Chapter 339

The next day, after Zhou Yimin got up, he opened the store and saw that today’s flash sale items included a hundred Jinhua hams, a hundred catties of beef, a hundred roast geese, and a hundred lobsters.

After packing his things, he prepared to visit Uncle Zhang’s house. He figured he probably wouldn’t return to the city again until after the New Year, so he wanted to pay a visit beforehand.

He grabbed the prepared gifts and was about to head out when a knock came at the door. Zhou Yimin found it odd—who would be coming to see him at this hour?

When he opened the door, he saw the Factory Director’s secretary standing there, which surprised him. Could it be that the Factory Director needed something from him?

“Secretary Liu? Is there something you need from me?”

Secretary Liu replied, “Team Leader Zhou, Director Hu and the factory leaders would like to invite you to dinner at the factory tonight.”

Zhou Yimin asked, “Do you know who else besides Director Hu will be there?”

He wanted to know how many leaders would be present so he could prepare appropriate gifts.

Secretary Liu answered, “Besides Director Hu, there will be two Deputy Directors and four Department Directors—seven leaders in total.”

“Alright, I’ll be there on time,” Zhou Yimin replied.

So much for the hope of having dinner at Uncle Zhang’s place.

“Secretary Liu, it’s just a small gift—I hope you won’t mind,” Zhou Yimin said, handing over a catty of strawberries.

Secretary Liu had intended to decline, but seeing Zhou Yimin’s sincerity, he accepted it with a smile. “Thank you, Team Leader Zhou!”

After receiving Zhou Yimin’s reply, Secretary Liu left. Although the factory was already on break, as the Factory Director’s secretary, he still had plenty of work to do. A real vacation seemed a bit out of reach.

Zhou Yimin then brought the gifts and headed to Zhang Jianshe’s home.

When Zhang Jianshe saw Zhou Yimin, he greeted him warmly. “Yimin, what brings you here today?”

“Uncle Zhang, the holiday has started, and I’m heading back to the village tomorrow. I had some free time today, so I came by to visit,” Zhou Yimin replied.

At that, Zhang Jianshe said, “Come on in. That girl Zhang Yan has been saying you haven’t come to see her in ages!”

As Zhou Yimin walked in, Zhang Yan saw him and immediately beamed. “Yimin, you’re here! Why didn’t you say something beforehand?”

“Yeah, I’m heading back to the village tomorrow. Had some time today, so I came over,” Zhou Yimin said.

Aunt Zhang saw how many things Zhou Yimin had brought and scolded gently, “Yimin, don’t bring so much stuff next time. We still haven’t finished what you brought last time, and now you’ve brought even more. You’re just wasting money!”

“Alright, alright, Aunt Zhang. I’ll listen to you next time,” Zhou Yimin replied.

At that moment, Zhang Lu heard that Zhou Yimin had arrived and rushed out of her room.

She ran over to him and took the bags he brought, then opened them up right away. Inside were two catties of beef, two catties of lamb, five catties of pork, two bottles of Moutai, a pack of Chunghwa cigarettes, two catties of strawberries, and four coconuts.

“Wow! Strawberries!” she exclaimed.

Without even washing one, she picked it up and took a bite. The sweet flavor made her sigh, “So good!”

“You little rascal, where are your manners?” Aunt Zhang lightly smacked Zhang Lu on the shoulder.

Zhang Lu just stuck her tongue out and darted behind Zhou Yimin.

“Aunt Zhang, strawberries are meant to be eaten,” Zhou Yimin said, shielding Zhang Lu and helping her out.

Aunt Zhang could only sigh and head into the kitchen to start cooking.

Zhang Lu, seeing her mother had gone, grabbed more strawberries and began munching happily.

“Yimin-ge, do you have more of these strawberries?” Zhang Lu asked.

Zhou Yimin answered, “If it’s not enough, I’ll bring more next time!”

“Yimin-ge, you can’t spoil Zhang Lu like this. You should be saving your money!” Zhang Yan complained from the side.

Zhang Lu teased, “Sister, you’re not even married yet, and you’re already trying to take control of Yimin-ge’s finances!”

She even made a silly face at Zhang Yan.

“I’m not!” Zhang Yan stammered, her face turning red as she tried to defend herself.

Clearly, when it came to banter, neither Zhang Yan could match Zhang Lu.

Zhou Yimin couldn’t help but laugh at the scene.

“Yimin-ge! Not only are you not helping me, but you’re laughing at me!” Zhang Yan pouted.

Zhou Yimin quickly changed the subject. “Sorry, sorry. Here, have a strawberry—they’re really sweet!”

Zhang Yan grumpily took the strawberry and popped it into her mouth.

Zhou Yimin gently reminded, “You’re not supposed to eat the leafy part of strawberries.”

Zhang Yan and Zhang Lu were both stunned. They had just eaten the whole thing in one bite and hadn’t realized the leaves weren’t edible.

The group kept chatting and time flew by. Soon, Aunt Zhang finished cooking lunch.

“Come help carry the dishes.”

Upon hearing that, Zhang Yan and Zhang Lu jumped up reflexively to help. After all, Aunt Zhang was the boss at home—disobeying meant no lunch.

To welcome Zhou Yimin, Aunt Zhang had prepared a truly lavish meal. It could easily rival a New Year’s Eve dinner.

Seeing the spread, Zhang Lu exclaimed, “Yimin-ge, you have to come over more often! That’s the only time my sister and I get to eat like this.”

“You just want to eat!” Zhang Yan immediately exposed her.

Zhou Yimin chimed in with a smile, “Alright, alright. I’ll come by more often when I have time.”

Soon, all the dishes were on the table. Just the meat dishes alone numbered three, and Aunt Zhang had even slaughtered a chicken.

When Zhang Lu saw it, she nearly drooled. She spotted a drumstick and reached for it—but Zhang Yan was even faster and snatched it up first.

Zhang Lu was a bit upset, but then remembered chickens had two drumsticks. She perked right back up and started looking for the second one.

Just as she found it and reached out, Aunt Zhang smacked her chopsticks. “That one’s for Yimin.”

She snatched the drumstick from Zhang Lu and dropped it into Zhou Yimin’s bowl.

Zhang Lu looked on in dismay, practically heartbroken—neither drumstick was hers.

Zhou Yimin saw this and immediately passed the drumstick in his bowl to Zhang Lu. “Zhang Lu’s still growing—she needs to eat more.”

Getting back the drumstick lifted Zhang Lu’s spirits like a rollercoaster ride—highs and lows in an instant.

Afraid Aunt Zhang might take it again, she quickly grabbed it and took a big bite.

Aunt Zhang could only shake her head in resignation. It was a joyful meal, and she kept piling food into Zhou Yimin’s bowl the entire time.

Zhang Lu started to wonder if Zhou Yimin was the real child in the family, and she and her sister were just adopted.

(End of Chapter)