Chapter 309 - 222: The Shocked Zhao Tiehua
Early the next morning, after a quick breakfast, Zhao Wendong and his two brothers went with Zhao Ergou, who had arrived even earlier, to wish their grandparents a Happy New Year.
"Dongzi, you’re here! Happy New Year."
When she saw Zhao Wendong and the others arrive, a warm smile spread across Wang Jinzhi’s face, as if yesterday’s incident had never happened. Zhao Wendong cupped his hands in a gesture of respect toward her.
"Happy New Year, Aunt."
As Zhao Wendong offered his greeting, his brothers followed suit. The four of them entered the west room, where Ye Qingmei and Zhao Chuanhe were already waiting, dressed in new clothes and sitting perfectly straight.
Zhao Wenjun dropped to his knees and respectfully kowtowed three times to his grandparents. He was followed by Zhao Wenwu, Zhao Wendong, and Zhao Ergou. The elderly couple beamed at their four grandsons, overjoyed. They gave each of them a ten-cent piece as lucky money, which all four accepted with smiles.
As they were leaving, Zhao Wendong pulled out five yuan and pressed it into his grandmother Ye Qingmei’s hand.
"Grandma, this is for you and Grandpa. Be sure to keep it safe."
"Our dear grandson, we have money. You’re newly married and have plenty of expenses. You keep it; we don’t need it."
"Heh heh, come on, you little old lady. Just take what you’re given. Besides, this is from all of us, not just me."
"Oh my, it’s so much! Alright, alright. If it’s from my grandsons, then Grandma will tuck it away safely."
Ye Qingmei tucked the money into her pocket with a delighted expression. Zhao Chuanhe stood by, chuckling, his eyes filled with contentment.
Next, they went to wish Granny Liu and Third Master Zhao a Happy New Year. After returning home to do the same for their own parents, Zhao Wendong began waiting for guests to arrive. Since he wasn’t officially married yet and hadn’t gone through the formality of changing how he addressed his in-laws, Zhao Wendong didn’t kowtow to Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu. Instead, he simply bowed. This was also why he hadn’t brought Lin Zhiyin with him on his earlier rounds. Noticing a hint of sadness in Jin Xiuying’s eyes, Lin Zhiyin pulled her by the arm.
"Second Sister-in-law, let’s go out for a walk."
Jin Xiuying nodded, and the two women took Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu for a walk by the sea. Their position was a bit awkward—about to be married but not quite yet. The stream of visitors who had just arrived didn’t know what to call them.
Visitors came in a constant stream, one group after another. Chen Yanmei brought out the cigarettes, candies, and melon seeds Zhao Wendong had bought earlier, along with hawthorn berries, frozen pears, and frozen persimmons to treat all the guests. Children were given candy, elders were offered cigarettes, and the younger crowd ate the frozen hawthorn berries or pears, which served as their fruit.
Granny Liu’s family stayed the longest. Mrs. Baozhu and Zhao Baolian only exchanged a few words upon arrival and were silent for the remainder of their visit. Baozhu, on the other hand, chattered away nonstop with Zhao Wenwu and the others, constantly asking about their trips into the mountains. His every word was filled with anticipation and yearning.
After seeing off several more groups of well-wishers, Zhao Weiguo’s family arrived. They exchanged New Year’s greetings and, from their brief interaction, it was clear Zhao Xiaoyan’s demeanor had changed significantly. Her face was full of smiles, gone was her previous gloomy expression. Her gaze toward Zhao Wendong was open and frank, no longer burdened by the complex emotions of the past.
Seeing that Zhao Baolian was there too, Zhao Xiaoyan hurried over to pull her aside. The two began whispering conspiratorially. It was mostly Zhao Xiaoyan doing the talking, while Zhao Baolian just nodded occasionally. Every now and then, their eyes would simultaneously dart toward Zhao Wendong. It wasn’t hard to guess they were talking about him—perhaps about the jobs he had arranged for them. Since they would soon be heading to the textile factory to work together, they had naturally grown closer.
After a little while, as more and more well-wishers arrived and the house started to overflow, Granny Liu and Zhao Weiguo’s families took their leave. Next to arrive was Zhao Lao Nian’s family. His two children immediately came forward and kowtowed to Zhao Wendong with heavy thuds. Zhao Lao Nian’s wife couldn’t help but wipe away her tears. Without Zhao Wendong’s help, their family would have surely starved to death—and indeed, that is what happened in his previous life. Chen Yanmei and Zhao Dashan watched the scene unfold, their eyes filled with contentment and pride.
Their next-door neighbors, Sister-in-law Wang and Uncle Wang, also arrived, bringing their large family with them. Upon seeing Zhao Wendong, Wang Dali and his two brothers shouted in unison.
"Captain, Happy New Year!"
Their voices were like a clap of thunder, perfectly synchronized. Zhao Wendong smiled. ’Those three must have practiced at home.’ Aunt Wang’s daughter, Wang Xiaoyuan, was also there. Right after he had been reborn, Zhao Wendong had teased Aunt Wang, saying he wanted to marry Wang Xiaoyuan. This had scared her so much that she’d rushed her daughter away, terrified that Zhao Wendong had set his sights on her. Now, just over a month later, things were completely different. Aunt Wang had slapped herself in her dreams countless times, filled with regret. Oh, how wonderful it would have been if she had just agreed back then.
"Sister Xiaoyuan, you’re as beautiful as ever. Sigh, it’s such a shame. My dear Aunt Wang broke us lovebirds apart. Otherwise, we’d definitely be a couple."
Wang Xiaoyuan’s face flushed red. Pursing her lips, she shot Zhao Wendong a look. "It’s not too late. Why don’t you just marry me right now, then?"
Zhao Wendong’s eyes flew wide, and he was left completely speechless.
"Hahaha!"
Seeing Zhao Wendong flustered, everyone burst out laughing. Wang Xiaoyuan laughed along with them, but she couldn’t hide the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. ’After all, what girl wouldn’t be fond of the man Zhao Wendong had become?’
The first day of the Lunar New Year passed in a blur of endless visits. Adults exchanged greetings with cupped hands, while the younger generation kowtowed to their elders. Times were hard for every family, so everyone made their rounds empty-handed; there was simply nothing to bring or give. But the well-wishes were no less sincere. Though their hands were empty, their hearts were full.
That afternoon, aside from catching a few more batches of sparrows, Zhao Wendong spent the rest of his time in a side room, preparing the ingredients and planning the menu for his wedding the day after tomorrow. As the groom, he certainly couldn’t be the one manning the stoves. Since they were using the public canteen, the kitchen staff would be the production team’s usual crew. Liu Xiufen was helping to organize all of it, leaving Zhao Wendong free to focus on other things.