Chapter 449: Deng Yunhua: Today, I'm the Star!

Chapter 449: Deng Yunhua: Today, I'm the Star!

It was the first day of the New Year.

In the afternoon, after having lunch with his parents and siblings, Zhou Haidong's family of three packed their luggage and gifts and headed to the station to catch their bus.

"Haidong, why don't you just quit this job? You're always working, and when you need to go somewhere, you have to ask for leave from your boss. You have no freedom at all. And after all these years, you're still just a section chief. There's really nothing worth staying for."

On the bus to Bobai, Deng Yunzhu said to her husband, "The hotpot restaurant is growing rapidly right now, and I'm in dire need of someone I can trust. Quit this job and come help me!"

Zhou Haidong nodded and said, "Alright, I'll do as you say."

Deng Yunzhu was a bit surprised and said, "You're agreeing so easily?"

Zhou Haidong smiled and said, "I've actually been thinking about this for a long time. To others, my job might be a rare good opportunity, and if I hadn't met you, I might have stayed in the system until retirement.

"But now that I've married you and your business is doing so well, as your husband, I feel quite ashamed that I can't help you at all.

"If I had a bright future like my second brother in the system, it would be worth staying. But after careful consideration, if I don't have any other opportunities, reaching my second brother's position would be like winning the lottery.

"Instead of spending half my life grinding to reach that position, it would be better to quit and help you, so we can grow our own business."

Deng Yunzhu was delighted and said, "I'm glad you see it that way. After we return from my hometown, you should quickly handle the resignation procedures."

Zhou Haidong replied, "I understand!"

...

Among the seven children of Deng Shirong, the eldest son, Deng Yuntai, has always been a significant presence in the family.

The eldest daughter, Deng Yunzhen, after her mother's early passing, took charge of all the household chores, acting as a mother figure and a significant member of the family.

The second son, Deng Yunheng, initially had a low presence but turned things around in high school, becoming the first member of the Naye Deng clan to be admitted to Peking University. He later entered politics and shone brightly, becoming the most illustrious member of the family.

The youngest daughter, Deng Yunzhu, though a poor student, achieved notable success after graduating from high school and starting the Spicy Girl Hotpot restaurant.

The third son, Deng Yunsong, a high-achieving graduate from Tsinghua University, is equally illustrious.

The youngest son, as the youngest child, also attended a prestigious university and is quite favored in the family.

The only exception is the fourth son, Deng Yunhua, who has always been a marginal figure in the family. He did poorly in school and was not very successful in business. Whenever the siblings gathered, he was always a supporting character and never the star.

But today, Deng Yunhua was the star, with everyone surrounding him and asking about his girlfriend.

Deng Yunzhen asked, "Xiaohua, I heard from your sister-in-law that you found this girlfriend on your own?"

Deng Yunhua smiled proudly and said, "Yes, I found her on my own."

Deng Yunzhu followed up, "Where is she from, and what does she do for a living?"

Deng Yunhua's lips curled into a smug, and he said with a sense of pride, "She's from Nanning, a student at Wuhan University, and she's graduating this year."

Deng Yunzhu couldn't help but exclaim, "Wuhan University is a prestigious university. I didn't know you had it in you!"

Zhou Haidong's heart remained calm upon hearing this. It wasn't that he looked down on Wuhan University, a well-known prestigious university in China, but rather that prestigious universities were common in his in-laws' family. His second brother graduated from Peking University, his second sister-in-law from Zhejiang University, his third brother from Tsinghua University, his third sister-in-law from Renmin University, his youngest brother from Sun Yat-sen University, and he himself from Nankai University. Another graduate from Wuhan University didn't seem surprising.

Deng Yunzhu continued, "What does she look like? Is she pretty?"

Deng Yunhua chuckled and said, "Of course, she's very pretty, not much different from the three sisters-in-law."

This statement surprised the others. Zhang Xiuping, Gu Caiwei, and Pei Qinghua, the three sisters-in-law, were famously beautiful. If Deng Yunhua's girlfriend was not much different from them, she must also be a beauty.

Deng Yunzhu asked, almost disbelieving, "Really? You found someone who looks as good as the three sisters-in-law?"

Deng Yunhua smiled and said, "In terms of appearance, she's not much different, just that her temperament isn't as good as the three sisters-in-law."

Deng Yunzhen added, "Appearance is something you're born with, but temperament can be cultivated over time. And since she's already passed Dad's test, it seems her character is also good. When are you going to bring her home for us to meet?"

Deng Yunhua replied, "Dad invited her for a meal before the New Year, and said he would invite her to our home after the New Year. If you want to meet her, you can come with us to Nanning for a few days."

Deng Yunzhen glanced at her husband and nodded with a smile, "Alright, I'll stay in Nanning for a few days."

Deng Yunzhu said, "Then I won't rush back to Guangzhou."

Just then, Deng Shirong, who had finished cooking all the dishes, came out and called, "Get ready to eat!"

Everyone then washed their hands and took their seats. Those who were taking care of the children, helping to serve the dishes, dishing out rice, and pouring wine were busy but orderly, and they were soon ready to start eating.

During the meal, everyone continued to talk about Deng Yunhua's girlfriend.

Among the seven siblings, Deng Yunheng was still in school and would not consider marriage for a while, so he could be left out of the conversation. The other brothers and sisters were already married and had children, leaving only Deng Yunhua.

After everyone had a good understanding of Deng Yunhua's girlfriend, Deng Shirong finally spoke up, "Once we get to Nanning, invite Ah Mei to have a meal at home, and then find a time to meet her mother and set their wedding date."

Deng Yunzhen nodded and said, "It's time to set it early. Xiaohua is 25 this year."

After finishing the conversation about Deng Yunhua, Deng Yunzhu also mentioned that her husband, Zhou Haidong, was planning to resign.

Deng Shirong naturally supported this. Zhou Haidong was just a minor official, and his presence or absence made little difference. However, after resigning, he would be free to focus on the hotpot restaurant, and with both of them working together, they might really expand the Spicy Girl Hotpot chain nationwide.

...

To say when the pickled vegetables business is the most prosperous, it would undoubtedly be during the Spring Festival.

Pickled vegetables are a great way to cut through the richness of food. If your stomach is empty, eating too many pickled vegetables can make you crave meat.

During the Spring Festival, every household's dishes are particularly abundant, and it is the time of the year when people eat the most meat. Naturally, after eating too much meat, people want to eat some pickled vegetables to cut through the richness, making this the most prosperous time for the pickled vegetables business.

In the future, the pickled vegetables from Bobai would also be famous. A small shop of just a few square meters selling pickled vegetables could earn several million, indicating how popular and prosperous the pickled vegetables business was in Bobai.

This year, the Fan family's pickled vegetables shop, except for taking a break on New Year's Eve, continued to operate even on New Year's Day.

From this, it was clear that Qin Fengzhen, as a mother, was indeed quite good. Even though her daughter had become the girlfriend of the young master of the snack street, she still worked diligently at her small business, striving to earn money to improve her family's life.

Unlike some people who, given such a great opportunity, might not even want to continue their business and would just wait for their future in-laws to help them.

Under her influence, her two sons also worked honestly and diligently.

That evening, Qin Fengzhen and her family of four were busy with their business when a familiar voice suddenly called out, "Auntie, Yue Mei, Happy New Year!"

Qin Fengzhen looked up and saw that it was indeed her future son-in-law. She quickly smiled and greeted him, "Xiaohua, Happy New Year!"

Fan Yue Mei also looked surprised and happy, "Brother Hua, Happy New Year!"

Deng Yunhua handed over a few bags of gifts and said, "Auntie, these are some small gifts I prepared for you."

Qin Fengzhen took the gifts and smiled broadly, "Xiaohua, you're so thoughtful. Yue Mei, quickly take Xiaohua inside to sit."

Deng Yunhua smiled, "You all keep working, I can find a place to sit on my own."

Fan Yue Mei nodded, "I'll be right there."

...

A few minutes later.

Deng Yunhua looked at his girlfriend sitting across from him and whispered, "Yue Mei, have you missed me?"

Fan Yue Mei blushed and looked around nervously before nodding, "I have!"

Deng Yunhua chuckled, "I've missed you too. I just got back from my hometown today and didn't even go home first, I came straight to see you."

The two of them sat in the corner, whispering and sharing their feelings.

After about ten minutes, Deng Yunhua said, "Yue Mei, my dad wants to invite you to have lunch at our house tomorrow. My elder brother, sister-in-law, elder sister, and younger brother will all be there, along with my nieces and nephews. They all want to meet you."

Fan Yue Mei was very happy to hear this. Her mother had already told her that if the man's family invited the woman to eat out, it meant that the marriage was not yet recognized by the man's family, and the woman was still being evaluated.

But once the man's family invited the woman to eat at their home, the marriage was almost certain.

Although she had already been approved by Uncle Deng and was told that she would be invited to their home after the New Year, the matter had not been finalized, and she could not be sure that it would not change.

Now that Uncle Deng had formally invited her to their home, it was a matter of certainty, and naturally, it was a cause for joy.

However, the thought of meeting so many relatives still made her feel a lot of pressure.

"Brother Hua, are your elder brother, sister-in-law, elder sister, and younger sister easy to talk to?" Fan Yue Mei asked, a bit worried.

Deng Yunhua smiled, "Don't worry, they are all very easy to talk to. Besides, you've already passed my dad's test, so no one will make things difficult for you. My dad is always the final word in our family, and everyone listens to him."

Fan Yue Mei felt relieved and smiled, "Alright, I agree."

"Then I'll come to your place around eleven o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Okay, I'll be ready."

...

The next day.

Fan Yue Mei got up early as usual to get dressed and ready. Qin Fengzhen also took this matter very seriously. Since it was her daughter's first time going to the man's house for a meal during the New Year, she knew that bringing gifts was essential.

However, expensive gifts were out of the question. Their family conditions were not good, and the man's family was aware of this, so there was no need to pretend.

But preparing simple candies, cookies, and fruits seemed too ordinary.

After much thought, Qin Fengzhen decided to make Nianzong (year rice dumplings) overnight for her daughter to bring. This gift was not valuable but required over ten hours to prepare, making it a heartfelt offering. It was the perfect gift for her daughter to bring.

Nianzong is a traditional Zhuang ethnic food. Although Qin Fengzhen's family was Han, they had many Zhuang neighbors, and the custom of making Nianzong during the New Year had become a habit for them.

In previous years, Qin Fengzhen would always make Nianzong during the New Year, but this year, she was too busy with her business to find the time.

Zhuang rice dumplings come in three sizes: the largest is called "Huangzong," known in Zhuang as "Pengbao," weighing up to ten or even fifteen pounds. The medium-sized ones are called "Peng," each weighing about a pound. The smallest ones, called "Penglai" in Zhuang, weigh only a few ounces and are used for offerings and New Year greetings.

In the future, large rice dumplings from Guangxi would become famous nationwide. After all, rice dumplings weighing over ten or even twenty to thirty pounds are rare outside of Guangxi.

Of course, those made for publicity stunts don't count. For instance, on May 25, 2017, a farm in Shunde, Guangdong, made a giant rice dumpling weighing 6,000 pounds and measuring 7 cubic meters, billed as the "World's Largest Rice Dumpling." It took ten thousand tourists three hours to finish it.

Another example is from June 9, 2013, when a town in Baimajing, Danzhou, Hainan, made a rice dumpling weighing five to six tons, claiming it to be the world's largest.

Such rice dumplings are made either for fame, fun, or other purposes. In contrast, the twenty to thirty-pound rice dumplings from Guangxi are more common.

Qin Fengzhen made three large Nianzong overnight, each weighing over ten pounds. When Fan Yue Mei woke up, the Nianzong was still simmering in the pot, far from being ready.

When Deng Yunhua arrived to pick them up, Qin Fengzhen took out the almost ready Nianzong.

Seeing the two large, steaming Nianzong, Deng Yunhua was both surprised and touched. He wasn't stupid and knew that this was a last-minute effort from his future mother-in-law, who must have stayed up all night to make them.

"Auntie, bringing some fruits would have been enough. You even made these large Nianzong specially, that's really too much."

Qin Fengzhen smiled, "It's Yue Mei's first time going to your house for a meal. I don't have anything fancy to offer, so I just made these Nianzong to show my sincerity. I hope your family won't mind."

"These are the best gifts. Auntie, you really are thoughtful," Deng Yunhua said, feeling grateful for her effort.

Qin Fengzhen smiled, "Alright, your family must be waiting. Yue Mei, take the candies, cookies, and fruits with you. Go with Xiaohua!"

"Okay."

Fan Yue Mei responded and picked up the gifts, ready to get in the car.

"Auntie, we'll be off then!"

"Be careful on the way."

"Got it!"

...

Ten minutes later.

Deng Yunhua drove his girlfriend back to Wuyue Square.

Seeing the car stop, Fan Yue Mei, sitting in the passenger seat, couldn't help but ask, "Brother Hua, aren't you taking me home? Why are we at your electronics store?"

Deng Yunhua laughed, "My home is right here!"

Fan Yue Mei was puzzled, "Brother Hua, what's going on?"

Deng Yunhua didn't explain further, just picked up the still warm Nianzong and said, "Just follow me."

He got out of the car, and Fan Yue Mei had no choice but to follow with the candies, cookies, and fruits.

Soon, Deng Yunhua led her to the private elevator of their home and took her up to the fifth floor.

Fan Yue Mei was a bit confused. Wuyue Square was famous for the Yongjia Supermarket on the first floor, the largest and oldest supermarket in the city, which had been in business for many years and was always bustling. The second floor was home to Spicy Girl Hotpot, the largest and oldest hotpot restaurant in the city, known for its elegant dining environment and excellent taste, making it very popular among diners.

Then there was the third floor, which housed Ah Hua's Home Appliance City. This was the largest home appliance city in the entire city, offering a wide variety of appliances at competitive prices, and even outshining the department store in terms of service.

Thus, the reputation of this home appliance city was naturally quite significant.

However, there were no known businesses on the fourth and fifth floors of Wuyue Square.

There were rumors that the fifth floor was the private residence of the big boss of Wuyue Square, but it was unclear whether this was true or not.

Now, her boyfriend was taking her straight to the fifth floor, which seemed to confirm the rumor.

Thinking about this, Fan Yue Mei couldn't help but ask, "Brother Hua, is Wuyue Square also part of your family's business?"

Deng Yunhua nodded and smiled, "Yes, Wuyue Square is indeed part of our family's business. The storefront for my home appliance city is owned by us, saving a significant amount of rent, so the profit is quite good. It's just that my capabilities are limited, and I haven't been able to expand it further."

Fan Yue Mei wasn't too surprised by this. After all, although Wuyue Square was impressive, it couldn't compare to the snack street.

As they spoke, the elevator arrived at the fifth floor.

Then, Fan Yue Mei was stunned by what she saw.

Even Gu Caiwei and Pei Qinghua, who came from prominent families, were thoroughly shocked when they first saw the luxury penthouse in Wuyue Square. For someone from a poor family who had never seen such grandeur, like Fan Yue Mei, the impact was even greater.

At that moment, only one thought crossed her mind: even the palaces of ancient emperors couldn't be more magnificent than this.

"Uncle Deng, Happy New Year!"

"En, Happy New Year!"

"Yue Mei, let me introduce you to everyone. This is my elder brother, this is my elder sister-in-law, this is my elder sister, this is my second sister, this is my younger brother Xiaoheng, this is my niece Xiaodong, this is my nephew Dongzi, this is my nephew Zhu Shiba, and this is my nephew Xiaoshi."

Deng Yunhua introduced everyone one by one, and Fan Yue Mei greeted each of them in turn.

After they had all exchanged greetings, Deng Yunhua held up the large Nianzong and said, "This is the large Nianzong that Yue Mei's mother made overnight. It just came out of the pot when I arrived, and it's still hot!"

Deng Shirong, well aware of how much effort it took to make Nianzong, quickly said, "Ah Mei, your mother is truly thoughtful."

"Ah Mei, come and sit down," Deng Yunzhu said, praising, "Our little Hua wasn't exaggerating; you are indeed very beautiful."

Fan Yue Mei blushed and said, "Second Sister is too kind."

Zhang Xiuping laughed, "Xiaohua has excellent taste, to have picked the most beautiful flower from Wuhan University."

Fan Yue Mei, being a top student from a prestigious university, had a rich vocabulary. She complimented Zhang Xiuping, Deng Yunzhen, and Deng Yunzhu in return.

After about ten minutes of chatting and drinking tea in the living room, Deng Shirong said, "I'll go and prepare the dishes. Xiaohua, take Ah Mei on a tour of the house!"

Deng Yunhua nodded and smiled at his girlfriend, "Come on, let me show you around."

Fan Yue Mei greeted the elder sister-in-law and the others before eagerly following her boyfriend to tour the breathtakingly beautiful penthouse.

As a top student from Wuhan University, she could appreciate the essence of the traditional Chinese elements used in the house. The more she saw, the more she marveled, continually expressing her admiration, which made Deng Yunhua quite embarrassed.

He couldn't understand many of the subtle points she mentioned, but he knew they were impressive.

After they had finished touring the house, Fan Yue Mei sighed, "This is the most beautiful house I've ever seen in my life. I never imagined that the fifth floor of Wuyue Square would be such a magnificent penthouse. Uncle Deng really has excellent taste!"

Deng Yunhua asked, "Do you like it?"

Fan Yue Mei rolled her eyes, "Who wouldn't like such a beautiful house?"

Deng Yunhua smiled and said, "If you like it, why don't you marry me sooner? Then this will be your home too."

Fan Yue Mei's eyes sparkled, and her face turned slightly red. "Marriage is a big decision, and I will follow my mother's wishes."

Deng Yunhua laughed, "I believe Auntie also hopes we get married soon."

At that moment, they heard the call to eat, so they headed to the dining room together.

This meal was undoubtedly the most delicious one Fan Yue Mei had ever had. Each dish was a feast for the eyes and the palate, especially the seafood, which was absolutely exquisite. Despite her restraint, she ended up eating two large bowls of rice. If her stomach hadn't been full, she would have eaten a third bowl.

The allure of delicious food was indeed irresistible.

After lunch, they stayed for another half an hour before Fan Yue Mei got up to say goodbye to Uncle Deng and the others.

Deng Shirong and the others politely tried to keep her longer, but eventually, they let Deng Yunhua drive her back home.

...

PS: Thank you to all the relatives for your tips and votes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end