Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 170 Returning to Fengtian (Monthly Ticket Bonus)

Xiao Hui blushed and awkwardly turned to walk behind Xia Maosheng. Aunt Wang glared at Uncle Wang.

Xiao Hong said, "Dad, what business is it of yours to tell other people what to do?"

Xiao Wei said, "It's okay. I wanted to yell at him the day he arrived."

Chen Hui said from behind Xia Maosheng, "I'm not a child who doesn't understand. Do you think I can't tell that my uncle is good to me? I'm just a little embarrassed. Uncle Wang, you don't know, this is my first time here. I used to spend winters in Fengtian, and I didn't know it was this cold here. Let Xiaowei tell you, I was wearing quite a lot of clothes in Fengtian."

Winters in Fengtian in 1990 weren't considered too cold; daytime temperatures were generally below -10°C, rarely even reaching -20°C. For people in Northeast China, this was a truly mild winter. Now it's even warmer, with daytime temperatures rarely dropping below -10°C. The heat-collecting effect of big cities is no joke.

Xiao Wei said, "It's not much. It's better to dress warmly in winter, otherwise you'll suffer when you get old."

Mr. Zhang glanced at his watch and said, "Do you think we're even going to eat dinner tonight?"

Uncle Wang said, "Didn't we just finish eating? It's only been a short while, are you hungry already?"

Mr. Zhang said, "No, that's not it. It's just that it's only 5:30. Won't these kids be hungry by 8 or 9 o'clock?"

Chen Hui said, "It's okay, Uncle. I'll have someone stay at the cafeteria later. They can come down to eat when they get hungry."

Mr. Zhang said, "That would be too much trouble for them. They have families too. Just see if they have any steamed buns or something, and we can get them some. They can eat a few bites if they get hungry later."

Xia Maosheng said, "It's alright, no need to keep anyone here. Xiaowei and I will cook for you when you want to eat. As long as there's food, that's fine."

Uncle Wang said, "Now that we've opened a restaurant, it's all out of the way when we eat. It's not easy doing anything."

Xiao Wei said, "That's right. There's no time to eat during mealtimes, so you have to eat beforehand. They get home from get off work around 7 or 8 pm and still have to eat another meal, otherwise no one could stand it."

Uncle Wang nodded and said, "That's alright, otherwise their bodies wouldn't be able to handle it. In that case, their whole family would have to eat dinner around 7 or 8 pm. The adults could manage, but what about the children?"

Xia Maosheng said, "Once you get used to it, everything becomes the same. Once something becomes a habit, it becomes normal."

After talking for a while and warming up, everyone went upstairs to their rooms.

The older folks sat drinking tea and chatting, while the younger ones gathered to play cards; it was quite lively.

Around 8 o'clock, Chen Hui was indeed hungry, followed closely by Xiao Hong, then Aunt Wang, Xia Maosheng, and Xiao Wei. They went downstairs with Chen Hui to get food. The canteen staff had prepared some things for them before leaving for the day. There were steamed buns on hand, which they steamed and heated up. They also cooked two side dishes and made a pot of soup. The group ate a meal together, but they were too tired to play cards or talk when they went back upstairs. They all went back to their rooms to sleep.

People in those days went to bed early, usually around 9 or 10 o'clock, and very few stayed up late.

The next morning, everyone got up, washed up, went downstairs for breakfast, and then packed up and headed to the train station. This time, Chen Hui couldn't drive, so a driver from the power company came and took everyone to the train station.

Entering the station, waiting for the train, having my ticket checked, boarding the train, and clattering and rattling all the way back to Fengtian.

Upon arriving in Fengtian, the three old men bought tickets and went straight back to Beixi, without even visiting Xiaowei and Xiaohong's home.

The four younger children helped the three older children onto the train again before leaving the station and going home.

Xiaowei and Xia Maosheng have another task upon returning this time: passing the graduation exam for the chef training course at the Cultural Palace. They need to get their certificates.

The next morning, the three of them got up, washed up, and went downstairs for breakfast.

The breakfast stalls downstairs are still as lively as ever, and it's still the same few stalls, nothing has changed.

Xiao Hong ate steamed buns and drank porridge, Xiao Wei ordered fried dough sticks and soy milk, and Xia Maosheng finally got to eat his favorite, dried shrimp wontons, while eating and muttering, "This is still the best flavor, so fresh. This is the real flavor. It's so delicious, so fresh." This made the people eating breakfast next to him stare at him a few times, and Xiao Wei quietly moved to the side to create some distance.

"Huh? You guys are back? When did you come back? Where's Chen Hui'er?" Chen Xiao walked in carrying a small red bag. "I recognized the three of you as soon as I passed by outside. Where's Chen Hui'er?"

Xiao Hong said, "You're not up yet. Have you eaten?"

Chen Xiao said, "I just finished eating at the place next door. Xiao Wei, are you done in Longcheng? Xia Maosheng."

Xiao Wei shook his head. Xia Maosheng said, "He'll come back for the exam, and then go down in two days."

Chen Xiao sat down next to Xiao Hong and asked, "So Xiao Wei has to go every other day too?"

Xiao Wei said, "Yeah, I'll probably have to spend most of my time in Longcheng from now on."

Chen Xiao asked Xiao Hong, "And what about you?"

Xiao Hong said, "I'm here, I have to go to school."

Chen Xiao said, "No, I was asking if you also have to go there when you're off work, on Sundays or holidays?"

Xiao Hong glanced at Xiao Wei and said, "I don't know, let's see. How can we decide on this?"

Xiao Wei stuffed the last piece of fried dough stick into his mouth, took a sip of soy milk, reached for a napkin to wipe his mouth, and said, "Try to come back. It's too much of a hassle to travel back and forth. Besides, you only have one day off, which isn't even enough for the travel expenses. What's the point of all this trouble?"

The two-day weekend system was implemented starting May 1, 1995. At that time, factories, schools, and private companies all had only one day off per week. And to be honest, it was quite chaotic to go out and take public transportation back then. Stations and trains were chaotic places where all sorts of criminals gathered, so it was quite unsafe for a girl to go out alone.

Chen Xiao said to Xiao Hong, "Your Xiao Wei is so good to you. How about we hang out together on Sundays from now on? I get bored staying here all the time."

Xiao Hong said, "Isn't Chen Hui going to keep you company?"

Chen Xiao pouted and said, "When we're together, I always have to give in to him and take care of him. He always seems like he'll never grow up. It's so frustrating."

Xiao Hong laughed and said, "Come on, you're so pretty all day. Besides, Chen Hui is just innocent. Isn't it good that he's innocent? He doesn't have any tricks up his sleeve."

Chen Xiao nodded and said, "That's true. His family is strict, which isn't a problem, but they're too strict. As a result, he's like a child who never grows up and only thinks about playing all day. Xiao Wei, what did Uncle Chen say in the end?"

Xiao Wei said, "Okay, but it might be too late now. I'll have to go after the New Year. By the way, you should be prepared that you might have to go and watch the shop later."

Chen Xiao leaned against Xiao Hong and said, "What kind of fate do I have? How did I end up running this shop? I have to watch my brother's shop, and now I have to watch this one too. Do I look like a door god?"

Xiao Hong said, "You're just being cheeky. You're dreaming. Once Chen Hui's shop opens, you'll be the boss's wife. How is that the same as running your brother's shop? Besides, running a shop isn't the same thing. On Sanhao Street, you sell goods, but here you're in charge of collecting money and managing dozens of people."

Chen Xiao was taken aback: "Huh? A restaurant needs dozens of people? Do you really need that many?"

Xiao Hong glanced at Xiao Wei and said, "The investment will probably be several hundred thousand. It would take dozens of people to manage this."

(End of this chapter)