As the end-of-term exams for various colleges wrapped up, students who had finished their exams began leaving campus one after another.

In the past, as soon as holidays arrived, students would cheerfully drag their suitcases and head home like birds released from a cage.

But this year's winter break seems a bit different, with most students looking conflicted as they leave.

"Sigh! I really don't want to go home so early, I won't be able to eat at the Seventh Dining Hall once I get home…"

"Boohoo… I haven't even left yet, and I can't help but miss the food at the Seventh Dining Hall!"

"So pitiful! I won't be able to eat at the Seventh Dining Hall for over a month, I bet I'll lose at least ten pounds!"

"Used to gain weight when going home for the New Year, now I lose weight going home for the New Year…"

"…"

A group of students pulled their luggage as they reluctantly walked toward the school gates, frequently turning back for one last look at the Seventh Dining Hall, all the while muttering:

"Ah! I really don't want to just leave my beloved alma mater, I want to spend the Spring Festival with it…"

"Come off it! You clearly can't bear to leave the food at the Seventh Dining Hall!"

Another student grabbed him by the arm, dragging him along while saying,

"The Seventh Dining Hall has issued a notice; it's closing for holiday tomorrow! Senior Brother Jiang is also going home for the New Year, so give up on this idea!"

"The Seventh Dining Hall is closing tomorrow?"

The student who had been struggling suddenly stopped as soon as he heard this and started walking outside,

"You should've said so earlier, if I had known, I'd already be on the train!"

"Hey? Aren't you spending the Spring Festival with your beloved alma mater?"

"The alma mater has many children, it doesn't need me!"

"…"

The school had closed, and similar scenes played out all over campus.

It's just a winter break, going home to celebrate the Spring Festival, yet these drama experts always manage to express emotions akin to a life-or-death parting.

In the hall of the Seventh Dining Hall, after a hearty lunch, Liu Shurong and her son Wu Wenle found Jiang Yu to say goodbye.

"Boss Xiao Jiang, thank you for looking after the two of us during this time."

Holding the hand of her rosy-cheeked son, and looking at Jiang Yu, Liu Shurong was filled with gratitude. She said,

"If it weren't for you, I really don't know what we'd have done for Lele."

"Aunt Liu, you've said this many times already, let's not be so formal."

Jiang Yu waved his hand and said with a smile,

"I didn't really do much for Lele, but seeing his health improving makes me happy."

As he spoke, he took two paper boxes from Yan Tongtong and handed them to Liu Shurong,

"One of these boxes contains assorted homemade cookies, Lele can have some when he's hungry.

The other box has cured sausage, cured meat, and cured fish. When eating, you can slice a bit and steam it over rice. If it feels too greasy, you can add some veggies to steam it with.

The contents of these boxes should last Lele for more than a month."

"Thank you, thank you!"

Liu Shurong quickly took the boxes, glanced at Lele, and urged,

"Lele, hurry and thank Big Brother Xiao Jiang!"

Wu Wenle obediently said, "Thank you, Big Brother Xiao Jiang!"

"You're welcome!"

Jiang Yu smiled and added, "Be careful on your way, and if anything comes up, we'll keep in touch by phone!"

"Alright, then we'll be off now, Boss Xiao Jiang, happy early New Year!"

Liu Shurong nodded, carrying the boxes and leading her son out of the dining hall.

After seeing Liu Shurong and her son off, Jiang Yu stood at the entrance of the dining hall, gazing into the distance.

Most of the students had already gone home, leaving the campus feeling quite empty, except for a few whose homes were far away, staying behind to celebrate the Spring Festival with their peers.

In another day, the Seventh Dining Hall would also close for the holiday, and once everyone had left, Jiang Yu planned to go home for the New Year as well.

This time, he had saved enough money to pay off all the family's debts.

From now on, his grandmother would no longer have to work so hard, waking up early and staying up late every day to collect recyclables to repay the debt.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Yu returned to the kitchen, and the emotions that inadvertently showed before were deeply buried in his heart again.

"Boss, the holiday starts tomorrow, want to come to Tanzhou with me for a visit?"

Lu Shuwu was chatting in the prep room with Ma Guoqiang and others, and upon seeing Jiang Yu return, couldn't help but say,

"My grandpa has mentioned a few times he'd like to have you over as a guest. I knew you were busy, so I never brought it up, but with the dining hall on break now, you probably have some time, right?"

"It's the New Year, how could I show up at someone else's house?"

Jiang Yu glanced at him and replied calmly,

"Since you're going home for the New Year, I also need to go home; my grandma is still at home by herself."

"Actually, Boss Xiao Jiang could consider spending the New Year at Xiaowu's home…"

Ma Guoqiang chuckled and, seeing everyone looking over, added,

"If Boss Xiao Jiang became Xiaowu's grandfather's grandson-in-law, then it'd be a family matter, spending the New Year at one's own home, wouldn't that be perfectly fitting?"

"I don't really have any objections. If the boss does marry my cousin, I guess I get upgraded to big brother-in-law, which is great, great!"

As soon as Lu Shuwu heard this, his face lit up with joy, and he said,

"I agree to this marriage! My grandpa definitely won't oppose it either!"

Jiang Yu: "…"

Does your agreement matter? I haven't agreed yet!

"If Xiaojiang is serious about this, I might be able to help propose!"

Jia Dequan joined in on the fun too, smiling as he said,

"If I step in to propose, even if Lao Lu doesn't agree, he'll have to consider my face!

Speaking of which, getting older, if I can attend Xiaojiang's wedding banquet, it would be a great joy!"

"..."

This bunch of unreliable folks, their words are getting more and more outrageous!

They're practically mixing up unrelated couples!

Jiang Yu was kind of afraid of them continuing. Not wanting to let them keep talking nonsense, he quickly interrupted them, saying,

"Okay, okay, enough with the nonsense! The canteen will be on holiday tomorrow, and after tonight's dining hours end, we'll make a fine meal, as if we're celebrating New Year early together!

No need to wake up early for work tomorrow, everyone can enjoy a bit more tonight!"

Lu Shuwu quickly asked, "Can we have a drink?"

"Yes, just don't get drunk. Uncle Ma and Sister He need to head back tonight after dinner, so it'll be safer if we drink less."

Jiang Yu nodded and advised, "With New Year's coming up, safety first, nothing else matters more."

"We're not people who love alcohol; just a little for the mood is enough."

Jia Dequan nodded in agreement, saying,

"No need to buy alcohol, I still have a bottle of Moutai from a couple of years ago, I'll bring it over for everyone to try!"

"OK, that's settled then, let's get busy and finish early so we can eat sooner!"

Jiang Yu saw that everyone had no objections and clapped his hands, getting everyone working.

Seeing everyone move into action, Jiang Yu took out his phone, thought for a moment, and then dialed a number.

The phone rang twice before the other party picked up, and a familiar voice came through the receiver:

"Hello! Is that Xiaojiang? What made you think of calling me now?"

"Teacher Xiong, are you busy?"

"Not busy, not busy. Just tell me what's up!"

On the other end, Xiong Bingsheng was still in his office tidying things up.

The students at school were already on holiday, but he wasn't done yet, as there were still things to handle in the student affairs office before he could truly rest.

He really didn't expect Jiang Yu to call at this time, not knowing what it was about.

"It's nothing, just wanted to thank Teacher Xiong."

Jiang Yu smiled and said,

"In the past half year, Teacher Xiong has always been very concerned about the Seventh Dining Hall, and many things were smoothly achieved thanks to Teacher Xiong's help.

The canteen will be on holiday tomorrow, and we're planning an internal gathering, as if celebrating New Year early. I didn't know how to thank Teacher Xiong, so I thought of inviting you to come over for dinner."

"Ah, this…Xiaojiang, you're too polite!"

Xiong Bingsheng was indeed surprised, never expecting that Jiang Yu would still think of inviting him during a colleagues' gathering. This really meant treating him as one of their own!

At the same time, he felt a sense of satisfaction and pride. Jiang Yu willing to invite him meant he did a good job and was recognized, otherwise, why would they think of him at this time?

"No, no!"

Jiang Yu quickly said,

"Teacher Xiong, I mean nothing else, just purely inviting you for dinner, and to properly toast to you, thanking you for your continued support and encouragement to me and the Seventh Dining Hall!

Although it may seem a bit meager, it's my sentiment… "

"Not meager, not meager!"

Xiong Bingsheng couldn't be happier; how could this be meager?

The pot dishes Jiang Yu made were already so delicious, then a specially prepared feast would be even more delicious!

This is something others can't even dream of getting, why would he find it meager?

If Jiang Yu were giving something else, Xiong Bingsheng might not even accept it, but a dinner invitation…

If he didn't go, that would be foolish!

Thinking of this, he hurriedly agreed, fearing Jiang Yu might change his mind,

"Xiaojiang, thank you so much for the invitation, rest assured, I'll definitely be there tonight!"

"Alright, Teacher Xiong, it's settled then!"

After hanging up, Jiang Yu pondered for a bit and called the logistics director, Niu Wenlin, and the publicity director, Fan Chuliang, respectively.

Except for Fan Chuliang, who had already returned to the countryside with his wife and truly couldn't come, Niu Wenlin was happy to accept the invitation.

It's clearly delicious food; only a fool wouldn't come!

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