about managing such a successful business?’ he thought arrogantly.
—
The day before Chinese New Year, Jiang Li posted a notice announcing the store’s closure for the holiday and distributed red envelopes to her employees as a token of appreciation.
Wang Juan, who had worked tirelessly with hardly any rest all month, received a thick red envelope. Her eyes turned red with gratitude. “Boss…”
Jiang Li smiled and said, “Everyone has worked hard this year. Let’s keep up the great work and make even more money next year.”
Even Ding Meifang, who hadn’t worked a full month, received a red envelope. When she opened it, she was pleasantly surprised to find five crisp “Big Unity” bills inside.
Jiang Li believed that by treating her employees well, they would remain motivated and loyal.
—
This year, while Jiang Li and her mother-in-law were busy with the store, the family’s New Year preparations were handled by the old lady and Qi Shaoqiang.
With the money Jiang Li had earned, she ensured that they had the best food and drinks for the celebration.
The market was more vibrant than ever thanks to the reform and opening up. Seafood like shrimp, hairtail, and kelp, which were rare in Yongfang County, were now readily available. The family also had a variety of fresh fruits, fish, and supplements sent by Fang Peilan.
The New Year’s Eve dinner was a true feast: Braised whole chicken: Fried chicken braised with soy sauce and rice wine for twenty minutes, finished with diced bamboo shoots to enhance the flavor.
Sweet and sour yellow croaker: A secret recipe using lard for the sauce, which was poured over the fish for a rich, tangy flavor. Stir-fried double squid: Squid and pork leg stir-fried on high heat for a crispy, tender, and delicious dish. Hot pot : Layers of cabbage slices and vermicelli formed the base, topped with fish balls, meatballs, egg rolls, green cabbage hearts, and ham slices for added flavor. The broth tied it all together into a hearty dish.
These recipes were perfected by Qi Shaoqiang, who had been experimenting based on cookbooks to suit Jiang Li’s shifting pregnancy cravings.
As night fell, firecrackers lit up the sky, signaling the arrival of the New Year. The family gathered around the table for dinner. Qi Shaoqiang raised a glass of fruit wine, joined by Chen Xianyun and the old lady. Jiang Li held a glass of apple juice in place of wine, and they all clinked their glasses.
Jiang Li began the toast. “Thank you all for your hard work this year. Mom, you’ve been incredible at the store, and Grandma and Shaoqiang, you’ve been amazing in keeping everything at home running smoothly.”
Chen Xianyun beamed with pride. “Lizi, you’re the one who’s worked the hardest balancing school, running the business, and carrying a baby. You’re the backbone of this family. Without you, we wouldn’t have this happiness.”
Qi Shaoqiang looked at Jiang Li with deep affection and added, “Wife, thank you for everything. You’ve worked so hard.”
The warmth and gratitude of the moment filled the room as they welcomed the New Year together.
“I hope that in the coming year, we will all be healthy and safe, that Lizi and Shaoqiang will excel in their studies and work, and that our business will thrive even more!”
“Come, let’s raise our glasses and celebrate this fruitful year together,” Jiang Li said, lifting her glass with a warm smile.
The same festive joy extended to other households.
—
In Wang Juan’s modest rented home, she and her sister sat around their small dining table, enjoying a New Year’s meal. Wang Juan eagerly placed food onto her sister’s plate. “Sister, eat more! Have a chicken leg!”
“You eat it, Juan,” her sister replied.
Wang Juan grinned. “We can afford chicken now, we can even have several at once!”
She picked up another chicken leg, placing it into her own bowl, and took hearty bites. Watching her sister eat happily, Wang Fen began to cry.
Their childhood memories haunted them: meat was a rare treat, reserved only for Chinese New Year. Even then, chicken legs were never for the sisters, they always went to their younger brothers. If Wang Fen so much as looked at the meat too long, she’d be beaten, sometimes with slaps, other times with fire pokers or by having her head slammed against the table.
But now, in their warm room with new clothes, a table full of delicious food, and each other’s company, life felt like a dream.
Wang Juan wiped her sister’s tears with her sleeve, then pulled out the big red envelope she received from Jiang Li. “Sister, look at this! It’s the bonus from our boss!”
She opened the envelope, spilling crisp bills onto the table.
Over five months, Wang Juan had earned more than 1,500 yuan, including her basic salary and commission. After covering her sister’s surgery, which cost over 500 yuan, and daily expenses for food, drinks, and rent, she still managed to save nearly 800 yuan by the end of the year.
“Sister, after the New Year, we can buy a house! I asked around, and a one-bedroom apartment like this one costs less than 500 yuan. But I’m thinking of saving for two more months so we can buy a three-bedroom home, then we’ll each have our own room.”
Looking at her excited sister, Wang Fen felt both happy and guilty. “I’m so useless. If it weren’t for my illness, you would’ve bought a house long ago.”
“Sister, don’t say that! You’re my only family in this world. Just having you with me is worth more than any money or house. Promise me you won’t say things like that again.”
“Juan… I’ve been thinking. When my leg is fully healed, I want to start working. We can live together, and I can’t let you shoulder everything alone.”
“Okay, Sister. Tell me what kind of work you want to do, and I’ll help you figure it out.”
Wang Juan understood her sister’s gentle nature. She knew that staying idle at home for too long would only make Wang Fen overthink. Going out to work would benefit her physical and mental health.
“I don’t have much education,” Wang Fen admitted, “but I’m willing to do anything. I can be a nanny or even work on a construction site.”
“You can’t do heavy labor!” Wang Juan said firmly. “The doctor said that even though your leg has healed, it’s an old injury. You need to take good care of it. Heavy work could make it ache during rainy or cold weather.”
“Then what can I do? I can’t just sit around doing nothing!” Wang Fen replied anxiously. She had always been restless and felt uncomfortable staying idle for so long.
“Don’t worry, Sister. Our boss is a college student, she’s smart and thoughtful. Let’s visit her tomorrow to wish her a happy New Year, and we can ask her for advice while we’re there.”
“Okay,” Wang Fen agreed. “Let’s bring the sausages and bacon we made as gifts.”
“Don’t worry, Sister, I’ve already prepared them,” Wang Juan replied with a reassuring smile.