On New Year's Eve, Jiang Hui, Han Ling, and Grandma Jiang spent the holiday together.

Although they were only a dozen meters apart from each other's homes, Jiang Ruyu knew that they were now two separate families.

Jiang Hui got married this year, and they will be having their own New Year's Eve dinner. This is his first New Year in charge of the household, so it has a special meaning.

Jiang Ruyu and her sister-in-law Zheng Xiaoyue cooked the New Year's Eve dinner together. Except for the pig intestines, pig stomach, pig trotters and pork belly that her father-in-law Zheng Dali went out to queue to buy, they couldn't find any, so they bought a piece of pork tenderloin.

There were still some Chinese cabbages that Jiang Ruyu had stocked up on in November, and the seafood that Jiang Hui had brought back while he was having a banquet, all hidden in the snowdrift by the door.

These days, we don't have cold storage or anything like that at home. We can only build a snow pile when it snows heavily and bury the meat and other things we want to eat during the New Year in the snow so that they can be stored for a little longer.

The New Year's Eve dinner was very lavish. After putting up the couplets in the morning, we started to braise pig intestines and trotters, knead dough, steam buns, and make dumplings. We also made a large tray of pork and scallion dumplings, pork and cabbage dumplings, and glutinous rice balls with black sesame and brown sugar, to eat that evening and on the morning of New Year's Day.

For lunch, I simply stir-fried two side dishes and ate them with freshly steamed buns, which were delicious.

I started making dinner around three or four in the afternoon. First, I put the leftover half of the old goose on the stove with white radish to make soup.

When Zheng Dali and Zheng Yang returned home from get off work, they smelled the aroma as soon as they entered the house: "It must smell like home."

Hearing this, the Yang family from the south came out and said, "It's definitely yours. The aroma has been lingering since this morning. Ruyu's craftsmanship is truly excellent."

"Haha, I've finally found the perfect daughter-in-law for my family."

In the evening, we had tender and juicy goose and radish soup, braised prawns, stir-fried braised pork intestines with scallions, and pig's trotters chopped into small pieces to eat.

The grouper soup, with tender tofu, was fresh and delicious. There was also spicy stir-fried crab, stir-fried pork belly with chili peppers, and stir-fried eggs with chives. Seven dishes and a soup were enough for their family.

Jiang Ruyu also served the two children some fish soup, just so they could taste it.

Looking at the table full of delicious food and then at his two granddaughters in the cradle, Zheng Dali poured himself a glass of his treasured Moutai liquor with satisfaction.

"Ah, life is so good, Ruyu. With you in our home, it feels more like a home."

Jiang Ruyu smiled: "Dad, it's because all of us are sitting here properly that this is what our family is like."

“Yes, you’re right, haha. I’ll be retiring next year, and it’ll just be you and Zheng Yang supporting the family. You two keep up the good work.” Zheng Dali then looked at his little daughter: “Xiaoyue, Dad doesn’t have any other requirements for you. You’re about the right age to get married. If you have any men you like, talk to your brother and sister-in-law about it so we can inquire about them in advance.”

Zheng Xiaoyue blushed and said, "Dad, what are you saying?"

"Haha, what's there to be shy about? Marriage is a normal thing." Jiang Ruyu looked at her sister-in-law and asked, "Is there anyone you like? If not, I'll ask around at work. If there are any suitable ones, we should set them up."

Zheng Xiaoyue, suppressing her shyness, said, "I don't know anyone well, but you can introduce me to someone if you're interested."

"That's easy, I'll go ask."

After dinner, the children didn't make a fuss. The family of four even played cards for a while, chatting and laughing. When the two children got sleepy, they washed up and went back to bed.

After washing her feet and emptying the water, Jiang Ruyu stood by the window looking at the lights on at her parents' house, then turned back to look at the bedroom, where Zheng Yang was playing with his daughters. Zheng Yang had changed since getting married and having children; he was incredibly gentle in front of his children and always smiled at his two daughters.

Her heart was soft and warm; that was where she belonged.

"Oh, Sweetie, you're the older sister, you can't fight with your younger sister. You two should be friendly and cooperative."

Jiang Ruyu came in with a smile: "They're just little kids, how do they know what fighting is? And they're even talking about unity and friendship? Why don't you talk about democracy and prosperity?"

Zheng Yang smiled like a loving father: "Hehe, I'm just guiding our daughter to be a lady and not to fight, aren't I?"

"Tch, what ladylike stuff? Let me tell you, girls have to be strong, so they won't suffer any losses." Jiang Ruyu didn't like the ladylike stuff. If she had been a lady since she was a child, she would have suffered a lot of losses by now.

Would someone as smart as Zheng Yang argue with his wife? Of course not.

"Wife, you're right. Our daughter should be strong, so that she can be invincible in the alley in the future."

"Go away, that's not necessary. That would be too naughty, no way."

"Haha, am I too difficult to please? This won't work, that won't work either."

Zheng Yang smiled and pulled his wife into his arms: "You know that, but I don't mind."

"Hmph, I bet you wouldn't dare."

Under the warm yellow light, the family of four lying in bed looked so harmonious and happy.

The next day, the family woke up to the sound of firecrackers. In the past two years, the policies have been relaxed a bit, and the customs of the festivals have not been regulated as strictly. Many families still set off firecrackers and put up couplets, but the firecrackers are small ones, just for the sound and to mark the occasion.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year! Happy Chinese New Year!

The alleyways were filled with neighbors dressed in new clothes exchanging New Year's greetings.

On this day, even the poorest families would set out a plate of snacks like melon seeds, peanuts, candies, or glutinous rice strips at home, waiting for anyone who came to pay New Year's visits, and then give them a little something.

Jiang Ruyu's family did the same. She also wrapped red envelopes in red paper and put one cent in each one. This year she gave birth to twins, which can be considered as accumulating good fortune for her two daughters.

Everyone who comes to her house to wish her a Happy New Year, especially if there are children, gets a small red envelope. For children, the New Year is the happiest time of the year, as they can not only eat lots of delicious food but also receive lucky money.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, people don't visit relatives, so Jiang Ruyu couldn't go to her parents' home. When her two cousins, Jiang Kai and Jiang Jun, arrived with their wives and children, they just chatted in the yard while Jiang Ruyu gave the children candy and fruit.

After paying their New Year's visits, they still have to go back to work; there's no such thing as a holiday these days.

When Jiang Ruyu arrived at her workplace, she greeted her colleagues in the warehouse with New Year's greetings, tidied up the warehouse, and since there wasn't much else to do, she went to the front desk to inquire if there were any suitable unmarried men.

Xiaoyue is a very good sister-in-law. She is sensible, perceptive, and has good judgment. Jiang Ruyu also wants her to have a good marriage.

"Sister Guo, Sister Tian, ​​Xiangxiang, Happy New Year!" Jiang Ruyu greeted them as she entered the counter.

Their counters are all connected, so when there's no one around, they can chat about gossip and such.

"Oh. Isn't this our Team Leader Jiang? What a rare guest!" Liu Xiangxiang teased Jiang Ruyu deliberately.

Jiang Ruyu rolled her eyes: "Are you making fun of me?"

"No, no, why are you here today?"

"I'd like to ask around if there are any eligible unmarried men in your family who are of suitable age. My sister-in-law is still single, and I'm thinking of finding her a suitable match."