Chapter 20: New Year's Gift Arrives Ahead of Schedule!

  When they arrived at the pork stall, there were already many people there, and they also met fellow villagers who hadn't reserved meat. Seeing Cuihua's mother bringing Lin Chun, they pointed and whispered to each other. Lin Chun pretended not to see them. Dashan BoBo glanced back at those gossiping women and followed the two towards the pork stall. On the stall were laid out half a pig, the other half had already been sold out, even the pig intestines were all gone. Dahou loved eating Lin Chun's braised pig intestines with pickled vegetables. "Aiya, mother, there are no more pig intestines left, Dahou will be heartbroken."

  "It's also true that we arrived early today. Usually, there aren't many people at this time. It's indeed the New Year!" Old Lady Cuihua sighed.

  "Big sister, big sister, Uncle Dashan, Uncle Dashan..." Qian Xiaoxiao saw Lin Chun and Cuihua standing in front of the meat stall waiting to buy meat, and also saw Uncle Dashan following behind them. She let out a sigh of relief, she had been waiting here since early morning!

  Lin Chun heard the sound, turned his head to look, and saw Qian Xiaoxiao standing at the intersection of Hui Street, waving a handkerchief towards him. Seeing Lin Chun turn his head, she shouted twice more. Uncle Dashan also heard the shout, letting Cuifang wait in line at the meat stall, while he walked with Lin Chun in the direction of Qian Xiaoxiao.

  Qian Xiaoxiao was the daughter of Qian Dafu's family in the town, Lin Chun thought it was too embarrassing for her to call him Lin Meimei, and he himself was totally different from Lin Meimei in Dream of Red Mansions! So he asked her to change her mouth and call him Xiao Ming Da Yu, Qian Xiaoxiao also felt that this name was very intimate, so she agreed.

  Huijie Street is where the three streets of the town gather, and Lin Chun always walks on the street where villagers from nearby villages sell things in the market whenever he comes to the town. Firstly, it's convenient, and secondly, it's also taking care of the business of his fellow villagers, so he rarely goes to the other two streets. Qian Xiaoxiao is very clear about this, so she waits here.

  "Xiao Xiao Jie, are you waiting for me at the street corner? It's so cold, why didn't you send someone to let me know?" Lin Chun thought that there was nothing important today, could it be that the third pair of Angel Wings' ring is done?! Lin Chun felt a bit puzzled.

  "Big sister, my father asked me to wait for you here. Every year during the Spring Festival, our Qian Fu Yuan gives rewards and gifts to the employees and workers. The young master sent someone over a few days ago with many things, including some that were specifically instructed to be given to you." said Qian Xiaoxiao, panting and holding her hand.

  "Alright, Uncle Dashan, you go and tell Aunt Cuihua about it. I've already told her about the things I wanted to buy before, if she's really undecided, just wait until I get back and we'll discuss it again. I'm going with Xiaoxiao to Qianfuyuan for a trip." Lin Chun said to Uncle Dashan behind him.

  "Okay, after I finish buying things, I'll go pick you up."

  "Okay."

  After finishing, Qian Xiaoxiao pulled Lin Chun to run towards Qian Fuyuan. Qian Uncle had been waiting at the door for several times and saw Lin Chun and Qian Xiaoxiao returning. He quickly lifted the thick curtain on the shop door to let them in to warm up. Qian Xiaoxiao's brother brought hot tea to warm their hands and stomachs. Lin Chun thanked him, and Qian Uncle invited Lin Chun to sit down. "Big Brother, Young Master's instructions... had to make you run on a cold day. Originally thought it would be after the New Year before we met again, didn't expect to see each other so soon." Qian Uncle turned his head to tell Qian Xiaoxiao's brother, Qian Xiaoyu, "Bring out all the things Young Master has prepared."

  "Why didn't Big Mountain come with you today? There's a lot of stuff prepared by Young Master, or else I'll have Xiao Yu send you back in the horse carriage later?" Uncle Qian was a bit worried when he saw that Big Mountain didn't follow Lin Chun over.

  "Old Uncle Dashan and Aunt Cuihua are buying vegetables at the market, it's almost Chinese New Year, they're preparing to buy some food for the holiday, and they'll be over soon." Lin Chun explained.

  "Oh, it's fine, it's fine..."

  "Dad, I can only carry these by myself. Xiao Shui and Xiao Lu are moving the trunks behind me, they'll be here soon." Qian Xiangyu walked slowly towards him, holding five or six large and small brocade boxes in his hands.

  Lin Chun walked up to help take down the things, during which he accidentally touched Qian Xiangyu's hand, making this 14-year-old young man blush with shame. However, Lin Chun was completely unaware of it. Uncle Qian and Qian Xiaoxiao were delighted when they saw it from the side. Uncle Qian also hoped that Lin Chun could be with his own children together. It's just that Lin Chun has achieved so much now, and she is still the most important person in her young master's heart. Just look at the things sent over for New Year's this year, Uncle Qian knew that Lin Chun was definitely more than just a good worker to her young master... Uncle Qian was both happy and worried.

  Qian Xiangxiang didn't think so, Qian Xiangxiang thought that her own brother was five years older than Lin Chun, but her brother was very good at taking care of people and doing business. Lin Chun could draw blueprints, and the two of them together would definitely be able to make Qian Fuyuan prosperous. Last time, the young master even wanted to bring her brother to Dongyang City to cultivate him well, and in the future, Lin Chun could also go. Qian Xiangxiang thought that Lin Chun might become her little sister-in-law one day, which made her happy. Lin Chun had no idea about Qian Xiangxiang's thoughts, and even if she knew, she would probably just laugh it off!

  Two young men from Qianfuyuan carried a red wooden box out of the inner room, the box looked very heavy at first glance, painted with red lacquer, and adorned with intricate floral patterns, giving off an air of mystery. Lin Chun was slightly startled, if it were just these few brocade boxes, taking them in would still be considered normal, because after a closer look, Lin Chun saw that they only contained some local snacks from Dongyang City and a few pieces of Qianfuyuan's jewelry, but what about this red wooden box?... Lin Chun shifted his gaze to Uncle Qian.

  "The young master said that the things in this box are incomparable to what you brought to Qianfuyuan, so please accept it with peace of mind. Next year, you can draw even better designs for Qianfuyuan. Moreover, the young master has another request for you: he has a close friend who is getting married in March next year and wants to ask if you can design a pair of couple's accessories as a wedding gift." Mr. Qian saw Lin Chun looking at him, then glanced at the box that the young master had entrusted to her with great importance, and said very seriously, even using the polite title "Lin Gu Niang" instead of his usual affectionate nickname.

  Lin Chuan felt a bit uneasy looking at this premature New Year's gift, but hearing Qian Dashi's tone, he thought it was only natural. After all, he wasn't originally an employee of Qian Fuyuan, just someone who had signed a contract. Now that they needed him, sending some gifts wasn't excessive. Besides, hadn't the young master said that next year he would draw more good designs and send them to Qian Fuyuan? For now, Lin Chuan didn't dwell on it anymore. "Mm, I've taken note of the young master's words. As for the wedding gift for the young master's close friend, let me think about it carefully when I get home. After the New Year, I'll send over the design and guarantee that it will be delivered before their wedding."

  "That's good, that's good. Since it's like this, I won't say much more, Uncle. Earlier, I saw your Big Mountain uncle had already arrived. Later, I'll let Xiao Shui and Xiao Lu send the things to the ox cart, and ask your Big Mountain uncle to help you pull them back home."

  "Alright, Uncle Qian will take care of the arrangements! I'll be off for now, I still need to go shopping with Aunt Cuihua. Uncle Qian, don't bother seeing me out, it's cold outside." Lin Chun lifted the curtain and walked out, seeing Mountain Uncle and Aunt Cuihua waiting for him at the doorway in the cold wind, his heart suddenly warmed up, feeling that this winter's cold wind wasn't so chilly after all.

  Digression

  Today is the author's birthday, so I'll update one more chapter. My husband wants to take me out on a date, sorry everyone... o(n_n)o Thank you!