Only a few had been to the Capital City this year.
"The Capital City is vast, but is it particularly cold?"
"Below zero, it starts snowing in October."
It starts snowing in October?
While they are still planting wheat here, it’s already snowing there?
"Is the snow very thick?" Zhao Tianxiang wondered, considering that if it begins to snow in October, the snow must pile up very thickly during the months that follow.
"It is very thick. Next winter when there’s nothing much to do, Dad and Mom can come to the Capital City for a while. In winter, everyone bathes in public bathhouses, and at night everyone sleeps on heated brick beds."
Sleeping on heated brick beds?
"Is there still vegetables in winter?"
With such cold, do vegetables even grow?
"There are vegetables. You start storing them from October—radishes, cabbage, winter melon, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and carrots."
Several children also gathered around Zhao Tianlei and his sons in the courtyard.
After busying themselves for nearly two hours in the kitchen and as darkness fell, they finally prepared a big feast.
One table for the adults, one for the children.
Stewed sea fish, sauerkraut fish, soy sauce duck, Braised Pork Belly with potatoes, chicken stewed with mushrooms, and also vegetarian dishes.
Anyway, this meal was particularly lavish.
Captain Zhao also brought out a batch of liquor.
"Pour a glass for each of the brothers."
Zhao Tianxiang and Zhao Tianhai, both having attended school, though neither had passed middle school, could still recognize a few words on the liquor bottle.
This liquor must have been brought back by Laosan.
"Let’s eat, let’s eat."
Da Shu’s mother had long been eyeing the duck and immediately tried a piece, relishing the exceptionally good taste—it was her first time tasting this flavor, and it was delicious.
"Here’s a toast to wish us a Happy New Year!"
The children ate joyously; Da Bao and Xiao Bao, lacking the speed of their older siblings in snagging dishes, could eat meat almost every day in the Capital City.
"Now that we have electricity, it’s really a lot more convenient."
The family talked about some matters from their team while dining together.
After dinner, seeing that it was getting late, they told them to head back home early instead of staying up for New Year’s Eve, but to come over early the next day to wish the village elders a Happy New Year.
Zhao Tianlei went home with his wife and children. Now that there was electricity, many families had their lights on this New Year’s Eve.
"Wife, should I boil some water?"
Zhao Tianlei went to the kitchen and saw all the pots were thoroughly cleaned, no rust, good firewood ready, and even the water tank was sparkling clean.
Apparently, before he returned home, his mother had thoroughly tidied up the house inside and out.
Xiao Bao shook his head, "Mom, it’s not hot. Mom, Da Shu doesn’t bully us anymore?"
Of course he didn’t dare to bully them anymore.
After dealing with Second Sister-in-law and Da Shu last year, that guy had stopped raising his hand against them.
Now that they provided that guy with food and toys, how could he still be unreasonable?
"Isn’t that good? Now that we have the means, people are eager to please us, but you must not get carried away by their sweet gestures. We need to distinguish between their sincerity and falseness, right?"
Although the children are still young, it’s necessary to teach these lessons.
They washed up and went to bed together.
Though they had a sleeper, it still wasn’t as comfortable as their beds at home.
Seeing his wife had fallen asleep, Zhao Tianlei wasn’t able to sleep so quickly.
Today, his two older brothers wanted to find out what Xiao He and the others were doing in the Capital City.
They too were considering the idea of earning money.