Chapter 111 New Year's Eve
February 10, 1975.
New Year's Eve.
This is also the first year that Lin Anan has spent here.
The military compound was decorated with lights and big red lanterns were hung at the doors of every household. The warm yellow lights swayed in the night, creating circles of festive glow.
The aroma of food wafts from every household, mixed with laughter and joy, making the New Year atmosphere even more intense.
The Chu family started working early in the morning. Aunt Chu was directing the work in an orderly manner at the stove. Chu Minglan followed like a little tail, helping out and occasionally stealing a bite of the fried meatballs that had just come out of the pot.
Lin Zihuai was also diligent. He did whatever he was asked to do and was praised by his aunt several times.
"Sister-in-law, your new dress looks really nice, and you look really nice too."
Lin Anan dressed up a little today. Not only did she wear simple clothes, she also put on some light makeup, and she looked very beautiful.
"Xiaoyu, Chengcheng, Xiaozhi, yours look great too~"
The kids are all growing up well. They put on new clothes today and they are so cute.
"Sister-in-law, the meatballs fried by my aunt are delicious..."
Lin Anan smiled and pinched Chu Mingyu's face, "Eat less, save it for the New Year's Eve dinner. Your little tummy won't be able to hold more soon."
Chu Mingzhou was changing the light bulb at this time, listening to their jokes with a smile on his face.
When everything was ready, the table was filled with delicious dishes that made people salivate. The braised pork was shiny and tender, the steamed fish was fresh and delicious, and there was also the lamb rib hotpot that Lin Anan had been craving for. It was not only delicious, but also large in portion, piled up like a small mountain.
It’s almost time, exactly six o’clock in the evening.
"Mingzhou, fire the New Year cannon."
"Okay."
Chu Mingzhou responded, turned around, picked up the firecrackers and went to the yard.
After a while, the sound of firecrackers came from outside, as if it was opening the curtain of this lively New Year's Eve.
The children covered their eyes but couldn't help peeking through their fingers. Their little faces were red from the firecrackers and full of excitement.
As soon as the firecrackers sounded, Aunt Chu lit three incense sticks, first bowed three times towards the east, then walked around the four corners of the yard, and finally inserted the incense into the gap of the stone pillar at the entrance of the main hall.
This should have been a step of ancestor worship, but feudal superstition was not allowed in this era, so it could only be a rough formality.
Aunt Chu called everyone to the table: "Don't stand, come on, come on, sit down, it's time to eat the New Year's Eve dinner!"
Chu Mingzhou closed the main hall door again, leaving a gap.
The stove in the room was burning brightly, and the lamb rib pot was boiling.
Everyone took their seats and sat around the steaming table.
Aunt Chu was the first to raise her cup, her eyes full of smiles, "This year, our family has An An, which is a great blessing!
Although this year has had its ups and downs, the greatest happiness is to have a family together. Come, let's toast together and wish you peace and success in the coming year!"
"Okay, I wish my aunt peace and good luck too."
"I wish my brother and sister-in-law all the best."
Aunt Chu was a very sensitive person. Just like at this moment, Lin Zihuai was distracted for a moment, but she caught it. "Zihuai, you are also a part of this family. Mingzhou is lucky to have such a well-behaved and sensible brother like you."
Lin Zihuai was stunned. Is there a share for him?
His eyes swept across the faces of the people at the table, and finally landed on Chu Mingzhou's face, "Thank you, brother-in-law! And thank you, auntie, you've worked so hard."
"Come on, let's clink glasses together."
Everyone responded in unison. The crisp sound of clinking glasses mixed with laughter, and the whole room was filled with the strong flavor of the New Year.
“Eat, eat!”
The elders start eating first, followed by the younger ones.
Lin Anan picked up a piece of tender braised pork and put it into Chu Mingzhou's bowl, and said softly, "You've been busy all day, eat more."
Chu Mingzhou hummed lightly and offered her a piece of fish with his chopsticks: "You should eat more too. Fish has a good meaning and means abundance every year."
Lin Zihuai stuffed the lamb ribs in his mouth and mumbled incoherently: "Sister, brother-in-law, this lamb rib is so delicious. I want to eat it again during the Chinese New Year next year."
This year hasn't even ended yet and you're already thinking about next year?
Everyone burst into laughter at his appearance.
Halfway through the meal, the topic unknowingly turned to interesting things that happened in the past year.
Chu Minglan: "After my sister-in-law came to our house, I felt that all good things happened. My brother is not so serious anymore, and the atmosphere at home has become much more cheerful."
Chu Mingyu: "Yes, I used to have a sullen face every day, but now I smile with big teeth every day. I look completely different now."
"Hahahaha~" Everyone laughed again.
Chu Mingzhou paused while picking up the food, and his smile faded. He immediately put on a serious face and said, "Don't talk nonsense."
Chu Mingyu pointed at him and complained, "Look, sister-in-law, he used to be like this every day. He was so fierce that I was afraid of him."
Lin Anan smiled with eyes curved, "Don't be afraid, Xiaoyu, your brother has the dignity of a soldier."
Chu Mingzhou coughed lightly, trying to save his image: "I'm not usually fierce, I just have strict requirements for them."
Chu Minglan smiled and said, "Brother, don't be so stubborn. You have changed a lot since your sister-in-law came. Our home has never been so lively before. It's so nice now."
Aunt Chu also nodded and said, "An An is a blessed child. Ming Zhou, you must treat her well in the future."
Chu Mingzhou responded with his mouth, and without stopping, he picked up two more pieces of food for Lin Anan with his chopsticks.
After a while, Aunt Chu got up and went to the kitchen, bringing back a large plate of dumplings.
"Come on, come on, eat dumplings and see who has the best mouth."
Lin Anan was a little confused and glanced at Chu Mingzhou.
Chu Mingzhou took a small bowl and poured a few for her, "Try it and see what you can taste."
"ah?"
Before Lin Anan took a bite, Lin Zihuai was already screaming, "I... my dumpling actually has chestnuts?"
Chu Mingyu also shouted excitedly: "My dumplings are sweet!"
Aunt Chu: "These dumplings, different fillings represent different meanings. Chestnuts represent success, and Zihuai will have smooth sailing in the new year. Yu Ge'er's sweet dumplings are also good, representing a sweet life in the new year..."
Lin Anan suddenly realized, lowered her head and took a bite of the dumpling, savoring it carefully, and suddenly her eyes lit up, "Hey, there are red dates in this dumpling of mine."
"Red dates represent early birth of a son."
Lin Anan's face suddenly turned red. She stopped talking and lowered her head to finish the whole dumpling.
Aunt Chu smiled from ear to ear: "Haha, these are all good signs. In the new year, our family will definitely get better and better."
When we were almost done with the meal, the whistling sound of fireworks rising into the sky was heard outside the yard.
Chu Mingyu and his children couldn't sit still anymore, so they threw down their bowls and chopsticks and ran out the door: "Let's watch the fireworks!"
The adults smiled at each other, then stood up and walked into the yard.
Fireworks bloomed in the night sky, and the colorful lights made everyone's face sparkle.
Lin Anan looked up, clusters of bright lights reflected in her eyes and imprinted in her heart.
Chu Mingzhou quietly held her hand, clasping their fingers together, as if silently making a promise.
At this moment, all the haze was dispelled by the fireworks, leaving only the warmth of family reunion and full expectations for a new life.
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