Chapter 25: It’s Really My Brother—He Said He’d Make It Home for the New Year

Su Qingshuang held Gu Qiangwei’s hand. “You should just come spend New Year’s at my house. My parents have been wanting to meet you for a while.”

“Especially my mom—she said my business has been doing so well partly because of you. She wants to see what kind of girl you are. She said you must be beautiful and kind!”

Hearing this, Gu Qiangwei’s mind drifted back to memories from her past life.

“Come to my house for New Year, okay?” Su Qingshuang pleaded, clinging to her hand like a child. “Let my parents meet you. We’ve been working together for so long, and we’re such good friends. There’s no reason to be shy about it!”

Seeing her like this, Gu Qiangwei laughed. “Alright, alright, I’ll spend New Year at your place!”

The two of them agreed. The next day would be their last day of work.

They went out and bought some sunflower seeds and candy. Any customer who came to the shop that day to buy clothes would receive a handful of seeds and sweets, just as a cheerful New Year’s gesture.

This little move delighted everyone. The atmosphere in the shop was so joyful, customers kept saying they’d come back next year to buy clothes again.

Across the street, the owner of a rival clothing store watched Gu Qiangwei’s shop pull off one creative promotion after another and muttered in confusion, “What kind of brains do they have? They keep coming up with all these activities, and they’re never the same.”

That novelty caught customers’ eyes—and business was booming. Even old inventory that had piled up was being sold off.

The rival owner had also tried a clearance sale, but customers just rummaged through and left, showing no interest.

Meanwhile, Gu Qiangwei’s shop was bustling with life.

What on earth was going on?

While the rival owner puzzled over it all, Gu Qiangwei and Su Qingshuang had nearly sold out all the clothes Su’s mom had just brought in from the factory.

Many shelves in their shop were now empty. All that was left was to wait for the spring collection. When that came in, they’d offer free New Year outfits or leftover items to customers who recharged store credit.

Since the items were free, and customers didn’t have to spend money on them, they weren’t picky. They just picked a style they liked and took it home—it could be worn anytime.

That night, they closed the shop very late. The day after tomorrow would be New Year’s Eve.

“I’ll come pick you up early in the morning,” Su Qingshuang said as she clung to Gu Qiangwei’s hand. “You’ve worked so hard lately. Thank you for always helping me with ideas.”

“What are you saying?” Gu Qiangwei replied. “We’re business partners, aren’t we? Helping you is helping myself. Aren’t we in this together?”

Su Qingshuang burst into laughter at Gu Qiangwei’s straightforwardness. “Alright then, I’ll head home. See you the morning after tomorrow!”

“Okay!”

After saying goodbye, Gu Qiangwei returned home. Looking around her place, she didn’t feel lonely at all. Instead, she rested a while, then got up and started cleaning and tidying the place.

When she got tired, she went to sleep.

The next morning, she went out again and bought some festive decorations to hang around the house, along with some fresh fruits and vegetables.

She even bought a few gift boxes.

These were for Su Qingshuang’s family. After all, she couldn’t show up at someone’s house for New Year empty-handed.

Once everything was prepared, she made herself a quick bowl of noodles to eat.

Meanwhile, Su Qingshuang had returned home and told her family that Gu Qiangwei would be spending New Year with them.

“Really?” her mother, He Xiulan, looked up from her fashion magazine. “She’s really coming to spend New Year with us? That’s great! The more the merrier!”

“I heard her parents passed away and she’s been on her own—of course we should invite her to spend New Year with us,” her father, Su Jianbin, added.

“I’ve always wanted to meet that young lady you’ve been doing business with. If I hadn’t been so busy last time, I would’ve delivered those clothes myself!”

He Xiulan had brought clothes back from the factory earlier, but since she had things to handle, she’d sent someone else to deliver them, missing the chance to meet Gu Qiangwei.

So this would be their first time meeting her.

“This time I’m inviting Qiangwei to spend New Year with us,” Su Qingshuang said, settling into the sofa. “Dad’s cooking is the best. Mom, you can help him out a bit, alright? Let’s make sure she feels welcomed!”

“Of course!” Su Jianbin nodded. “I’m in charge of the cooking this year, just like we agreed. Let’s buy groceries tomorrow. Have you found out what she likes to eat?”

Hearing that, Su Qingshuang jokingly pouted, “Dad, you’re making me jealous!”

Su Jianbin laughed heartily. “I already know what my daughter likes. I just want to make sure our guest is happy too. Whatever dishes you want, I’ll make them all!”

In their family, it was always Su Jianbin who cooked. He Xiulan preferred to focus on her own business ventures, which he fully supported.

So he never asked her to cook much.

Now the family began planning how to make this New Year extra special.

How could they bring joy to Gu Qiangwei?

Su Qingshuang always told them how smart Gu Qiangwei was—how sharp her mind was and how great her ideas were.

So their expectations were sky-high.

Both Su Jianbin and He Xiulan were eager to finally meet the young woman their daughter kept praising. She had never spoken so highly of any girl before.

After all, Su Qingshuang had grown up mostly playing with boys and had few female friends.

“Anyone home? You’ve got mail!” a voice called from outside.

There was a knock at the door—it was the postman. The three of them exchanged glances. Who would be writing to them at this time?

“It’s definitely from my big brother!” Su Qingshuang beamed as she opened the door, accepted the letter, and thanked the mailman before closing it.

She opened the envelope—and sure enough!

“It really is from my brother! He said he’ll be rushing home for New Year and told us to prepare food for him,” she said, setting the letter aside. “Looks like there’ll be quite a few people here this year—it’s going to be lively!”

He Xiulan and Su Jianbin each picked up the letter and took a quick glance.

It was true.

“Let’s prepare more good food then,” He Xiulan said. “And with Qiangwei coming too, it’s going to be a festive New Year for sure!”

The three of them discussed what to buy the next day. The following morning, they headed out early.

They bought all sorts of meat, and when they saw someone selling shrimp by the roadside, they picked up some of that too.

They also got couplets, candies, seeds, pastries, and festive window decals.

“Let’s clean out that spare room for Qiangwei so she can stay a few days.”

“If we hadn’t invited her,” Su Qingshuang said, “she would’ve been so lonely this New Year.”

She’d truly thought of everything she could.