Nguyen Gia Wan

Ruan Shuangjiang, her mother and her two daughters were also having the New Year's Eve dinner. Compared with previous years, this year's New Year's Eve dinner was a little quieter, but it was the happiest and happiest year for them.

In the past, when celebrating the New Year at the Li family’s house, Ruan Shuangjiang would prepare the annual reunion dinner, but the three of them were not qualified to sit at the table. Whether they could eat meat depended on the mood of the Li family.

When they are in a good mood, they are rewarded with a piece of meat. If they are in a bad mood, they can only eat vegetables.

During the day, Ruan Shuangjiang took her two children to the mountain to visit her parents' graves. In the evening, she prepared a New Year's Eve dinner and the three of them ate together.

Before eating the reunion dinner, we have to set off a string of firecrackers. According to the custom of Ruanjiawan, the firecrackers have to be lit by men, but this year it was Ruan Nian who lit them.

Ruan Shuangjiang bought firecrackers with 10,000 bangs, which were the loudest in Ruanjiawan. When the Ruan family’s firecrackers went off, the whole Ruanjiawan could hear them.

"May my family have smooth sailing and everything goes well next year. May Qiqi and her brother-in-law have a successful career and may mother and child be safe. May Xiaoxue be safe in the army. May Xiaoqi be able to marry into a wealthy family and live a good life!"

As the sound of firecrackers rang out, Ruan Shuangjiang clasped her hands together and prayed.

Other families in the village were also setting off firecrackers, but they were outshined by the Ruan family, especially the families next door. They were reluctant to buy 10,000 firecrackers and only bought 3,000. Moreover, a packet of firecrackers was torn into several pieces, so they were naturally very slow to set off.

Ruan Shuangjiang fired a large number of fireworks with great generosity. The sound of the fireworks was the loudest and lasted the longest. When other families had finished setting off fireworks, hers was still going on.

The other families in the village were all a little jealous. Ruan Shuangjiang's family was getting better and better. They were willing to buy such big firecrackers. It must have cost a lot of money, right?

And the two little girls, Ruan Nian and Ruan Pan, seemed like different people. Not only did they become prettier, but they were also much bolder and their manners and behaviors were like those of city people. Ruan Shuangjiang also looked a lot younger and more beautiful. The mother of the two girls still looked the same as when she was a girl.

Although there were many jealous people, no one dared to show it. They were particularly respectful when they saw Ruan Shuangjiang. They also wanted to have a good relationship with the Ruan family to see if they could get some benefits!

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, the village became lively. Adults visited each other and children set off firecrackers outside. Because they wanted to stay up all night, the villagers who usually turned off the lights and went to bed early now lit up in every household, and the village was particularly bright.

Ruan Shuangjiang's family had also finished their New Year's Eve dinner. Sister Ruan Nian took a bag of candy and firecrackers and went out to play.

"Be careful when setting off firecrackers, or you might pop your eyes out!"

Ruan Shuangjiang warned.

"I know!"

The two sisters responded loudly, and as soon as they ran out the door, they were warmly welcomed by a group of children.

The children in the village surrounded the two sisters, like stars surrounding the moon, and asked them about what was happening in the city.

"You have to go to school every day in the city. If you don't study well, your teacher will criticize you. These candies are for you."

Ruan Nian didn't say much about things in the city. In fact, if she had to choose, she would rather play with her friends in Ruanjia Bay, free and unrestrained. But she had to learn skills well and become a great person like her second aunt in the future, so she had to go to school and get the first place in the exam.

“It’s delicious!”

"What is this candy called?"

It was the first time for the friends to eat the milk candy and they were amazed by how sweet it was. They had never eaten such delicious candy before and they were so happy.

"It's called milk candy. My mom doesn't usually buy it, so she only buys it during the Chinese New Year. Let's go set off firecrackers!"

Ruan Nian only gave one candy to each person and didn't give more, because her second aunt said that one should not be too nice to people, otherwise one might create enemies.

Ruan Shuangjiang cleaned up the kitchen and prepared to go to the captain's house. No one lived there, thanks to the captain and his wife who took care of them, otherwise it would have been overgrown with grass.

However, as soon as she reached the door, she saw the captain's family and several other members of the Ruan family walking towards her house.

"Oh, I was saying we were going to sit at Second Uncle's house, come sit inside!"

Ruan Shuangjiang hurried out to greet them and warmly welcomed them into the house. She made tea, took out melon seeds, snacks and cigarettes, and the fire pit was full of people.

"Let's eat quickly. I'm here to wish you a happy new year."

The captain smiled amiably and spoke in a fawning tone.

Because he heard that the younger brother of Director Ma of the commune was promoted in the army with the help of Ruan Qiqi's man. After knowing this, the team leader was so heartbroken that he couldn't sleep for several nights.

In terms of relationship, he is much closer than that guy named Ma.

But that damn girl Ruan Qiqi gave the job to outsiders, while her son is still a little soldier now.

The captain thought about it for several nights and finally figured it out. He decided to curry favor with Ruan Qiqi's family more enthusiastically and servilely in the future. For the sake of his son's future, he was willing to sacrifice his reputation!

"As a junior, I should be the one wishing you a happy new year. Uncle, you are too polite!"

Ruan Shuangjiang brought the first cup of tea and placed it in front of the captain. She also pulled out a cigarette for him. It was Xiaomei, which cost fifty cents a pack. Even if the captain had made a fortune of a hundred dollars, he would not be willing to buy such high-end cigarettes.

The same goes for other people in Ruanjiawan.

Ruan Shuangjiang's behavior made the captain feel particularly relieved. Shuangjiang still respected him, unlike that crazy woman Ruan Qiqi, who didn't even look at him as her second uncle.

"Drink tea and eat candy!"

Ruan Shuangjiang made tea for everyone, and gave them cigarettes and candies. She was very generous.

These candies and cigarettes were sent by Ruan Qiqi, and she also bought some for herself. Together they amounted to quite a lot, enough for her to show off when she returned to the village.

"Shuangjiang, how is Xiaoxue doing in the army?" the captain asked with concern.

"She's doing very well. I received a letter from her a few days ago saying that she was selected to be a medical soldier. This girl read the notes my father left at home and she has some basic skills. She was noticed by the army and we will send her to school for further studies next year!"

Ruan Shuangjiang spoke with a particularly proud tone, and the captain and the others were very envious.

"Xiaoxue is smart and capable, and she has a fierce personality. She will definitely thrive in the army and have a bright future."

Everyone said nice things and was extremely flattering.

Ruan Shuangjiang couldn't stop smiling, but her heart was filled with emotion. At this time last year, she was still the daughter-in-law of the Li family. When she went back to her parents' home, the villagers ignored her and no one looked down on the three sisters.

In less than a year, these people's attitudes have changed drastically, even faster than Juneday.

She knew what she was doing, so she spoke politely to these people, saying what she should say and not promising anything she shouldn't, so as not to cause trouble for Qiqi and her brother-in-law.

"Qiqi's husband is the battalion commander now, right?" the captain asked tentatively.

"He has been promoted to deputy head of the group. My brother-in-law is very capable." Ruan Shuangjiang said proudly.

The air was silent for a few seconds, with only the crackling sound of the firewood burning in the fire pit. The firelight illuminated everyone's faces, and envy and jealousy flashed by.

"Qiqi is a really capable man. He is already the deputy leader at such a young age."

The captain praised with pride, he was really happy. The higher the rank of Ruan Qiqi's man, the stronger his ability would be, and the higher the possibility of his son being promoted.

Others also started to praise her in various ways. Ruan Shuangjiang listened with a smile. She knew that these people must have a purpose in coming to her.

Sure enough, some people lost their temper. After all, Ruan Shuangjiang had to call him uncle, but since they were outside the fifth degree of mourning, they were not very close.

"Shuangjiang, your cousin will be eighteen next year. Do you think you can ask Qiqi Man to arrange for him to join the army next year?"