On the twenty-third day of the lunar month, under the old housekeeper's Zhang Luo, the Chen family has already had a little bit of festive celebration, this day is a small year, and the old housekeeper blocked the door of Chen Ji early in the morning, explaining over and over again that he is not allowed to go out for too long. Chen Ji is a big clan in the city, and he should pay more attention to these customs. Chen Ji is the current master, and although many things do not require him to do it himself, he also needs to be present.

There is a saying in Qingzhou City that "twenty-three, sugar melons are sticky", and it is a small year, the Stove King Festival, after Chen Ji was stopped by the old housekeeper in the morning, he had to take the candy, water, beans, and straw that the old man had prepared, and arrived in front of the statue of the Stove King, and neatly visited the confession, and muttered a bunch of good words that he hoped that the Lord of the Stove would say to the Jade Emperor after the Emperor. Ordinary people's homes will also smear candied fruit on the mouth of the statue of the king of the stove.

With the help of the old housekeeper, Chen Ji did this, went out, and asked about the things that were put on the table just now, only to know that the last three things were prepared for the mount of the Stove King to ascend to heaven, Chen Ji shook his head, and couldn't help but think about what the Stove King's mount was. couldn't help but ask Uncle Chen, but he picked up a few words.

In such a relatively comfortable place, the day passed.

Twenty-four, it is the whole house to do a lot of cleaning inside and out.

Twenty-five, legend has it that the Jade Emperor will visit the lower realm and eat tofu dregs to show bitterness. So tofu has become the protagonist of the twenty-fifth month of the lunar month, early in the morning Chen Ji personally grinds beans, boils bean curd, makes tofu, and in the afternoon, it is handed over to Uncle Chen to make fried tofu, tofu boxes, and tofu cocoons.

Twenty-six, twenty-seven, Chen Ji led Xiao Ran and others to the street to catch up with the big set, in addition to preparing the family's New Year's gifts, there are also gifts for visiting various families after the year, especially if he does not return to Dengzhou, the gifts over there also need to be carefully prepared, and arrange for trustworthy people to send them in person.

The things here are probably Xiao Ran in Zhang Luo, Chen Ji only has the ability to carry things, and other big and small things are only qualified as a staff officer, Xiao Ran is worthy of being personally led by Chen Wenxuan for a period of time, and there is already a considerable heat in these family chores. Chen Ji followed behind, staring at Xiao Ran and picking all the same, bargaining again and again, which really gave people a sense of shock.

In the month of La, Chen Ji has arranged for Chen Ji's employees to take vacations, of course, such as newspapers, this time is the time to make money, and overtime pay has been given, so for Chen Ji's people, I really feel that Chen Ji's boss is good.

Chen Ji did this, but he also had his own selfishness.

But after all, it is a reciprocal contractual relationship, and he will not have any psychological pressure.

On the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month, the last batch of employees of Chen Ji took a holiday, and they didn't even leave a single caretaker of the store. For a moment, the whole Chen Ji was quiet, as if at least the bustling newspaper business did not exist.

There will be some gossip outside, and it will reach Chen Ji's ears, Chen Ji doesn't care, Shen Qiu and Gui Chun don't forget to talk about it next to his ear, in ordinary people's homes, this kind of chatter about the master's broken mouth is enough to hit the board, Chen Ji doesn't care about this, and when he is free, he will talk to them a few words, comfort a few words, and then arrange an errand for them, and send them away.

Before the end of the year, I was busy shopping everywhere every day, and in the evening, I probably called everyone to sit in the yard and tell some small stories. The chef and the housekeeper Lao Chen were not interested in these things of love and love, they all carried a jar of high-grade wine brought back by Chen Ji, sat in the back row, accompanied by a plate of peanuts and melon seeds, and drank with relish.

In the front positions, Xiao Ran and the three of them obediently gathered beside Chen Ji, holding their chins, and looking straight at the past with their eyes, they were about to glow with little stars.

Chen Ji is talking about "The Legend of the West Chamber" today, although there is a printed copy outside, but in the Chen family, he still likes this kind of listening to stories around a small stove. Chen Ji's storytelling is not really good, it's just that his own family is cheering. In addition to a few daily stories, Chen Ji will also tell some other small stories, a few little guys don't understand well, and the two old people in the back are very transparent. Every now and then, they all feel that the young master has really grown up, especially Lao Chen, according to the genealogy, he is also an old elder, Chen Ji should call out the clan uncle, and he is also really looking at Chen Ji growing up, and he is distressed. At the moment, Chen Xiujie is not in Qingzhou, and it is necessary for him to watch some. But if there is any sign, it must also be sent to Dengzhou immediately.

After the story was finished, Chen Ji arranged for Xiao Ran and them to rest first, pulled a small bench and sat in front of the two, carrying the small wine jar that had been secretly hidden in his sleeve before, and did not forget to look behind him, for fear that Xiao Ran would see it and take it away for him.

Old Uncle Chen saw it in his eyes and smiled, "It's almost the New Year, Xiao Ran won't care about the young master." ”

Chen Ji smiled bitterly: "It's uncomfortable." Originally, I thought that Lao Chen was no longer in Qingzhou, and I really got great freedom, but I thought that Xiao Ran was more managed, and I didn't have a problem with her, she received her life from Sister Xuan. ”

"Every time I want to cry when I see it, I really feel that I am not human." l Chen Ji took a small sip, pulled his sleeve and covered the wine jar.

Lao Chen smiled: "There should also be someone in charge of the young master, otherwise the master will be angry if he wants to know these things that the young master has done."

Chen Ji didn't care, and followed: "Tomorrow is the Chinese New Year's Eve, and Uncle Zhang is afraid that he will go back to accompany his family, so this Chinese New Year's Eve dinner will have to be Uncle Chen Zhang Luo Zhang Luo."

Chen Ji looked at Chef Zhang, "Just come back after the fifth day of the new year." ”

Chef Zhang hesitated, he had been in the Chen family for many years, and he usually stayed in the Chen family to help prepare, but this year he suddenly came to such a moment, and for a while he thought that Chen Ji was driving people. When I heard the latter sentence, I was relieved. It's just that for people like him, in the end, they have to be busy with the affairs of the main family, and their own family affairs are all in the back row. And with the current appearance of the Chen family, what kind of meal will he eat when he leaves.

Although Chen Ji often goes to the kitchen to help on weekdays, occasionally there are some novel ideas, which are also verified one by one with the help of Chef Zhang. In addition, Chen Ji has a weekly food report, which shows that Young Master Chen still has some research on food.

But Chef Zhang is still a little worried.

Chen Ji comforted: "It's okay, I really can't make something that suits my taste, I'll ask Fengzelou to send it."

Fengze Building is a restaurant currently under renovation by Chen Kee, which is scheduled to open after the beginning of spring.

Uncle Chen, the housekeeper, put down the wine jar, but still helped Chef Zhang's tone, and said, "Young master, the kitchen at home still has to be fired, this is a big holiday."

Chef Zhang picked up the topic and said, "That's the reason."

Chen Ji thought for a while, "Okay, I'll pick up everyone in the family in the afternoon." Everyone was lively and lively together. ”

Chef Zhang was stunned for a moment, and was about to say no, Chen Ji had already waved his hand and said: "This matter is so decided, I am in this family, there is no need to pay so much attention, they are all family, there is no need to be too angry."

The housekeeper Lao Chen pulled Chef Zhang's sleeve and laughed, "Lao Zhang, you just agreed, you don't understand the young master's temperament yet?" If you refuse again, you will really lose this bowl of rice. ”

Chef Zhang exhaled, "Young Master is really ...... It's ......" shook his head and sat down, no more talking.

Chen Ji turned to look at Old Uncle Chen and said, "Uncle Chen, close the door tomorrow and have a good rest." And Lao Chen should have a letter sent over, right? Don't hold it down, I can probably guess what the letter says. ”

Lao Chen's face changed, and he smiled bitterly: "I'm not thinking about giving the young master a stable year."

Chen Ji laughed: "What's safe." He hadn't told the two old men in his family about many things, so naturally he didn't know what kind of busy method he was now. He didn't want to take these things back to his home to talk about.

As the night deepened, the rest of the conversation was all about the age-agnostic rhetoric of men.

Chinese New Year's Eve, the festive atmosphere came out in the morning, Chen Ji woke up from sleep, Xiao Ran had already brought hot water in, and I don't know how long the pestle had been waiting beside him. Seeing Chen Ji open his eyes, Xiao Ran retreated some distance, glanced at the hot water basin on the basin rack, and said with a little panic: "The water is cold, I'll go fetch water again." He went out with a basin, and when he arrived at the door, he didn't forget to say, "Young master, if you want to drink in the future, you can drink, why are you still avoiding me?" Miss Xuan just didn't allow the young master to drink outside, not to mention that she wasn't allowed at home. Xiao Ran is not a girl with a broken mouth, and she won't chew the root of her tongue. ”

The latter sentence is actually a heavy word for Xiao Ran in front of him. Chen Ji stood up from the bed, rubbed his forehead, and responded: "Isn't it that I'm afraid that you will think too much."

The little girl had already turned the door, I don't know if I heard his words, and it was hard to guess what her mood was when she heard it.

This family still needs a cute and lively little dye. It's like the "beauty" hidden in the deepest part of Chen Ji's heart, no matter what ups and downs he experiences in the future, he can have a place to rest when he looks back.

This is what Chen Ji has always expected from Xiao Ran.

Some simple little beauty, once missed, no matter how hard you try, you can't deliberately get it. And those little beauties that have not changed from the beginning should have the need for it to continue forever. In this cold and cold world, these may be just pure thoughts, but they are also like a small flame that lasts for a long time, a star, adding a little more warmth to this world and giving people some possible direction and inspiration.

Chen Ji got out of bed, sat down at the round table, poured a cup of tea, and took a sip, Xiao Ran had already fetched water in, and when he saw this scene at the door, he hurriedly sped up his pace and rushed up, put the copper basin on the wooden shelf, and snatched the cold tea from Chen Ji's hand with lightning speed, and said angrily: "Young master, you are not allowed to drink overnight tea, it hurts your body."

Chen Ji was helpless, so he had to nod and agree.

Xiao Ran followed: "I'll go change the hot tea for the young master, young master, you wash your face first."

Chen Ji sighed and got up.

Xiao Ran went out in a hurry again.

Chen Ji walked to the wooden frame, took the homemade washing set, walked out with the hot water basin, and by the sink set up in the corner of the courtyard, Chen Ji dipped in toothpaste, squatted on the small table and began to brush his teeth.

The godless eyes gradually regained some clarity.

On the side was a stream of clear water, which was overflowing under his eyes.

After washing, Xiao Ran brought hot water and stood on the side and waited quietly. Occasionally, he would say something that sounded interesting, and Chen Ji brushed his teeth and responded vaguely. It was a bit funny, and Xiao Ran covered her lips and smiled.

……

After breakfast, Xiao Ran took the people in the house to prepare for the evening meal, and Chen Ji sat in his small courtyard leisurely, eating tea, very leisurely.

Soon after, Hou Mingyu brought a few acquaintances of Song Qingming over, but it was an ordinary visit.

Zhu Chenghu's current "whereabouts are unknown", and most of the topics of several people have gathered on this point.

Sun Jingbing is an interesting person, and when he arrived in the yard, he had already asked for the charcoal stove, and went to the side to make tea.

Hou Mingyu was recently arranged to read at home for a while, and the whole person was much whiter.

The first sentence was not ambiguous, and he said directly: "We are here to get this year's money, how is the preparation of the Chen Dong family?" As he spoke, he stretched out his hand to Song Qingming and said, "Shopkeeper Song, prepare the account books."

Song Qingming was stunned, ignoring Hou Mingyu's self-inflicted affection, if they could really get the money, it would not be this time.

Hou Mingyu was "bored with himself", and then found a place to sit down. Comfortably enjoyed a chaise longue, straightened up, but took out a post from his body, handed it over, and said: "On the nineteenth day of the first month, I am going to get married, this is a post."

Chen Ji was puzzled and looked at Song Qingming, the latter nodded, he took it, opened it and looked at it, raised his hand and put it on the small table next to him, there was no extra movement.

Hou Mingyu was a little sad, this was a major event in his life, and it turned out to be such a reaction.

He must have been jealous that he had found a daughter-in-law.

Chen Ji had already turned his head and said to Song Qingming: "I guess I won't see you for a while after the New Year, so I just told you something." Saying that, he got up and went to the back room, and after a while, he also took out a post, handed it to Song Qingming, and said: "This is an official document, I'm not sure what position your family has arranged for you, let's help you get an official position of a thousand households, if there is a difference with your family, you can be the main family at home."

Song Qingming took it and took a look, if it weren't for the big seal at the checkout office, it would be hard for him to believe it, even with this seal, he would inevitably suspect that Chen Ji had "engraved the seal", count forward, similar things, Chen Ji really did not do less.

Hou Mingyu noticed the change in Song Qingming's face, left his seat and came over, looked at it for a while, and slapped his forehead: "Really?"

"What do you say?"

"Really?"

Song Qingming had already put it away, and when it was time to unveil the plaque, he was a little unconvinced.

Chen Ji smiled, and the chair shook.

Squinted his eyes and said lightly, "Let's get down to business."

Hou Mingyu returned to his seat, and out of nowhere, he took out a fan, opened it with a bang, and wrote "Convince people with virtue".

Then he opened his mouth.