Chapter 623 She's Thirty-Six Years Old
"In the new year, Dahe Village will continue to develop other money-making projects."
County Magistrate Zhao knew what everyone was thinking. Now that they had become members of Dahe Village, he would bring them into the Dahe Village system.
As long as everyone contributes to the village's development, they are eligible to participate in the annual profit sharing.
He turned to look at Cheng Wanwan, gesturing for her to speak.
In the hearts of the villagers of Dahe Village, the words of Dashan's mother carried more weight than those of the county magistrate.
As soon as Cheng Wanwan opened her mouth, a gust of cold wind rushed in, making her shiver. She wrapped her coat tighter, cleared her throat, and began, "Dahe Village is about to become Dahe Town. Everything a town has, Dahe Village should also have. For example, teahouses for business people to discuss matters, money shops for villagers to deposit money, and pawnshops to solve temporary funding problems… These shops need to be built with funds raised by the village, either rented out to others or managed by the village itself…"
"In addition, tourist attractions need to be innovated, with more flowers, more pavilions and corridors, and the scenery on the mountain should also be developed. It would be great if a temple could be built..."
"These projects all require funds to build. Anyone willing to contribute to the development of Dahe Town can participate in fundraising after the meeting..."
The newly settled craftsmen exchanged glances, each seeing a restless eagerness in the other's eyes. This was a golden opportunity—an opportunity to integrate into Dahe Village, an opportunity to help Dahe Town grow bigger and bigger, and a great opportunity for them to make a fortune…
So, as soon as the meeting ended, the craftsmen surrounded the iron pillar.
The villagers of Dahe Village were not in a hurry at all. According to Dashan's mother's plan, these construction projects would require at least a thousand taels of silver. Everyone had the opportunity to participate in fundraising. Instead of arguing and paying money there, they might as well go back and prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.
Cheng Wanwan's family is also preparing New Year's Eve dinner.
That year, the family had a series of happy events. After consulting with Cheng Wanwan, Zhao's parents decided that the whole family would have a reunion dinner together.
Although there were servants in the house, Old Mrs. Zhao still preferred to do everything herself, with her three sisters-in-law, Wen, Sun, and Cheng Wanwan, helping out in the kitchen.
Various kinds of chicken, duck, fish, meat, fried meatballs, and delicious snacks were continuously ladled out of the pot.
Zhao Yuezhu and Zhao Mingxuan ran around in the yard. The two little guys were close in age and at the age where cats and dogs disliked them. Little Dot, Little Black and Big Black, who liked to hang around the kitchen door, didn't dare to come over and join in the fun, for fear of being caught and beaten.
Busy until evening, the sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner was finally ready.
Adults sat at one table, children sat at another, and little kids gathered at a third table, making the room lively and bustling.
The servants set up a few tables in a side hall and went off to make a ruckus.
"Come on, let's have a drink first." Old Zhao raised his glass. "I hope our Zhao family will prosper every year like this year."
Grandma Zhao smiled and raised her glass: "I hope every child in our family will be successful. Come on, let's all have a drink together."
Cheng Wanwan raised her glass and clinked it with everyone's. After drinking a glass of wine, she felt warm all over.
This was her third New Year in Dahe Village, and she turned thirty-six that year.
She arrived in this strange world at the age of thirty-three, and three years have passed in the blink of an eye. So many things have happened in these three years. Si Dan, who was only ten years old at the beginning, is now thirteen years old and has grown to be about the same height as her. Da Shan, who was eighteen years old at the beginning, is now twenty-one years old and has become the true pillar of the family.
Time makes everyone grow.
Similarly, time can also make people grow old.
She didn't feel old, but when she saw that both Old Man Zhao and Old Woman Zhao had gray hair at their temples, she knew that time waits for no one.
“Dad, Mom, you two have worked so hard for so many years, it’s time for you to enjoy your retirement next year,” Cheng Wanwan said. “Before, the family was poor and we needed you two to support us. Now that even Donghua can earn money, you two can rest assured and enjoy your retirement.”
Grandma Zhao felt extremely warm inside. This eldest daughter-in-law was so filial, always thinking of the two of them.
She laughed and said, "I'm not even sixty yet, I'm still young. Look at Old Lady Zhu, she's over seventy and she still runs the shop every day. If she can do it, why can't I? I'll keep working until I'm seventy."
“That’s right, we old folks are still young.” Old Zhao said, taking a sip of his drink. “Erwang is doing well in his studies, we need to earn more money to support him through school.”
Madam Sun quickly chimed in, "Father, our Xuanxuan is quite good too. He's only two years old, but he can already recite the Three Character Classic. Master Yu said that Xuanxuan is exceptionally intelligent and has great potential."
With her mouth stuffed full, Donghua mumbled incoherently, "Brother Erwang said that out of ten sentences Xuanxuan recites, eight are wrong, and the other two are completely incomprehensible."
"You brat, no one will think you're mute if you don't speak," Sun scolded irritably. "Anyway, Xuanxuan is just smart, a reincarnation of the God of Literature, he'll definitely pass the imperial examination and become a high-ranking official in the future."
Cheng Wanwan laughed.
For a child who is only two years old and can't even speak clearly, it's actually quite impressive that they recited it incorrectly.
She changed the subject, saying, "After the New Year, Afu and Chunhua's matter can be settled, right?"
Upon hearing this, Chunhua's face immediately turned red, and she quickly took the bowl and went outside.
Mrs. Sun beamed: "I originally planned to invite Afu over for the New Year's Eve dinner, but this boy is so stubborn. He said that we're not family until we're married, and we can't spend the New Year together. He also said that he'll bring generous gifts to pay a New Year's visit in a couple of days. We'll officially set the date then. I've already chosen a date. The 18th of the first lunar month is an auspicious day. How about that day?"
Although the time was a bit tight, Sun had already started preparing Chunhua's dowry half a year ago. Everything that needed to be prepared had been prepared, and the wedding could take place at any time.
The main problem was that Chunhua was getting on in years, and many seventeen-year-old girls in the village already had two children, so Sun Shi couldn't help but feel anxious.
After the reunion dinner, it's time for the annual vigil to stay up all night. The children play everywhere, while the adults play cards and chat. At midnight, after setting off a long string of firecrackers in the courtyard, they can finally go to sleep.
On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Cheng Wanwan was awakened by the sound of firecrackers.
She yawned and got up. Just as she put on her clothes, the door to the room was pushed open, and Zhao Yuezhu skipped in: "Happy New Year, Grandma! Wishing you prosperity and good fortune! Give me a red envelope!"
Cheng Wanwan reached out and pinched her soft cheek: "Who taught you to say that?"
"That's what everyone in the village says," the little girl said, her big, innocent eyes wide. "Grandma, red envelope, red envelope, I want a big red envelope."
"You can't even count money properly, and you don't know what you need a red envelope for." She shook her head with a smile, took out a large red envelope from under her pillow, and handed it to her eldest granddaughter.
Zhao Yuezhu raised her chin: "They all like to call me 'little sister,' but I'm clearly the older sister, the eldest sister in the family. I use red envelopes to buy lots and lots of sweet candies. Once they eat my candies, they have to call me 'older sister.'"
After she finished speaking, she ran out in a flash.
Cheng Wanwan knew that the "they" the girl was referring to were some four-, five-, or six-year-old children in the village. They were older than her, so naturally they called her "little sister."
But this girl is the eldest in her generation at home, so she doesn't want to be the younger sister. This is just using sweets to win people over.
She's only a little over two years old, but she's incredibly cunning.
As the head of the family, Cheng Wanwan had to give out New Year's red envelopes to many people. Her three sons and two daughters-in-law each received one hundred taels of silver, her two granddaughters and one grandson each received ten taels of silver, and the servants in the family received between one and ten taels of silver depending on their seniority. Everyone who received the red envelopes was beaming with joy.
During the first month of the lunar calendar, people visit each other to exchange New Year's greetings, eat, drink, and play cards; the days pass by very quickly.
After the first month of the lunar calendar, the Zhao family began preparing for Chunhua and Afu's wedding. However, before the wedding day arrived, Wang Damai gave birth to a big, healthy baby boy for Zhao Dawang.
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