Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife

Chapter 996: Chapter 997: Signs of Softening

On the twenty-eighth of the year, with the factory on holiday, the employees each went back to their hometowns for the New Year. Considering that the Joy Soon Loy Restaurant was still under construction and there weren’t many dining spaces to begin with, Cheng Su, who had originally decided not to take a holiday this year, changed his mind and gave everyone the same vacation, starting work again on the thirteenth of the year.

Some people expressed confusion over Cheng Su’s generosity, as none of the bosses are willing to forgo business.

Cheng Su said that the New Year is a time for reunion and gathering, and not many people dine out. Besides, the environment isn’t great, so why not just sell well and take a nice long vacation? Then, when the new year begins, everyone can happily return to work and be a bit more motivated.

Moreover, this is just for this year. Once Joy Soon Loy is built, next year won’t see such a holiday, so it’s counted as everyone’s last big celebration.

Salaries were paid, bonuses were given, and the restaurant renovation was halted. Even Ning Ge returned to Beijing for the New Year after the factory holiday.

With no need to manage the various businesses, Cheng Su was truly free—light without responsibilities. Her thoughts of spending the New Year in Qing City led her to head downtown to buy New Year’s supplies, as the two of them needed food too.

In their building, Chunhua and his wife went back to their hometown for New Year because their daughter was there, and Guiying’s family did the same. Their son was only a few months old, and according to the Southern hometown customs, he needed to go home for some ceremonies. So, it was just Cheng Su and Hualing’s households left, very quiet.

Cheng Su invited Hualing to buy New Year goods together, but Hualing said, ”Even my hospital has vacation, and I’m going to my own family for the New Year; I don’t want to prepare New Year goods!”

Cheng Su was puzzled, ”What about Chen Shouwang?”

Hualing, a bit awkward, said, ”He has to stay on duty. If he visits, he’ll come to my family’s anyway, as I’m not going to his home this year. My condition isn’t good enough for a visit.” She said this, touching her belly.

She’s now three months pregnant; though her bump isn’t visible yet, she doesn’t want to exert herself.

Cheng Su knew she was just using her pregnancy as an excuse, saying, ”Even if you’re going to your family’s, you always need to put up some couplets at home, right? A New Year without red decorations doesn’t look nice. For the child’s luck, you should stick a couple of ’Fu’ characters, right? Anyway, no rush, let’s go out for a while.”

Hualing hesitated for a bit and said, ”Alright then! I’ll go change my clothes!”

”Alright, I’ll get dressed too.” Cheng Su then smiled.

Hualing returned to the room to change clothes, and Chen Shouwang saw her dressing up, so he asked, ”It’s so cold outside, where are you going?”

He didn’t expect Hualing to reply, as she had been ignoring him these days. Yet to his surprise, Hualing responded, ”Cheng Su invited me to go buy New Year goods. I figured since I have nothing to do, I’ll go out with her for a walk.”

Chen Shouwang was delighted to hear her reply and even more pleased when he heard about the New Year goods, saying, ”Wear flat, slip-proof shoes, walk slowly, there’s snow outside.”

Hualing replied with a simple ”Mm”.

Chen Shouwang stopped her again, took out some money from the room, and pressed it into her hand, saying, ”Yesterday’s year-end bonus, New Year; buy a couple of clothes for yourself and the child.”

Hualing glanced at the Great Unity RMB in her hand, blinked, and without saying a word, put it straight in her pocket and went out the door.

Chen Shouwang sighed with relief, fearing she might say something—but she didn’t. Does this mean she’s showing signs of softening?

Thinking of this, Chen Shouwang couldn’t help but smile, looked around the room, rolled up his sleeves, and began tidying up—it’s almost New Year, and the home should be neat.