Back To The 80s-Chapter 329 - 339: New Year_1
Bai Xiaolan nodded, about free love, she thought it was just a man and a woman walking side by side in the park, round and round nonstop, anyway, that was what she saw in the park.
Zhou Siping reminded her again: "If you let a man take advantage of you before marriage, it will be easy for him and his family to look down on you after marriage."
At this time, Bai Xiaolan obediently responded earnestly: "Mom, don’t worry, anyone who dares to take advantage of me, I guarantee I will beat them until even their parents can’t recognize them."
Zhou Siping’s eyes twitched; was her daughter a fool or something?
On New Year’s Eve, there was a light snowfall. It fell gently, dusting the red lantern hanging on the front gate with a layer of white snow, making it look especially beautiful.
Wen Xiuqing got up early to start preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner. Aunt Li, whose two daughters had married off to distant places and her husband had passed away, spent Chinese New Year at the Lu Family.
Lu Songyuan couldn’t come home for the New Year because he was spending it at the grassroots with the soldiers.
Lu Aiguo and Lu Zhanguo were busy pasting spring couplets and paper-cuts for window decoration after breakfast.
Fang Jing, who was helping Gu Xiaobei hold the baby, stood by the window. She looked at the two brothers pasting couplets on the door of the old barn and laughed, saying, "This is how you spend the New Year. How about we agree to meet every year? If you can’t come back, we will come to you. It’s so lively to celebrate the New Year as a large family."
Gu Xiaobei nodded, "Good idea, we can also treat it as a chance to travel."
"I haven’t been out of the Capital City since I was a child. Even when I went to the countryside, I just went to the suburbs. I’ve never even been on a train," Fang Jing said, holding Mo Wang laughing.
"In the future, it won’t be a problem to even go on an airplane, not just a train," Gu Xiaobei stated confidently.
Fang Jing blinked, "On an airplane? That’s too scary. What if I need to use the bathroom on board?"
Gu Xiaobei laughed. Thinking back to the first time he took a flight, he seemed to have had the same concerns. He was even afraid to drink water on the plane, worrying that he might embarrass himself.
"Fang Jing, don’t be ridiculous, I will take you on a plane in the summer. I heard they even serve Moutai on board," joked Lu Aiguo, who had overheard Fang Jing’s question as he entered the room.
Fang Jing’s eyes widened, "Moutai? How much is the plane ticket then?"
Gu Xiaobei thought that the price of Moutai seemed to have risen to nearly ten yuan a bottle. If they were giving out Moutai on the plane, the ticket would probably also be expensive.
"I heard it’s a hundred yuan to go to Shanghai," said Lu Aiguo, who had never been on a plane, but had heard about the prices.
Gu Xiaobei had a sudden idea and said to Lu Aiguo: "Aiguo, you can try to negotiate with the airlines to provide small snacks or gifts, and even on the railroads. If you know anyone in these departments, it would be even easier to negotiate."
Lu Aiguo hesitated, "Could that work?"
Gu Xiaobei confidently said: "Do not underestimate this business. Think about it, the amount of passengers transported by airplanes and trains every year, even if you only earn a few cents per item, it can still add up."
Lu Aiguo was intrigued and asked: "Sister-in-law, what should we sell?"
"We could sell small food and drinks, as well as souvenirs. You can also register a trademark and find a factory to manufacture products for you. This is called contract manufacturing. By doing so, you can save money for opening a factory and still own your own brand. Once you have accumulated enough funds, it will be easier to do anything else," Gu Xiaobei succinctly explained the idea.
Lu Aiguo, who was very interested, nodded. He realized that there was no future in the re-selling business. The policies were becoming more relaxed, so he anticipated that color TVs would no longer require certificates for supply.
Gu Xiaobei knew that regardless of what business you did, it depended on favorable timing, the right location, and the company of others. Lu Aiguo’s social circle consisted of high-ranking officials, giving him some advantages in entrepreneurship, making it easier for him to start than others.
After thinking for a while, Lu Aiguo said, "Sister-in-law, you have a good idea. It is better to start a business early rather than late. I will start after the New Year."
Lu Zhanguo, holding Xiaopang, watched Gu Xiaobei and Lu Aiguo talk earnestly and felt proud. Although this may be what Gu Xiaobei experienced or witnessed in his past life, it was quite brilliant for him to take advantage of the current situation and apply it accordingly.
A few of them stood by the window, and the more they discussed, the more they felt this business was not only feasible, but also had great possibilities for diversified development and expansion, with minimal risk. If you don’t learn to avoid risk at the beginning of starting a business, you shouldn’t expand too much too fast.
Wen Xiuqing and Aunt Li set the food on the table and called Lu Aiguo to light the fireworks, signaling that it was time for dinner.
Wen Xiuqing had drawn up a menu for the New Year’s Eve dinner long ago and had even shown it to Gu Xiaobei and Fang Jing. Now that the dishes were on the table, Gu Xiaobei was still impressed.
The centerpiece, chrysanthemum fish, was like a blooming chrysanthemum in the plate, golden and shiny. From the knife skills and the battering to the oil temperature, the cooking time, and the thickening, every step was very demanding.
Seeing Gu Xiaobei’s astounded look, Fang Jing laughed and said, "Our mom is from the south. She is very good at making Fujian and Guangdong cuisines." In her heart, she added, "She just rarely makes it."
Wen Xiuqing didn’t say anything, but she had specially made two dishes for Mo Wang and Xiaopang: a steamed egg with golden pumpkin and a steamed fish fillet. She had removed the fish bones beforehand. She made a stir-fried carrot chicken for Yueyue.
Everyone’s taste was accounted for.
After setting off fireworks, Lu Aiguo ran back and insisted that this year was so lively, they should definitely have a drink.
Wen Xiuqing looked at the full table with teary eyes, thinking sourly in her heart, had her Aid Korea had his meal?
Ji Xiangdong stayed in Capital City for the New Year. In his free time, he strolled along the red wall of the Forbidden City. There were hardly any people on the streets at that time. Occasionally, a few people riding bicycles passed by, all in a hurry to get home for the New Year.
Ji Xiangdong walked slowly on the slate path. He knew there might be family members in this city, but he never thought about finding them. He was actually quite comfortable being alone.
At this moment, as he stood by the moat outside the Forbidden City, looking at the shimmering water, he seemed somewhat lost in thought. Snowflakes gently fell on his shoulders, his figure appeared as lonely as an eagle on a plateau. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
The sound of fireworks in the distance filled the air with the smell of gunpowder.
Ji Xiangdong came back to reality, rubbed his eyebrows, and continued walking forward.
After crossing Chang’an Street, he arrived at the National Museum, where there were many display boards on the side of the museum, filled with various bulletins.
With nothing better to do, Ji Xiangdong stood in front of the bulletins and carefully read the contents.
The bulletins were filled with heroes and advanced models from various places, paired with large photos and explanations.
Under the War Hero section, Ji Xiangdong’s eyes fell on the name Lu Zhanguo. No photographs were posted to ensure the safety of these heroes.
Ji Xiangdong’s clear eyes focused on Lu Zhanguo’s story. He skimmed through the other reports, each with a glance, but this one he read very slowly, as if he wished to etch every word into his heart.
When he finished reading, a smile curved at the corner of his lips. He couldn’t help but reach out a hand, his slender finger gently tracing the name Lu Zhanguo.
The warmth he felt at his fingertips was the feeling of family.
