On the twenty-ninth day before the New Year, everyone who was supposed to co ho had basically arrived, all staying at Fang Pingying's ho to celebrate the entire month.
Fang Pingying's house, due to the small villa they were living in this year, didn't lack room, unlike previous years when during the New Year, everyone would squeeze in, a couple here, a couple there, all staying at Fang Pingying's, making it particularly lively.
Even though conditions had improved and they didn't lack for anything, Fang Pingying insisted on doing many things herself, like making stead buns, dumplings, and fried atballs, always feeling that making them herself more truly evoked the spirit of the New Year.
Fang Pingying was frying atballs in the kitchen with Li Yuchun, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Luo Dashan, who was sitting in the living room, appearing sowhat absent-minded, as though lost in thought.
Fang Pingying thought for a mont, went outside, and smilingly asked Luo Dashan, "Dad, what's wrong, are you missing the New Year celebrations we used to have in the countryside?"
Luo Dashan did indeed feel nostalgic for the old days in the countryside, having spent his whole life there and never having returned since he left. He did want to go back and take a look.
But thinking of Zhou Yuni in the countryside, he lost all interest and simply shook his head.
Just as Fang Pingying was about to speak, a voice called out from the doorway, "Sister-in-law!"
Seeing Cui Lan arriving with Zhuzhu, Fang Pingying imdiately greeted them with a smile, taking the items from her hands, "Cui Lan, you're here, perfect timing, we're busy with things for tomorrow, co join us."
Previously, Fang Pingying had indeed greeted Luo Cuilan, telling her to bring Zhuzhu along for the New Year. Zhuzhu liked playing with Yaoyao and the others, and having all the children together made it even livelier.
Yet, Luo Cuilan shook her head and said, "Sister-in-law, I won't be spending the New Year here. I've agreed with Zhiming to spend it with him; he's all alone, doesn't want to go back to the countryside to spend it with my mom, saying he wants to wait and see Haohao for the New Year, as you know…"
When Luo Zhiming was ntioned, Fang Pingying paused for a mont, then asked, "Is Zhiming still working on the construction site?"
"Yes."
Hearing this, Fang Pingying nodded her head without saying anything more.
Actually, Fang Pingying had developed a different perspective toward Luo Zhiming over the past few months. She had initially thought soone like Luo Zhiming might never change from being soone who avoids hard work and seeks comfort, only willing to work on the construction site for a living, but would switch to sothing else as soon as the opportunity arose.
Or she thought, if circumstances allowed him to return to the past, he would happily revert to that lifestyle.
Unexpectedly, considering all of this, Luo Zhiming has been working on the construction site for nearly two years, and Fang Pingying even had soone investigate privately, discovering that Luo Zhiming was actually quite diligent at work, favored by the site foreman, and he earned more for hauling bricks than others did.
aning, Luo Zhiming has been making money recently, probably saving so, yet he continues to work diligently. It seems when faced with certain circumstances, people are bound to change.
Additionally, with Haohao, since the incident with Xu He, Zhiming indeed did everything a father could do, and Fang Pingying noticed and started making plans.
She pondered whether it might be the right ti to arrange a better job for Luo Zhiming.
Although worried due to past events, Fang Pingying feels it might be possible now.
She plans to arrange for Luo Zhiming to be a foreman at the comrcial building she's developing, leading a team dedicated to building houses. With his experience and connections from years on the construction site, he should do well, and if he is a bit more ambitious, he could possibly make so money.
Over the next few years, Luo Zhiming truly changed his ways, becoming a foreman through Fang Pingying's arrangents, and with the hardships he endured, he learned many things, always rembering that family is more important than anything else.
No matter the situation, family cos first for him, and he is quite relaxed about money.
Perhaps because of his sincerity, many construction companies held him in high regard, making him a well-known foreman in the provincial city over the subsequent years, earning quite a bit and even buying a house in the city.
A man with wealth and a career needs not worry about lacking female companionship.
In the following years, Luo Zhiming married a woman who had been divorced, but was four or five years younger than him, gentle, honest, and without deceit.
Though for many years after marriage, due to Luo Zhiming's health, they didn't have kids, fortune often favors good people. At forty, his wife beca pregnant, and later gave birth to a daughter, bringing imnse joy to Zhiming.
As for Luo Zhiyong and Xiutao's relationship.
Since Xiutao had a husband and son, who were unaware of the details, and Xiutao didn't want them to know, she and Luo Zhiyong maintained a familiar yet distant relationship over the years.
Luo Zhiyong never deliberately sought her out, nor did he insist on accepting her as his mother, and she never expressed a desire to change things, so they continued as is.
After all, many lost years cannot be regained.
Sotis it's best to leave things as they are, to be familiar strangers.
Another New Year's Eve arrives, and Fang Pingying and Luo Zhiyong are now in their late thirties, entering middle age, having maintained a strong relationship over the years, arguably more loving than when they were young.
With family complications behind them, and their children grown with lives of their own, requiring less of their concern, and Fang Pingying's career stable, everything has beco much easier.
Fang Pingying gradually shifted her attention more towards family.
On the morning of New Year's Eve, while it was still barely light outside, Fang Pingying lifted the quilt, intending to rise.
However, she was barely up when a strong pair of hands wrapped around her waist, forcing her to lie back down. She turned to the one holding her, Luo Zhiyong, gave him a playful smack, "What are you doing? It's New Year's, still wanting to lie in bed?"
Luo Zhiyong seed half-asleep, murmuring in a dazed tone, though he was awake, holding Fang Pingying, his hand roving over her, "Wife, let's sleep a bit longer, Mom and Dad can handle the New Year's stuff, what's the rush?"
Perceiving his intent, Fang Pingying's face flushed imdiately. Isn't it said that as n age, their desires decrease? Yet, sohow he seems more spirited than when he was younger?
Fang Pingying cast him a sideways look, whispering, "Wasn't last night…"
Seeing Fang Pingying stop, Luo Zhiyong chuckled softly, pulling her close, whispering in her ear, "Wasn't what? Consider how little relaxed ti we've really had together over these years, you owe ."
Knowing precisely what debt he refers to, Fang Pingying blushed, teasing back, "Don't we have a lifeti to make it up?"
"Yes, it's wonderful we have a lifeti," Luo Zhiyong seemingly moved by the notion, lightly sighed, opening his eyes to seriously gaze at Fang Pingying, akin to a confession, "Pingying, eting you has been my luckiest event in life."
"You…"
Thinking back on the past, Luo Zhiyong sighed, murmuring about the old days, "Actually, Liu Fengsheng was right in many ways; you marrying was indeed a loss. Had you chosen soone else, your life could be much easier, other n would provide more, avoiding the chaos of my family's earlier years."
"Others have their benefits, and you have yours," Fang Pingying replied not just to comfort him, but because she genuinely believed this.
Moreover, she t Luo Zhiyong when she had nothing, no skills, forming feelings for him then ant such scenarios were never considered.
Deep down, for all won, no matter how capable or accomplished, they most desire soone to love, cherish, and spoil them.
While Luo Zhiyong may lack the advantages of successful or well-off n, his best quality is his devotion, loving her throughout, never contemplating quitting, even when they were divorced.
Regarding the divorce, many might see Luo Zhiyong's tactics as manipulative, yet within Fang Pingying's heart, that's his steadfastness.
Perhaps many felt Fang Pingying undeservedly suffered too much for him, but she accepted it willingly.
Not because of surrender, nor degrading herself, but because every person, male or female, carries soone in their heart for whom they'd willingly endure hardships and sacrifices.
Coincidentally, Luo Zhiyong is that person for her, an unavoidably ingrained presence she couldn't escape or abandon, choosing to follow her heart.
Now, she feels content, with all the hardships behind them, every day ahead shines brightly with promise. (The End)
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