BTTS 365

Chapter 365. Relatives

This was their first New Year's Eve dinner in the capital.

TV dramas were being played on TV. At this time, there was no Spring Festival Gala. It seems that the Spring Festival Gala will not happen until 1983.

It was only 1981.

Although there was no Spring Festival Gala, the dinner table was still exceptionally bountiful. The whole table was filled with dishes.

In addition to meat and vegetable dishes, there were also soft drinks, Da Bai's pear soda and Asian sodas. These were particularly popular drinks nowadays. It was also pricey.

When Lin Qing He and Zhou Qing Bai brought the children over, they bought it on the way.

Zhou Xiao Mei's family, Lin Qing He's family, granddaughter Zhou Er Ni, as well as old Wang, who was brought over by Father Zhou from Bei University.

How can they possibly leave old Wang out on a celebration like New Year’s Eve dinner?

Therefore, the whole family gathered to eat this piping hot New Year's Eve dinner.

The whole country was unified, regardless of whether they were in harmony or not. Everyone will sit down and eat New Year's Eve dinner together.

Let alone Lin Qing He and Zhou Xiao Mei who had a good relationship.

"Er Ni, you made a call today. Did your mother say anything?" Zhou Xiao Mei asked at the dinner table.

Zhou Er Ni called home today. She called the village branch secretary's house and they got her mother to answer.

"Everything is okay. They said hi to Grandfather." Zhou Er Ni smilingly assured.

Lin Qing He smiled, "How's the harvest at home this year?"

"I heard my mother mentioned a bit. She said this year's harvest is excellent and the village has a good harvest." Zhou Er Ni nodded.

"Now that it's their own, everyone got to work hard. Want to mess around like before, don't think about it." Mother Zhou said.

Mother Zhou had some minor bad habits, but when she was still working in the production, she was definitely diligent. She disliked seeing some people being lazy.

They rushed forward when there was something to eat, but dragged their feet when it came to working. Now it was like this. With the household contract system, everyone was responsible for their own land. No longer group work. If they don't do it, what will they eat? But there was no such thing as a pie falling from the sky.

After paying the sufficient amount to the country, the rest was their own. Everyone will definitely do it with gusto.

Mother Zhou felt that this new policy was good. Like extremely great.

Father Zhou, old Wang, Su Da Lin, and Zhou Qing Bai were eating and drinking. Mother Zhou continued to say, "I wonder how old Third's family is doing."

"Third Brother's business is in the county town. They certainly won't do too bad." Zhou Xiaomei said.

She felt that with her third brother and third sister-in-law's hardworking temperament, it certainly won't be bad. After all, if they managed it well, this business would be very profitable.

"For now your third brother and third sister-in-law are living at your place, but they have to go out and find a place for themselves later." Mother Zhou stated.

After all, it belonged to Son-in-law's family. Since they hadn't returned yet, it was still okay for them to stay temporarily. If they stay for a long time, it won't do.

"What's the hurry? Let Third Brother live there. We probably don't have time to go back in this short period of time." Zhou Xiao Mei didn't mind.

Their keys were left to Da Lin's uncle. Third Brother went over there to take it.

Lin Qing He didn't say anything about this topic. She listened to Zhou Xiao Mei saying: "Mother, you ask about Eldest Brother and Third Brother, but you haven't asked the second brother yet."

Mother Zhou didn't get angry. She responded: "Why would I ask about your second brother? Your second sister-in-law got her own big idea. I can't be bothered to care."

In fact, she had no problem with her daughters-in-law having their own idea. Fourth's wife always had her own ideas. But to have big ideas, one got to have that ability.

If one didn't have the ability and got big ideas, then wasn't it messing around?

Of course, it was said like this. Second's wife hadn't mess around.

But since they were older and didn't want her to say anything, then she won't.

Especially after Liu Ni was sent back last time. Beside greeting her, Second Sister-in-law had been cold to her since then.

Thinking that she(Mother Z) won't know, she(2Sis-in-law) often told people that she(Mother Z) was biased. 

"My mother said during the off-peak time next year, our family might build a brick house." Zhou Er Ni smilingly mentioned.

"That's great." Lin Qing He nodded after hearing this.

At the old Zhou’s side, having Second Sister-in-law present was very annoying. According to the words of Third Sister-in-law, if one got something good to eat, they have to hide and eat it. If not, one will hear displeasing words when they didn't share.

For example, 'Our family is poor. We can't compare to others. Can't afford to eat pure white mantou and dumplings.

Third Sister-in-law was sick of it. Lin Qing He estimated that this reason partly contributed to Third Brother's courage to start a business in the city.

They really didn't want to live under one roof anymore.

"With your monthly salary sent back and they themselves got their own income, Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law can afford to build a new house since all of you are hardworking." Zhou Xiao Mei also nodded.

"It would cost a lot of money to build a new house," Mother Zhou commented.

"I will raise the salary next year. I will give 40 yuan a month. Er Ni is frugal. Except for some school supplies, the rest of the money will be sent home. There is also Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law. Don't worry too much." Lin Qing He spoke.

How could Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law not save some money? There was also Zhou Er Ni’s salary. Even when they have to raise their eldest son, Zhou Yang and fund his study, the pressure wasn't too heavy. His college entrance examination will be next year. Once he attends university, he'll receive an allowance.

"How much does it cost to build a house?" Zhou Xiao Mei asked.

"For a brick house, it would cost seven or eight hundred yuan." Mother Zhou replied.

Of course, on the premise that it wasn't extremely big. If it was a little bigger, the minimum was one thousand.

"If Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law are short at the time, they will say it. If it is possible, I will lend some to them to ease the emergency." Lin Qing He said.

Mother Zhou hurriedly said: "Forget it. The family has been split up. Each goes on their own ways. How much money one has, is how many things they can do. If one borrows, the others will follow."

"Third Sister-in-law and Third Brother went to the city. They won't borrow money from me in the future." Lin Qing He said with a smile.

"It was still borrowed. Without the money you left at Eldest's, where did he get the money to buy a shop in the city to do business." Mother Zhou pointed out.

She was extremely satisfied with Fourth's wife. Extraordinarily open-minded.

Lin Qing He smiled.

Then the topic changed, turning toward Third Brother Lin's direction.

Mother Zhou had a particularly good impression of Third Brother Lin: "Da Wa's uncle will definitely do well in the future. He is kind. Everyone in and outside the village likes to deal with him."

Lin Qing He grinned when Third Brother Lin was mentioned. Her brother was indeed not the type who would argue with others. Always jollily toward everyone.

Moreover, he got a kind personality. She did favor this younger brother.

Naturally, she couldn't bear to watch him use his two legs to ride a bicycle for a lifetime.

Buying a motorcycle was the best solution.

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