As the New Year approached, because the Zhou parents had passed away early, and since this was also Si Nian's first year back home, the Lin Family planned to invite their daughter and son-in-law to come home for the New Year celebration.
Lin Xiao, who had already gotten his driver's license, went to the pig farm early in the morning.
Originally, he thought it would be better to discuss this matter with his sister, but his mother said that since her husband, Zhou Yueshen, was the head of the household, it wouldn't be right to keep bypassing him and only talking to their daughter about everything.
It also wouldn't sound good if word got out.
Although Zhou Yueshen had lost both parents, so coming to his in-laws' home for the New Year wasn't a big deal.
Still, his opinion had to be considered.
So, Lin Xiao came to deliver goods in the morning and took the opportunity to mention this matter to Zhou Yueshen.
He was actually very grateful to Zhou Yueshen. If it weren't for him, he'd probably still be doing hard labor in town, and wouldn't have such an easy job, just delivering goods every day.
Even though he was his brother-in-law, in front of Zhou Yueshen, Lin Xiao always felt he had an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger, making people involuntarily want to listen to him.
The people working under him were also very harmonious, nothing like the construction site he used to work at, where people would backstab each other to snatch jobs.
When he first saw Zhou Yueshen, Lin Xiao had been a bit worried about his sister.
After all, when Zhou Yueshen had a stern face, even he, a six-foot-tall man, found it intimidating.
However, after getting to know him, he realized that Boss Zhou just looked that way.
In reality, he was easier to get along with than anyone.
And he was good to his sister too.
He felt his mother's worries were completely unnecessary.
After finishing telling Zhou Yueshen about this, he added, "My mom said that since Nian Nian just came back this year and hasn't spent much time with the family, having a good New Year together would be a chance to get to know each other better."
Zhou Yueshen sat to the side, silent for a moment.
In previous years, they had always spent New Year's at home. Although it was the holiday, he was usually still busy.
He really hadn't considered this issue before.
The house had always been very quiet in previous years.
At most, he would just have dinner with the kids and then go back to work.
There was no anticipation or excitement.
But this year, for some reason, his state of mind was different.
He actually felt some anticipation too.
The three little ones also liked the Lin Family.
This year, with a mother as well, they would definitely be happier than in previous years.
What Si Nian had changed wasn't just the children's state of mind.
But his as well.
Thinking of this, Zhou Yueshen nodded without hesitation and said okay.
Speaking of which, if they were going to his in-laws' for New Year's, he should prepare more things to bring.
After all, this was also his first time spending New Year's at his in-laws' house.
Seeing him nod, Lin Xiao was also happy.
"That's great, we can finally have a good New Year this year."
Previous years weren't bad, but the family had sacrificed everything to put Lin Sisi through school, even skimping on meat during the New Year feast.
He couldn't even go home for New Year's, having to work outside, just because the pay was double the usual rate during that time.
Lin Xiao hadn't had a proper New Year for a long time either.
Since Nian Nian returned home, the family's situation had improved a lot.
The three thousand yuan was recovered, so they no longer had to struggle for that money.
He himself had a stable job and, with his brother-in-law's help, got his truck driver's license.
His mother and wife also earned a decent income every day from making some snacks.
The situation was getting better and better.
His mother said that if things continued like this, they could send his two younger brothers to university in the future.
Lin Xiao's face was filled with anticipation for life.
Zhou Yueshen glanced at him.
Then withdrew his gaze.
It seemed Si Nian had influenced more than just their own family.
"Going to Grandma's house for New Year's? Really?"
"Going to Grandma's house for New Year's, does that mean we'll get lucky money? Lots and lots of lucky money?"
Hearing from Dad that they were going to Grandma's house for New Year's this year, Little Laoer (Zhou Zehan) was instantly excited.
Every year when school started again, classmates would always brag about how much lucky money their grandparents, grandpas and grandmas gave them.
He heard it and was extremely envious.
He had no grandparents, and no grandpas or grandmas either.
Only Dad would give him lucky money.
But this year was different.
This year he had a mom and dad, and a grandma and grandpa.
And a big uncle and big aunt.
Grandma and grandpa were so nice, and big uncle and big aunt adored them too.
He really wanted to spend New Year's with them.
Zhou Yueshen nodded slightly, patted his son's head and said, "Behave over there, help Grandma and Grandpa with chores, don't roughhouse, understand?"
Zhou Zehan nodded his little head so hard it nearly fell off, saying, "Dad, I understand."
Si Nian looked at the excited Little Laoer, then turned to Zhou Yueshen, "Won't it interfere with your work?"
Zhou Yueshen was a man who worked three hundred and sixty-five days a year.
Going to her parents' home and back wasn't convenient either.
Zhou Yueshen said, "It's fine, everything's arranged."
This year he had hired quite a few more people, so he wasn't as busy as in previous years.
"When the time comes, you pack up, bring a couple of changes of clothes. I'll come pick you up after I finish work."
"Then I'll go buy some things in advance."
Si Nian tapped her head and said. After all, it was going back to her own parents' home for New Year's, they definitely needed to buy some gifts.
Zhou Yueshen nodded slightly and said okay.
...
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Si Nian and the two little ones brought out the things she had bought in advance: some fruit candies, fruit, firecrackers, clothes...
"Mom, this is the gift I bought for Little Yu and Little Feng, my little uncles." Zhou Zehan took out his toy gun and said.
Si Nian immediately smiled, "Your little uncles will definitely be happy."
Zhou Zedong also stepped forward, looking serious, "Mom, I also prepared gifts for my little uncles."
Si Nian looked over and saw him rummaging in his schoolbag, pulling out two winter vacation homework books.
Si Nian: "...."
Zhou Yueshen's car pulled up.
Zhou Yueshen, who had just returned from somewhere, had also gotten a haircut and shaved his beard clean.
He didn't look like someone who worked hard every day at all.
Si Nian raised an eyebrow. How did this man maintain this condition? She was impressed.
If she stayed up like that every day, she would have died from exhaustion long ago.
People in novels really were made of iron, after all.
Zhou Yueshen noticed her gaze, which seemed to hold some admiration.
He couldn't help but pause, standing a bit straighter.
Yu Dong said women liked men who were well-groomed, it gave them face when taken out.
So today, after delivering goods, when he saw a barbershop, he deliberately got a different hairstyle than usual.
Looking at Si Nian staring at him, Zhou Yueshen thought.
Yu Dong might not be great at other things, but what he said was really on point.
Did even she think he looked different today?
Zhou Yueshen stepped forward, stopping in front of Si Nian, and said, "Nian Nian, I got a haircut today."
