Back to the 70s: My Childhood Sweetheart Spoils Me Rotten-Chapter 755 - 757: Putting Gold on One’s Face

"The New Year’s Eve dinner is about to start." Said Zhuge Zhi, the head of the family, saying something everyone was interested in.

"Wow, it’s time to eat, it’s time to eat." Gong Ruzhi was so excited.

"Weren’t you half full already?" Zhuge Zisu, now being an older brother, was embarrassed to spend long stints in the kitchen, but it didn’t stop him from noticing Gong Ruzhi often running to the kitchen.

Every time he came out, his mouth was puffed up and his lips were shiny with oil; saying he didn’t sneak a bite would be a lie.

"I wasn’t full." Gong Ruzhi wouldn’t admit he snuck food; besides, was he the only one who tasted some?

"New Year’s Eve dinner, ah, today we have big shrimp." Gong Ruzhi was especially looking forward to it once he thought about those large shrimp.

After tasting them once last time, he’d been waiting eagerly, but unfortunately hadn’t had any since.

"And there’s crab." Gong Ruini, having traveled many times, had only tasted shrimp a few times, which always brought her to tears.

This time, perhaps because it was the New Year, the foreign trade store surprisingly offered prawns and swimming crabs.

"Too bad it’s not hairy crabs." Gong Zhuang reminisced longingly.

Ahhh, couldn’t someone mention this at another time? Don’t they know this kind of talk can make someone want to cry?

"If it were from Yangcheng Lake, it’d be even better." Although Gong Tao had only eaten them a few times, the taste always remained in his heart; it was the taste of home.

To avoid such annoying conversations, Gong Ruini quietly walked away, not wanting to discuss this topic.

"Bro, what do you think about us negotiating with fishermen by the sea next year to buy their catch?" Gong Zhuang had already been contemplating this seriously, but the money he had was limited to buying only a small amount.

Starting a seafood business? Gong Tao’s first reaction was, "If the price is right, do it. You know well enough that as long as the quality is good, it will sell without worry in Beijing."

"You’ve seen the Northeast specialties; although they are a bit pricey, business is booming." After all, no vouchers were needed, just cash, and you could collect your goods and go. Over these days, its reputation has grown.

After seeing Cai Ming’s store with Gong Tao, Gong Zhuang finally made up his mind. Otherwise, he would’ve really been worried about the goods going unsold, "So, shall we go?"

"The key is, do you have connections?" In these times, there’s no fear of unsold goods; the worry is whether they can be sourced.

Gong Zhuang signaled Gong Tao to rest assured, "A colleague of mine, his hometown is by the sea. I can talk to him. He mentioned before that working was meaningless, better to go back and lease some sea farmland and farm seafood."

The two Gong brothers discussed doing seafood business, Gong Ruini wasn’t even aware she might miss such a good opportunity to resist the temptation, otherwise, she would’ve been in tears.

"Set off fireworks." In the Northeastern countryside, unless it was the strictest of years, every household would set off some fireworks before the New Year’s Eve dinner. The Gong family, having lived in the Northeast for many years, brought this habit with them.

"I’ll do it, I’ll do it." Upon hearing there would be fireworks, Gong Ruzhi’s little legs moved quickly, dashing towards the front door.

Gong Ruwen saw his little brother rush out and, feeling uneasy, followed, "Guangran, aren’t you going to watch?"

Not only was Gong Ruwen puzzled, but even Gong Ruini was curious. Zhao Guangran would typically dash off quickly whenever there were fireworks, so why wasn’t he in a hurry today?

Zhao Guangran didn’t go up for a look, because he was still feeling the pinch, the pain from spending so much on fireworks.

He waved his hand listlessly, "I’ll pass." He hadn’t earned money yet, and all his funds were already spent; Zhao Guangran had absolutely no cash on him, eagerly waiting for the New Year’s red envelopes to replenish his finances.

If he had to watch the fireworks he spent so much on, Zhao Guangran really couldn’t handle it emotionally.

Alright then, Zhao Guangran mustn’t be forced; they had indeed pushed him too hard this time, causing Zhao Guangran to really burn a hole in his wallet.

Zhuge Zhi and Wan Dajun stood together chatting about past events, but more about their future expectations. Although they didn’t have any social connections in Beijing before, the city was small enough that they had at least heard of each other’s reputation.

Now that they lived so close, their correspondence has increased, and so has their relationship. If there was ever a day they didn’t chat, they’d feel all sorts of discomfort.

"Why are today’s fireworks lasting so long?" Wan Dajun noticed today’s fireworks seemed a bit prolonged, what was going on?

Wan Dajun remembered that Cai Ming didn’t buy such large fireworks.

"Guangran bought them." Zhao Xuran respectfully answered from the back, "Grandpa Wan, Grandpa Zhuge, shall we go have the New Year’s Eve dinner?"

"Yes, it’s time to eat. Today is truly a good day." Zhuge Zhi, looking at the crowd standing behind him, was in high spirits.

So many people having New Year’s Eve dinner together, this scene was reminiscent of childhood days when both parents and grandparents were present and the house was full during the New Year, everyone’s face radiating happiness.

I wonder how my older brother is doing this New Year. It’s just a brief thought that passed through Zhuge Zhi’s mind. He didn’t put much thought into it, as he, at least, was surrounded by children and grandchildren, keeping his mood uplifted.

"Time to eat, time to eat, then give out red envelopes." Zhuge Zhi had prepared many red envelopes. Even though those in attendance were not short of money, giving red envelopes to children truly signified the New Year.

Zhao Guangran was excited when he heard red envelopes would be distributed, "Grandpa, are we really getting red envelopes today?"

Yay, finally he wouldn’t spend a tragic New Year’s Eve penniless. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"You’re excluded." Zhuge Zhi noticed Zhao Guangran’s excitement.

What? Excluded? Why wasn’t he included, Zhao Guangran was dumbfounded, what was happening.

"Aren’t you the one with lots of money?"

Who said he had lots of money? Didn’t they know he was practically as poor as a beggar on the street?

Hmph, who betrayed him, Zhao Guangran looked around and stared at several key targets.

Gong Ruini unapologetically stared back, she never betrayed him; yes, they argued a lot, but those were internal conflicts, why would she divulge that to the elders.

"No one said you had money, but you bought so many fireworks, if not rich, then what?" Zhuge Zhi truly didn’t understand that Zhao Guangran could be this high-profile.

Does buying fireworks equate to being rich? For this, he might even end up not getting a red envelope, Zhao Guangran genuinely wanted to cry.

"It was just because I moved to a new house, and Xiao Zhi said he wanted to see big fireworks. As a brother, I can’t be stingy." The money had been spent, so he couldn’t be stingy. It’d be better to say some good things about himself and leave a good impression on the elders.

So, it’s because of Gong Ruzhi’s request, understood Zhuge Zhi, "You shouldn’t spoil him too much, he’s not that young anymore."

"I know, I know, but this year is somewhat special." Zhao Guangran was secretly delighted, was this considered a nod of approval from Grandpa Zhuge?

Good boy, Gong Ruini knew Zhao Guangran would work hard to aggrandize his own image, portraying the helpless purchase of fireworks as an act of noble righteousness.

However, since Zhao Guangran had spent so much, he should indeed make sure to perform well, otherwise, he would feel very frustrated.