Chapter 65 New Year's Visit

  New Year's Eve

  A family of four, although there was a brief unhappiness at first, it quickly passed. By the evening, they had dinner together, set off firecrackers, and watched the Spring Festival Gala. Old Zhao Jincai continued to criticize as usual, saying that either Zhao Benshan's acting was too fake or Feng Gong's hosting was bad, or there were too many song and dance performances, picking faults from start to finish.

  Zhao Zhiqiang didn't look back and returned to the house he shared with his brother, starting to design a simple construction plan for the new village. Later, Zhao Zhigang also couldn't stand their old dad's nagging, went back to the house to see his older brother designing, helping him draw...

  On New Year's Eve, the Zhao brothers stayed up all night.

  The second day of the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year's Day One.

  Zhao Jinfai is a single household with only two sisters, and the elderly are no longer there. Therefore, when visiting relatives during the New Year, they often go to Huaxue Mei's maternal grandmother's house where there are more relatives.

  "Don't go!"

  Zhao Jincai's voice was firm and decisive as he said, "You can go if you want, I'm not going."

  Hua Xue Mei and her two sons stared at each other in dismay.

  Zhao Zhiqiang shook his head, Dad must have something on his mind.

  The distance is not too far, and the four uncles' house that moved with Grandpa Zhao Zhiqiang back then, the second aunt's house, the third aunt's house, the second uncle's house, the third aunt's house, and the old aunt's house. After visiting six relatives, it was almost noon. Very politely, they didn't eat at the old aunt's house, and the two brothers drove back home. For the past three years, only Xiaogang had been walking alone. This time, he finally paid off the debt to others and even lent money to his cousin from the third aunt's family to buy a house. He was able to help others now, plus the gift that Zhao Zhiqiang sent earlier, each family praised the two brothers, saying that Zhao Zhiqiang had become capable and could make money. It was said that he was also running for village director, which made them look at him in a different light.

  In their eyes, Zhao Zhiqiang was no longer that naughty and fight-prone kid!

  Back home, old mother had already prepared dinner, wrapped dumplings, Zhao Zhi just wanted to go out and set off firecrackers, but was stopped by Zhao Zhiqiang.

  "Xiao Gang, firecrackers are too domineering these days, I'll go instead. You're going to be a senior next year, don't do this kind of thing again." Zhao Zhiqiang took the firecracker out of the door, went downstairs, and set it up in the empty space outside the community. After lighting a cigarette, he lit the firework and watched as the fireworks burst continuously in the sky, his thoughts fluttering with them.

  Dad has been living under too much pressure in recent years, I didn't understand before.

  I understand now...

  In the afternoon, the two brothers discussed and entangled their parents in a game of cards for an entire afternoon. Their father's mood seemed to have improved somewhat.

  On the second day of Chinese New Year, Zhao Zhiqiang still couldn't persuade his father to go pay respects to the elderly in the village, so he had no choice but to take his younger brother and drive back to Guomu Gou Village to visit the elderly and those older than him. This is a tradition in Linzhou: on Chinese New Year's Day, people stay at home with their families; on the second day, they go out in a line to pay respects to others, with young and old alike going out of their homes, younger ones paying respects to the older ones, and those who meet on the road greeting each other from afar.

  "Zhao Zhiqiang, when did you move to town?" Wu Bing was surprised. He had gone to Zhao Zhiqiang's house early in the second semester, but found that except for the couplets and red envelopes, there was no one else. Just as he was about to call to ask, he saw his own Passat, which had been sold at a high price, come back.

  "Oh, no move. This house is not suitable for my mother's physical condition, so we borrowed a house in the city to live in first, and after the development plan, we will still move back here, haha."

  "It's also good. How are your aunt and uncle doing for the new year? We were thinking of giving you a call to wish them a happy new year, it's been half a year since we last saw your uncle, you go first and I'll follow, let me know where..."

  At this time, Tang Huan and Liu Yishui had finished visiting all the villages and shouted together to get on the car and go down the mountain to pay New Year's greetings to Zhao Jinfu.

  Zhao Zhiqiang said that the local young people generally opened various bread, motorcycles and other vehicles to speed down the mountain. He went door-to-door in a circle, but didn't go to Miao Cuihua's house. When he saw Wang Zhu, he even greeted her and asked how she was doing, but when he saw her, he completely ignored her.

  Zhao Zhiqiang came out of Guomu Gou and passed by Zhangjiayuan Village on the halfway up the mountain, went to Zhang Weifa's home.

  Three years ago, he wouldn't have gone to the village branch secretary's home even if you killed him. That's what Dad calls dignity. But now he doesn't think that way anymore. People can't live in this world without social relationships and human feelings. If you don't handle these relationships well, where will your human feelings be?

  Hating the officials and resenting the rich is unreasonable. Now he has completely different attitudes towards his father's dealings, coming to the Zhang family, with a crowd at the door, Zhang Jike, according to the clan generation, he is still the grandson of Zhang Weifa, so Zhao Zhiqiang uses the grandson generation to see courtesy.

  "Happy New Year, Grandpa Zhang."

  "Oh, Da Qiang has arrived, please come in and take a seat!" Zhang Wei Fa said with surprise and courtesy.

  Actually, before that, he twice ignored Zhao Zhiqiang not because he really didn't recognize him, but because of his previous behavior, especially his father's stubbornness. This old man was very stubborn, so when he saw Zhao Zhiqiang coming, he was really surprised. Plus, he had heard about the persuasion of the crowd that day, and now he looked at this young whippersnapper with new eyes.

  Zhang Jike smiled and walked over, "Zhī Qiáng, now we are opponents, haha, I don't know how you've been doing with pulling sponsorships and making plans these past few days?"

  Zhao Zhiqiang shook hands with him and smiled, "Ji Ke, you're a university student now, I'm under a lot of pressure, the plan can't be told to you, it's confidential!"

  "Haha!"

  Everyone who came to pay New Year's greetings nearby couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  Zhang Weifa stroked his beard, "The way this election is being held in the district is good, but the pressure is also great. You two are both among the best of the young people in the village and are the hope for our village's future. Do a good job and compete based on your abilities. Even if you don't get elected, don't be discouraged! With reform and opening up, there will be many opportunities to do things in the future."

  "Yes, Old Man Zhang." Zhao Zhiqiang smiled and said. He still had a lot of respect for this village branch secretary, at least he had been in office for thirty years, and the whole village people were very supportive of him, fair and just, although his ability was average, but his character was good.

  Zhang Jike also nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, Fa YeYe, I won't make the Zhang family lose face."

  "What's wrong with Old Zhang's family! You should look at the problem from the perspective of the whole village! In this regard, you are not as good as Zhiqiang. Don't look down on Zhiqiang just because he didn't even finish high school, his vision is no worse than yours..." Zhang Weifa coldly rebuked.

  Zhao Jinfai was bored out of his mind when he suddenly heard a knock at the door.

  He thought to himself, who else in this city would come to pay him a New Year's visit? Could it be the person collecting rent?...

  As soon as I opened the door, it was my third sister's nephew!

  "Happy New Year to my fourth aunt's husband!"

  "Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt have a good New Year! Fourth Aunt has a good New Year!"

  The relatives on this side have not finished yet, and behind them, a large group of people came in.

  Wu Bing led the way, "Haha, Uncle, Ga Dan has come to pay his New Year's respects!"

  "Wishing you a happy new year with a cup of wine!"

  "The rolling pin has come to wish you a happy new year."

  "Xiao Qi has paid New Year's greetings to her uncle and aunt..."

  Fortunately, this house is big enough. More than a dozen young people came in one after another, and there was room for everyone to sit, stand, walk around, or talk to their elders, all very happy together.

  Hua Xue Mei kept giving peanuts to this one and melon seeds to that one, drinks, happily busy.

  It's been many years since the Zhao family has ever been so lively!

  Zhao Jincai continued to greet the guests, his heart inexplicably aching, feeling like crying.

  For the first thirty years, one looks up to their father and respects their son. For the next thirty years, one looks up to their son and respects their father. Zhao Jincai may be stupid, but he understands this principle. Now that these people have come to our home to pay their respects during the New Year, it's because Dajiang has made a name for himself by repaying debts and returning favors. It's just courtesy and reciprocity; if you only receive without giving back, then there's no need to talk about courtesy anymore. Son, you really must be stronger than your father.

  Early in the morning of the third day of the Chinese New Year, Gu Quan brought his whole family over!

  This made Zhao Jincai somewhat shocked, actually Gu was only two years younger than him, but Big Brother Zhao kept calling him, is this the boss's son? It doesn't look like it at all, which boss gives New Year's greetings to employees?

  After a while, Mei Jun and Bai Haijun, who were driving two pickup trucks loaded with cigarettes and liquor, moved the goods without saying much. They then paid their respects for the new year, mentioning that these were all gifts from Old Zhou, who had originally wanted to come in person but had gone to South Korea due to some business. Zhao Zhiqiang again tactfully mentioned that he would definitely visit after a while.

  On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Zhao Zhiqiang had called Lin Lao and Li Lao. Today is the day to visit them for the new year, he went out with Mei Jun and others, while Gu Quanyou already had plans to get a free meal. Chen Lijin and Hua Xuemei seemed to have talked it over and didn't seem to want to leave.

  "Brother Qiang, if you have anything to say, just give the order." Bai Haijun went outside and repeatedly apologized to Zhao Zhiqiang, even pulling him aside to admit that he was the one who introduced the lone wolf to Zhao Tiejun.

  "Haha, Boss Bai, it depends on whether that Lone Wolf kid can hold on or not. I don't care about taking people's money and crippling them at all, you should be careful with your Golden Hall, Zhao Tiejun is a person who wants to come after you more than me."

  Bai Haijun heard this and immediately felt a sense of relief in his heart!

  As long as no one is watching, he won't expose himself. The rest is just to deal with the public security side. Even if something happens, they can't reveal that they spent money to hire a thug, otherwise, even if this person doesn't get caught, the boss won't let him have a good life either.

  He pulled out a gold card from his pocket, "Qiang Ge, here is 5 million, it's my apology gift to you. Don't worry, this money was earned by me over the years, the password is 688..."

  Zhao Zhiqiang didn't stand on ceremony either, and took it over with a smile, saying "No big deal, we're all friends, right? We wouldn't know each other if we didn't fight."

  Mei Jun beside saw Zhao Zhiqiang received the money, also relieved more than half.

  "Hehe, two bosses, just in time, I also have a question to ask. Recently, I'm competing for the position of director of Chang'an Village, and one of the conditions is to attract enough investment, that is, to introduce capital and business. At that time, please support me!"

  Bai and Mei were overjoyed upon hearing this!

  "Alright, alright! I'll definitely support Brother Qiang's election! And I'll report this task to Old Zhou immediately!"

  What they fear most is not Zhao Zhiqiang making trouble, but having no trouble. Now that someone has something going on, okay, okay...

  The two asked some specific questions, but Zhao Zhiqiang was already out of time. He glanced at his phone and smiled, "I still have to go visit an old brother, let's talk about the specifics later."

  Get in the car and go.

  "Uh, Mei Ge, I think we should get Qiang Ge a new car. Don't you think he's due for an upgrade from that old Passat? Maybe something like the new Audi?"

  "This thing? You have to ask him himself, if he really became the village director, it's still better with Pu Sang..." Mei Jun said thoughtfully, looking at the distant Dragon Back Mountain, which was a vast expanse of green.