Chapter 266 The New Year's Essence Is Getting Stronger
After New Year's Day, the weekend quickly arrived.
Zhang Jiaqi followed her boyfriend home as promised. The couple carried large and small bags with both hands. In addition, there was a full 100 kilograms of whale meat in the car.
The whale meat was prepared by Zhang Hao in advance.
Tao's father and Tao's mother received the message from their son and were waiting downstairs in advance.
"Dad, Mom, this is my girlfriend Zhang Jiaqi."
Tao Junlin quickly introduced.
Tao's father is an elegant and easy-going middle-aged man, while Tao's mother is a capable and neat woman. The two of them look very friendly and cordial.
This was the first time for Zhang Jiaqi to meet her boyfriend's parents. She couldn't help but feel a little worried that she would not be able to satisfy her boyfriend's parents. After all, she was five years older than her boyfriend.
"Hello, uncle and aunt!"
"Jiaqi, it's cold outside, let's go home quickly!"
Father Tao and Mother Tao were very enthusiastic and quickly took two large bags from the hands of the "prospective daughter-in-law". The bags were very heavy, weighing at least ten or twenty kilograms.
Both husband and wife are very satisfied with their "prospective daughter-in-law". Apart from her older age, they can't fault her either in terms of personal abilities or family background.
Zhang Jiaqi quickly waved her hand: "Auntie, there is a whole box of whale meat in the car. You go upstairs first, and Tao Junlin and I will carry the box."
"Whale meat? Why are you so polite? Junlin hasn't even finished the whale meat he brought back last time?"
"Auntie, if you can't finish it, you can marinate it and eat it slowly. Anyway, the temperature is low and it won't spoil."
Zhang Jiaqi smiled and prepared to turn around and leave.
Tao's mother quickly grabbed the other party: "Jiaqi, you don't need to go. You are a girl with little strength, so you should let Junlin's father go!"
After saying that, he winked at the father and son on the spot.
Tao Junlin immediately handed the things in his hands to his girlfriend, and then walked to the underground parking lot with his father.
Zhang Jiaqi followed Mrs. Tao upstairs, and then ignored her rest and said she wanted to go down to help:
"Auntie, whale meat is very heavy, weighing a hundred kilograms. Please rest for a while, and I'll go down and help."
"Why so many? Let's go together!"
Tao Mu was surprised.
"Auntie, I don't know if Junlin has told you that my brother Zhang Hao is the general manager of Southeast Fisheries. Every time the fleet comes back, he can get some whale meat." Zhang Jiaqi explained casually.
Tao's mother replied as she left: "I have said something, your brother is a great person, his business is very successful, and he is famous in our Huicheng."
"You're flattered, my brother is just lucky!"
Zhang Jiaqi said modestly.
The "mother-in-law and daughter-in-law" chatted casually for a few words, and then met Tao's father and Tao Junlin at the entrance of the parking lot. Their faces were red and they seemed to be struggling, almost moving step by step.
Ten minutes later, the four people finally moved the box back, and they were all very tired.
"Jiaqi, wipe your sweat quickly."
Mother Tao handed over a brand new dry towel.
"Thank you, auntie!" Zhang Jiaqi smiled and nodded.
After some rest, it was almost time for lunch, and Tao Mu immediately started preparing for the meal.
The lunch was very sumptuous, with a total of three meat, five vegetarian and eight dishes. Among them, the dried chicken and dried rabbit were specially brought back by Zhang Jiaqi from her boyfriend.
The whole dining process was very pleasant. Tao Junlin's parents were very cordial and friendly. The couple told some interesting stories about their son's childhood and also asked about the process of getting to know each other.
After lunch, Tao's mother took Zhang Jiaqi for a brief walk around the house. The Tao family's house was not big, with an area of only more than 70 square meters, and a layout of two bedrooms and one living room.
Tao's father likes reading very much. There is a large bookshelf in his bedroom with a lot of books. Tao Junlin's bedroom is much simpler. In addition to his computer and guitar, there is only a box full of two-dimensional figures.
Coming out of her boyfriend's bedroom, Zhang Jiaqi looked at her watch and then said goodbye:
"Uncle, aunt, I have to go to work in the afternoon, so I won't stay any longer."
"Do you have to work overtime on weekends?"
"No way!" Zhang Jiaqi smiled bitterly and shook her head, "The unit has been very busy recently and can't live without people. Next time I have a chance, I will come over to visit you."
"Okay, work is important!"
Mother Tao casually took out a thick red envelope from her pocket and stuffed it directly into the other person's hand.
Zhang Jiaqi did not refuse and smiled sweetly:
"Thank you, aunt!"
Mother Tao turned to look at her son beside her: "Junlin, go to work with Jiaqi, and don't come back."
"I know." Tao Junlin nodded, then pulled his mother aside and whispered: "By the way, Mom, Jiaqi's parents have made an appointment for you to meet next weekend. You and my dad remember to make time.
Come."
"If you don't tell me, I'm just going to ask!"
Mother Tao couldn't help but smile.
When the parents of both parties meet, it means that the marriage is stable, and maybe they can have grandchildren next year.
"Then it will be scheduled at ten o'clock on Sunday morning. I will arrange the location. Don't rush out for you and my dad. I will drive back to pick you up then."
"Okay."
Tao Junlin finally added: "If nothing else happens, we plan to get married during the Spring Festival, and Jiaqi's parents have already agreed."
"Are you in such a hurry? What about the bride price?"
"You also know that Jiaqi is not short of money. Our family can just give it a try. There is no need to prepare anything."
"You silly boy, people judge by your attitude. We can't be too casual in our family." Tao's mother immediately pushed her son: "Okay, you don't have to worry about this matter. Don't wait any longer. Let's go quickly!" "Mom, let's talk about it when I come back tonight."
Tao Junlin waved his hand.
……
In a blink of an eye, the weekend is here again.
Zhang Tao and his family gathered in Aoyuan Community.
After discussion, Zhang Jiaqi and Tao Junlin finally chose the meeting place in their own villa, which also allowed Tao's father and Tao's mother to visit the wedding room.
The meeting went smoothly. Both families came with sincerity and hoped that their two children would get married soon, so the wedding date was quickly determined.
Next, the group began to visit the villa and discuss how to decorate the wedding room.
The Tao family's house is too small and not suitable as a wedding room, but after the two got married, they mainly lived with Tao's father and Tao's mother because it was close.
Therefore, Zhang Jiaqi first set the tone:
"Just a simple arrangement will be enough. We live in the city most of the time, and we only come back on weekends and holidays."
Zhang Hao proposed in public: "Third sister, do you want to buy another villa?"
"No, Tao Junlin and I are both official employees. It's better to keep a low profile in our daily lives. After we get married, we plan to live with our uncles and aunts, so we can still have some care."
Zhang Jiaqi refused without hesitation.
"No, no, don't you young people like to live in a world of two? Your uncle and I haven't reached our 70s or 80s yet, so I won't disturb you anymore."
Tao Mu saw it very clearly.
A wealthy lady like Zhang Jiaqi is almost in the same class as her family. If they are forced to live together, all kinds of conflicts will definitely arise.
She doesn't want to affect her son's married life.
This is also done for the sake of my son.
"Uncle and aunt, I think it's better to do this!" Zhang Jiaqi rolled her eyes and immediately came up with a solution: "Junlin and I still live in the house in the city. You two should just move here. You can't live in a villa.
If it is empty, it will be popular if people live in it."
"This is a good idea. My parents-in-law are here, and our family can move around frequently, play mahjong and grow vegetables together. I don't know how happy the life will be."
Li Dajuan quickly agreed.
As the saying goes, a good daughter is better than a mother. The younger daughter has been used to being arrogant since she was a child. She is really not suitable to live with her future father-in-law and mother-in-law. Maybe there will be a war between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
"This..."
Tao's mother was instantly moved. It would be a waste to leave such a large villa empty. If they move in, they can usually help clean it.
Zhang Chongxin helped persuade: "My father-in-law, my mother-in-law, don't look at Shawei Village as a suburb. Life is indeed not as convenient as in the urban area, but there is also a good side. We have a glass house in the yard, and we can eat food all year round."
Fresh vegetables."
】
"Ahem, why don't we let Jiaqi and the others live here? At worst, we can take the subway to work, and we'll have to leave an hour early at most."
Father Tao is a bit embarrassed.
Zhang Jiaqi quickly persuaded: "Uncle, this is not a matter of distance. Tao Junlin and I often need to work overtime. Let's not talk about whether we can catch the subway. Do we still want to sleep a little longer?"
"This is true. They are already very tired and should really sleep a little longer."
Zhang Jiahui followed closely and echoed.
Father Tao and Mother Tao looked at each other and finally agreed: "Okay, let's try living here first."
"That's right. When Jiaqi and Xiaotao have a child, they are busy with work and have no time. We can help take care of the child together."
Li Dajuan is finally satisfied.
"Mom, what are you talking about? We haven't received the certificate yet, why are we talking about giving birth to a baby?"
Zhang Jiaqi said shyly.
Hearing this, Li Dajuan immediately glared at her little daughter: "Don't be sloppy with me. You are not young yourself. If you don't rush now, you won't be able to have a baby in the future even if you want to. There is no need to discuss this matter. You must hurry up."<
/p>
"I didn't say I wouldn't give birth..."
Zhang Jiaqi muttered subconsciously.
Perhaps because of the relationship with her twin nephews, she still likes children. No matter in the past or now, she does not reject having children.
……
At noon, everyone had a meal in the villa. There were only seven or eight simple dishes on the table, but each dish was exquisite and rare in the market.
Especially a Cordyceps stewed chicken soup.
You know, Cordyceps sinensis no longer exists, and now we have to eat one less tree.
After lunch, Zhang Jiaqi and Tao Junlin were in a hurry to go to work again.
On Li Dajuan's side, after her strong invitation, Tao's father and Tao's mother were so kind that they could not refuse, and planned to sit down at the in-laws' manor to discuss the specific wedding procedures.
There are simple ways to do it, but you can’t let your little daughter suffer too much.
The fence of Shawei Village has been repaired, and the back door faces the main entrance of Aoyuan Community.
As Li Dajuan walked, she introduced: "My mother-in-law, behind the wall is the main area of our Shawei Village. I will help you apply for a pass later, so you can come and go at will."
"It's pretty good here!"
Mother Tao couldn't help but praise.
As the Spring Festival approaches, both sides of the streets in the village have been hung with red lanterns in advance, and the villagers' faces are full of joy, with a strong New Year flavor.
"It's not bad. It's not easy for everyone this year. In addition, last year's Spring Festival was a bit deserted. The village plans to liven up and have a good New Year."
Zhang Hao explained with a smile.
Regardless of whether the historical trajectory remains unchanged, this year will be the best year in the next ten years. For this reason, it is worth celebrating.
As soon as he finished speaking, Village Chief Fan’s new daughter-in-law, Catherine, walked over.
"Auntie, what are you doing?"
People are in high spirits during happy events, so Li Dajuan couldn’t wait to introduce Tao’s father and Tao’s mother to him.
Catherine quickly congratulated: "Aunt, Uncle Zhang, congratulations, don't forget to treat me to a wedding drink later!"
"Don't worry, I'll send you the invitation in a few days." Li Dajuan smiled and nodded.
Tao's mother and Catherine took care of each other, then looked at the new year's goods in each other's hands, and couldn't help but curiously said:
"Catherine, where did you buy these new year's goods?"
"I bought them all from the supply and marketing cooperative. The Chinese New Year is coming soon. The supply and marketing cooperative has just arrived with a batch of good goods. This time, not only are the daily necessities complete, but there is also meat."
Catherine replied with a smile.
"Meat? What kind of meat is it?"
Mother Tao quickly asked.
Maybe it's because of the Spring Festival, but this month I was unusually generous and gave out meat coupons, and there were quite a lot of them, about one pound per person on average.
You should know that meat tickets are usually only available to special groups of people, such as pregnant women and children.
Catherine opened the bag casually: "See for yourselves!"
"Is this whale meat?"
Zhang Hao recognized it at a glance.
"That's right, it's whale meat. You guys came back late, the fat ones were picked away, and the rest is all lean meat." Catherine lamented.
Zhang Hao suddenly felt dumbfounded: "Catherine, didn't Uncle Fan tell you? I am the general manager of Southeast Fisheries, and these whale meats are caught by our company."
"Hey, I just remember he told me that the village seemed to have divided whale meat once before."
"I got the whale meat back that time through some connections. If it weren't for the intervention from above, I could have gotten another batch of whale meat back."
Catherine immediately gave a thumbs up: "Dr. Zhang, I didn't expect you to be so energetic."
"Let's not talk about it anymore. I still have some whale meat on hand. Catherine, please go back and ask Uncle Fan. If you need it, come down to my house and get it."
"Really? Thank you so much."
Catherine was overjoyed instantly.
After a series of previous encounters, she became extremely dependent on collecting food. Whenever she had the opportunity, she would go to the small market in the village and buy some food, and she never tired of it.
Zhang Hao waved his hand: "Uncle Fan and I have been friends for many years. This little thing is nothing, so you don't need to be polite to me."
"Okay, without further ado, I'll go back and tell our old fan now."
Catherine said hello to everyone, then ran towards home carrying her things, fearing that she would waste time and someone would buy the whale meat.