Chapter 392: The New Year is Coming
The north wind blew scattered snow particles across the military compound, and the icicles under the eaves refracted tiny rays of light in the sunlight.
With only a little over half a month left until the end of the year, people were gradually coming out of the grief of losing the Prime Minister. Every household regained their vitality and began to prepare for the New Year.
Lin Anan went out and bought a lot of red paper and materials, preparing to cut window flowers and write couplets. Chu Mingyu was good at hands-on work, so he took on the responsibility of making lanterns, saying that the lanterns at home were old and he wanted to make new ones himself.
"Auntie Ma, please be careful."
"Hey, Interpreter Lin, my ladder is stable. It's okay."
Aunt Ma stood on a wooden ladder to paste window flowers. The paper-cut red magpie flapped its wings on the glass, looking vivid and lifelike.
"Mrs. Chen, your cooking skills are excellent. I can smell the fragrance from your house at the intersection."
"Sister Lin, wait a minute. I just fried these meatballs. Take some back and give them to Sister Lan and Brother Yu to try."
The Chen family's door was open, and Mrs. Chen set up a coal stove to fry meatballs. The aroma mixed with the smell of firewood filled the entire alley, which was very tempting.
There was also an auntie holding up a bamboo basket to dry the sausages, the greasy strips of meat swaying gently in the cold wind.
Lin Anan walked back with the things in her arms, greeting everyone politely along the way.
As soon as I turned the corner, I saw Chu Mingzhou coming back.
"I went to Zhang's house to take a look. The furniture I ordered for Zihuai will probably be completed after the New Year." Chu Mingzhou reached out to take the item from Lin Anan's arms, and gently protected her waist with his other hand, "Be careful, the road is slippery."
"fine."
When Chu Mingyu saw his sister-in-law coming back, he immediately ran over, took the things, spread them out, picked out the materials he wanted and started tinkering with them.
The frame of the lantern has been made, and you just need to paste the colored paper on it. With the golden tassels, it will emit fine light when swaying in the wind.
Lin Zihuai thought the other person was too small, so he took the initiative to help cut the paper. The two of them divided the work and worked very quickly.
"Cut out the couplets your brother-in-law will use, too. He needs to write some to give as gifts."
"Okay, sis."
Chu Mingzhou helped Lin Anan sit down on the sofa, poured her a glass of water, then turned back to the house to get pen and ink.
As soon as Lin Zihuai cut the paper, he spread it out, smoothed it, and began to write.
The scent of ink gradually filled the room. Chu Mingzhou picked up the pen and used the thick ink to create vigorous and powerful handwriting on the red paper.
'Spring spreads green willows on earth, and the eyebrows are relaxed, singing about the prosperous times'
'The red plum blossoms herald a good harvest'
'A happy family and a happy new year'
As the pen moves, a couplet is completed in one go.
Lin Zihuai put down the paper cutter and looked at the couplet whose ink had not yet dried. "Brother-in-law's handwriting is so beautiful, it seems to have a sharp strength.
"Zihuai, cut some more square pieces of red paper, about this size..." Lin Anan compared the sizes, "Ask your brother-in-law to write some blessing characters and give them to the neighbors with couplets, for a festive look."
"Okay."
Lin Zihuai cut the red paper neatly, and each piece was square like a chessboard.
After writing for a while, Chu Mingzhou put down his brush to take a break, picked up the teacup and took a sip, then glanced out the window. He didn't know when the snow started to fall again, and it fell on the window paper-cuts cut by Lin Anan. The red and white colors added to the festive atmosphere.
"Mingzhou, remember to write three paintings for the Zhao family next door. She has told me about this several times. The three men of the Zhao family are all in the frontier, and the family is full of women, all of whom are looking forward to their men returning safely."
Chu Mingzhou nodded, and when he dipped the pen in ink again, the tip of the pen scraped lightly against the edge of the inkstone, making a slight sound.
As they were talking, Chu Mingyu had already finished the outline of the lantern. The little guy loved to show off, so he immediately held it up to show Lin Anan, "Look, sister-in-law! I'll be done soon. I also want to draw a dragon on the lantern!"
“Draw a dragon?”
"Sister, 1976 is the Year of the Dragon," Lin Zihuai reminded.
Lin Anan nodded, thinking that this kid had his own ideas. Everyone's concept of red lanterns was still limited to being festive, but he was already starting to create themes?
"Xiaoyu, can you draw a dragon?"
Chu Mingyu shook his head, "My sister can do it!"
"Okay, whatever you want, whatever you want is fine."
Chu Mingzhou looked at the lively scene in front of him, and the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously.
As dusk deepened, the couplets and blessing characters in the main hall had piled up into a small mountain.
"An'an, open the door." Aunt Luo came over carrying a bamboo basket. "I fried some oil cakes today. They're fresh out of the pan and still hot. I brought some for you."
Yougao is a fried food that requires a lot of oil and sugar to make, so it is only made during the Chinese New Year.
"Aunt, you are so polite. Please come in and sit down!" Lin Anan hurriedly stood up to greet her, and Chu Minglan also quickly stepped forward to take the bamboo basket.
Lifting the blue cloth covering it, you will see the golden fried cakes stacked neatly with an enticing oily sheen on the surface. The sweet fragrance mixed with the unique burnt aroma of fried food instantly fills the air.
"Try it quickly, it tastes better when it's hot!" Aunt Luo smiled with her eyes curved, and took Lin Anan's hand and asked her to sit down before talking.
Glancing at the couplets and blessing characters that covered the main hall, he couldn't help but give a thumbs up, "Look at the handwriting. Commander Chu's handwriting is truly unique in our military region."
Chu Mingzhou smiled and picked two paintings, "These are for my aunt's family."
"Yo~ That's a great feeling!"
"Auntie, have some tea."
Aunt Luo sat down next to Lin Anan, holding a cup of hot tea and sighing, "I didn't expect that this year's New Year atmosphere is stronger than previous years. A few days ago, everyone was depressed, but now looking at these red couplets, my heart is brightened."
"Yes, everyone cherishes the good life we have now." Lin Anan touched her bulging belly with a smile, "Like me, I have hope for life and want to live every day well."
"Being cultured makes one different. That's a very good point."
The two chatted for a long time.
The army was about to distribute meat to the officers, so Lin Anan wanted to pickle some bacon.
Aunt Luo taught her skills to her little by little without hiding anything from her.
After making sure that Lin Anan had remembered it, Aunt Luo prepared to get up and say goodbye.
At this time, Chu Mingyu's lantern was finally finished. Seeing that Aunt Luo was still there, he immediately came over with the lantern in his hand, "Aunt Luo, look, this is the lantern I made!"
On the lantern, there is a golden dragon painted with gold powder, with its fangs and claws bared, which looks quite realistic. Although the lines are immature, it reveals a sense of agility.
"Oh my! Our brother Yu is really amazing!" Aunt Luo took the lantern and examined it carefully. "This lantern is really well made! The dragon is also well drawn. In the Year of the Dragon, our country will surely soar high and get better and better!"
"Aunt Luo is amazing. She even knows such nice idioms."
When Chu Mingyu heard her praising himself, he immediately praised her back, making everyone laugh.
The snow outside the window is getting heavier, but the house is warm and cozy. Laughter and joy accompanied by the scent of ink and sweet fragrance weave a heart-warming picture of human fireworks before the upcoming Spring Festival.
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