Outsider: The Fifth Young Master of the Kang Family

Chapter 41 It’s New Year’s Eve
Today is Kang Qirui's last working day of this semester. The students had finished their final exams last Friday and went on holiday, but the teachers still need to work this week. One is to mark the exams and give grades, and the other is to make a semester summary and attend the end-of-term meeting. Until this Friday, this semester was quite happy. The students are all studious. Those who can be admitted to Shuangyashan are basically studious. There are no particularly disobedient students, and if there are, it is not something Kang Qirui needs to care about.

When I got back to the alley after get off work, I happened to run into the eldest brother, the second brother, and A Yao, and their couple. Each of them was carrying large and small bags, and they walked home together. As soon as they entered the house, the second brother complained to the two elders who were watching TV on the sofa: "Old Dou, you spent hundreds of dollars again today." The others greeted the two elders and returned to their rooms.

The old woman stopped Kang Qirui and asked, "Ah Rui, why are they buying so many things?" Kang Qirui had just chatted with them on the way, and then he said, "It seems like they are buying New Year's goods to take back to my parents' home."

When Lao Dou and his wife heard this, they were shocked. "Are they all going back to their parents' home to celebrate the New Year?" The old woman looked at Lao Dou.

"I won't need you two elders anymore after I get married." said the old man with some melancholy.

"Didn't you say you like quietness? Now it suits your taste." The old maid's tone was also unpleasant.

"Auntie Dou, don't worry. Even if the eldest brother and the others go to their maternal and maternal parents' home to celebrate the New Year, my fourth brother and I are still at home to celebrate the New Year with you." Kang Qirui comforted the two elders. To Kang Qirui, it was actually nothing to celebrate the New Year at her husband's maternal and maternal parents' home. There was no need to celebrate the New Year at her husband's home every year, as he had his parents there as well.

"Be good, be good." The old nanny touched Kang Qirui's head with satisfaction.

"Dad and Mom, let's go out for a while." The eldest brother Guang and his wife came out of the room with several large bags of things, more than when they came back just now. Then the second brother, his wife, and Ayao Xingzi also walked out with large bags of things.

"Wait a minute." Seeing that they were all carrying things, the old man thought that they were going back to their parents' home. "Where are you going with all these big and small bags?"

"You guys are leaving right away, right? Are you going back to the countryside now?" the old maid asked anxiously. Today is only the 25th day of the lunar calendar. Even if you are going to your parents' home to celebrate the New Year, there is no need to leave so early, right?
"Ah? Go back to the countryside?" Everyone looked surprised. The second brother just said, "No way, mom, you want us to go back to the countryside for the New Year again? Grandpa is dividing pork again? Let's talk to Grandpa this time. It's better to divide the land this time."

Everyone laughed when they heard this. The idea of ​​dividing the land was a good one. "Hey, stop talking nonsense. Are you going back to your parents' home to celebrate the New Year?" the old man asked seriously.

"No, master, every year we go back on the second day of the New Year to celebrate the New Year, and this year is no exception." The second sister-in-law made it clear that she would still celebrate the New Year in Guangzhou this year and would go back on the second day of the New Year.

"I originally wanted to go back to Shanghai to celebrate the New Year, but my father said that the new daughter-in-law should celebrate the New Year at her in-laws' home." Sachiko also said that she wanted to celebrate the New Year in Guangzhou. The old lady was very happy when she heard that.

"Mom, I won't go home for the New Year this year either." The eldest sister-in-law also quickly expressed her opinion. "Yes, Mom, Xianglan said that she has never spent the New Year in Guangzhou, so this year she must go to the Flower Street and watch the fireworks show." The eldest brother Guang also chimed in.

"Mom, I won't leave even if you chase me away this year." The eldest sister-in-law made a rare joke just to make the old lady happy.

"Then why are you carrying so many things?" Dad pointed at their bags. Since they were all celebrating the New Year in Guangzhou, why were they carrying so many bags at this time?

"Send it back to my parents' home." The eldest and second brother A Yao said in unison. It turned out that they were planning to go to the post office to send the things before dinner, not to go back now.

"Yes, yes. It's getting late, and gifts must be present even if the guests are not here. You just wait a moment, I have also bought some things. You can take them and send them to your in-laws." After the old maid said this, she hurried into the room to get the things.

"Sisters-in-law, what have you bought? Give me some advice." Kang Qirui looked at the things in their hands and thought about buying something for Mrs. Zhu.

"We bought dried lychees and dried longans. These are the most luxurious New Year's goods in Alashen City." Sachiko took out the things and counted them for Kang Qirui to see.

"Well, then it's right for you to marry into Guangzhou. Guangzhou has plenty of these things." The second sister-in-law said with a smile.

"These are all top-quality goods," Sachiko emphasized.

"Oh, why didn't I think of buying these?" Xianglan regretted it very much. These dry goods were not expensive, but very decent.

"Don't be afraid, I have things here." The old maid came out with a big basket of things. As soon as they saw them, they rushed forward to grab the things. Kang Qirui also took a few bags.

"Uncle Yao, you are smart. You know how to follow the mother-in-law's policy before you even get married." The second sister-in-law laughed at Kang Qirui when she saw him coming to divide the things. Kang Qirui also laughed and said, "I am different from you. Your maternal family is far away, but I am going out now, so I have to try my best to please you."

"Dad, where are we going to have the New Year's Eve dinner this year?" A Yao, a cadre, did not participate in the souvenir-sharing meeting. Instead, he pulled Dad aside and asked about the most important thing about the New Year.

"Just like before, let's book a big room in Hongyun Building." The old man didn't plan to do anything new. "A Guang, you are the boss, this glorious task will be given to you." The boss Guang had no choice but to nod helplessly.

The eldest brother went to book a room and didn't come back until after dinner, so Kang Qirui asked the second brother and his wife to go to his room and talk about something. The second brother came in and said, "Arui, what's the matter?" The second sister-in-law also looked at Kang Qirui curiously. "Second sister-in-law, how are the New Year's arrangements in the store?" Kang Qirui was of course talking to them about the clothing store.

"Yongfang wants to go back to celebrate the New Year, because this is her first year in Guangzhou, and her family is worried about her celebrating the New Year here alone. Everything else is fine, and everyone is willing to work overtime during the New Year. Let's do as you said, triple the salary during the New Year period, and double the commission. After hearing this, no one wants to work overtime, the only ones who are afraid that they won't be allowed to work overtime." It seems that everyone is really motivated, and the second sister-in-law even made a joke.

"That's fine. Er Lao needs to keep a close eye on the New Year. The products that are selling well must not be out of stock. It's okay to go out and work more." Er Lao also nodded in agreement. The clothing business is definitely booming during the New Year. Everyone's desire and demand for new clothes before and after the New Year are very strong. Their Metersbonwe is also a well-known brand. There is no worry about business at all, only that there are no people and no goods.

Then they talked about the new store. The new store will still be Metersbonwe, and it will be two streets away from the current store. When the time comes, the second sister-in-law and Yongfang will each take care of a store. Recruitment will start after the New Year. After talking about everything here, the eldest brother Guangcai walked into the house tired like a dog. Hearing the noise outside, Kang Qirui went out with the second brother and his wife and asked, "Big brother, have you booked a room?"

"How can you order it? Many people already booked it last year." The boss said unhappily.

"Ah? What should we do then?" My second sister-in-law still has to run the store during the New Year. How can we not have food to eat?

"I know where there's a room." A-Zu said shockingly, and everyone looked at him. "A five-star hotel."

"Tsk! We can afford to eat at the one you're the boss at." Kang Qirui was speechless. How expensive would a five-star hotel be during the Chinese New Year? With so many people in their family, a meal might not even be enough for a year's salary.

"What does it have to do with me?" A-Zu said unhappily, "It's all because our family is not high-ranking enough, and the money is not big enough. Everyone has the temper of a boss and is destined to work for him."

"Since there's nothing to eat outside, we can only cook it ourselves at home," said Kang Qirui.

"Arui is right. If there is nothing to eat outside, then just cook it at home. I have lived for most of my life, and I used to have the New Year's Eve dinner at home every year. It was only in the past two years when you went out to work and our family became well-off that we went out to eat. Now the food outside is expensive, not filling, and not tasty. I don't like it." The old lady also thought that if there was nothing to eat outside, then just cook it at home.

"Mom, if everyone learns from you, all the restaurants will go bankrupt." The second brother was unwilling. This New Year is already busy enough, and he also has to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner at home. How can he still do business?
"Don't say so much. Since there is nothing to eat outside, let's just do it ourselves." Dad made the final decision, but this decision made everyone start to complain.

"It's so annoying. We just celebrated New Year's Day and Christmas, and now it's the Spring Festival. If it doesn't involve violence, it's okay to show loyalty, but it's like this now. Mom, can I take a leave and not celebrate the Spring Festival?" The one who reacted the most was A-Zu, because they had to work until New Year's Eve, and he had promised his colleagues to help him be on duty from the first to the second day of the New Year.

"Fourth brother, you make it sound like you do a lot of work during every holiday." Kang Qirui laughed at A Zu. What kind of person is his fourth brother? He never does housework and when it comes to working, he always makes excuses, saying he has a stomachache or is feeling uncomfortable somewhere.

"That's right, Uncle Yao is right. It seems like you have never helped with housework at home." The second sister-in-law agreed with what Kang Qirui said. After hearing this, A-Zu felt a little embarrassed even though he was thick-skinned.

"Okay, okay, let's get back to the point. Since we've decided to have the reunion dinner at home, and we have two new daughters-in-law from other provinces, it's our first time to celebrate the New Year in Guangzhou, so there are a lot of rules to pay attention to, and everyone should be fully alert. We need to pay tribute to the gods, start the oil pan, and kill chickens and ducks for the reunion dinner. To be fair, we will divide the work and cooperate, and no one is allowed to be lazy." The old man stood up and walked to the head of the family seat to drive the second brother who was originally sitting there away, "Get out of the way, you're in the way."

"Master, I think your decision is very wise, otherwise some people will be lazy." The second sister-in-law hinted at something, and the second brother directly pointed at A-Zu, A-Yao, Xingzi and others, "Yes, yes, you, you, that's it." Everyone immediately started to make a fuss and blamed each other, and even involved Tianxiu, the troublemaker.

"Hey, hey, hey, let me put it this way. I'm afraid that the more I help, the more trouble I'll cause. So I'll just take charge of the New Year's Eve dinner." Everyone was surprised by the eldest sister-in-law's words, "You?" Just take charge of the New Year's Eve dinner for so many people in the Kang family?

"Sister-in-law, did I hear you correctly? You are going to take charge of the New Year's Eve dinner? Can you cook it?" Kang Qirui asked directly.

"Yes, sister-in-law, what are you going to cook for us to eat?" The second sister-in-law was also very confused.

"Dumplings, dumplings are eaten during the Chinese New Year. When we make dumplings, we put coins inside. Whoever eats the coins will have good luck." The eldest sister-in-law was still talking non-stop, and the eldest brother interrupted her and said, "If you want to make dumplings, just make them for me."

"Sister-in-law, we southerners don't eat dumplings for the New Year's Eve dinner. We eat fish, chicken, duck, goose, etc. The more abundant, the better." Kang Qirui explained. Southerners are actually more accustomed to eating dumplings as breakfast rather than as a staple food, not to mention that during such an important festival as the Chinese New Year, fish and meat are a must for the New Year's Eve dinner, and the more abundant the better.

"Yes, yes." Everyone nodded quickly. It was okay to eat dumplings during the Chinese New Year. If the news got out, people would think that their family had no money to celebrate the holiday.

"I think it would be nice to make some dumplings to change the taste." The old woman came out to smooth things over when she saw Xianglan's embarrassed expression. She also said to Sachiko in a considerate manner, "Sachiko, why don't you make some Shanghai dishes for everyone to try."

"Okay, I can cook anything as long as you like it." Sachiko was very happy to hear that. Although it is nice to celebrate the New Year in Cantonese, it would be even better if she could eat hometown food.

"Okay, okay." Everyone was very considerate.

(End of this chapter)