Gu Mingyue also made two batches of fried dough cakes. The dough slowly puffed up on the griddle, and the golden-brown fried dough cakes sizzled.

The aroma, mingled with the warm smoke from the coal stove, filled the entire courtyard.

Lu Wanwan sat on a small stool to the side, helping to tend the fire while putting meatballs into the soup pot.

The plump white meatballs tumbled in the boiling water, a layer of oil floating on the surface of the soup. Sprinkled with chopped green onions and cilantro, the fresh aroma wafted straight into the nose.

Just as they were busy working, footsteps came from the courtyard gate. Lu Lin and He Xiao walked in one after the other, still carrying the chill from outside.

"I'm finally back."

Gu Mingyue picked up the spatula and placed the freshly made fried dough on a plate. "Hurry up and wash your hands. The fried dough is fresh out of the pan, and the meatball soup is still hot."

The two washed their hands and sat down around the dining table.

Lu Lin picked up the bowl and took a big gulp of meatball soup. The scalding hot soup slid down his throat, dispelling the chill from his body.

He sighed contentedly, "The soup at home is still the warmest. The wind outside is like a knife, and my hands and feet go numb from the cold after patrolling around."

He Xiao nodded in agreement, his hands moving without stopping. The fried dough was filled with pickled vegetables, and with one bite, it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Gu Mingyue smiled and added meatballs to their bowls, "Eat more if you like it. There are still plenty left in the pot. You two should keep warm outside and not catch a cold."

Lu Wanwan: "I knitted scarves for both of you. They'll be finished tomorrow, and wearing them will keep you warm."

As the Lunar New Year approached, Gu Mingyue took out some red paper from home, thinking of cutting out a few paper-cut window decorations to paste on the windows for a festive look.

Taking advantage of the midday sun, she moved a small stool and sat under the porch, basking in the sun while holding scissors and thinking about what pattern to cut.

The "福" (good fortune) character is essential, and considering that the baby is about to be born, I cut out a chubby baby holding a carp.

Looking at the baby's round face, she couldn't help but smile, thinking that her own child was just as adorable when he was born.

Lu Wanwan came over with a plate of roasted melon seeds, and took off her cotton-padded coat as she entered the gatehouse.

If I had to pick the thing my sister-in-law likes most, it would be the gatehouse; it's just so convenient.

Not only is it warm in winter, but you also don't have to worry about not having a place to dry your clothes when it's windy or rainy.

This gatehouse was specially built by Gu Mingyue before winter. At that time, the blueprints were drawn up, and Lu Lin took advantage of his break to find someone to help him. It was completed in just two days.

This is the architectural style of Gu Mingyue's hometown in her previous life, and it is equally applicable to the island.

There are many of these in Northeast China, but they mostly use plastic film. However, plastic film was a rare commodity in the 1970s and was hard to find, so it was more convenient to just build a door porch.

Before building the gatehouse, she specifically asked the logistics department if she could build it herself, and the leaders above did not object.

Instead, they sent people to investigate and found that this model was quite good, and that it could be applied to the construction of new family quarters later.

Back to the point, Lu Wanwan sat next to her and said, "Sister-in-law, the paper-cut window decorations you made are so beautiful. Can you teach me? I want to make some for my family too."

Gu Mingyue handed her the scissors and patiently taught her, "Fold the paper first, and cut slowly so you don't cut your hand."

Lu Wanwan learned a few of the simplest paper-cutting techniques. She knew she wasn't very good at handicrafts, so she could just do some simple things to get the point across.

The two were cutting paper snowflakes when they heard Yangyang's clear voice calling from the courtyard gate, "Auntie."

Gu Mingyue looked up and saw Xia Qinghe leading Yangyang in, carrying a basin in her hand.

Seeing that Lu Wanwan was also there, he smiled and said, "I guessed you would be here too, so I just brought my things along."

Xia Qinghe put down the plate, lifted the lid, and the golden rice cake, steaming hot and filled with red dates and red beans, had a sweet aroma that wafted out.

The other one was made with a mixture of white and purple rice, topped with a thick layer of red dates.

"Sister Qinghe, you're amazing! You can even make rice cakes."

Lu Wanwan loves sweets the most, and at this moment, smelling the aroma of rice cakes, she couldn't wait to stuff a mouthful in.

Xia Qinghe smiled broadly upon hearing the praise.

Gu Mingyue took Yangyang's little hand and walked into the house. "Try the hawthorn balls that your aunt made. They're sweet and sour, you'll definitely love them."

As she spoke, she took out a glass jar from the cabinet, which contained hawthorn balls coated with white sugar, which were bright red like little lanterns.

These hawthorns were brought back by Lu Lin. He saw them while patrolling the mountain and, thinking that Gu Mingyue liked them, picked a lot of them to bring back.

Yangyang's eyes lit up, and she reached out, pinched one, and put it in her mouth. She squinted her eyes because it was so sour. "It's delicious. Thank you, Auntie."

Xia Qinghe picked one up, tasted it, and said with a smile, "This tastes even better than the ones we made before."

Gu Mingyue smiled and waved her hand, "It's very simple. Please sit down for a while, and I'll go get you some hot water."

Xia Qinghe told her not to bother, but Gu Mingyue couldn't sit still, so she simply let her do as she pleased.

Several people sat around the gatehouse, drinking tea and cutting paper snowflakes.

Xia Qinghe took a sip of hot water, looked at Gu Mingyue and asked with a smile, "The New Year is just around the corner. Are you going back to Beijing this year? My husband told me that the military takes turns on leave during the New Year. If you go back, we might be able to go together."

Xia Qinghe had only recently joined the military and was still unfamiliar with the rotation requirements for the Lunar New Year, which was why she came to ask Gu Mingyue.

If she goes back too, they can keep each other company on the journey and look out for each other. If she doesn't go back, they can stay on the island and have a lively New Year.

Gu Mingyue had just picked up a piece of rice cake and taken a bite when she heard this. She paused for a moment, then turned her head and said, "I originally wanted to go back, but I'm quite far along in my pregnancy now, and the doctor said to avoid long-distance travel as it's bumpy. Lu Lin is worried that I won't be able to handle the bumpy ride, so I can only wait until I give birth before I can go back to see my parents."

Xia Qinghe smiled knowingly, "That's true. You're pregnant now, and your health is precious. You can't take any risks. It's fine to spend the New Year in the family compound. Aunt Qin and the others are all here too. We can make dumplings together and it will still be lively."

Lu Wanwan: "He Xiao and I won't be going back this year either."

This is her first year accompanying the military. She had been considering whether to go back, but He Xiao might have to be on duty during the Spring Festival. The troops' patrols and guard duties before the New Year cannot be relaxed, so she decided not to bother and stay here to accompany her sister-in-law.

Gu Mingyue patted her hand and said, "That's good. We can keep each other company and prepare for the New Year together. It's cheaper to spend the New Year in the family compound, and the neighbors can lend a hand if anything happens. It's safer than running back and forth on the road."

It's not safe for her to travel by train alone to and from Beijing.

Xia Qinghe: That's great, let's go together then.

Yangyang, standing to the side, was jumping around with a hawthorn ball in his hand, shouting, "I want to make big dumplings!"

The child has recently become obsessed with chores. When Xia Qinghe cooks, he follows her around and helps out.

Although it wasn't done very well, at least it showed a helpful heart.

After deciding not to return to Beijing for the Spring Festival, Lu Lin found some free time and took his family to make phone calls.