Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Taking the Dog Home for New Year

Father Lu and Mrs. Lu, the old couple, couldn’t stop smiling all day. Their eldest son, who worked far in the south, had returned, and their happiness was as if the New Year had already arrived.

Jiang Nan took out the gifts for the third couple and their children, as well as the gifts for Lu Xiaomei, all specially chosen by the couple.

The little one wore festive new clothes and a little tiger-head hat which suited his lively appearance wonderfully.

The couple stayed until after dinner, and then, taking advantage of the lingering daylight, they hurriedly took their child home.

Lu Xiaomei stayed at home for the night since she had to go to work at the clothing store the next day. Ever since the holidays began, she had been working as a salesperson at the store.

The small restaurant had already hired new staff earlier, and with Su Xian Yue managing, there was little to worry about.

“Susu, don’t keep holding her. Let her do things on her own. Ever since you’re back, Lele hasn’t needed to touch the ground,” Susu shook her head helplessly.

“It’s okay, elder sister-in-law, I just love holding our soft and fragrant little Lele. She’s just too adorable.”

Lele, the little girl, was held comfortably by her aunt and giggled like a mischievous cat, covering her mouth with her little hand.

With snow still on the roads and cars prone to skidding, Brother Lu and his wife decided to stay home for a few more days.

Xiao Yu and Xiao Xue stuck close to their parents every day, waking up each morning to cling to their parents’ necks and share all sorts of fun stories from the day, just like they used to do back in the steel factory family courtyard.

Brother Lu and Jiang Nan didn’t rush or interrupt their daughter, but listened with extra care, occasionally asking questions.

This warm scene was similarly unfolding in another room.

An’an and Lele chattered about playing house today with their brother and elder sister.

Whenever something was left out, the second brother Pingping would add it, and if anything was misrepresented, Brother Tianyu would help his younger siblings clarify.

…

Mrs. Lu turned towards her husband, “Father, our eldest has finally seen better days. Now he’s not only become a small contractor, but his wife has also become sensible.

As a couple, they’re pulling in the same direction, striving together, which is better than anything else.”

Listening to his wife’s happy voice, Father Lu nodded, “Yes, people need to go through things, otherwise, they remain naive.

You can rest easy now, right? You were just scaring yourself, tossing and turning all night long every few days.”

Mrs. Lu rolled her eyes, “As if I wanted to worry. Wasn’t I just concerned about our eldest and his wife? Otherwise, I’m not crazy to stay awake all night for no reason.”

…

Brother Lu and Jiang Nan stayed for several days until most of the snow on the roads had melted, planning to head back a few days early.

The house had been empty for a while, and the traditional brick bed needed to be heated for three to five days before it could be used; otherwise, it might cause health issues.

“Okay, parents, I got it. Our family will squeeze into the room with beds for now. You two go ahead, it’s too cold outside,” Brother Lu said, carrying a big bundle.

Jiang Nan held the hands of their two daughters, “Xiao Xue, Yu, say goodbye to grandma and grandpa.”

“Grandma, grandpa, goodbye, we’ll wait for you at home.”

The sisters waved cheerily at the four people peering through the window, “Brother, we’ll see you again, we’ll be waiting at home.”

“Sister, goodbye.”

“Xiao Yu, Xiao Xue, goodbye, see you back home.”

As the sisters reluctantly looked back frequently, the family of four vanished behind the firmly closed gate.

Meanwhile, at the county Textile Factory Family Courtyard, Uncle Su, who had received the news the day before, came over early in the morning to start the stove, heating several brick beds.

“Uncle.”

“Ah, you’re back,” Uncle Su, not a man of many words, just nodded his head with a smile upon seeing his nephew and his family.

“Pack up, we’re going to Uncle Su’s for lunch; your elder sister-in-law and Aunt are probably cooking right now.”

“Okay, Uncle, take a seat.”

Brother Lu and Jiang Nan hurried to fetch water to wipe down the heated brick bed. The house had not been lived in for over half a year, and there was a layer of dust everywhere—on the heated bed, on the floor, on the cabinets.

They didn’t rush to clean; the two cleared a spot to store their items and then found a stool to sit by the coal stove to chat while warming up.

By noon, the family of four followed to have lunch at a marinated food courtyard. When they arrived, Aunt and Su Xianyue were just taking the steamed buns out of the pot.

The main room was full of hot steam.

“Huai Ze, Xiao Nan, quickly bring the kids inside to sit down, just in time for the meal.”

“Brother, elder sister-in-law.”

“Cheng Ming, He Hong,”

…

Provincial City

As the New Year approached, every shop at home was bustling with activity. With Lu Xiaomei at the second clothing store, they barely had enough staff.

The first store and its three employees were overwhelmed; Su Su, worried about hiring temporary staff, had to go to the store early and return late every day to help out.

There were still plenty of wealthy people around, and naturally, everyone wanted a complete new outfit for the New Year, so the shop was never short of customers.

Even with four people, they were all incredibly busy.

Although the restaurant was also busy, the waitstaff managed to cope.

Aside from clothes and shoes, the parents-in-law went shopping for the rest of the New Year goods which weren’t available in the county, buying things like candy and dried goods directly locally to save the hassle of transporting them.

Father Lu and Mrs. Lu took their four grandchildren back to the county early, leaving only Su Su and her husband Lu Xiaoting, who temporarily could not leave.

Just the couple themselves, Su Su didn’t feel like doing much, and Lu Xiaoting would pick her up after work; they would eat out every night before heading home.

Especially on the first day, the house was eerily quiet when they returned, and the couple felt extremely unaccustomed.

They usually complained about the kids being noisy, but now it was too silent at home without them.

Su Su wryly smiled, “With your son and daughter not around, the quietness here feels so odd.”

…

All the shops stayed open until the 29th of the last month, Su Su gave every employee a New Year red packet of 15 yuan—though not much, it was a festive gesture.

The employees joyfully took their red packets and the previous month’s salary, quietly touching the envelopes with brighter smiles on their faces.

The shops would all reopen for business on the ninth day after closing on the eighth.

Su Su tidied up the home early and, taking Da Hei, locked up the house to wait at the Police Station for her husband Lu Gong’an to finish work.

After work, the couple boarded the last bus back to the county with Da Hei.

Along the way, to avoid startling passersby, Lu Xiaoting held tightly onto Da Hei, whose eyes darted around.

“Oh my, comrades, why are you bringing a dog on the bus?”

“I’ve never seen someone bring a dog before; I’ve only seen chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep.”

Su Su laughed and said, “There’s no one at home, the dog would starve or freeze to death; might as well bring him back for New Year.”

After that, the couple didn’t pay attention to the stares or whispers from others.