Chapter 175 Life is getting better every year
Zhang Guifang was in no mood to eat. Her eyes turned red and she lowered her head.
Today's incident was caused by Zhang Jingping's ignorance. Zhang Guifang is her aunt, and she cannot hit or scold her niece, which makes her feel embarrassed.
Zhou Yong took in his mother-in-law's expression while chewing his food. Although he was very angry with Zhang Jingping, he had to compromise for Zhang Guifang's sake. After all, in this matter, it was Zhou Kexin and her two siblings who were at fault first.
Thinking of this, Zhou Yong picked up some food and put it into his mother-in-law's bowl. Zhang Guifang slowly raised her head with an apologetic look in her eyes.
Li Baotian made small talk and the atmosphere gradually became lively. Only Zhang Jingping looked unhappy and didn't say a word at the dinner table.
Zhang Guifang looked at her niece, picked up food for her and took the initiative to talk to her, but Zhang Jingping acted as if she didn't want to pay any attention to her.
Li Caiyun glanced at her and talked to her cousin with a smile, and Zhang Jingping's expression gradually eased up.
The page was turned, but the three children gradually distanced themselves from Zhang Jingping.
In the past, they surrounded Aunt Zhang Jingping and called her all the swear words, but now, no one cares about her anymore.
Two days after the incident, Zhang Jingping, who was ignored by her children, packed her luggage early in the morning and prepared to leave.
In Zhang Jingping's opinion, the reason why the children ignored her was because of the adults' teachings.
I swear to God, no one taught these three siblings about this matter.
Isn't that what children do?
If you are nice to him, he will be nice to you. Zhang Jingping treats Zhou Kexin like this, why should a brother and sister still be nice to you?
"Have you had enough of the trouble? Tomorrow is New Year's Day, where are you going?"
Zhang Jingping had tears in her eyes: "Aunt, don't worry about me. Anyway, I won't freeze to death or starve to death..."
Zhang Guifang was almost losing her temper, and Zhou Yong could no longer bear it: "Mom, since she wants to leave, just let her go, don't delay her future..."
If Zhang Jingping had somewhere to go, would she have been fostered in Zhang Guifang's home?
Zhou Yong's words froze Zhang Jingping. She originally wanted to save face for herself, but things did not develop as she expected.
"Zhou Yong, what are you talking about?"
Li Caiyun glared at Zhou Yong, telling him not to cause more trouble.
Zhou Yong had seen through Zhang Jingping's thoughts. He smiled and said again: "If you want to stay, live a quiet life. If you want to leave, we won't keep you."
He just said this and then left the east room. Zhang Guifang was confused and angry at Zhang Jingping's behavior. After she calmed down and thought about what her son-in-law said, she finally understood what was going on.
Zhang Guifang scolded her niece, and Zhang Jingping completely calmed down.
In the evening, Zhang Jingping apologized to Li Caiyun and Zhou Yong, saying that she was wrong and hoped that everyone would not take it to heart.
Li Caiyun forgave Zhang Jingping. After all, they were cousins and it was impossible for them to break up over such a small matter.
The next day was New Year’s Eve, and the atmosphere at home suddenly became lively.
Early in the morning, the three children ran around excitedly, and the house was filled with laughter.
Zhang Guifang and Zhang Jingping began to prepare a sumptuous meal, and Li Caiyun helped.
Zhou Yong and Li Baotian brought their three children outside. The children helped to apply the paste. Under Li Baotian's instructions, Zhou Yong pasted the Spring Festival couplets on the wall.
The Spring Festival couplets contain some blessing words, which symbolize family happiness, peace and health in the new year.
"The lantern is hanging crookedly, move it a little to the northwest."
Zhou Yong was hanging lanterns on a ladder while Li Baotian was directing them from below.
"Dad, what about this time?"
"Move a little further to the right..."
Zhou Yong held up the lantern and moved it. Li Baotian shouted, "It's OK."
Lanterns were hung under the eaves, and the three children jumped for joy.
"It's time to eat."
They had just finished their work and breakfast was ready at home.
After breakfast, everyone except the three children got busy.
Li Baotian was responsible for chopping firewood, Zhou Yong was responsible for fetching water, Li Caiyun was responsible for watching two stoves burning at the same time, Zhang Jingping was chopping dumpling fillings, and Zhang Guifang was tidying up the dishes to be prepared for the day.
Life is getting better and better every year, and the New Year’s Eve dinner has naturally become more and more sumptuous.
Chicken, duck, fish and meat are essential dishes on the table. In addition to these dishes, Zhou Yong also bought ten kilograms of beef and ten kilograms of mutton this year...
With a creaking sound——
The door of the outer room was opened, and Li Hongjun brought a big carp to his third uncle's house.
The fish weighed at least five or six kilograms, which made Zhang Guifang smile happily.
"Brother, where did you buy this fish? We didn't see such a big fish when we went to the market."
Most people would not buy such a big fish, so the fish sold in the vegetable market weigh at most two or three kilograms.
Li Hongjun smiled and said: "My eldest brother-in-law caught three fish for me, each one is this big..."
He kept one of the three fish for himself, and gave one to Li Baoshan's home and one to Li Baotian.
At this time Zhou Yong came back with water. Seeing the big carp, he asked where he bought it.
After learning what happened, Zhou Yong said: "Next year, our village will build a fish pond and see if we can raise such a big fish..."
Li Hongjun smiled and continued: "In addition to fish, you can also raise some crabs and prawns. Those are fresh things and are said to be very expensive..."
Seafood products are not sold in Hongqi Commune. If you want to buy them, you can only go to the county town, and there are not many varieties.
This year, Li Hongjun accompanied Zhou Yong to the provincial capital for business and had the opportunity to eat crabs and prawns. The taste is still unforgettable to him.
Zhou Yong smiled and nodded. Li Baotian continued, "Is that thing suitable for breeding in the north?"
The temperature in the north is cold, especially here, living in the mountains. It is possible to raise fish, but as for crabs and shrimps, Li Baotian thinks it is nonsense.
"Dad, let's give it a try next year. What if we can develop it?"
Li Baotian smiled and said, "That's true. We can breed fewer crabs and prawns first..."
The three of them chatted about this topic for a while, and Li Hongjun didn't go back until it was almost time for lunch.
At noon, the Li family prepared six dishes, four meat dishes and two vegetable dishes. While eating, Zhang Jingping began to sigh.
When her father was alive, her family of eight usually had one dish and one meal, and even during Chinese New Year, they would have at most one meat dish and three vegetable dishes.
Since coming to the Li family, every meal consists of two dishes and one rice. Occasionally, Zhou Yong improves the food for his family.
To be honest, she knew that her aunt's family had good living conditions, but she had never imagined it was so good before she came.
Zhang Jingping's words to herself made Zhang Guifang's eyes red.
Her younger brother was capable. Even though he had to support eight people by himself, he never asked his older brothers and sisters for a penny. Such a strong-willed person passed away at such a young age. How did Zhang Guifang feel?
Li Caiyun glanced at Zhang Jingping who brought up her mother's sad story and felt that she shouldn't talk about these things during the New Year.
Zhang Guifang raised her hand to wipe her eyes. She smiled and said, "Why are you all looking at me? Let's eat..."
Li Caiyun picked up a pig's trotter for her mother: "Mom, have a pig's trotter."
Zhang Guifang and Li Baotian are getting old, and their teeth are getting worse year by year. When stewing pig's trotters, Li Caiyun burned an extra spoonful.
"Dad, you should eat a pig's trotter too..."
Li Caiyun picked up some pig's trotters and put them into everyone's bowls. Zhou Yong frowned slightly when he saw that the plate was empty. He picked up the pig's trotters from his bowl and gave them to his young wife.
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