Xia Minmin was awakened by the intermittent sound of firecrackers. Sure enough, it was New Year's Eve. It was the same familiar taste and recipe. People were having their reunion dinners from the early morning. A string of firecrackers and a table full of food marked the start of the new year.

Chen Chunhua from next door said, "Jianshe, let's have our reunion dinner early, and we'll definitely be more prosperous than them next year."

"Is it necessary? They're all brothers."

“It’s necessary, because they look down on me.”

After getting used to the sound of firecrackers, Xia Minmin went back to sleep and didn't get up until midday.

Li Chunmei and Xia Jianguo had already gotten up to cook, as their family would be having a reunion dinner at noon.

After waking up, Xia Minmin called out loudly for her dear parents to help her get dressed, but there was no response. The sound of firecrackers outside had been going on and on, and now the sound of firecrackers being set off for ancestral worship made it even harder to hear.

With no other option, Xia Minmin wrapped herself in her sleeping bag and wore slippers to go find Li Chunmei, Xia Jianguo, or Xia Xiaomei.

She forgot that she was only two years old and couldn't reach the door lock to open the door, so she had no choice but to slink onto the bed and wait to be rescued.

Xia Minmin stared out the window. The curtains were very thin, and shadows would appear if someone passed under the eaves.

"My dear family outside, it's me, Xia Minmin. My dad is Xia Jianguo. Can you help me call him back?" Hearing Xia Minmin's call, the people outside the window stopped in their tracks.

"Did you hear me, dear family outside? Please call my dad back so I can get dressed. I sincerely thank you and wish you a peaceful and prosperous New Year! Thank you."

"You're such a funny kid. I'm going to go find your dad. And you have to call him Grandpa Uncle."

Xia Minmin said respectfully, "Okay, Uncle, thank you."

Ten minutes later...

Xia Minmin finally heard the door open, so she started acting again.

"My dearest father, you've finally come to rescue your beloved daughter! I've been waiting for you for so long!"

"Jianguo, your daughter is so interesting!" The voice outside the door sounded a bit like the uncle from earlier.

"Grandpa Uncle, is that you? Thank you for rescuing me from my dire situation."

With Xia Jianguo looking completely embarrassed, the door finally opened.

Xia Minmin saw Xia Jianguo and a middle-aged man with gray hair. "Is this my great-uncle? He is just as kind and gentle as I imagined."

"Uncle, please sit down, let me pour you some tea." Then Xia Jianguo took out some fruit and placed it on the table.

"Jianguo, is this your daughter?"

"Grandpa Uncle, my name is Xia Minmin, and I am two and a half years old."

If the black lines had a physical form, Xia Jianguo would probably have a head full of black lines right now.

"Uncle, please have an apple. This child is quite lively, please don't mind him."

Xia Jianguo warned, "Xia Minmin, stop joking! Be quiet for a while."

“Okay, Dad.” Xia Minmin covered her mouth with her hand.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and everyone is busy. Uncle Xia Minmin didn't stay long before going home.

Xia Jianguo took out clothes and helped Xia Minmin put them on.

"Dad, can I speak?"

"Can't."

Why?

"For no reason, I just don't want to hear you talk."

"Dad, you're hurting a young heart by doing this."

Don't you think you're being sensational?

"Really? No, I think! I'm a quiet little girl."

"Heh." Xia Jianguo sneered.

Xia Jianguo quickly dressed Xia Minmin and put her down to harass others.

As Xia Minmin stepped out of the room, she saw that her uncle's family had already put up couplets. It was because they had finished their reunion dinner and hadn't invited them.

"Dad, I haven't brushed my teeth, washed my face, or eaten yet," Xia Minmin said loudly.

"Wait." Xia Jianguo's words became increasingly concise.

Xia Minmin immediately shut up, seeing the wind blowing, after all, she was still a child who couldn't take care of herself, but things would be different next year.

After Xia Jianguo finished taking care of his little darling, Li Chunmei and Xia Xiaomei returned together.

Xia Minmin ran towards Li Chunmei with the eggs in her hand, "Mom, I missed you so much, where have you been?"

"You went to the vegetable garden in front with your aunt to dig vegetables."

Xia Jianguo took the vegetables from Li Chunmei and Xia Xiaomei and placed them on the ground to prepare for picking.

"I'll help too." Xia Minmin grabbed a small stool, ready to lend a hand.

Xia Jianguo stopped him, saying, "Your quiet sitting is the greatest help you can give us."

Xia Minmin rolled her eyes and started reciting the poem. She couldn't possibly complain about it!

Xia Jianguo could only endure it again and again. He wanted to interrupt, but he couldn't dampen the child's enthusiasm, as it would be bad for his future studies.

Xia Minmin kept observing Xia Jianguo's expression, and the more enthusiastically she recited, the louder her voice became involuntarily.

Li Chunmei interrupted, "Alright, Xiaomin, aren't you thirsty? Mom will get you some water. Rest for a while and then you can carry it again later."

After drinking the water, Xia Minmin wanted to recite poetry again.

Xia Jianguo pulled out 5 yuan from his pocket and handed it to Xia Xiaomei. "Xiaomei, take Xiaomin to buy something to eat. Take her out for a walk and come back before 1 p.m.."

Xia Xiaomei suppressed a laugh and walked away with Xia Minmin in her hand.

"Dad, I will come back again."

Li Chunmei and Xia Xiaomei couldn't help but burst out laughing, and even Xia Jianguo was amused by the situation.

As expected of Xia Jianguo's good sister, she took Xia Minmin directly to town to buy something to eat, a walk that took a full thirty minutes! Xia Minmin was so tired that she didn't want to talk anymore, so she hastily bought 10 pieces of string candy and went home.

Back home, Xia Minmin lay down on the bed immediately, her former high spirits completely gone.

Xia Jianguo was about to say something when Li Chunmei interrupted him, "Don't provoke her. Be careful and wait until she's rested before continuing!"

Xia Jianguo touched his nose and walked out of the room.

"Second sister-in-law, should I not have taken Xiaomin so far?"

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