Chapter 52: Handshake
It was only when she heard Chuchu talking about playing firecracker-smashing that she realized that every household in the village would set off strings of firecrackers, and afterwards the children would go to pick up the duds that didn't explode, and she was afraid that they would follow suit.
As far as I can remember, I have heard of quite a few accidents caused by duds.
Unfortunately, even if she said they were not allowed to play, she couldn't stop the children from becoming addicted to the squibs.
Even if I tell the adults, they won't take it to heart.
Adults also have such memories in their childhood. At most, the explosion would hurt their hands for a while.
Chu Hong also hoped that she was overthinking it.
When she returned, she saw her second uncle and cousin putting up big red door couplets.
Song Weibin saw her coming in from outside and asked casually, "Where have you been, second sister? Why didn't you call me to go with you?"
Chu Hong remained calm and fooled him: "Let's go and see if you have missed the word 'Fu' on the back window."
"How is that possible?" Song Weibin felt that he was being looked down upon. "Don't worry about us doing the work."
Chu Dan came out to greet them: "It's time to have the New Year's Eve dinner!"
Today, Chu Hong's family's New Year's Eve dinner, among the chicken, duck, fish and meat, was missing duck meat. There was braised fish, chicken stewed with potatoes, meat stewed with fried tofu, fried pork intestines with peppers, and lotus root stewed with bones. In order to make up the eight dishes, there were also fried vegetables, fried radishes, and fried eggs.
The table was filled with food, and before the reunion dinner, a string of firecrackers was set off. The crackling sound was very lively and added to the atmosphere of the New Year.
Grandpa Song and his two sons drank a pound of white wine, and their faces were flushed. They enjoyed the delicious food and wine and were very satisfied with the meal.
There were nine adults in their two families together, and they all had big appetites. They finished most of the food on the table.
After Grandma Song finished her meal, she specifically told the men who were still eating: "Eat more vegetables and don't touch the fish."
Having surplus every year means leaving fish for next year.
After they put down their bowls and chopsticks, Chu Hong and Chu Dan cleaned the table and stove and started to wash and scrub.
If it was just her family eating, Chu Hong wouldn't be so diligent, but now that Second Aunt is here, she will definitely not let her grandmother help, but let her grandmother rest.
I just hope Second Aunt can see and remember this, and not expect Grandma to do everything for her.
Seeing that the table was wiped clean with a rag, Grandma Song brought up some melon seeds and peanuts, placed a bamboo kettle on the table, and also brought over a large bowl that had just been washed and placed it on the table: "If you want to drink water, pour it yourself."
Wu Xiu handed the hand warmer to Grandma Song: "Grandma, keep it warm."
Chu Hong was afraid that Second Auntie wouldn't see it, so she ordered her sister, "Chu Dan, boil another pot of water, fill all the glass bottles and put them under the quilt."
He even added: "Stuff two in grandpa and grandma's quilt."
"Oh!" Chu Dan suspected that his second sister also drank white wine secretly.
She also has evidence that people talk a lot after drinking, and after winter, her grandparents would put two glass bottles in their quilts.
So why did she give a special reminder?
Wu Qiaofang didn't react. Chu Hong said this specifically for her. She couldn't help but remind her, "Don't put the two glass bottles together. They will break if they hit each other. Then you won't be able to sleep."
He couldn't help showing off: "Your second uncle was afraid that I would break the glass bottle, so he bought me a hot water bottle."
Wu Xiu could hear her second daughter's thoughts, and when she heard her sister-in-law showing off, she smiled and said, "Glass bottles are indeed not as safe as hot water bottles, but hot water bottles are hard to find."
Chu Hong immediately chimed in: "Where did Second Uncle buy it from? I'll give you money, can you help me bring one for Grandma?"
Song Lao Er first glanced at his wife, then pointed at Chu Hong and scolded her with a smile: "I asked you to pay for a hot water bottle. Are you humiliating your uncle?"
"Just wait. I'll find it for you in four or five days."
Wu Qiaofang rarely showed any reluctance, but instead lowered her head and said nothing.
She was also very upset because he had bought two hot water bottles and asked her to give one to her mother-in-law.
But that afternoon, my mother happened to come to see me. She was also very curious about the hot water bottle, so I gave the other one to my mother.
She didn't say anything later because she was afraid that he would buy it again and she wouldn't be willing to spend the money.
As a result, it’s exposed now.
If I could go back five minutes, I would never let Chu Hong talk about the glass bottle.
She touched her bulging belly and secretly thanked herself for having this "amulet" so she didn't have to worry about men scolding her.
"I want one too." Chu Dan and his second uncle were not shy: "Uncle, buy me a red hot water bottle."
Song Lao Er still responded cheerfully: "Okay, Uncle Er will remember it."
After being married for so many years, he also understood that his wife was not generous enough. On this New Year's Day, he did not want to scold her and make her cry.
Soon more villagers came to visit, and the place became lively with chatting and laughing.
As there were more young people, Song Weibin started to call them to play cards.
Wu Qiaofang could no longer sit still, so she stood up and said goodbye in a gentle voice: "Mom, I'm going back first. I'll come to wish you a happy new year tomorrow."
Grandma Song nodded: "It's getting dark, walk slowly on the road."
Chu Hong returned to the room, grabbed two handfuls of candy and stuffed them into her pocket, picked up the newly bought flashlight, and then quietly went out to look for Chu Chu.
As soon as she went out, she heard Xiao Hei's angry meow: "Let me go..."
Chu Hong thought about how she had secretly sent Xiao Hei to her eldest sister's house before, so how could he be caught again?
Could it be that someone was greedy for Xiao Hei's body and took advantage of Xiao Hei's return home to do something bad... I raised the flashlight and shone it over there, only to see that it was Gu Ci holding Xiao Hei by the side.
Chu Hong quickly turned off the flashlight, walked over and whispered, "Why are you here?"
Gu Ci was afraid that she would misunderstand him, so he quickly explained: "Xiao Hei might have gone to find me, but Xiao Hei was raised too well and was targeted by the second-rate people in Lingshang Village, so I sent Xiao Hei back when it was dark."
The corners of Chu Hong's mouth twitched, and she didn't know what to say for a moment.
She couldn't tell him the truth, that Xiao Hei was sent there specifically to keep an eye on him.
She suspected that if she told the truth, Gu Ci would suspect that she was out of her mind.
Thinking that someone is targeting Xiao Hei, it is not appropriate for Xiao Hei to go to Lingshang Village again.
Even if I am worried about my elder sister, Xiao Hei's life is still important.
Gu Ci handed Xiao Hei to her again and said, "Take Xiao Hei home and tie him up with a rope, or put him in a basket, so that he won't follow me back later."
Xiao Hei was cursing and meowing: "Gu, I can never coexist with you..."
After Chu Hong took Xiao Hei, she rubbed his neck. As soon as she loosened her grip, Xiao Hei nimbly leaped away.
Gu Ci subconsciously reached out to grab them, but instead grabbed two hands, soft and cold.
His heart was moved, and he unconsciously grasped her hands tightly: "It's a bit cold, why don't you put on more clothes?"
His hands were very warm, like hand warmers, which made Chu Hong a little hesitant. She didn't know whether she should remind him that his current behavior could be considered as being a hooligan?
Hearing someone coming over again, Chu Hong was afraid of being seen, so she simply pulled him to the side of the house.
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