Chapter 32 Sending New Year's Greetings and Getting Lucky Money
Yao Shuxin and Yao Shuli both know that they will be making dumplings tomorrow morning. The meat filling has already been chopped, and the cabbage has also been chopped and placed in the kitchen.
But New Year's greetings...
Who should they wish to wish the three siblings a Happy New Year? To be honest, besides their uncle's family, who else would think of them...?
"What? Is that not right?"
"We'll do exactly what we did on the first day of the Lunar New Year!" Yao Shula said, gnawing on a chicken leg while looking at her younger siblings.
Yao Shuxin and Yao Shuli both looked at Yao Shula.
What was Chinese New Year like in the past...?
It definitely involves paying New Year's visits—going to Grandma's house to wish my uncles a Happy New Year, receiving lucky money, and then playing with my cousins...
Can things continue like this this year?
"What? Are you afraid of people gossiping?" Yao Shula had already finished eating a chicken leg.
Yao Shuxin and Yao Shuli both quickly shook their heads.
Gossip? They've already heard a lot of gossip lately, so hearing a few more doesn't seem like a big deal!
"Sister, shall we go to Grandma's house to wish her a Happy New Year after we finish eating dumplings tomorrow morning?" Yao Shula asked tentatively.
Yao Shula nodded and then put a meatball on her younger brother's or sister's plate.
"Yes, I'll go visit relatives and friends for the New Year! Life isn't about living for others; it's about making yourself comfortable."
If you don't want to go, then you don't have to go!
"But now it seems that Grandma's attitude towards us is quite good. It's only right to go and wish her a Happy New Year during the Spring Festival," Yao Shula said with a smile.
Yao Shuxin and Yao Shuli both nodded.
Yes, Grandma isn't treating them too badly now... at least she's better than that dad!
“Yes, let’s go wish Grandma a Happy New Year. She’ll give us lucky money!” Yao Shuxin nodded and said.
"Yes! Grandma will give you lucky money. She gave me 50 cents last year."
They should be able to pay back 50 cents this year!
"But my uncle's family... probably won't give it to me." Yao Shuli said softly.
Yao Shuxin nodded in agreement.
Yao Shula also knew that, given her uncle and aunt's personalities, there was a 90% chance they wouldn't give them any New Year's money this year.
Yao Shula didn't care; she was already an adult.
But Shuxin and Shuli are young, and during the Lunar New Year, while other families receive lucky money from their elders, they don't get any...
Also, what do their friends compete with during the Chinese New Year?
Isn't it just about who has new clothes for the New Year and who receives more lucky money?
This year, Yao Guohua will not be taking them to celebrate the New Year, which means that Yao Guohua will not be giving New Year's money to the younger generation on his uncles' side.
For Uncle Yao and Aunt Yao, who strictly adhere to the principle of reciprocity, giving New Year's money to the three Yao siblings means only giving out money and not receiving any.
Therefore, they will not give it to them.
"What? Do you have any ideas?" Yao Shula asked the two of them with a smile.
Yao Shuxin and Yao Shuli both immediately shook their heads.
However, Yao Shula wanted to teach the siblings a lesson.
"You two need to remember this: whether others treat you well or not, it's all part of your experience."
Having experiences is a good thing!
No matter how others treat us, we just need to keep it in mind.
No one is obligated to be nice to us all the time.
If even our own fathers can abandon us, what chance do other people have?
Therefore, it's best to come to terms with it yourself.
"I'm asking you, if your uncle and aunt don't give you New Year's money tomorrow, will you feel a little sad?" Yao Shula asked.
After thinking for a moment, Yao Shuxin and Yao Shuli both nodded cautiously.
It will be a little sad because the New Year's money won't be much, but it's also a kind gesture from the elders.
They used to be given to them, but now that they have no parents, their uncle probably wouldn't even look down on the three siblings...
"Okay, let's talk about this properly."
Tomorrow, whoever gives you lucky money, just take it and keep saying nice and auspicious New Year's greetings.
No, we won't give it to you! Don't be angry.
Other people's money doesn't grow on trees.
It's perfectly normal if they don't give it to you.
But you can keep this in mind!
Write down whether others treat you well or badly.
Later on... when you two are successful and making a lot of money, those people will definitely come after you.
No matter what they do, say, or want you to do, just remember what happened when you were a child.
If they try to build a relationship with you, and you don't want to engage, then it's easy to handle!
I remember when we were little, we didn't even get lucky money when we visited your house for the New Year. We could only watch our older cousins receive lucky money.
After saying that, who would dare to open their mouth to you!
If someone treats you well, remember that.
Back then, before anyone else could even speak, you would say, "I remember, when we were little, the three of us siblings depended on each other for survival."
We still remember the lucky money you gave us during Chinese New Year!
In short, just accept whatever others do to you, whether it's good or bad.
They will grow old one day.
Similarly, we'll all grow up someday, right?
Remember the good things others do for you, and remember the bad things they do for you too.
Do you understand the principle of reciprocity?
"Don't let other people's actions spoil our good mood for the New Year, okay?" Yao Shula said with a smile.
Yao Shuxin and Yao Shuli thought it made sense after hearing this.
That's right. You treated me badly when I was young, so I'll treat you badly when you're old.
Does it matter whether you treat me well or badly?
It doesn't matter at all, okay?
They'll still have meat to eat when they come back.
"Then shall we go and wish Grandma a Happy New Year after we finish eating dumplings tomorrow?" Yao Shuxin asked Yao Shula.
"Yes! We definitely have to pay New Year's visits! Grandma even had my third sister-in-law send over a bowl of crispy chicken pancakes before the New Year!"
Alright, let's eat! This is our New Year's Eve dinner. Eat well, and next year will be even better!
As Yao Shula spoke, she gestured for the siblings to continue eating.
The three siblings immediately started eating and drinking with smiles on their faces.
The sound of firecrackers outside grew louder and louder, and the dim incandescent light shone on the faces of the three siblings, making their faces rosy.
Yes, after this meal, things will get better and better next year.
...
After finishing the New Year's Eve dinner, the remaining dishes were taken to the kitchen and put into the cupboard.
The three siblings then put peanuts, sunflower seeds, and rice candy and peanut candy that the machinery factory had given them during the Lunar New Year into a metal box.
There was no television, no Spring Festival Gala, only the sound of firecrackers outside.
Amidst the continuous sound of firecrackers, the three siblings quickly fell asleep.
However, the lights in the main room, as well as in the east and west rooms, were all on.
...
On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the three siblings got up very early.
The three siblings made and ate dumplings together, and Yao Shula gave each of them a yuan as a New Year's gift.
"An elder sister is like a mother! This is from your elder sister on behalf of Mother, so please take it all!"
...
After tidying up, Yao Shula took her younger siblings to wish their grandmother a Happy New Year.
Grandma Yao wasn't surprised at all when she saw Yao Shula and her two siblings.
"Have you eaten before coming here?" Grandma Yao asked as she took out money wrapped in a handkerchief from her pocket.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com