Sun Jiaxue brought them a plate of peanuts and melon seeds and went for a stroll in the old house.

"This year, our Li family has undergone tremendous changes. It's completely new. In just a few months, we couldn't even imagine it before."

"When we go to worship our ancestors during the Chinese New Year, we need to ask Ming and Qing to burn more paper for them."

"Last time, Dad and I were discussing this: no one else can go to the ancestral worship ceremony, but Ming and Qing must also be present."

"How can it be so exaggerated?"

"Really, everyone in the surrounding villages knows you."

Li Mingqing held his forehead and said, "What's being said outside is just nonsense, but you know the actual situation."

"Don't be so modest. If I were you, I'd want the whole town to know. And you are indeed known to everyone in the town. Just the electricity connection alone will benefit the entire town. Haven't you seen how the village chief and the team leader look so high-spirited when they go to town meetings these days?"

"Yeah, it's not a bad thing."

"You should keep a low profile. What if someone tries to make trouble for you?"

"You're right, we do need to be on guard."

Although Li Mingqing's shoes are not easy to wear, if you don't wear them well for him, you will suffer the consequences.

Li Mingli said, "I heard that they're digging a reservoir next door. I'm just sitting around doing some free time, so I'm going to go work there for a few days to earn some extra work points."

"It's okay to go. It's better than going to pan for gold."

"We need to blast rocks to dig the reservoir, and it's almost Chinese New Year. Be careful not to get hurt. There have been many injuries in previous years."

"I know that, and I'll definitely pay attention."

"Most people in the village should be going there. They're idle at home, so they'd rather earn as much as they can. Besides, it's quite close, only about 20 minutes' walk away."

Old house.

When Sun Jiaxue went over, the three sisters-in-law were sitting together peeling corn.

"Sister-in-law, come and sit down."

Yang Daya happily gave her a wooden stool to sit on.

One should be grateful for what one has received, so since the couple is so generous, I have to give up the stool.

Old Lady Li said, "This is the new corn from our private plot this year. Come and get some when you get it."

"Mom, there's plenty at home, you can keep some for yourself."

"This food will last until next spring. In previous years, it wasn't enough, but this year I think it's just enough."

Zhang Lihua and several others worked in the county town. Sometimes they would go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some food. The factory also issued food coupons every month, which was enough for them to eat.

Li Lizhu said: "No wonder everyone wants to go to work. Since I started working, my family has become more relaxed."

"I only heard people talk about it before, but now I can really feel the benefits."

"Tomorrow is the winter solstice. Come to my house and eat dumplings."

"The year has flown by so quickly, and winter is really coming."

Sun Jiaxue said, "Mom, let's go get some flour from the new house later. New white flour is perfect for making dumplings. I forgot to get it when I came out."

"We have some at home. Your sister-in-law gave us two scoops a couple of days ago, but we haven't eaten them yet."

Li Danniu was sitting there when she heard the winter solstice and said, "Then our winter vacation will soon begin."

Zhang Lihua said, "I'll make cotton-padded clothes for you these two days to prevent you from getting frostbite."

"Once the fabric is purchased, it can be made in one day."

Old Lady Li asked, "Do you remember the Nine-Nine Song I taught you earlier?"

As soon as he finished speaking, several children began to recite the Nine-Nine Song.

If you don't take action in 1929,

Walking on the ice during the 39th and 49th days of winter

Five five six nine along the river to see the willows,

On the seventh day of the ninth month, the river opens, and on the eighth day of the ninth month, wild geese come.

Ninety-nine plus onety-nine, and oxen are walking everywhere.

Starting from the winter solstice, nine days are used as a unit. After nine consecutive nine-day periods, after eighty-one days, winter is over and spring comes.

The crisp sound filled the whole room.

On this day, an electrician from the power supply bureau came to read the electricity meter and collect the electricity bill.

Everyone in the village followed the electrician.

The village chief brought a wooden ladder, and the electrician leaned the ladder against the wall and climbed up to read the electricity meter.

No household is left out.

The electrician looked at the meter reading written in the notebook.

The reading on the electric meter in Li Mingqing's house was so eye-catching that he looked at it several times, fearing that he might have made a mistake due to dazzled eyes.

The villagers' electricity meters only increased by a few degrees, and this is common in several other villages.

Judging from the electricity consumption, Li Mingqing's family must have turned on the lights at night and turned them off when they went to bed, and they even turned on more than one light.

The electrician said, "Village head, please ask the villagers to go home and pay their electricity bills."

Zhang Cuihua was dissatisfied when she heard that they had to pay money: "I should have known it would be unnecessary. It's not easy for ordinary people to earn a little. I really don't want to spend it. Li Mingqing paid for the wires, why didn't he help everyone pay the electricity bill as well?"

Old Lady Li couldn't stand it any longer and cursed, "What are you thinking? Who told you to use it?"

"I'm just saying it, I believe the folks think the same."

"You're really pushing your luck. Don't think everyone is as shameless as you."

Wang Dafeng whispered: "I——"

Before he could finish his words, he was slapped by Old Lady Lin.

"Shut up and stop talking nonsense."

She whispered again: "Mother-in-law, I think what Auntie said makes sense. This way we can have light and don't spend money."

Old Lady Lin twisted her arm hard.

How could they have found such a silly daughter-in-law? If others heard this, they would probably laugh at the Lin family.

He dares to say anything. It seems he hasn't learned his lesson from last time.

"Shut up and wait for Lin Yan to come back and deal with you."

If this isn't taken care of, he'll probably end up like Zhou Xiaoshuang.

She must be given a good beating to teach her a lesson.

The electrician heard Zhang Cuihua's words clearly and said, "Village head, the people in your village are really shameless. When I go to other villages, they always express their gratitude. This is the first time I've heard such words."

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!