Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

Back in his hotel room, Yang Fan tossed his car keys onto the coffee table and slumped into the sofa.

"I'm exhausted..." he let out a long sigh of relief.

Xiaoya sat down next to her and started rubbing her sore arms as well.

"Brother, we really had a great day! But I've realized that spending money is hard work too."

"This is nothing," Yang Fan said with a smile. "When you're on your way home tomorrow, your trunk will be packed full. That's what real New Year's goods are all about."

After resting for a while, the brother and sister began to pack their things.

I'm going home tomorrow. Although I'm only staying in a hotel for a few days, I still have quite a lot of odds and ends.

New clothes, gifts for my parents, Yang Ya's design notebook and drawing board, and some household items I bought on a whim these past two days.

"Xiaoya, let's move these watery things to the car today."

"Let's pack our luggage now, otherwise we'll be in a rush first thing tomorrow morning."

"Okay." Yang Ya helped sort the things. "Brother, aren't we being too flashy going back this time? A new car and so many gifts..."

"What's all the fuss about?" Yang Fan put a few packs of cigarettes into a paper bag. "We don't steal or rob; we bought these things with our own money, so it's all aboveboard."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious:

"Besides, Xiaoya, I want everyone in the village to see that our Yang family is no longer the same as before. Mom and Dad have worked hard all their lives; it's time for them to enjoy their retirement."

Yang Ya's nose tingled, and she nodded vigorously, "Yes!"

The two of them worked for more than an hour and finally finished packing all the things they wanted to take home.

Four large shopping bags were packed full—all of them were put in the car, the trunk couldn't hold them all, so some were put in the back seat.

"Is that enough?" Yang Fan wiped his sweat. "Just pack up the toiletries tomorrow morning, and we'll be all set."

"Mmm!" Yang Ya sat down on the edge of the bed, exhausted. "Brother, I'm hungry..."

Yang Fan glanced at the time; it was 6:30 PM. "Let's go eat. What do you want to eat?"

"Whatever, I'm fine with anything."

As the two were talking, Yang Ya's phone suddenly rang.

She picked it up and saw that the screen displayed "Light Rain".

"Hello, Xiaoyu?" Yang Ya answered the phone, her tone light and cheerful. "What's up?"

Lin Xiaoyu's soft yet slightly apprehensive voice came from the other end of the phone:

"Xiaoya, have you...have you eaten?"

"Not yet, I just finished packing and was about to go out to eat." Yang Ya glanced at her brother, covered the microphone, and whispered, "My brother said he'd treat me to a big meal!"

There was a two-second silence on Lin Xiaoyu's end before she mustered up the courage to speak: "Um... Xiaoya, could I treat you to a meal?"

"Huh?" Yang Ya was stunned.

"You helped me hand out flyers yesterday, and you even promised to give me a ride home..." Lin Xiaoyu's voice trailed off, but she remained firm:

"I...I want to thank you."

"Although I can't afford anything too fancy, I really would like to treat you to a meal."

Yang Ya quickly said, "Xiaoyu, really, there's no need! We're friends, I was just helping out, don't be so polite!"

"It's not that I'm being polite..." Lin Xiaoyu's voice was pleading:

"Xiaoya, I... I don't know how to say it, but please let me treat you to a meal, okay?"

Yang Ya knows this friend very well.

Lin Xiaoyu is that kind of person—sensitive, with a strong sense of self-respect, and unwilling to accept help from others for nothing, no matter how difficult things get.

She always felt that if you owe someone a favor, you have to repay it; otherwise, if you keep owing them, the relationship between the two people might change over time...

"Wait a minute." Yang Ya covered the microphone, turned to look at Yang Fan, and repeated Xiao Yu's words.

Yang Fan frowned slightly after hearing this.

He remembered Lin Xiaoyu's fingers, which were red from the cold, when she was handing out flyers yesterday, and her faded down jacket.

This girl doesn't earn much money handing out flyers in a day, and she has to send it home to help support her family. This meal must have been quite a treat for her.

"Brother, what should we do?" Yang Ya asked softly. "Xiao Yu is just like that. If you don't let her treat you, she'll really make a scene all the way back to her hometown."

Yang Fan sighed: "Then go ahead. Tell her not to spend too much, just grab something to eat."

Yang Ya nodded and said into the phone, "Xiaoyu, my brother agreed. But let's agree to just have a simple meal, so don't spend money recklessly."

"Mmm!" Lin Xiaoyu's voice clearly brightened:

"Then...then come to People's Square. I know a hot pot restaurant there. The food is pretty good, and...and they have group-buying deals, which are a great deal."

"Okay, send me the address, and we'll head over right away."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Ya looked at Yang Fan: "Brother, did you hear that? Group-buying packages... Xiaoyu must have looked at them on Douyin beforehand and chosen the most affordable one."

Yang Fan felt a pang of unease: "This girl... sigh, let's go. Don't keep her waiting."

Half an hour later, Yang Fan drove his sister to the vicinity of People's Square.

Following the location provided by Lin Xiaoyu, they found a restaurant called "Laozhao Hot Pot".

The storefront is small and simply decorated, but it looks clean and tidy.

A red "Happy New Year" sign was pasted on the glass door, and two pots of kumquats were placed at the entrance.

Lin Xiaoyu was already waiting at the door.

She changed into a clean white sweater, still wearing the same pink down jacket over it. Her hair was neatly combed, and her face showed a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

"Xiaoya! Brother!" Seeing them get out of the car, Lin Xiaoyu quickly came to greet them with a smile, "You're here."

"Have you been waiting long?" Yang Ya stepped forward and took her hand. "Your hands are so cold, have you been waiting for ages?"

"No, no, I just came out for a little while," Lin Xiaoyu said, glancing at Yang Fan before lowering her head somewhat awkwardly.

"Brother, thank you for coming..."

"We should be thanking you," Yang Fan said gently. "You've gone to so much trouble on such a cold day."

"No need to spend money, no need to spend money!" Lin Xiaoyu quickly waved her hand, leading them into the store. "This store... I saw that the reviews are pretty good, and they have group-buying deals, which is just right for three people..."

Stepping into the store, you are greeted by a warm breeze.

The shop is indeed small, with only about ten tables, but it was packed with people, and the aroma of steaming hot pot filled the air.

"I made a reservation in advance." Lin Xiaoyu walked to an empty table by the window. "Is this alright?"

"That's good." Yang Fan and Yang Ya sat down.

Lin Xiaoyu beckoned a waiter over and asked in a low voice, "Um... can I use the three-person meal voucher I bought on Douyin?"

"Yes, you can just scan the code to verify." The waiter was very friendly.

Lin Xiaoyu finally breathed a sigh of relief and took out her phone to operate it.

After the waiter confirmed, she added:

"Please make a half-and-half hot pot, one side spicy and one side not spicy... Also, I'd like plum juice."

"Okay, please wait a moment."

After ordering, Lin Xiaoyu sat down, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her eyes somewhat unfocused.

Yang Ya noticed her nervousness and took the initiative to start a conversation:

"Xiaoyu, have you packed your luggage? We're leaving early tomorrow morning. Do you have a lot of stuff?"

"Not much, just one suitcase," Lin Xiaoyu said. "I don't have much stuff, so I can pack quickly."

"We'll pick you up at the entrance of your apartment complex at eight o'clock tomorrow morning," Yang Fan said. "Will that be enough time?"

"I'll make it! I'll get up at seven to get ready!" Lin Xiaoyu nodded vigorously, then hesitated for a moment:

"Um... bro, how much should I pay for the gas and tolls? Just tell me and I'll transfer it to you."

Yang Fan and Yang Ya exchanged a glance.

Yang Ya quickly said, "Xiaoyu, what are you saying! I'm just giving you a ride home, why would I charge you?"

"That won't do..." Lin Xiaoyu shook her head, "It's such a long way, the gas and toll fees will be a lot. I can't ride in your car for free..."

"Really, there's no need," Yang Fan said, his tone gentle but firm.

"Xiaoyu, Xiaoya and I are going home and just wanted to give you a ride. There's no question of whether you're getting a free ride or not."

"If you insist on paying, then we won't eat this meal."

Lin Xiaoyu opened her mouth, but looking at Yang Fan's serious expression, her eyes suddenly reddened.

She lowered her head and whispered, "Brother, Xiaoya...you've all been so good to me. I...I don't know how to repay you..."

"What's there to repay?" Yang Ya grasped her hand:

"We're friends, shouldn't we help each other out?"

"Besides, haven't you helped me before? When I had a fever in my sophomore year, you skipped class to take me to the hospital, don't you remember?"

Lin Xiaoyu recalled the past and smiled through her tears: "That was so long ago..."

"That's why friends don't hold grudges over these things." Yang Ya patted her hand. "Just sit here and relax. We'll go home happily together tomorrow."

Then the broth and ingredients were served one after another.

The hot pot has two broths, one half bubbling with spicy oil and the other half clear and light mushroom soup.

A table was laden with dishes—beef rolls, lamb rolls, tripe, beef aorta, shrimp paste, a vegetable platter…

Although it was a group-buying set meal, the portions were generous and the presentation was thoughtful.

"It looks really good." Yang Fan picked up the serving chopsticks. "Here, let's start cooking."

The steaming hot pot quickly dispelled the initial awkwardness.

Lin Xiaoyu gradually relaxed and became more talkative.

She talked about her experience studying nursing, the interesting things that happened during her hospital internship, and the progress of her father's rehabilitation after his leg injury.

"The doctor said the recovery is going well, and the metal plate can be removed in another two months." Lin Xiaoyu's eyes shone as she spoke of her father.

"Once I graduate and find a job, I'll be able to earn more money and make things easier for my mom."

"You'll definitely find a good job," Yang Ya said earnestly. "Your grades are so good, and your internship performance was excellent."

"Yes!" Lin Xiaoyu nodded vigorously. "I will try my best."

Yang Fan listened quietly, occasionally interjecting with a word or two.

He watched Lin Xiaoyu's earnest expression as she spoke, watched her natural movements as she served food to Yang Ya, and watched the gentle light in her eyes when she talked about her family.

This girl is like a clear mountain spring, crystal clear and without any impurities.

Being with her makes you feel at ease and comfortable.

"Brother, why aren't you eating?" Lin Xiaoyu noticed Yang Fan's distraction and thought he was disgusted by the food, so she quickly explained, "The beef here is very fresh. My classmates have been here and all said it was good... Although the environment is so-so, the taste is really good..."

"No, no." Yang Fan snapped out of his reverie, picked up a slice of beef and put it into the pot. "I was thinking about something. This restaurant is nice, lively, and has a warm, homey atmosphere."

Lin Xiaoyu finally felt relieved and a shy smile appeared on her face.

The meal took almost two hours.

At the end, Lin Xiaoyu insisted on paying for the plum juice, and Yang Yala couldn't stop her.

"It's my treat!" Lin Xiaoyu insisted. "Don't argue with me."

Watching her carefully checking the bill at the cashier, Yang Fan was filled with emotion.

This girl was struggling to make ends meet, yet she insisted on treating everyone to this meal.

It wasn't because she was wealthy, but because she felt it was something she should do—if you owe someone a favor, you have to repay it, even if that "favor" is nothing in other people's eyes.

After paying the bill, Lin Xiaoyu returned with a relieved smile on her face: "Okay, shall we go?"

Stepping out of the hot pot restaurant, a gust of cold wind made all three of them shrink their necks.

"Don't forget, it's eight o'clock tomorrow morning," Yang Fan said to Lin Xiaoyu. "We'll be there on time."

"Okay! I'll definitely be on time!" Lin Xiaoyu nodded vigorously. "Then... I'll head back now. Be careful on your way."

"Let us take you," Yang Ya said.

"No need, no need, the bus stop is just ahead, only two stops away." Lin Xiaoyu waved her hand. "You guys go back now, see you tomorrow!"

Watching her petite figure wrap herself tightly in her down jacket and hurry towards the bus stop, Yang Ya sighed.

"Brother, you see? That's the kind of person Xiaoyu is," she said softly. "She'd rather suffer and be tired herself than owe anyone even the slightest thing."

Yang Fan nodded without saying anything.