After finishing the dumplings, they first distributed this month’s salaries to the two of them. Qiu Lian, though brought in as a temporary worker with a promised salary of 30 dollars for the month, had worked just as well as Luo Honglan. So, when Fang Pingying paid the salaries, she did not fuss over the 5 dollars difference, treating Qiu Lian the same and giving her 35 dollars. Additionally, Fang Pingying gave Qiu Lian an extra 5 dollars for Lele to buy some snacks. Qiu Lian knew in her heart that Fang Pingying had already given her an extra five yuan, yet she still would not accept the money for Lele’s snacks, "Pingying, you’ve already helped me so much, I really can’t take this money." Fang Pingying smiled and stuffed the money back into her purse, "It’s not for you, it’s for our Lele. You buy him some nice clothes for the New Year and say they’re from me." "This..." Qiu Lian felt awkward to refuse any further but still hesitated to accept the money. "Take it, sister-in-law. Without you, I wouldn’t know how to get through this month, there’s just been too much to do," Fang Pingying encouraged her with a smile, "Besides, aren’t you saving up to buy more beads and open a shop next year? Every five yuan saved is an accomplishment." Hearing Fang Pingying say so, Qiu Lian felt it was inappropriate to refuse further, "Then I’ll accept it. In the future, if you need help, just let me know. Even if I’m not doing business, I’ll come to help you guys." "Deal, if we’re short-staffed, I’ll definitely tell you," Fang Pingying said with a smile. Qiu Lian nodded, ready to head back with Luo Honglan. As she was getting dressed, she asked Fang Pingying, "Are you going back tomorrow?" Fang Pingying replied with a smile, "We’re going back the day after tomorrow. We still need to clean up the shop tomorrow, plus Zhiyong won’t be able to come over until tomorrow night." "I’m in a similar situation; Old Su mentioned he could go back to our hometown the day after tomorrow." "Right, then we’ll have a lively New Year and catch up after the holidays." The next morning, as soon as Fang Pingying finished breakfast and went to the shop, Qiu Lian said goodbye and returned to the compound. On this side, Fang Pingying and Luo Honglan cleaned the shop. After everything was tidied up, Fang Pingying instructed Luo Honglan, "Hong Lan, pack up your things and remember to take everything home that you need to bring back, so you don’t have to run back here again later." The shop was cleaned up today, and Luo Honglan would go back to stay at her home tonight. "I packed my things a few days ago." Luo Honglan carried out two already packed bags and asked with a smile, "Sister-in-law, do you have anything else you need to bring?" Fang Pingying was about to say no, but then she remembered it wouldn’t be right to return empty-handed for the New Year. She decided to join Luo Honglan in taking some pastries from the shop, thinking of giving some to Fang Ping’an and also bringing some back to the Luo Family. Fang Pingying packed a variety of pastries, looked around the shop, double-checked the gas, electricity, and everything else, then locked up the shop door together with Luo Honglan, carrying their things. They wouldn’t be there for the New Year, but they notified Uncle Zeng, who would take care of the place, so there would be nothing to worry about. Although it was only a few minutes’ walk from the shop to their home, the weather was so cold that by the time the two of them got home, they were completely chilled. Fang Pingying inserted two power banks of her own design and handed one to Luo Honglan, "Warm up a bit. We still need to go out later." After plugging in the hand warmer, Luo Honglan examined it and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, this thing is really convenient, and you can even carry it around." "Yep, convenience is precisely why people are willing to buy it despite the high price." "That’s true," Luo Honglan said, then stuck out her tongue, "But it’s something only city folks would use. Just the electricity bill alone, my mom wouldn’t be willing to pay for it back in our village." "That’s why it’s hard to sell this thing in the countryside." After that, Fang Pingying asked her, "By the way, what are you planning to buy when we go out?" "I was thinking of buying a watch for my sister and a set of clothes for each of my parents." Speaking of Luo Dashan, a touch of pity appeared on her face, "Especially my dad, everyone else dresses up during the New Year, but he always wears old clothes, and my mom doesn’t bother about it either." "That’s fine, buy them a set each." Fang Pingying thought that since Luo Honglan would buy, she wouldn’t. She would see how Luo Zhiyong would arrange it, whether he would give more money for the New Year or something like that. Luo Honglan nodded and then, as if suddenly remembering something, asked Fang Pingying, "By the way, do you think my second brother and his wife will come back with us?" "I don’t know, your eldest brother hasn’t mentioned it, so they should have gone back earlier." Ever since Fang Xiu stopped working here, that couple hasn’t shown up, and even Luo Zhiming hasn’t come by either. It’s as if they vanished. Without them stirring up trouble, life has been easier for Fang Pingying, so she didn’t bother to ask. But Luo Honglan was somewhat worried about the two, expressing her concerns, "Ever since the second sister-in-law stopped working here, and the second brother hasn’t come by, I wonder how they’re doing." "I don’t know, we’ll see when we go back. If they both went back, there shouldn’t be any problems." In fact, Fang Pingying wasn’t too worried about Luo Zhiming. He had no money on him now, so he couldn’t cause much trouble. However, she was worried whether Fang Xiu really went back. Luo Honglan sighed, "I actually think that for people like the second brother and his wife, it might be better if they both stayed at home and worked on the farm. Although it’s poorer, at least the couple would live a peaceful life, not like now when everything is a mess." "They would need to be willing to stay home first." Remembering how the family had urged Luo Zhiyong to find a job for Luo Zhiming, Fang Pingying shook her head and sighed, "You know how much pressure your eldest brother was under to help the second brother find work in the city." "Yes, I know. It’s not your eldest brother’s fault. He was just trying to do what’s best for the second brother by helping him find work in the city. We didn’t expect him to cause so much trouble, sigh." Thinking of these frustrating matters, Luo Honglan didn’t want to talk about it anymore. Siblings grow up, and in the end, she can’t manage them. Fang Pingying patted Luo Honglan, "Forget it, don’t worry about it. Tidy up the room you’re staying in tonight, I’ll put the quilt away for you." The two sisters-in-law planned to rest at home for a while before going out, but after tidying up, it was already one in the afternoon, and Luo Zhiyong would probably be coming soon. Fang Pingying thought they would have lunch first, then all three would go out in the afternoon. Plus, with Luo Zhiyong around, there would be someone to carry the shopping. Otherwise, Luo Honglan always worried about the baby in her belly and insisted on carrying everything herself, yet she was just a teen girl who couldn’t be very strong. Since the shop wouldn’t be opened in the afternoon and Luo Zhiyong hadn’t arrived yet, Fang Pingying took some meat out of the fridge and taught Luo Honglan how to cook Sweet and Sour Pork. Luo Zhiyong loved the Sweet and Sour Pork made by Fang Pingying, and Luo Honglan liked it too. She tried making it once before, and Luo Honglan has been thinking about it ever since, asking her to teach her, but she never had the time. Sweet and Sour Pork isn’t hard to make, really. You just need the ingredients and have to watch the heat carefully when frying the meat slices. Luo Honglan was always used to working near the stove. Once Fang Pingying explained the things to pay attention to, she immediately got the hang of it. The Sweet and Sour Pork at noon was made by her. Although it was inferior to Fang Pingying’s, the taste was indeed not bad. (To be continued. If you work, you are welcome to vote for it with a recommendation ticket or a monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)