Zhao Tianlei was straightforward, "I’ve secured a pig and each factory worker will get five pounds of meat."
"What about your classmates? Will they also get five pounds of meat as a New Year gift?"
"We’ll switch it up for different New Year gifts, one pound of White Rabbit milk candy and one can of fruit preserves."
Yun Xiaoxiao had no objections.
A pound of White Rabbit milk candy sells for several yuan a pound in the Capital City.
The Lunar New Year was approaching, and they needed to prepare a New Year gift for Elder Wu.
It was a matter of etiquette.
The next day, the couple went their separate ways to get busy.
Yun Xiaoxiao asked Zhao Xinxin to head to the store first while she went to deliver the New Year gift to Elder Wu.
Pastries, tea leaves, a can of milk powder, and a bottle of alcohol.
"Has Miss Yun arrived?" Elder Wu, sitting in the living room reading the newspaper with his glasses on, heard some noise and called out without looking up.
The two little radish heads had still been taught by Yun Xiaoxiao the importance of respecting their teacher deeply.
"Elder Wu, I’ve come to bring the New Year gift."
Elder Wu was ready to say there was no need for such formality, but then he saw the items she brought.
Pastries, tea, milk powder, and fine alcohol—he swallowed his words of refusal.
This girl was always finding ways to bolster his health.
Previously brought items had included medicinal supplements for him to steep and drink.
Those items had been more expensive than tuition fees.
"Elder Wu, tomorrow is the last day, and then we’re heading back to our hometown for the New Year."
"A small county town, but we will return after the Lantern Festival."
Elder Wu knew Yun Xiaoxiao was busy; she herself was a student at Tsing University and had even opened a store.
Of course, he had learned about the store from Xiao Bao.
"Go get busy with your work."
After saying goodbye to the two kids, Yun Xiaoxiao headed to the store, where business was booming because of a promotional event.
It was genuinely thriving.
People specifically knew Yun Xiaoxiao for her eyebrow grooming, and most of the female comrades came to her for this service.
With the Lunar New Year approaching and the prospect of meeting numerous relatives and friends, these women all wanted to make themselves look more outstanding.
"Sister-in-law, take a sip of water."
Yun Xiaoxiao took the water cup and drank before bending her head down to continue working.
Some eyebrows, previously groomed, only needed the stray hairs removed, which was particularly quick.
Because of the crowd, Zhao Xinxin and Yun Xiaoxiao didn’t eat lunch until almost one o’clock.
"Sister-in-law, I’ll give your arms a massage in a bit."
"Tomorrow we’ll close the store and then go for a big shopping spree. The day after, we head home. Third Brother has already purchased the train tickets."
They had bought sleeping berths by purchasing in advance—a total of eight people.
Both kids had berths as well, spread across two sleeper cabins, middle and lower berths.
"Why didn’t Third Brother say anything?"
The plans had moved too quickly.
It was known that Third Brother was especially busy.
Yun Xiaoxiao saw Zhao Xinxin and feared that once back in Zhao Family Village, the villagers might not recognize her anymore.
The change had been significant.
She used to be somewhat darker, but since coming to the Capital City and mostly staying indoors at the store, using facial products had significantly lightened her skin. Her whole demeanor had undergone a profound transformation.
She no longer seemed timid; she had gained confidence.
These past few months, living well with them, she had gained a bit of weight, her complexion had improved, and she looked much healthier. Even her hair, which had become darker, no longer had its previous yellowish tinge.
"I just bought them opportunistically, knowing we all couldn’t get away."
The afternoon crowd was sparser.
Just before closing, they packed all the store’s merchandise into luggage bags. Together, they cleaned up and locked the door, then carried their things back to the Courtyard House.
Zhao Xinxin cooked at home while Yun Xiaoxiao went to pick up Da Bao and Xiao Bao.