NOVPUB58: Chapter 46 New Year
58 -46 New Year
Now, although Zheng Cheng was carrying out routine tasks which were essentially safe, he still maintained the practices of the special squad.
After wandering around the villa area for a while, Gu Yanzhi and Song Zhao went back.
On their way home, they passed an office building and Gu Yanzhi with Song Zhao went into the ones that caught their eye.
The city center was much more populated than places like Songshan District, which was more suburban, and most of the things inside the office buildings had already been plundered.
Gu Yanzhi picked up the items that were of no use to ordinary people, such as abandoned shelves and display cabinets, and took some back to tidy up the cluttered supplies in their space.
For the next more than two months, Gu Yanzhi and Song Zhao spent their time staying home when they didn’t feel like going out or strolling around City C, picking up stuff left behind by others.
Gu Yanlin was out early and returned late every day, carrying out tasks with Squad 532.
By this time, he had become a qualified soldier, loved and cared for by the other members of Squad 532 because of his young age and nimbleness.
A month ago, the base in Songshan District was completed, and after its completion, Squad 532 moved out of Building 10 and relocated to the base.
Gu Yanlin, of course, moved there as well, and only got one day off each week when he could come home to satisfy his cravings and rest.
Gu Yanzhi, concerned for Gu Yanlin’s safety after his move, packed a backpack for him loaded with various emergency supplies and at least a week’s worth of compressed rations, insisting that he carry it unless specifically instructed otherwise.
Not only for Gu Yanlin, but Gu Yanzhi also packed a similar backpack for Song Zhao.
Even though the major events in her life had thus far not differed from her past life, some minor details had already changed due to her “butterfly effect.”
Gu Yanzhi feared the changes would grow increasingly significant, and if the three of them were ever forced to split up, the pack might save their lives at a critical moment.
Throughout these months, Chu Guodong continued trying to persuade Gu Yanzhi and Song Zhao, frequently visiting Building 10 to chat with them.
While insisting on the persuasion, Chu Guodong didn’t do anything particularly annoying; in fact, he had grown to genuinely appreciate their friendship.
From Chu Guodong, they had subtly learned some details about Mr.
Yan, just waiting for the right opportunity to strike back and avenge.
Tomorrow was the New Year, and around noon, Gu Yanlin came back home from the base.
Unlike other residential buildings bustling with New Year preparations, Building 10 was very quiet when Gu Yanlin returned.
Most of the young residents were still working, and government officials would only start their holiday tomorrow. 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓅𝓊𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
Besides Gu Yanlin’s family, there were only three elderly people and two toddlers, who could barely speak, left in Building 10; so it didn’t liven up much.
Once home, Gu Yanlin had a wonderful meal with his sister and brother-in-law, talked about recent happenings, then went back to his room to rest.
He was exhausted from his work.
He slept from the afternoon until the morning, waking up on New Year’s Eve.
Gu Yanlin was awakened by the alluring aroma.
To ensure residents could enjoy a good New Year, Gu Yanlin and Squad 532 had been tasked with finding supplies outside for nearly a month without a break.
With a lazy stretch, Gu Yanlin got up to wash.
After spending so much time in the army, he had grown accustomed to getting up as soon as he opened his eyes, and had long lost the habit of staying in bed.
“Sister, what delicious thing is brother-in-law making?” Gu Yanlin asked as he left his room, sniffed the air, and followed the fragrant scent to the kitchen.
Song Zhao was standing in front of the stove, continuously stirring the pot with a pair of chopsticks, making sizzling sounds.
Gu Yanzhi stood beside Song Zhao, a bowl in front of her from which she occasionally picked something to eat and put it in her mouth.
“Yan Lin is up, come and eat,” Gu Yanzhi said with food in her mouth, her words muffled.
“Sss, sss, tasty,” Yan Lin heard Gu Yanzhi’s call, walked over to her, and without using chopsticks, he picked up a meatball from the bowl and quickly stuffed it into his mouth.
“Bang bang bang,”
As Gu Yanzhi and Yan Lin were blatantly stealing snacks, someone knocked on the door, and Yan Lin quickly stuffed another meatball into his mouth before going to open the door.
“Yan Lin, my family made some meatballs, here, try some while they’re hot.” As soon as the door opened, Zhang Qian handed over a plate with six round and cute meatballs.
“Just bring the plate down when you go downstairs later.”
Yan Lin took the meatballs, and seeing Zhang Qian about to leave, he quickly stopped her:
“Thank you.
Hey, wait, let me pack some from my house for you.”
He dumped the meatballs into a bowl, quickly packed some of the meatballs and sweet potatoes fried by Song Zhao, and handed them to Zhang Qian.
Unlike Gu Yanzhi’s house, which never lacked for meat and made pure meat meatballs, the Zhang family’s meatballs had bits of meat in the batter, enough to taste the meat but barely any chunks were visible.
Despite the scant meat, Aunt Zhang’s cooking skills were impressive; the meatballs were crispy on the outside yet tender inside, salty, savory, and slightly spicy with every bite.
Gu Yanzhi tasted one and then stuffed another into Song Zhao’s mouth.
Zhang Qian’s visit seemed to open a floodgate, and after she left, Yan Lin stood by the door, never stopping to open it again.
Uncle Zhuang’s family brought golden fried Spanish mackerel, the Gao Family brought braised pork, Sister Li brought crispy pork, and even the culinary-challenged couple Zhong Junfeng and Yin Meng brought some homely but tasty fried pork patties.
Yes, after the government resumed its operations, the couple found time to register their marriage.
Having endured hardships together, their relationship had deepened significantly.
Both working in a hospital, they understood the implications of their legal status as unmarried partners, unable to authorize medical decisions in emergencies.
Therefore, upon learning that registration had resumed, they immediately took the time to handle it.
Yan Lin ensured no one left empty-handed, packing lots of fried meatballs and sweet potatoes for everyone.
Song Zhao had been busy in the kitchen all morning, frying two big basins worth, intended to be shared with everyone as an extra dish for the New Year’s feast.
That evening, the three found an old New Year’s gala and made dumplings while watching.
People in the south rarely made dumplings for the New Year; they usually bought them from dumpling shops as one of the dishes on the table.
But Mrs.
Gu was from the north, so from their childhood, their New Year’s tradition was to make dumplings together as a family.
The three of them, since they were young, could forego other chores, but making dumplings together during New Year’s was a must-participate family activity.
Over the years, they had all become skilled dumpling makers.
Song Zhao followed video tutorials to prepare the fillings, one with Gu Yanzhi’s favorite celery and pork, and another classic filling of chive, shrimp, and egg.
Working in perfect synchrony, one rolled out the dough while the other two wrapped; before long, rows of neatly made dumplings adorned the dining table.
After boiling the dumplings and selecting from dishes on the table, the three commenced their New Year’s Eve dinner.
