Chapter 220 Fun Things About Chinese New Year...

Regardless, since her daughter-in-law was pregnant, Sister Li didn't criticize her too much!

"Forget it, what am I saying to you! You should go back now and don't come again. I'll bring you some food when I go home tonight!"

Although Xiaoyun was unhappy, she still agreed verbally.

"knew!"

Sister-in-law Li looked at the fish soup bowl in the kitchen with a headache and sighed.

After tidying up and thinking for a moment, I took two yuan out of my pocket and put it into my grocery money.

In the afternoon, I happened to come across some fresh meat.

In a moment of excitement, I bought two pounds of pork belly, along with some lotus root and radish. That afternoon, I started making dough...

Chaoyang was playing in the yard when he suddenly started shouting happily...

It startled Sister Li!

"Chaoyang, what's wrong? Oh dear... is it snowing?"

Sister-in-law Li also looked at the ground happily.

This is the first snow of winter!

"Sister Li... looking at the snow..."

Chaoyang playfully rubbed the snowflakes and threw them at Sister Li, but unfortunately, the snow had just fallen and couldn't gather at all.

"Hehe...you little kid! Play along, and Aunt Li will make you a big meat bun!"

"Oh, okay, we can make big meat buns now! I'm so happy, Grandpa...did you hear that? It's time to eat buns!"

Seeing Chaoyang happy, Sister-in-law Li also smiled with relief.

This child...

They're so easy to please!

A good meal was all it took to cheer him up!

The snow was falling heavily, and even the sky was foggy, which also made the kitchen foggy.

Sister Li was steaming large pork, lotus root, and radish buns on the stove...

There's still millet and red date porridge simmering in the pot...

Even when Chaoyang was playing outside, he could smell the fragrance.

"Grandpa... smell it, it smells so good! Chaoyang is so lucky to eat so much delicious food every day..."

"Grandpa is happy too..."

"Hehe...we're family!"

"Mmm!"

Once the food was ready, Sister Li brought the steamed buns and millet porridge directly into the main room to greet Grandpa Zhou and Chaoyang.

"Alright...alright...stop playing in the snow, let's eat!"

Helping Grandpa Zhou into the house, and worried that he might slip, she thoughtfully supported him, saying, "Grandpa, please take it easy. You're getting old, you can't afford to fall."

"Yes...yes...hehe..."

Seeing that the two had started eating, Sister-in-law Li went to the kitchen.

While eating steamed buns, I thought about my family...

I ate one, thought about it, and put down the steamed bun I had just picked up!

"Oh well, they're all my children, what can I do?"

He then put the steamed buns into the lunchbox!

But there are only two!

This is my portion, it's not unreasonable to take it home and eat it!

After cleaning up the kitchen, I took the lunchbox and went home!

Before leaving, he specifically instructed, "Grandpa, Chaoyang, be careful when you go out at night! Don't fall!"

Chaoyang, you've grown up so much! Grandpa needs to get up in the middle of the night, can you take care of him?

"Yes, I know!"

Only then did Sister Li leave with peace of mind!

When I got home, I heard my daughter-in-law complaining to my son!

"What is this food? I still want to eat at Mom's. She eats meat every day! And the food is so good!"

Why is Mom like this? She cooks for other people but not for me.

It's just one more person's food supply, right?

Is it really necessary to be so stingy?

The host family didn't say anything, but she was unwilling!

"Truly loyal!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? How can you talk about your mother like that? She's doing this for our own good!"

Once we have children, there will be even more places to spend money!

I only earn money, how can it be enough to cover my expenses!

We still have to rely on our mom, don't we?

Don't be so upset. You're pregnant, why are you being so delicate?

"Hmph, I want to eat something delicious. When Mom comes back, I won't eat anything she gives me. Let's see if you're not anxious then."

snort! "

"Why are you being so dramatic?"

Li said impatiently.

"You're the one who's being dramatic! Your whole family is dramatic!"

Sister-in-law Li overheard everything at the door and sighed helplessly!

Actually, the host family has a separate room within the kitchen! You can stay there if you want!

It's not only quiet, but also warm!

Going home is fine, that would be liberating!

"Squeak!"

With a bang, the door was pushed open! The daughter-in-law, Xiaoyun, immediately turned her face, indicating that she was very angry!

Sister-in-law Li placed the lunchbox directly on the table: "There are meat buns, would you like some?"

"I won't eat it!"

Sister-in-law Li snorted and went back into the house!

As soon as she got back inside, Xiaoyun grabbed a steamed bun and started munching away!

"Hey, didn't you say you weren't going to eat?"

“Not eating would be foolish. But this mother is strange, how could she be so foolish? The host family is so rich, what’s wrong with taking a few more buns?”

Since I'm going to take it anyway, I might as well take more!

Let us all eat our fill!

Why did you only take two?

Xiaoyun complained that there weren't enough steamed buns to eat!

Li Da said absentmindedly, "If you like it, just ask Mom to get more next time!"

"Um!"

Li Da followed her to Li's sister-in-law's door!

"mom……"

"What's wrong? Is your wife not getting enough to eat?"

"Don't mention it, Mom! Are you tired today? Let me give you a shoulder massage."

Li Da looked at Li's sister-in-law with a fawning expression!

Without saying a word, they started serving him...

Massage my legs for a while, then my shoulders...

I'm just busy!

"Okay...okay...what exactly are you trying to say? Don't tell me to bring back more food!"

No! "

Sister-in-law Li gave her a heads-up beforehand!

Li Da: "I know! I know my mom is an upright person! So... hehe... I won't say those things!"

I was wrong before!

"By the way, Mom, how much money do you have here?"

"What's wrong?"

"I need some money lately, can you lend it to me?"

"Is it for Xiaoyun to have a check-up?"

He then took out twenty yuan and said, "We're all ordinary people, so let's be careful with our money, okay?"

"No, Mom...it's too little!"

Sister-in-law Li then said seriously, "Too little? What are you going to do with it? This is twenty yuan!"

Li Da said with a worried expression, "No, it's just that a colleague in our unit has recently encountered difficulties, and we are all trying to find ways to help him."

"It's settled then, fifty yuan each for each of us in leadership! It might seem like a lot, but it's to help people, isn't it?"

Sister-in-law Li frowned and asked, "Can it be returned?"

"Oh, Mom, now is not the time to think about this. They urgently need the money!"

Help!

Sister-in-law Li thought to herself, "That's right, let's wait!"

Sister Li rummaged through her pockets again: "Here, fifty yuan, that's all I have! You should be more frugal with your salary from now on!"

Our family needs to save some money too!

Your wife will give birth in just a few months; there will be plenty of expenses to cover!

"Yes...yes...Mom's right, I'll be good! I'll be going now!"

As he spoke, Li Da ran out! He looked very anxious!

Fifty yuan! How could Sister Li not feel the pinch?

But it's worth it because my son did it for a good cause!

I went out thinking about it, but seeing my daughter-in-law wolfing down her food, I felt a pang of sympathy! I went to the kitchen and made her two more eggs!

It contains brown sugar!

Li Dacai returned in the middle of the night!

The next morning, when Sister Li went to Chaoyang's house, the courtyard was bustling with activity, which surprised her.

Did I oversleep?

When they got to the courtyard, they found Zhou Ye and Xie Jianshe there.

Xie Jianshe and Chaoyang are cleaning the yard!

It had already been swept into a pile and was being used to build a snowman!

"Is Sister-in-law Li here?"

"Hey, you're here! It's so cold, but you're all in high spirits, haha... Wait here, Sister Li will make you some ginger soup!"

hehe……"

First, I made ginger soup, and then I started making pancakes.

After everyone had warmed up by drinking the ginger soup, the carrot and egg pancakes were ready. Sister Li was a good cook and also stir-fried two side dishes, one spicy vegetarian dish and the other stir-fried chili peppers.

It's delicious sandwiched in a pancake!

When they got to the kitchen, Sister Li originally wanted to heat up a few steamed buns for Zhou Ye and Xie Jianshe to try...

But when I opened the kitchen cabinet...

Huh?

Where are the steamed buns?

Could it be that Chaoyang got hungry at night and ate it?

There were six or seven of them.

Tsk...

This child isn't afraid of pushing himself too hard...

I smiled and looked at what vegetables were left. Chaoyang is really growing, so it's normal for him to eat more.

Looks like I'll have to cook some food tonight, keep it warm...

What if the child wants to eat it!

The end of the year is fast approaching, and Sister Li is becoming increasingly worried...

Every night, the food prepared in the kitchen is gone, but Chaoyang hasn't grown any taller.

Well... it's not a good question to ask...

In the kitchen, sometimes I'll keep chicken legs warm, sometimes steamed buns... sometimes some vegetables and steamed bread...

There will always be some.

While Sister-in-law Li was lost in confusion, the others didn't have time to think about these things!

"What? Big sister, you're getting married?"

Zhou Ye was also surprised!

How long has it been?

Is Chen Cheng really going to marry the eldest sister?

Xie Yanli looked at the children in the yard, a shy expression on her face!

"Oh dear, Chen Cheng doesn't have any elders in his family anymore, and he says he can make his own decisions!"

Everyone at work knows we're together!

He said, "You have to give me an explanation!"

Moreover, he won't be able to have children in the future, so he will treat my two children as his own!

I think...it's great!

Zhou Ye couldn't help but smile. He had met Chen Cheng before, and he was indeed a good person with excellent character!

Actually, she's excellent in every way – looks, salary, etc.!

only……

The fact that he had been injured made many people hesitate...

However... it's still within the normal and understandable range!

Xie Yanli is actually a very simple person; when she's kind to someone, she's genuinely kind!

I just don't know what to do, but Chen Cheng is different. Sister Xie will have good days ahead!

Zhou Ye is very supportive of this marriage!

Of course, Xie Jianshe is one of them!

She knew her older sister's personality all too well!

She was incredibly lucky to be able to marry Chen Cheng!

When are you going back to tell your parents?

Xie Yanli said, "I called my parents! They said they're busy at work, so why don't we go back home for the Chinese New Year and get the wedding done?"

She got married right at home!

Chen Cheng rented a small courtyard in the county town, just for a few days!

Once the matter is settled, you can get a refund!

Xie Jianshe smiled and said, "No need for that. I have a friend in the county town who happens to have a spare room at home!"

It won't hurt to use it when the time comes!

Just give them some money as a congratulatory gift!

"That's wonderful! But... I'm sorry to trouble you again!"

Xie Yanli felt that she had caused her family too much trouble and felt very guilty!

"What's the big deal, big sister? As long as you're doing well, we're at ease!"

"That's...hehe..."

Xie Yanli was very happy!

I couldn't help but smile!

Zhou Ye glanced at Xie Jianshe and noticed that Xie Jianshe's expression was somewhat serious, so he asked, "Big sister, when are you planning to go back?"

The house needs some decoration too, right?

"Should we start preparing the dowry and wedding items?"

"Yes, my company allows us to take leave in advance. I plan to go back on the 20th of the twelfth lunar month! I'll go back with Chen Cheng!"

Anyway, he doesn't have any family!

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with us!

"That's great..."

But Xie Yanli was afraid that Zhou might overthink it, so she quickly said, "I won't go back to my parents' home on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, so don't worry!"

"Hehe...okay, I...I know!"

After Xie Yanli left, Zhou Ye asked, "What's wrong with you? You look like that. Anyone would think someone owes you money."

Xie Jianshe sighed and said, "It's not even my eldest sister yet, but why do I feel like I'm marrying off my daughter?"

Looking at my eldest sister, my eyes were full of worry!

"Didn't you know Chen Cheng well? Aren't you still worried?"

"Sigh... My older sister has her own child, and Chen Chengren is a good man! I'm just worried that she'll be wronged!"

"Don't worry, everyone has their own destiny... My older sister has also found her own happiness! And you're still there to support her, aren't you?"

No matter what happens, you'll always be my support!

Zhou Ye's words made Xie Jianshe look at Zhou Ye even more seriously!

"you……"

"Um?"

"nothing……"

Xie Jianshe smiled...

Regardless of whether she likes him or not, as long as she is willing to be by his side, that's the best thing, isn't it?

As the year draws to a close, families are starting to prepare for the Lunar New Year...

Xie Jianshe also started getting busy with the black market...

The Lunar New Year is a great time to make money!

Not only are the checks not strict, but people's purchasing power is also very strong!

If there are good items, it's practically a matter of snatching them up!

Grains, eggs, meat, and fabrics are all in high demand!

Sunflower seeds, peanuts, fish, etc...

Or perhaps it's ribbonfish from the south...

Xie Jianshe recently acquired a batch of ribbonfish and squid... and they're going crazy on the black market...

In this way, Xie Jianshe also left fifty jin for his family!

When preparing for the Chinese New Year, I will send 40 jin of ribbonfish to my hometown in Hongqi Village and leave 10 jin of ribbonfish for the Zhou family!

The 40 jin (approximately 20 kg) was for the New Year and also for Xie Yanli's wedding!

There aren't many people in the Zhou family: Grandpa Zhou, Chaoyang, Zhou Yuanqiao, Su Siyou, and two children!

Ten pounds is about right for a family!

On the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhou Ye brought five catties of ribbonfish to his parents' house: "Mom and Dad..."

"Hey, Xiaoye's here! You've been so busy lately, haven't you? You haven't come home often!"

Your younger brother and sister miss you!

What did you bring?

"These ribbonfish were bought by Xie Jianshe. You can eat them during the Chinese New Year!"

Su Siyou: "Oh! Huh? Chinese New Year? Aren't you spending it with us?"

Just as she finished speaking, Su Si suddenly remembered that Zhou Ye was already married!

"Hey... why did you get married? We've only been free for a short time, and we can't even celebrate the New Year together!"

Mom is upset!

Zhou didn't say anything... Now she has learned to relax. Although her parents still have feelings for her, they definitely can't compare to her younger siblings!

so……

I no longer crave any extra affection!

"We'll be back after the New Year! This ribbonfish is rare, you should try it. We also have some other New Year's goods, Xie Jianshe will bring them over in a bit!"

I can't carry that by myself!

"What? Sister... I want to eat the candy first!"

"Sister... Sister..."

Rou'er and the baby happily surrounded Zhou Ye, chattering away!

Zhou Ye's face also showed a happy expression!

A short while later, Xie Jianshe arrived.

"Mom and Dad..."

"Oh... It's good that you're here. Why did you bring so much stuff? Oh dear, it's all rare stuff!"

Oh my god!

Su Siyou was shocked!

Inside the cart were twenty pounds of flour, ten pounds of rice, a pack of cigarettes, and two bottles of liquor!

Five pounds of sunflower seeds, five pounds of peanuts! And some candy...

There are five pounds of pork belly and three pounds of mutton...

A basket of eggs should contain at least a hundred!

There's a bag of apples, a bag of oranges, and two bunches of rare bananas!

Even if this were in the old Zhou family's house, let alone someone else's, the New Year's goods wouldn't be this complete!

After all, bananas aren't something you can just buy with money!

"Why did you buy so much stuff?"

Zhou also said with a smile, "We're going back to Hongqi Village for the Spring Festival, and Sister Xie is getting married! Since you have children, you can't come back with us because of your identities!"

I'll make sure you have everything you need!

We'll come back after the New Year!

Zhou Yuanqiao looked at her son-in-law with satisfaction. This son-in-law was really good!

Aside from their less privileged family background, they truly care about their daughter!

He gradually accepted it!

"Good...good...what a good child! We don't need to buy any New Year's goods now!"

Looking at these things, Su Si knew that Xie Jianshe cared about his daughter.

"I understand. You can have a peaceful New Year and don't need to worry about things here!"

"Um!"

"Xiao Ye, come with me!"

"good……"

"Xiao Ye, here's a hundred yuan! Your sister-in-law is getting married, and even though Mom can't go back, I still have to send a gift!"

This is a gift of money!

Su Si handed over a wad of cash!

Zhou Ye pursed his lips and said, "That's too much!"

Su Siyou shook her head and said, "It's not much, since we can't go back to congratulate them! It's only right that we give more money as a gift!"

Just give it to me!

"OK!"

Zhou Ye took it directly!

"We'll pack up and head back in the next couple of days! Be careful!"

"Okay! Got it!"

After returning home, we asked Grandpa Zhou and Chaoyang. Chaoyang wanted to go back with us, but Grandpa Zhou stopped him!

"No need, Chaoyang, I have a lot to do at home, how can I take care of you!"

After much persuasion, Chaoyang finally gave up!

Zhou Ye couldn't stop laughing, while Chaoyang looked so aggrieved, as if he had been abandoned!

Sister-in-law Li only went home for one day on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and then came back to work!

Zhou Ye just told her mother that the aunt over there told her to take care of things herself! After all, it's Chinese New Year!

There has to be a bonus!

"Sister Li, you've worked so hard these past few days!"

"No, no... It's all what I should do. The food at home is so good, I've even gained a few pounds! Haha..."

Zhou Ye smiled upon hearing this...

Zhou also took out fifty yuan and handed it to Sister Li: "Sister Li, this is your year-end bonus. You took very good care of my grandfather and Chaoyang!"

I'm very relieved!

"This...this is too much...Comrade Zhou, you don't need so much, you've already given me so much!"

Sister-in-law Li was very embarrassed!

Zhou forcefully stuffed the money into Sister Li's hand: "Take it! This is what you deserve. You'll get double your salary for the two weeks during the Spring Festival!"

Thank you for taking good care of my grandpa and Chaoyang!

"It's what I should do, it's what I should do, hehe..."

She didn't refuse the offer of so much money... and even vowed to take good care of him.

"And then, Sister Li, this bag contains ten pounds of flour, fifty eggs, one pound of brown sugar, and one pound of candy..."

And these two pounds of pork!

These are New Year's gifts for you!

This is just a small token of my appreciation!

Sister-in-law Li was utterly flattered!

This... is too much...

That's way too much...

She felt like she'd been given a windfall...

It hit her so hard she was dizzy!

"Comrade Zhou..."

"Alright, Sister Li, don't say anything more! Here you go..."

"Okay, I'll try my best!"

This gift has given Sister Li a lot of motivation!

On the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Xie Jianshe prepared a lot of things, but couldn't carry them all, so he found a car!

The trunk is full of New Year's goods!

"The trunk only has this much space; we'll buy the rest in the county town!"

We haven't bought enough yet!

Xie Yanli and Chen Cheng took a bus back!

There's not enough room on the bus!

We arrived at Hongqi Village at noon on the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month!

As a car entered the village, everyone gathered around to watch curiously!

"Wow... this must be the construction work done? Our Hongqi Village is really good at construction. Look at this lump of iron!"

That's really sturdy!

Whose is it?

Xie Jianshe explained that it was a company car, and he was just coming back to deliver something!

That's good now...

Good heavens, everyone was stunned when they saw the New Year's goods taken out of the trunk!

"This...is this banana? Oh my god, they bought two bunches? I've never eaten one in all these years!"

"What is that long thing? A fish? But it looks so strange!"

Many villagers had never seen ribbonfish before and were very curious!

"The Xie family's life is getting better and better... The eldest daughter is remarrying and has brought back a good son-in-law."

This son is even more impressive!

They brought so many New Year's goods!

They're all human, so why is there such a big difference?

Zhou Ye and Xie Jianshe exchanged a glance; they had been prepared long in advance!

Zhou Ye took out a bag of candy: "Kids, come on, it's New Year's, let's all have a sweet treat!"

The children's eyes lit up when they heard that!

That's a big bag of candy, surely everyone can get one?

Everyone rushed forward... but they were still very polite!

One per person, no more...

"Thank you, sister..."

"Thank you, sister..."

"So sweet!"

Just then, a discordant voice came: "It's like you're getting married, why are you so happy?"

"Let me have one too!"

Zhou Ye accidentally pinched the opening of the bag!

Miao Zhaodi didn't get anything at all!

"You... Xiao Ye, what are you doing? You're not letting your auntie eat?"

"I'm sorry, Auntie, there's nothing I can do. These are all for the children. How could you possibly take them from them?"

Many children haven't received their turn yet!

The children started making a fuss when they heard that!

"Auntie, we don't have any yet... Don't take our candy..."

"Auntie, go away..."

"Grandma, don't grab it!"