Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 397 Sweet and Happy

In those days, wedding pranks weren't common; everyone offered sincere blessings, and any mischievous young people were quickly dealt with.

After all twenty-four tables of cigarettes were lit, the four of them finally arrived at Xiaowei's table. Xia Maosheng helped Geng's parents sit down and said, "This table is full of my buddies. This is Xiaowei, Xiaohong, Chen Hui, Chen Xiao, Lao Wu, and Lao Hou." The six of them quickly stood up to greet Geng's parents. Xia Maosheng sat down and said, "Oh my god, I'm so tired. My legs are numb. Just thinking about having to go through two more rounds tomorrow makes me miserable."

Geng Hui glared at Xia Maosheng, who immediately said, "Happiness, I am happiness, I misspoke." Everyone at the table laughed.

Xiao Wei stood up, walked onto the stage, took the microphone, tested it, and said, "Distinguished guests, dear friends and family, today is the auspicious day of Xia Maosheng and Geng Hui's wedding. Thank you all for coming to offer your blessings to the newlyweds. Next, please welcome the newlyweds to the stage to cut the wedding cake. Let us share their sweetness and wish them a happy and fulfilling life together."

Cream cakes were still a novelty at the time; most people had never eaten them before, let alone seen them served at weddings. Regardless of age, everyone put down their chopsticks and watched with great interest.

Many people cheered, and most people applauded. Xia Maosheng and Geng Hui walked to the edge of the stage and, with the help of Li Wen and a few others, began to cut the cake. Several students put the cut pieces of cake into paper plates and delivered them to each table, giving each person a small piece.

Soon someone nodded in agreement, praising, "Hmm, this cake is delicious. Let's make one for my birthday tomorrow." Unwittingly, this backfired.

It was also the first time Geng's parents had tried this. Geng's father said, "The cake is delicious, but the cream is too sweet." Geng's mother said, "It's delicious, the sweetness isn't cloying."

Geng's father asked Xiaowei, "Your name is Xiaowei? How much would this cake cost?"

Xiao Wei said, "This? If you're selling it, it'll cost around 700 yuan, about 600 or 700."

Mr. Geng's face twitched, and he asked, "Are there many people buying it?" He was definitely reluctant to part with it.

Xiao Wei smiled and said, "It's alright. Not many people are buying it yet. New things always take time to develop. People only have one birthday a year, so you'll get used to it eventually."

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Geng nodded and said, "That's true. It only happens once a year, so it's worth it."

Geng's mother said, "Normally, who would be willing to part with something like this? It's only for children's or elderly people's birthdays that young people might like it."

Xiao Wei said, "Yes, our main customers are young people, or elderly people and children celebrating their birthdays. When we first opened, we often only sold one or two a day, but now it's much better. We sell about ten a day, and it will be even better in the future. People are gradually becoming wealthier."

Mr. Geng nodded and said, "That's true. Life is indeed getting better year by year. Back then, no one could have imagined life like this. We were lucky if we could even have enough to eat. Your generation is really lucky."

Xia Maosheng said, "Mom and Dad, you're not old at all. You're in your prime. Just wait to enjoy your retirement. Our lives will definitely get better and better."

Geng's mother looked at her daughter and then at her son-in-law, and said with a smile, "Mom also believes that you can live a good life. From now on, Xiaohui will be in your care. As long as you two are doing well, everything will be fine."

Xia Maosheng said, "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, I promise to make sure Xiaohui lives a good life. You can just enjoy yourselves from now on. I'll also take care of Xiaoliang from now on. Leave everything to me."

Geng's mother said, "If you have this kind of heart, your parents will be satisfied. It's better for you and Xiaohui to live a good life. You don't need to worry about Xiaoliang. Your father and I are not old and can still manage."

Xiao Wei asked, "Uncle Geng and Aunt Geng, where do you work?"

Mr. Geng said, "There are no jobs left. A couple of years ago, the company did a blanket buyout, and basically all of us over 45, regardless of gender, were laid off to make room for younger people."

In the 90s, buying out seniority was a common practice in many state-owned enterprises, mainly to reduce staff at a relatively low cost. Employees who had their seniority bought out would not receive a salary until they turned sixty, when they would be considered for retirement. But what was the actual situation at that time? I've never heard of any of those who had their seniority bought out receiving a retirement pension at sixty.

Some large organizations are more voluntary, and whether or not to buy out is up to the individual. However, many small and medium-sized organizations are completely bought out, regardless of the individual's thoughts or willingness; they are simply named and forced to complete the process.

It wasn't until the early 00s that the practice of buying out seniority was gradually stopped. However, by then, whether it was stopped or not was no longer of much significance, as most small and medium-sized enterprises were already struggling to survive.

After the wine was finished and the cups were empty, the people who came to give gifts, having eaten and drunk their fill, took their leave. In Northeast China, when giving gifts for important matters, this meal is all that's needed; there are no other arrangements.

The trainees started cleaning up. Leftovers were folded into basins, and plates, bowls, cups, and saucers were also collected into large basins. They swept the floor and wiped the tables. With many hands making light work, the room was quickly tidied up. Then everyone started their own meal, setting up four tables. Xiaowei and the others didn't need to worry about that. A few people led Geng's parents to the courtyard.

"Is this yard yours too?" Geng's mother asked Xia Maosheng from inside the car, looking at the yard gate.

Xia Maosheng said, "Yes, we run the food factory in this training school. Xiaowei's family lives in this courtyard. Xiaohui and I both have rooms here. Xiaohui and I will be staying here for the next few days. If you're not in a hurry to go back, you can stay here for a few days. There are rooms available."

The gate slowly opened, and the car drove into the yard and parked next to the garage. Several people got out of the car, and Aunt Geng looked around and said, "It's quite big. The whole yard smells like cake. It smells really nice."

Xiao Wei pointed to the old building and said, "That building over there is a food factory. They make cakes, bread, and biscuits there. I'll get you some to try later."

Xiaowei's mom walked over carrying Xiaohu and said, "Is that all done? That was pretty quick."

Xiao Wei introduced them, saying, "Mom, these are Mao Sheng's parents-in-law, Uncle Geng and Aunt Geng, and this is my mom." Uncle Geng and Aunt Geng greeted Xiao Wei's mom with smiles, and Xiao Wei's mom said, "You must be tired after all this commotion? Come inside, sit down, have some water, and rest."

Xiao Hong and Chen Xiao went over to chat with Xiao Hu and Xiao Wei's mother. Geng Hui and Xia Maosheng accompanied Geng's parents to look around the new house. Then, the group came out and sat down in the living room to talk. Xiao Wei made tea for everyone.

After resting for a while, Xia Maosheng and Geng Hui accompanied the elderly couple on a tour of the factory. They tasted some bread and biscuits, and the couple seemed particularly happy.

In the end, Mr. and Mrs. Geng didn't stay either. They had a young son at home, so the elderly couple didn't need to be seen off and took a bus back to Chuanzhou on their own. They were a very simple and honest old couple.

As Xiaowei got on the bus, he saw tears glistening in Geng's father's eyes.

(End of this chapter)