As time passed, around 9:30 in the evening, Delicious Restaurant finally reached closing time.

The reason for such a late closing time was mainly because of the New Year’s Day holiday, which brought in about two-thirds more customers than the usual working days.

To try to satisfy these customers’ appetites as much as possible,

he prepared more ingredients today than usual.

Therefore,

today’s business hours were extended a little.

It was only after 9:30 that the small shop finally quieted down.

"Boss, we’re leaving."

Having tidied up the store, Xu Hao and the others smiled and bid farewell to Huang Tao.

"Alright."

Huang Tao nodded, watching them leave: "Take it slow on the road."

After Xu Hao and the others left, Ding Suqin, having finished her tasks, said: "Boss, I’m heading back too."

"Okay, be careful on the way."

"Aunt Suqin, bye, see you tomorrow..."

Only Huang Tao and his family were left in the shop.

"Let’s go home."

Huang Tao helped Xuanxuan put on a down jacket, a woolen hat, turned off the store lights, and stepped out with his parents and Mimi.

It was a bit cold outside.

The howling cold wind felt like a knife slicing across the face, making the first to step out, Huang Yide, instinctively shrink his neck, shouting, "It’s so cold!"

It was indeed very cold.

Following behind him, Song Cailian could see her breath turn white in the air.

Compared to the sunset at dusk, the temperature now had obviously dropped significantly, making one truly feel the power of the sharp drop in temperature at night.

Huang Tao instinctively stooped down, reached out and pulled up the zipper of Xuanxuan’s down jacket.

"Swish~"

The zipper reached the top in one go, and Xuanxuan moved back just in time to avoid having her chin pinched by the zipper.

Huang Tao smiled, feeling her worry was unnecessary.

He wouldn’t let such an accident happen.

He didn’t say anything, continuing to pull the hood of the pink down jacket forward, securely covering Xuanxuan.

Because the down jacket was a long design, Xuanxuan was nearly wrapped from head to ankle.

She lifted the hood of the down jacket and said, "Dad, I’m not cold..."

"The wind is strong outside. Even if you’re not cold, you should zip it up to prevent the wind from blowing down your neck." Huang Tao lowered his gaze, looking at her eyes, which were the only thing visible.

Song Cailian spoke, "Xuanxuan, listen to your dad, dress warmly, so you won’t catch cold."

"Alright!"

Xuanxuan knew her dad cared for her, so she didn’t resist being wrapped up like a little cocoon. She took Huang Tao’s hand and continued towards the parking spot.

Maybe because of the time and weather!

There were noticeably fewer old men and women out for a walk today, just a few familiar faces.

Seeing their family, as always, they warmly greeted them.

"Boss Huang, heading home?"

"Get home early and rest, don’t tire yourself out. You can cook more delicious food tomorrow if you’re well-rested!"

"Boss Huang, want some walnuts? I just got some from the wholesale market, take some back, make a walnut and egg soup, and nourish yourself."

"Xuanxuan, come, Grandma has some bananas for you."

From the store entrance to the parking spot, it was only about a minute’s walk!

The Huang family received 4 bananas, about a pound of walnuts, 2 small bags of onion ring chips, 1 dragon fruit, and 4 oranges.

It’s undeniable how enthusiastic the neighbors were!

Lately.

The business at Huang Tao’s store was booming, but he never considered raising prices, and often held activities, giving away food and drinks for free as a way of giving back to new and old customers.

The neighbors naturally liked the Huang family from the bottom of their hearts.

If they had any good things at home, they were willing to share a bit with them.

This time, the items were packed into two plastic bags by enthusiastic old men and women for easy carrying.

Huang Yide and Song Cailian each carried a bag, smiling and expressing gratitude.

"Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma..."

Xuanxuan, holding her dad’s hand with her left, thanked them while raising her right hand, waving at the neighbors: "You all get home early too and be careful on the way, bye-bye~"

Xuanxuan, this little girl, is really obedient...

While the neighbors felt sweet inside, they waved back mimicking what she did, saying, "Bye-bye~"

Soon.

The Huang family was outside the car.

He had already turned the air conditioning on in advance.

Today’s electric cars are highly intelligent, and can be controlled remotely via smartphone.

Huang Tao opened the car door, helped Xuanxuan into the child safety seat, the warm air blowing over her made Xuanxuan feel warm, quickly taking off her down jacket’s hood, and lowering her zipper a bit.

Huang Tao said nothing, tacitly approving her actions, since the car’s air conditioning was on, even if Xuanxuan took off the down jacket, there was no risk of catching cold.

Huang Yide and Song Cailian placed the fruits and snacks beside Xuanxuan before each settling into their seats.

During the journey.

The car was very quiet, and there weren’t many vehicles on the street either.

Perhaps due to fatigue, in such a peaceful environment, Xuanxuan unknowingly leaned on the safety cushion and fell asleep.

Song Cailian noticed, softly saying, "Oh dear, Xuanxuan has fallen asleep."

"It’s alright, let her sleep."

Seeing Xuanxuan’s sleeping figure through the rearview mirror, Huang Tao knew she hadn’t napped in the afternoon, and it was getting late, so she was indeed tired, and let her continue sleeping.

He drove the car as steadily as possible, so as not to disturb Xuanxuan’s sweet sleep.

When they arrived home, it was already around ten o’clock. Huang Tao carried Xuanxuan directly to the bedroom, seeing that she was still sleeping without opening her eyes.

So he helped her take off her shoes and outerwear, tucking her into bed.

At this moment.

Song Cailian walked in with a basin of hot water, asking softly: "Xuanxuan hasn’t woken up? I brought some hot water to wash her face and wipe her feet."

"She’s still asleep."

Huang Tao took the basin, smiling as he said: "Mom, let me handle it, you rest."

"Alright, you go to bed early too." Song Cailian glanced at the sleeping Xuanxuan, reminded him, and then left.

Huang Tao wrung out a towel and wiped Xuanxuan’s little face.

Xuanxuan seemed to sense the warm towel’s gentle touch on her face, mumbling sleepily: "Daddy..."

Huang Tao gently brushed the hair sticking to her face aside, softly saying: "Good girl, sleep."

Xuanxuan smacked her lips, turned over, and went back to deep sleep.

Surely tonight, she’ll have sweet dreams again.

...

The bright moonlight streamed through the bedroom window, spilling into the room through the gaps in the curtains, feeling slightly cool.

After washing up, Huang Tao returned to the bedroom, sat beside Xuanxuan, checked on her, noticing the little girl had a faint smile at the corners of her lips, perhaps already dreaming a sweet dream!

With a smile on his lips, Huang Tao affectionately stroked her silky hair, watching her for a while.

Thinking about Ding Suqin, Li Chengzhan, and Lin Qiuyu, who were all multitasking and facing high-intensity work every day, Huang Tao realized they were evidently feeling overwhelmed.

If such intensity increased further, they would soon be unable to cope.

It’s necessary to quickly find some people to help. Hiring two people responsible for washing vegetables would ease their burden, which is a good idea, Huang Tao thought to himself.

With the store’s daily net profit up, hiring two part-time vegetable washers posed no financial burden on Huang Tao.

Moreover, the salary for vegetable washers,

thinking thus, he opened a recruitment app on his phone, clearly stating job requirements and salary, then posted it.

vegetable washers needed, responsible for cleaning, a trial period salary of four thousand five hundred yuan, a month trial, post-trial salary five thousand yuan, social security provided, three meals included, under 50 years old...

To quickly recruit people, he even spent money on a premium membership, pinning his recruitment post to the top.

He then paid last month’s store water, electricity, and gas bills, among other expenses, since with more dishes being added, the costs for washing meat, vegetables, and cooking couldn’t be underestimated.

After handling everything, he turned off the lights and lay on his side next to Xuanxuan, lightly wrapping her with his arm, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.