Li Chunmei gave Xia Jianguo a thumbs up, showing that she strongly agreed with what he said.

"Jianguo, why haven't your older brothers and the others come back yet? I hope something has happened to them!"

“He’s not a child who can’t be lost. I’m going to look through my books to see if there are any that Xiaomin can use.”

"Do you need my help?"

"No need, go get some sleep. You didn't sleep well yesterday, and you have to stay up all night to welcome the New Year."

When Li Chunmei entered the room, she saw Xia Minmin sitting upright at the table doing her homework, completely focused and undisturbed by the noise outside.

Li Chunmei leaned against the bed, hastily covered herself with a quilt, and closed her eyes to rest. People had been having reunion dinners since early this morning, and the sound of firecrackers had been constant, so she hadn't slept well.

Bang! A door slammed shut.

When Li Chunmei woke up, she saw Xia Minmin struggling to climb onto the chair with her short legs, preparing to go out and watch the excitement. She didn't know why Xia Minmin loved watching excitement so much.

"Xiaomin, what are you looking at?"

"Mom, you're awake. Uncle and Aunt have come back carrying my cousin."

"So you're back! Have you finished your homework?"

"I haven't finished yet. I'll rest for a while before continuing."

"Dad said he went to help the neighbors move the cabinet, and my aunt went to chat with her friends."

"Okay, I understand."

"Go outside for a walk."

Li Chunmei knew from Xia Minmin's tiptoeing presence that she was going to join in the fun.

Before Xia Minmin could even get close, Chen Chunhua's voice rang out, "What does your sister-in-law mean by gossiping about me during the New Year? How am I supposed to face people after this?!"

Xia Minmin said loudly, "Auntie, please keep your voice down. It wasn't us who told anyone, it was you who was too loud yesterday and the neighbors heard us!"

Chen Chunhua flung open the door abruptly, "You're so young, yet you already know how to eavesdrop. You have no manners at all."

Xia Minmin said expressionlessly, "Aunt, I was just passing by. You're too famous, and people will start gossiping about us again tomorrow, and they'll continue to slander us."

"I'll just keep saying, what can anyone do to me? What can they do to me?!"

"A leopard can't change its spots, and a house full of poor bastards."

"All you do is play dirty tricks behind people's backs. If you're so capable, just tell me directly!"

"With such a small dowry, and the house even being split equally between the brothers, I'm truly unlucky to have married into your family. Those two sickly men died, and they still tried to slander me, saying it was all because I was worked to death!"

"Enough, Chen Chunhua! Aren't your parents good enough to you? Don't be ungrateful. I may not hit women, but that doesn't mean I can't hit Xia Jianshe." Xia Jianguo had just returned from his neighbor's house when he heard Chen Chunhua cursing.

“Aunt, I’ve told you to keep your voice down, but you just won’t listen. Look outside.” Xia Minmin pointed to the neighbors outside.

Chen Chunhua looked at her neighbor, who was furious and embarrassed, and said, "What are you looking at? What's so interesting?"

"There's nothing good to watch, it's just trash!"

"Xia Jianshe is such a coward; he hid in the house even after his parents were scolded."

“If he hadn’t acted this way, Chen Chunhua wouldn’t be so arrogant.”

Xia Jianguo led Xia Minmin into the room, saying, "You! Don't get involved in other people's business. I don't know who you inherited your love for watching the excitement from. You were just over a year old and you were already following others to watch the excitement. You almost got stepped on."

"Jianguo, is Chen Chunhua crazy? She's making trouble for no reason during the New Year."

"Ignore her, she's got a screw loose."

Chen Chunhua, who was outside, retreated into her room amidst the mockery of her neighbors, while Xia Jianshe remained inside.