There are only a dozen days left before the Chinese New Year, and Zhang Weifang cleaned the house carefully.

Looking at the brand new room, Zhang Weifang felt a sense of accomplishment. The room was truly bright and clean.

"Weifang, are you home?"

"Yes." Zhang Weifang lifted the curtain and saw Aunt Wang Ping from next door. She immediately asked:

"Aunt Wang, what's wrong?"

"Haha, great news. My Xiaochuan is getting engaged tomorrow. I came to borrow some dishes and chopsticks."

"Auntie, congratulations, but why don't you go to the girl's house for the engagement?"

"The two families have agreed that the girl will come tomorrow and we can get engaged and hold the wedding banquet together."

"Oh, so that's how it is, Auntie. Wait a minute, I'll get the dishes."

As Zhang Weifang spoke, he took out a pile of plates and bowls from a wooden box in the bungalow, put them in a basket, and asked Aunt Wang to take it back.

Nowadays, people lack everything at home. When they hold a wedding banquet, they have to borrow tables, chairs, benches, pots, pans, and utensils, and then return them after the banquet is over.

The last time the Yue Lao system held an event, Zhang Weifang bought a lot of bowls and plates, intending to use them when relatives came over, but she didn't expect that her neighbor would use them first.

But she is not that stingy. We are all neighbors, so we should help each other when there is a problem.

The next day was the 18th day of the twelfth lunar month, a beautiful sunny day. The neighbors became lively early in the morning. Zhang Weifang got up early for once, listening to the laughter from the neighbors and feeling the lively atmosphere of fireworks in the cold winter.

Zhang Weifang always felt that there was something abnormal about what happened today. Generally, before getting married, the woman would first go to the man's house to get acquainted with him. Then, if both parties were satisfied, they would go to the woman's house to get engaged, and finally get married.

The woman's introduction to the man's family and the engagement ceremony were both held at the man's home. This was the first time Zhang Weifang had encountered such a thing. However, she was just curious. Maybe the customs in each place are different.

Half an hour later, there was noise, crying, and the sound of tables collapsing and pots and pans breaking from next door.

Zhang Weifang knew something was wrong the moment she heard it. It was such a happy day, and she had no idea what had happened. She suppressed her curiosity and returned to the house, knowing that there would definitely be news tomorrow.

The next day, Zhang Weifang got up early, ate a few bites of bread, and ran out of the house. Li Hongru asked curiously:

"Where are you going to grab food today?"

"No, go ahead and come back at noon."

It's not even eight o'clock yet, but groups of people have gathered by the locust tree outside the gate, chatting animatedly.

Although the voices were not loud, Zhang Weifang could still see the strong sarcasm on their faces.

She usually doesn't like to join in the fun, so when everyone saw her, they ignored her. Zhang Weifang was thick-skinned and went straight over.

"Aunties, sisters-in-law, what are you talking about?"

"Speak a little more quietly. What else can we talk about? Isn't it just about your neighbor?"

Zhang Weifang became interested when she heard this. She took out a handful of melon seeds from her pocket and gave some to everyone. Everyone immediately became friendly to her.

A fat aunt said while eating melon seeds:

"Ma Xiaochuan's marriage is probably over."

Zhang Weifang immediately asked, "Why? I only heard the noise yesterday and didn't feel comfortable going over to see what was going on."

"Tsk, my wife is just shy. What's there to be afraid of? The girl's family wanted Ma Xiaochuan to marry into their family, so they deliberately held the engagement party at his house."

"There's this matter? Shouldn't things like this be discussed in advance?"

"Qi Huahua was attracted by Ma Xiaochuan's honesty, so she said this when they got engaged. She thought Ma Xiaochuan wouldn't reject her."

"This is a bit too much." A sister-in-law next to her replied.

"That's right. Chef Ma got furious on the spot and said that unless he died, he would never let his son marry into the family."

"What's the Qi family's reaction?"

"What kind of reaction can he have? He was terrified, but he refused to let his daughter get married and insisted on finding a son-in-law."

"That probably won't work. Hey, with all the talk, who would be willing to marry into a woman's family? Only Ma Xiaochuan is honest. Anyone else would have turned against him long ago."

Everyone talked a lot of random things, analyzed the subsequent situation of the two people, and then went their separate ways.

It's so cold, everyone still likes to stay at home.

In the alley behind the state-owned restaurant, Qi Huahua was looking at Ma Xiaochuan with tears in her eyes:

"Xiaochuan, you really can't marry into my family? There are only two girls in my family. My sister is already married, so I must find a son-in-law. Besides, I will be filial to your parents with you in the future."

Ma Xiaochuan lowered his head and said nothing. It was unknown what he was thinking. There was struggle and reluctance in his eyes, but more importantly, determination:

"Huahua, let's just assume we're not destined to be together. I hope you can find the right one in the future."

Qi Huahua really started crying now, tears streaming down her face:

"Xiaochuan, your family has your brother and sister-in-law to carry on the family line, so why can't you agree to me? Are your feelings for me all fake?"

Ma Xiaochuan felt sad. He said "goodbye" and turned away, leaving Qi Huahua alone crying in the cold wind.

Ma Xiaochuan is honest, but he is not stupid. If Qi Huahua had told him about marrying into the family in advance, he might have considered it. But Qi Huahua used his feelings for her to deceive him, which was what Ma Xiaochuan could not accept the most.

He really likes Qi Huahua. She is very cute with her curved eyebrows and eyes, but he cannot allow anything else to be mixed in his feelings.

The Ma family's affairs soon came to an end, and the rumors gradually disappeared with the new day.

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the textile factory finally had a holiday. Today's New Year's benefits were very rich, including the food and cloth that everyone needed.

On New Year's Eve, the couple rushed back to Beiguan Village with two hairtail fish and a pound of brown sugar.

Li Hongxi and his family also came back, bringing pork and pig's trotters.

The whole family spent a happy New Year together. There were fish, meat, wine and dishes on the table, and everyone ate very well.

Li Guifang also made a full year summary:

"This year, we have two more members in our Li family. I hope that every year will be better than the last."

Li Hongdong drank a little and said a few words:

"I hope that the relationship between us brothers will be as good as it is now."

Li Hongxi responded:

"Of course we have to. Even if our bones are broken, our tendons are still connected. We are brothers."

Li Hongru also said something sentimental:

"Yes, we are a family. We should help each other and understand each other in the future."

At the dinner table, people were toasting each other, chatting and talking enthusiastically.

1961 has passed, and we look forward to the new year.