Chapter 751: Mid-Autumn Festival Plan_1 Chapter 751: Mid-Autumn Festival Plan_1 “Not giving them time off.”
Old Xu decisively waved his hand, “They followed me out here, few live near their homes, all aiming to make money.”
“The Mid-Autumn Festival is the perfect time to rush work, we can’t just give a two or three-day break, right? When winter comes, and we can’t work, that’s when the holidays get longer! Now the weather is just right, and it’s about working more to make more money to be happy.”
After finishing, he laughed again, “But since you’re so generous with the festival gifts, I can’t refuse–don’t bother delivering them separately, just bring them straight to the kitchen. At worst, I’ll sweet-talk Master Qian tomorrow to cook us a feast!”
Take meat, for instance, instead of stewing it with potatoes, cabbage, and green beans, just go for a big pot of braised meat and really enjoy ourselves!
Old Xu had thought it all through quite thoroughly, “You buy some meat and fruit, and I’ll grab some booze tomorrow. We can just knock off work a little earlier in the evening!”
He felt a bit embarrassed, “It’s just that Master Qian will be troubled…”
“Not a problem!” Master Qian nowadays is always holding a cup of tea and enjoying himself, Song Tan knew his character well:
“I’ll have him prepare the braised meat, marinated dishes, and cold dishes in advance so he and Auntie Xiaofeng can knock off at six o’clock.”
“You guys knock off work early, and he knocks off early too.”
This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival seemed even more exciting to Wu Lan and Song Sancheng than in previous years, bustling with many preparations.
Song Tan needed only to think briefly to understand–previously, with her away and Qiaoqiao the way she was, life for the old couple was destined to be hard in the village environment.
With relatives living better lives, feeling a bit uneasy during the festival was normal.
But now, setting aside how much money was made for the moment, the house was in debt. Yet one only needed to see Qiaoqiao’s current joyous demeanor…
Song Tan smiled, then asked, “Mom, since grandma and grandpa aren’t keen to return, why don’t we invite uncle and auntie over to our place for the Mid-Autumn Festival this year?”
“Dad, is big aunt coming back tomorrow? Let’s all come to our place for a meal!”
Then turned to ask Yanping, “Brother Yanping, could you ask if big auntie wants to join us for a meal tomorrow?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Wu Lan quickly nodded her head, “You all know how our meals are, and the sauce has just been made too. We can let them take a few bottles when they leave.”
She looked at Zhang Yanping with anticipation and glanced at Wu Lei.
Wu Lei hesitated, “My mom might want to go to my grandma’s, I’ll ask…”
“Sure!” Wu Lan wasn’t insistent, “If your mom wants to go to your grandma’s, you get the day off tomorrow too. Go back and spend some time with the elderly.”
Wu Lei grunted reluctantly.
Their house didn’t have nearly as much good food… He didn’t really want a day off… especially since it meant no work tomorrow.
Plus, he was bound to get an earful from his mom if he went back.
However, Zhang Yanping started to smile, “My mom probably won’t come. The holidays are prime time for selling gift boxes, she’s got a lot of fruit baskets in stock, and if she’s going to have a meal, it will probably be in the evening.”
“No problem, the evening it is.”
Song Sancheng also pondered, “Damei will definitely come over at noon.”
Why? Simply because the supermarket had discount meat and vegetables in the evening, and they’d hate to miss out.
Wu Lan gave him a look, “You tell Damei, we’ve got plenty of veggies in our garden too. It’s not as varied as the supermarket, but we’ve got green beans, chili peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, and water spinach. She can just bring a few extra bags over.”
Song Tan couldn’t help but laugh–good lord, that was a sure way to keep big aunt around for both lunch and dinner!
It was Seventh Uncle and Master Qian who really put in the effort these past days. Song Tan thought that one should still shine and be of use in her home for a few more years.
The other’s apprentice was about to start shining and being of use in her home for quite a few years to come.
So she too was extra generous, “Seventh Uncle, Master Wang, you’ve worked hard. The festival gift isn’t much, but how about a pound of white fungus each?”
Wang Xiaoshun instantly became happy, “Great, I’ll talk to my master later!”
The holidays were the busiest times for their hotel, and they were all used to being busy during the festive season. But now, Boss Xiaosong was being so generous…
He chuckled to himself, thinking that he must tell his senior brother to put on a good performance!
The perilla sauce was also ready, so what should they do next? The autumn chili peppers in the field were a bright red patchwork. Perhaps he and his master should make more oil splash chili sauce or slice some chili paste?
Song Sancheng was a bit hesitant, though, “Should we still invite Big Brother?”
Oh, boy! Wu Lan’s eyebrows shot up, “Do you want to invite him?”
Song Sancheng waved his hands repeatedly, “I’m just worried that if the old man sees everyone having a good time, he’ll feel out of sorts!”
“It’s fine,” Song Tan took out her cellphone, “I’ve asked Zhao Fangyuan to draw up the blueprint for Grandpa’s house. Tomorrow will be a good time to get my eldest aunt to have a look at it.”
With a new house on the way, who would still care about that one son?
In any case, it seemed like everyone in the family started cheering up.
Then Song Tan asked caringly, “Xin Jun, do you want to take a few days off to go home and visit?”
Xin Jun stretched out his hand in a “back off” gesture, “I am one of this family! No need for a vacation!”
With his weak constitution, he had just gotten stronger from a period of moxibustion and nourishment; he couldn’t handle a trip!
Song Tan: …What’s going on? How come nobody wants to take time off from work?
She looked over at Professor Song.
Professor Song thought it over, “Taking a break is actually okay, the seedlings on the mountain are not yet too large for the next week, there’s no need for fertilizing or pest control… Since that’s the case, let’s go back and stay for a few days.”
“Especially Xiaoqi, his home is far away, and it would take a lot of time on the road, he might come back later.”
“Professor Song, you’re always in charge at my house, I was just asking. If you’re leaving tomorrow, I’ll pack some things for you to take back.”
“These past few months have indeed been tough.”
“No rush, no rush.” Yan Ran was the most considerate and took out his cellphone first, “Let’s see if there are any tickets.”
Professor Song: …Right. They’ve been in the mountains for too long, almost out of touch with society. The first thing they should have thought about for the holiday was grabbing tickets!
Looking back at his phone: “Forget it, don’t bother, there are no tickets. We’ll wait for a while longer.”
“Okay,” Song Tan said with a smile, “Actually, you don’t have to be in a hurry. In a month or two, the dormitory on the mountain will be finished. By then, you’ll each have a room to yourselves, just in time for a rest at home before bringing family members over for a visit.”
As for how to entertain the family members when they arrived, and how to account for food and drinks… she’d have to discuss it with her family later.
But for now, Professor Song and the others were surprised, “They’re already going to be built?”
Song Tan nodded, “We’re buying ready-made furniture, so it will be built quickly.”
As long as they ventilate well when painting the walls, it would be safe to move in.
“By November at the latest, you should be able to move in.”
In this area, there was still Indian summer in October–actually, spring and autumn were quite short; before one could adjust, it would be winter already.
Professor Song calculated the time and felt that November was just perfect!
For a moment, the courtyard was filled with happiness.
In the sky above, the bright moon hung high, as beautiful as a mirror.