On New Year's Eve, the lanterns carried by several children caused a huge sensation in the residential compound.

Many children went home and begged their parents to buy it for them.

It's normal to buy some small toys during the Chinese New Year, but that little rabbit lantern was homemade and not for sale.

But yet another person who wanted to buy something left empty-handed.

As everyone knows, the Mu family never intended to go into the lantern business.

This made those who were envious but didn't have the skills extremely jealous.

They also want to make money, and even the Chinese New Year can't dampen their enthusiasm for it.

They can't do it, but those who can are willing to sell it.

What exactly does the Mu family do?

The Mu family is very low-key; they never talk about what kind of business they do.

The other families who knew about it also deliberately kept it a secret, not wanting the Mu family to attract too much attention.

The regulations aren't as strict now, so it's okay to do some small business on the side, as long as no one specifically reports you or you get caught red-handed.

It can be said that the bold get rich while the timid starve. Anyone with brains and skills will be the first to make money and earn their first capital.

To be honest, Wang Qiao was a little tempted, but he found out too late. If he had found out a few days earlier, he could have made some lanterns and sold them.

At least I can earn some money to supplement my family's income.

Mr. Mu saw through the other person's thoughts and gave a reminder.

"There's also the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth of the first lunar month. You can make some in advance during the first lunar month, and they'll definitely be popular then."

"It would be best to make some other small animals as well; I believe that rabbits will be imitated very quickly."

Wang Qiao's eyes lit up. "Okay, I'll go see who has bamboo tomorrow."

The two were secretly planning to make some money during the first month of the lunar calendar, while Lin Chuchu and her children were enjoying a meal together.

During the Lunar New Year, there's all sorts of delicious food available, and even fried meatballs can be eaten as a snack—a privilege we don't usually receive.

"Mom, I wish every day was like Chinese New Year."

Xiao Bao, being mischievous, said, "Why don't we celebrate the New Year every day?"

Da Bao, now more composed, rolled his eyes at Xiao Bao and said, "How can it be New Year's every day? Things are most precious when they are scarce. If it were New Year's every day, we wouldn't be able to eat so much good food."

Lin Chuchu looked at him in surprise, not expecting that Da Bao knew so much.

I don't know who taught them, but they taught them well.

Xiao Bao certainly understood this principle, but he was a little unhappy because he couldn't get any good food.

Wang Xingguo is a big kid now, and he usually takes good care of his younger brothers. His grandma and dad always tell him that the Mu family helped them, so he should be grateful.

He was also very sensible; whenever he received something, he would think of his three children first.

Upon hearing this, he handed the meatballs he was holding to Xiaobao.

"Xiao Bao, here, have this meatball."

Xiao Bao swallowed hard, but didn't reach out to take it.

"Brother Xingguo, you can eat by yourself. I've almost finished eating. We still have New Year's Eve dinner to eat later."

No matter how much he wanted it, he couldn't take Xingguo's things because he was a good boy and food should be shared. Besides, Xingguo usually gave him a lot of things, so he couldn't take Xingguo's.

Lin Chuchu listened to the children's conversation and was very satisfied with Xiao Bao.

Although these weren't all his thoughts, Xiao Bao was definitely thinking about saving room for something better to eat later that night.

However, Xiaobao wasn't a selfish child, so she was very satisfied.

Even fried meatballs can get boring if you eat too many. Lin Chuchu only ate three and then stopped. Besides, he needed to save some room for dinner.

The dumplings were made in advance, and some were cooked so that Mu's father could deliver them to Mu Chen.

By the time Mu's father returned, some families had already started setting off firecrackers.

According to Chinese New Year tradition, we first wash our faces and feet, and then everyone gathers around the TV to watch the Spring Festival Gala.

Her family's TV is in color, and the current Spring Festival Gala programs are very interesting. There are all kinds of fruits, candies, and drinks on the table.

The family gathered together, chatting and laughing.

The children couldn't stay up too late, so we started cooking dumplings after 9 o'clock.

Before the meal, there was a red envelope giving ceremony, where several elders prepared red envelopes for all the children.

There aren't many red envelopes these days, just a few yuan or ten yuan, and even Lin Chuchu received one.

Lin Chuchu hesitated for a moment, but still decided to put it away.

After all, this is the sentiment of our elders.

Lin Chuchu received a red envelope, but Mu Chen did not. When Lin Chuchu sent him a message, he made a few sarcastic remarks.

Although there was a tradition of keeping watch, no one actually intended to stay up all night. After midnight, when the clock struck midnight on TV, they all went back to their rooms to sleep.

Children are happiest during the Chinese New Year. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, they visit familiar families to exchange New Year's greetings.

The children flocked to the small shop in the residential compound.

After all, every child receives a red envelope, more or less. Even if the family takes some of it, they will still leave some money for the children to buy snacks.

Whoever receives the most red envelopes will attract the envy of a bunch of children.

The Mu family's children had the most money, since their parents didn't plan to take the New Year's money back.

The four little ones, amidst the envious gazes of their friends, usually buy things in bulk.

They don't care how much their friends cry and make a fuss when they get back.

"This is really the behavior of a capitalist's son. I wonder what the Mu family does and how they make so much money?"

A voice filled with jealousy reached everyone's ears, but no one responded.

Regardless of what the Mu family does, since they were able to enter the family compound of the base, their identity and background must be legitimate.

Lin Chuchu, who happened to arrive, overheard this.

"Why would this auntie say such a thing? Things are different now than before. The higher-ups won't convict someone just because you say things like that."

"Since we are living a good life and haven't been arrested, it means that our family has done nothing wrong."

"But auntie, your son seems to be a battalion commander, and you've raised your grandson very well."

The aunt was holding a child on each side, a boy and a girl. The boy was clearly well-cared for, while the girl was thin and small, obviously malnourished.

Anyone with eyes can see at a glance that this is a manifestation of male chauvinism. The girl's clothes look a bit too small, her hair is dry and yellow, and her face is very small.

It's unbelievable that such a serious case of favoring sons over daughters could exist in the family of a battalion commander. Putting aside what the elderly do in private, if this battalion commander had paid attention to both children, he wouldn't have raised the little girl like this.

Upon hearing this, the aunt immediately sensed the sarcasm in Lin Chuchu's words and said in a sharp voice.

"What my family is like is none of your business, you outsider. You're just being nosy."