The engagement is over, but the black-bellied president won't let go

Leng Ruofei also said: "Mom, I have to learn how to cook from you in the future. Yi Yang always says he wants to eat the taste of home."

"Yi Yang has lost weight, but I don't blame you. I know he is busy with work. Anyway, I am the only one at home, and your father is often not at home. I hope you two can move back home. I will cook for you and make sure you two are fat."

Xiao Yichen laughed when he heard this, "Mom, what are you talking about? They are newlyweds and have finally gotten together, but you want to be a light bulb?"

"Go away! It's you who insisted on moving out. You're always hungry. If you could come back and live here, would I still be a light bulb?"

Xiao Yichen waved his hand quickly: "I work the night shift every day, and your brain nerves are not good. If I come back in the middle of the night, can you still sleep?"

……

Everyone was talking at once, and there was laughter all around.

After dinner, the family sat in the living room, watching the Spring Festival Gala replay on TV, eating melon seeds, and chatting. Xiao Yiyang and Leng Ruofei took out the gifts they had prepared for everyone.

Xiao Yiyang took out the scarf for Xiao Zhengchun and said, "Dad, wear this scarf when you go out in winter. It will keep you warm."

Xiao Zhengchun took the scarf and touched it: "Okay, Fei'er is thoughtful."

"I gave it to you, why did you thank her?"

"Hmph, you little brat, how could you think of me? I'm lucky you're not angry with me! Your son runs a funeral home, and you still make a fuss with me when I get in through the back door. Hmph!" Xiao Zhengchun joked half-seriously.

"Look, didn't we agree not to talk about this? I heard that you set an example in the bureau and are upright. Why? When it comes to me, you are the opposite of Tian Gang?"

"Humph! I don't care. Until now, that old bully from the Zhengjia Village Police Station in Mobei is still blaming me. I can't even raise my head when I see him in a meeting with him now!"

"Haha, that old bullhead wouldn't be picking on you because you stole his first love, right?"

"You bastard!" Xiao Zhengchun threw a pillow over and Xiao Yiyang caught it.

This made Qin Lan chuckle, "You know what, the second brother is right. It was the old bull who asked me out first, and your dad insisted on going with him. As a result, the next day, he sent someone to tell me to think about it and not to fall in love too early. There are plenty of good young guys, and don't... don't get stuck in the pig trough all of a sudden..."

Hahahaha, everyone was laughing so hard.

Xiao Zhengchun also showed a long-lost smile. When he was young and full of vigor, he really fell in love with Qin Lan at first sight. It's embarrassing to say that he can't repay the old bull head for his kindness. Thinking of this, he stopped smiling and rolled his eyes at Xiao Yiyang.

Leng Ruofei handed Qin Lan a sweater: "Mom, this is the sweater I picked for you, please try it on."

Qin Lan put on the sweater and smiled from ear to ear: "It looks really good. Fei'er has good taste."

Xiao Yichen opened the watch box, his face full of surprise: "This watch is amazing, thank you Lao Er and Ruo Fei."

Everyone's face is filled with happy smiles.

However, behind the laughter, everyone has an unspeakable sadness in their hearts. They know that this family is no longer complete, and those past times and departed relatives can only become memories. But they also firmly believe that as long as the family members support and care for each other, the future will still be full of hope.

As the night deepened, Xiao Yiyang and Leng Ruofei said goodbye to their parents and left with their eldest brother.

Qin Lan warned: "Be careful on the road and come back often when you have time."

Xiao Yiyang nodded: "Mom, don't worry."

The car was driving on the quiet street. Xiao Yiyang looked at the night view outside the window, feeling a lot of emotions in his heart.

"Fei'er, thank you for accompanying me today." Xiao Yiyang said softly.

Leng Ruofei held his hand: "Don't say that, we are a family, no matter what happens in the future, I will always be by your side."

The moonlight shines on them, as if lighting the way forward for them. In this special year, they cherish each other more and are more determined to face the future together.

As the epidemic situation was eased, the atmosphere of the whole society gradually changed significantly. The COVID-19 epidemic, which once made people shudder and shrouded people's lives like a haze, has also taken a completely new direction.

The load of the new coronavirus is getting lower and lower than before, and this change has undoubtedly brought great psychological comfort to people. In the past, the strong transmission and destructive power of the new coronavirus made people worried, and each new case was like a heavy hammer hitting people's fragile hearts. However, the situation has improved significantly now. The reduction in the viral load means that its invasiveness to the human body has weakened. Even if unfortunately infected, the harm caused is not as serious as it was at the beginning.

In this context, people's fear of the new coronavirus has gradually dissipated. In the past, people regarded the new coronavirus as a scourge. Even a slight cough or a slight rise in body temperature would cause extreme panic, worrying whether they had been infected by this terrible virus. But now, the mentality is completely different. People are no longer in a state of panic all day long, and life has gradually returned to its previous rhythm.

Some people have contracted COVID-19, and have been cured through scientific treatment. Then they accidentally get infected again, but they are still able to defeat the virus and recover. COVID-19 is really like a cold. Although it will cause some discomfort to the body, it no longer makes people feel desperate and helpless as before.

When you first get infected with COVID-19, you may still feel a little nervous and uneasy. But as the symptoms ease and your body recovers, you gradually gain confidence. When you get infected again, you become more calm and composed. Because you know that with the existing medical methods and your own resistance, it is not difficult to defeat the virus.

This change in mentality does not mean that we underestimate the novel coronavirus, but rather a rational judgment based on scientific knowledge and practical experience. We still need to maintain the necessary awareness of protection and follow basic hygiene guidelines, such as washing hands frequently, wearing masks, and maintaining social distance. However, we are no longer bound by excessive fear and can face the various changes in life with a more peaceful and positive attitude.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought us tremendous shocks and challenges, it has also enabled us to continue to grow and progress in difficult situations. Our medical system has been continuously improved and strengthened in the process of responding to the pandemic. Researchers have been working day and night to develop drugs and vaccines, providing solid support for the fight against the pandemic. All sectors of society have worked together to respond, demonstrating strong cohesion and resilience.

Today, when we look back on that difficult time, we feel deeply moved. The coronavirus is no longer an insurmountable gap, but a small episode in life.

However, in this turbulent era, less than two or three out of ten physical stores have survived the economic fluctuations, e-commerce impacts, and the epidemic. The once bustling commercial streets have now become deserted; the shops that were once crowded with customers and doing a booming business are now mostly closed and posted notices of sublease or sale. These sad scenes all tell of the huge difficulties faced by physical businesses.

Leng Ruofei's original company was also acquired during this difficult process. The familiar working environment, colleagues and business model will all undergo earth-shaking changes. It can be said that in this impact, who can stand at the forefront?

On this day, Leng Ruofei suddenly had an idea and made an appointment with Xiao Yiyang to come to the once vibrant and prosperous Yihe City. Xiao Yiyang also deliberately turned down two meetings to accompany Leng Ruofei.

The moment they stepped into Yihe City, she was shocked by the scene in front of her. The once bustling shopping mall now seemed like a forgotten empty city. The bright lights, melodious music and bustling scenes of the past were no longer there, replaced by silence and desolation. Most of the shops that were once full of dazzling goods now had their doors and windows closed, the glass was covered with dust, and the shops were empty, leaving only some abandoned shelves and remnants of decoration. Those shops that once attracted countless customers to stop by, selling fashionable clothes, exquisite accessories and novel toys, have now become a thing of the past.

They walked slowly along the empty corridor, their footsteps echoing in the silent space, and seemed particularly clear. The elevator, which was always crowded and required waiting in line, had stopped running at this moment, as if time had stopped here. Leng Ruofei and Xiao Yiyang could only choose to take the stairs, and every step was heavy with a heavy heart.

They came to the clothing area, which used to be the busiest, and saw that the doors of all the shops were closed, and the promotional posters hanging on the doors fluttered slightly in the wind, looking particularly lonely. The hangers that once displayed the latest fashions now leaned against the wall alone, and the clothes were scattered on the ground, with no one paying attention. Leng Ruofei recalled the scene when he accompanied his girlfriend to choose clothes here. At that time, the shops were crowded with people and the clerks were busy. But now, there was only dead silence.

Going further ahead is the once popular electronics area. The counters that once displayed the latest mobile phones, computers, and various smart devices are now empty, with only a few worn-out flyers scattered on the ground. The decoration that was once full of technology and modern atmosphere also looks old and dilapidated. Leng Ruofei still remembers the excitement when he bought his first smartphone here, but now all of this has become a distant memory.

The situation in the food area is slightly better, and there are still a few restaurants that insist on opening. But the business is not as good as before, and there are very few diners in the store. In the past, you had to queue up to taste the food, but now you can sit down at any time. They walked into a restaurant. The decoration inside the store was still exquisite, but the waiters' faces were tired and helpless. There were fewer dishes on the menu, but the prices had increased. Leng Ruofei and Xiao Yiyang sat down silently, ordered a few dishes, and tasted the familiar yet unfamiliar taste, with a lot of emotions in their hearts.