On the 26th day of the lunar year, despite Huang Wenrong and his friends' repeated persuasion, Xu Mengyao was determined to let everyone rest. If they didn't rest, she was afraid that her eldest sister's arms would be as hard as a Barbie doll from lifting pots.

In order to let everyone have a good New Year, she generously gave each person a red envelope of 200 yuan.

Badan smiled innocently and said, "Sister, you've only been working for a few days, how come you're getting paid so much?"

Xu Mengyao responded cheerfully: "early to enjoy, early to make money, for the New Year you have to have some money in hand, so that you can buy something for the family. Tomorrow, come with me to Pengcheng for a big shopping, we are not short of money~"

The next day, a large group, pushing two carts, headed straight for Pengcheng. At the department store, Xu Mengyao directed everyone's queue. They bought ten portions of everything from peach cakes, honey three-knife candies, sesame candies, and dried persimmons. Besides eating at home, they also gave the Huangs to their parents for visiting relatives and friends. The rest went as employee benefits. And, as usual, they bought two cases of Moutai: one for their collection and one for the family to drink during the Lunar New Year.

Noticing that Xiaomei had been wearing the outfit Huang's mother had made for her, she probably had no other clothes. He wanted to buy her new clothes, but was afraid she would be embarrassed. After discussing it with Huang Wenrong, he led everyone to the clothing wholesale market.

When the familiar boss saw her, he smiled and said, "Hey, sister, you are finally here. I thought you changed your career."

Xu Mengyao smiled brightly: "I was too busy during the New Year and didn't have time to come. I will definitely come often next year. Today I came to buy New Year clothes for my family. Your quality is good and I trust it."

Everyone was reluctant at first, so Xu Mengyao had to pretend to be anxious and urged:

"Everyone, stop wasting time. After trying on clothes, we still have to go buy some fruit."

In the end, everyone picked out new clothes that fit them, and the cart was filled with several heavy bags of winter clothes. At the fruit wholesale market, she bought several large baskets of apples and oranges without hesitation, saying that she wanted to pray for a good omen of "peace and prosperity."

When they left, the two carts were full, and Guizi and Badan were carrying large sacks on their shoulders. The team was quite spectacular.

When they were almost at the train station, the tempting aroma of roast chicken wafted into Xu Mengyao's nose. She immediately ran over and packed ten more golden and fragrant roast chickens, and then went to get on the train with satisfaction.

After a lot of effort, they found a place to stand in the crowded train car. Guizi and Badan simply stood by the door, using their bodies to build a makeshift "barrier" to prevent the goods from being squeezed out. The train slowly started, carrying a car full of laughter and full of New Year's goods, heading towards home.

When we arrived at the Qi family, Grandpa Qi was standing at the door, looking at the pile of New Year's goods, his eyes full of surprise and smiles.

"Hey, Wenrong, didn't you say you wouldn't set up the stall when it's cold? Why are you still bringing back so many things when it's almost Chinese New Year?"

Huang Wenrong chuckled and pointed at Xu Mengyao who was busy taking things out and said:

"Grandpa, these are all the New Year goods Wenjuan bought. She said she wanted to have a prosperous New Year for everyone, and she couldn't stop them. If she couldn't carry them all, I think she would have wanted to carry Pengcheng Department Store back."

Xu Mengyao handed over the clothes she had carefully selected for the Qi family and said with a smile:

"Grandpa, new clothes bring new looks. Everyone should get two sets. Take them back and try them on with grandma to see if they fit. And these two bottles of Moutai, keep them quietly and don't let grandma find out."

When Grandpa Qi heard this, his eyes lit up immediately. He quickly took the wine and hid it in his arms, then winked at her:

"Good granddaughter, grandpa will find a good place to hide and take a nap when your grandma is not around."

That night at dinner, Xu Mengyao, despite Grandma Qi's dissuasion, insisted on bringing a roast chicken to the table. The roast chicken was attractive in color and fragrant, and it attracted everyone's attention as soon as it was served.

Grandpa Qi had to go back to work on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, so he had to leave for Hai City on the first day. Therefore, the two families had a special agreement: lunch at the Huang family's home, then dinner at the Qi family's home. Afterward, they would go to the mountain temple fair together to pray for good fortune for the coming year.

Grandma Huang had already told Xiaomei that she would come to the Huang family to celebrate the New Year. Thinking that the Huang family now had a spacious yard and Hu Zi had been busy taking care of the family for a year or two, she decided to let the father and son come and join in the fun this year.

So on the morning of New Year's Eve, the Huang family's courtyard was filled with a busy and joyful atmosphere. The tempting aroma of New Year's dishes wafted from the kitchen, and the children's laughter and the sound of firecrackers intertwined into a prelude to the New Year.

At noon, two round tables were filled with a variety of delicious dishes. One table was filled with the elders chatting and laughing, the other with the children playing and laughing. Maomao, the youngest child in the family, had his pockets filled with all kinds of lucky money, the most generous he had ever received. His face flushed with excitement, and he kept mumbling "Happy New Year, good health" as he trotted between the adults and children, becoming a wandering messenger of happiness.

Wenxia held fifty cents in his hand and said to Maomao in a mysterious tone:

"Maomao, if you tell me I'm your favorite sister, I'll give you this fifty cents as a New Year's gift."

Before he finished speaking, Xu Mengyao interrupted with a mischievous smile:

"I'll give you one!"

At the same time, she winked at Huang Wenrong secretly. Huang Wenrong immediately understood and smiled heartily:

"Then I'll give you one dollar and fifty cents, Maomao. What do you think?"

Now Wenxia was so anxious that he was jumping up and down, while the adults were laughing at the "little fight" between the three children.

Maomao looked troubled, his brows furrowed. Finally, he blinked his big eyes and said in a baby voice:

"But, what should I do if I like both of you?"

Huang Wenrong heard this and touched Maomao's little head with a smile.

"Maomao is such a good child. The sisters all like you. You can accept all this money. This is our blessing and love for you."

In the afternoon, the group moved to Qi's house with their things. After enjoying a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner, they went to the trade union together to look at the brilliant fireworks on the roof. The colorful lights illuminated everyone's face, full of longing and joy.

After the fireworks faded, a large procession headed toward the temple on the hillside of the park. Though the path was dark, adults holding torches along the way illuminated the path. The crowd was shoulder to shoulder, yet orderly, each one holding a beautiful New Year's wish in their hearts.

Xu Mengyao was mixed in the crowd and was pushed forward, which felt much less tiring than crawling on her own.

As the midnight bell echoed, the temple gates slowly opened, and people filed into the main hall. Xu Mengyao also knelt devoutly on the cushion, silently praying: I hope my family will be safe and healthy. As for the rest, she believed that she could create it on her own.

In the night sky, the starlight and the lights of the world complement each other, and the first incense stick of the New Year rises in the curling smoke, carrying the wishes of countless people.