Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 306 Family Dinner
As soon as Jia Zhang walked out of the door, she met Qin Huairu. Qin Huairu didn't notice Jia Zhang's necklace at first, and asked casually, "Mom, where are you going?" Jia Zhang deliberately stopped and said, "I'm going out to visit some friends." As she spoke, she adjusted the necklace with her hand.

Qin Huairu saw it and asked in surprise: "Mom, where did this necklace come from? It looks like it's made of pure gold."

Jia Zhang said proudly: "My granddaughter is honoring me. Oh, Xiaodang and Huaihua are back. Come in quickly."

When Qin Huairu heard this, he no longer cared about Jia Zhangshi and rushed into the house.

When he entered the room, he saw the two sisters drinking soda and chatting with Jia Dongxu. He went up to Xiao Dang and said, "That damn girl didn't even have a letter. Where did she go?"

Xiao Dang said, "Huaihua and I went to Shenzhen and worked at Keda Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. We were both in the Finance Department and had good pay. We came back to see you. We have to go back after the Chinese New Year."

When Qin Huairu heard that the two sisters were working in Shenzhen, she stopped asking and said, "Did you buy grandma's necklace? How much did it cost?"

Huaihua smiled and said, "There's a share for you too. By the way, this is our gift to you." As she spoke, she took out a bag from her bag. Xiaodang also took out a necklace box and handed them to Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu opened the bag in confusion and stood there with her mouth wide open. Jia Dongxu looked at Qin Huairu in confusion and wanted to take the bag to have a look. Qin Huairu suddenly hugged him in his arms, took the necklace box, and quickly walked into her bedroom.

Jia Dongxu looked at Qin Huairu with more curiosity and followed her into the bedroom. Xiaodang and Huaihua looked at each other and went back to their own room to pack their things. Since they had agreed to go home for the New Year, they would stay here.

After a while, Qin Huairu came into the house with a smile on her face, helped the two sisters to clean up, and said, "Why is there so much money? And the gold necklace is very beautiful. Mom likes it very much. What do you want to eat? Mom will make it for you."

Huaihua said, "I really miss your dumplings over there."

Qin Huairu put down the work in her hands and said, "Wait, Mom is going to buy some vegetables and we'll eat in the evening." Then she turned around and left.

After visiting every household, Jia Zhang returned home happily. She was in a very good mood. When she heard that Qin Huairu had gone to buy meat to make dumplings for her sisters, she volunteered to knead the dough.

Jia Zhang has returned, and every household in the yard is in an uproar, with everyone talking about it. The main topic is where the two sisters have been, whether they have made a fortune, and all kinds of guesses.

While having dinner at the Jia family, Yi Zhonghai was really curious, so he went to his apprentice's home. Jia Dongxu took out the cigarettes and wine that Xiaodang brought back to entertain his master. During the meal, Yi Zhonghai learned that the sisters are now executives of a large company, with a monthly salary of 3,000 yuan, including food and accommodation, as well as a year-end bonus.

Three thousand yuan! That’s six thousand yuan a month for two people, and his monthly pension is less than a hundred yuan. How huge is the gap?

Yi Zhonghai was shocked, and so were the Jia family members. Jia Xiaobao was eager to try and asked Xiaodang if he could go too.

Xiao Dang laughed and said, "What can you do? Go there and carry bricks?"

Jia Xiaobao said: "I am still young, I can learn."

Huaihua said: "I heard from the president that after the Shenzhen project is completed, we will return to BJ to work on the project. You should read some books and attend night school first. When we return to BJ, I will introduce you to the project." Jia Xiaobao nodded excitedly.

Jia Dongxu felt mixed emotions. He didn't expect that these two sisters were the most promising. But on the other hand, he was also a little happy because the Jia family was going to rise.

After the meal, Yi Zhonghai and Jia Zhangshi both went out. The Jia family knew that the old lady was showing off again.

So when Yan Jiekuang came back, the yard was full of people discussing the Jia sisters.

Yan Jiekuang didn't care. As soon as he entered the door, Sun Xiaolong saw Yan Jiekuang and said, "Third brother, are you back?"

Yan Jiekuang nodded and said, "Come back to see mom and dad. How are you doing recently?"

Sun Xiaolong said a little embarrassedly: "It's okay, I go to work and come home normally. I regret it a little, but there's nothing I can do. Mom won't let me lose my iron rice bowl."

Yan Jiekuang patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's okay, but the iron rice bowl will be broken one day, maybe this year."

Yan Jiekuang smiled mysteriously and took the child to Yan Bugui's place. As soon as he entered the house, Yang Ruiping went straight to the stroller without paying any attention to Yan Jiekuang.

Yan Bugui was sitting there drinking tea, and Yan Jiekuang said, "Mom and Dad, I'm back."

Yan Bugui didn't know Yan Jiekuang had gone out, so he said, "Come back if you want, why are you shouting?"

Yang Ruiping then saw Yan Jiekuang and said, "You're back, and you've lost weight. Are you still leaving?"

Yan Jiekuang said, "I'm not leaving for now. Mom, you look after the child first. Ji Lian and I will bring the things in. They are all in the car."

After saying that, the young couple went to move the things. It took them three trips to finish. Yan Bugui just sat there motionless.

Yan Jiekuang distributed the things, put the cigarettes and alcohol he brought for Yan Bugui in front of Yan Bugui's table, and then gave his mother supplements and jewelry. Yang Ruiping complained, "I didn't even bring the jewelry you gave me, and you bought them again."

Yan Jiekuang said: "Keep it, it will preserve its value."

Then he took the things for the eldest and second brothers and went out. Only Yan Yongqing and Yan Yongfang were at Yan Jiecheng's house, while Yan Yongfang went to his second brother's house to share the loot with Shi Lei and others.

Yan Yongqing was very surprised when he saw the things his uncle brought, but he quickly said thank you and said he would tell him when his father came back.

Shi Xiaoya did not refuse the gift when she received it, but Yan Jiekuang told Shi Xiaoya that Ji Lian would be here soon and she brought her a set of imported cosmetics. Shi Xiaoya said thank you happily, and the children were also sharing the toys.

Yan Jiekuang returned to his mother's side. Yang Ruiping took Yan Jiekuang aside and asked him about the situation in the south. Yan Jiekuang said something vaguely but did not mention that he had opened another company.

Yan Bugui looked at the cigarettes and alcohol for a long time, and no one knew what he was thinking. Yan Jiekuang guessed it and said casually, "These cigarettes and alcohol are very expensive, especially the alcohol. You can't even buy it for one or two thousand."

When Yan Bugui heard this, he quickly took his things and went into the study. He half believed and half doubted what Yan Jiekuang said, and decided to go to the Friendship Mall to ask tomorrow. Yang Ruiping chatted for a while, then went to see his grandson and granddaughter. The two babies were having fun, babbling and chatting with Yang Ruiping. It was obvious that they knew Yang Ruiping, after all, he had taken care of them for so long.

Yan Jiekuang asked Yang Ruiping, "Shall I cook tonight? What dishes are there at home?"

Yang Ruiping didn't take his eyes off the child and said, "We still have some meat at home, more than two kilograms, and some peppers and eggplants. Oh, and there are cabbages and radishes in the cellar."

Yan Jiekuang said, "I understand. I'll go get some food." It was impossible to buy food at this time, so he drove directly to Chunfeng Tower.

The employees of Chunfenglou were all surprised to see the boss coming over, and they all greeted him. Yan Jiekuang responded one by one, and then went directly to the kitchen to find Wei Xiaobao, thinking of taking Xiaobao to the warehouse to pick out some vegetables. Xiaobao was about to cry when he saw the master. Yan Jiekuang said, "I just came back. Wait a few days and you can find your senior brother to go to my place for dinner. I'm in a hurry to go back to my parents' place today. Come on, take me to pick out some vegetables."

Xiaobao took the chef to the warehouse and picked out some vegetables. He kept asking if they were enough and what else was missing. Yan Jiekuang waved his hand and said, "That's all. By the way, did Director Yang say that we would have a dinner party to close the account that day?"

Xiao Bao said, "It's tomorrow. My master's wife knows."

Yan Jiekuang nodded, asked the kitchen staff to prepare half a bowl of food, waved at Xiaobao, and drove away.

After returning to his mother's place, he carried the vegetables to the kitchen, and moved them twice before starting to cook. After a while, Yang Ruiping came over and told him that everyone in the family would come to eat today.

Yan Jiekuang thought about it and decided to have eight people at one table, with ten dishes on the table, four seafood dishes, four meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup.

Yan Jiekuang started to work in the kitchen. When it was almost six o'clock, Yan Jiefang leaned against the door and looked at Yan Jiekuang. Yan Jiekuang turned around and said, "What's wrong, second brother? Are you not hiding from me anymore?"

"Who is hiding from you? I'm just busy with work, so how could I not know about the crackdown?" Yan Jiefang said stubbornly.

"Okay, you are busy with work, so have a good drink today. That thing is over and it's okay." Yan Jiekuang said while he was busy.

Yan Jiefang said disdainfully: "With your drinking capacity, how can you be my opponent? Just wait and see." After saying that, he turned and walked out.

Yan Jiekuang started cooking. Ji Lian and Shi Xiaoya were waiting in the kitchen to serve the dishes, including prawns, pan-fried yellow croaker, braised abalone, sea cucumber with scallions, braised pork elbow, three kinds of stir-fried food, fairy duck, cumin lamb, stir-fried chicken, rapeseed with oyster sauce, and lastly, chicken stewed with mushrooms.

There were two tables in Yan Bugui's main hall, one for adults and one for children. The wine was Lianhuabai brought by Yan Jiecheng, and Yan Jiefang brought back a box of beer from the grocery store.

Yang Ruiping was very happy today. Seeing the whole family gathered together, she was very relieved. Yan Bugui's expression had eased a little, but when he saw Yan Jiefang buy a box of beer across the street, his expression darkened. Yan Jiefang ignored him and started pouring beer for everyone.

Yan Jiecheng looked at his father who looked unhappy and said, "Dad, do you want to say a few words? The whole family is here today."

Yan Bugui said, "What are you talking about? Eat and drink well?"

Yang Ruiping rolled his eyes at him and said, "If he doesn't say anything, I will. Today is another family gathering of our Yan family. I know everyone is very busy and it's not easy to get together. But no matter what you do or where you are, you must remember that this is your home. Come on, cheers!"

Everyone shouted together: "Cheers!"

Then everyone started chatting and eating. Not long after, Yan Yongqing wanted to join the table. Yu Li glanced at him and made room for him. Yan Yongqing then sat over and poured himself a glass of beer.

During the dinner, Yan Jiekuang said that he didn't have much to do, except that he was doing business in the south and making good profits. Yan Jiecheng's store had been changed and no longer sold clothes, but specialized in selling shoes, all kinds of sports shoes and leather shoes. After changing his mindset, business also picked up.

Yang Ruiping also mentioned Yan Bugui. His shop has been closed and the building has been rented out. It is now a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. An old man in his seventies is practicing medicine there and is said to have very high medical skills.

The family enjoyed the meal, talked happily and drank happily. After the meal, Yan Jiefang said that he would need the car tomorrow. Yan Jiekuang left the car keys to him and went home leisurely with his wife and children.

It was almost nine o'clock when they got home. The couple first took care of the children and helped them wash and go to bed before returning to the house.

Yan Jiekuang asked, "The restaurant will be closed tomorrow? Should I go?"

Ji Lian said, "No, I can go by myself. I also need to exercise. You stay at home and take care of the children."

Yan Jiekuang nodded with relief, and the couple went to bed. Yan Jiekuang fell asleep holding Ji Lian.

The day before the Little New Year, the preparation teams of the two restaurants and a Xizhimen restaurant gathered together. This year, they were creative and put on several small programs and games with various prizes. The turnover of the two restaurants was even higher this year, mainly because Yan Jiekuang found a seafood supplier from Hong Kong directly in Shenzhen and shipped the seafood to the two restaurants directly by sea.

This year was also Fang Yuan’s first time to attend an employee appreciation dinner. Seeing the warm atmosphere, he quickly integrated into it. In fact, the new store had already been renovated, but it happened to coincide with the Spring Festival, so it was tentatively scheduled to open on March 1st.

The dinner went smoothly. Fang Yuan was very puzzled as to why the employees drank so little alcohol. There was a lot of wine on the table, but most of them still drank soda.

It was not until the finale of the show that Fang Yuan suddenly realized that this year's bonus would be paid out. Compared with last year, this year's bonus would be 50% more, which was also related to the increase in sales. This year's bonus would be divided into three levels: 15,000, 12,000 and 10,000.

After the show, the task of seeing off the employees was handed over to Yin Liguo. After the show, Ji Lian kept Fang Yuan and his two apprentices and said, "This is the first time you have joined. Although you haven't achieved much performance yet, you still get bonuses." Then she handed each of them a bag.

Fang Yuan's was 10,000, and the two apprentices' was 5,000. Although it was less than other employees, they still wanted to refuse. Ji Lian waved her hand and said, "This is what my husband meant. He said that you have worked hard even if you have no merit. We can't treat you unfairly. You should work hard to welcome more guests next year."

When Fang Yuan heard that it was Yan Jiekuang's idea, he stopped refusing and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law and third brother. You can hold it next year."

Fang Yuan took his apprentice away. On the way, the apprentice felt unreal. Fang Yuan said, "We have a good boss."

The three of them went home happily, and several restaurants also closed for the holiday, just like last year, until the fifteenth day.

(End of this chapter)