Grandma Li came in from outside and was pleased to see her grandchildren getting along so well.
She picked up her granddaughter and gave instructions to her two grandsons.
"You're all grown up now, and you'll be out and about more often from now on. You need to broaden your horizons and not worry about the little things at home."
Jiaren and Jiayi knew that these words referred to their mother, and they both nodded slightly…
The Spring Festival is the most lively time of the year. Even in a quiet village like Qingshui, people come and go.
Li Lao Er took Jia Ren to the village chief's house and the old men next door, and gave each of them a New Year's gift.
It wasn't anything valuable, just some fried dough twists and a few fresh fruits from home.
But the village chief and the old men were overjoyed and talked to them for a long time.
Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru, sisters-in-law, also visited Zhang Ersao and Wu Sanshenzi's homes to thank them for their previous help.
Today, Tao Hongying's cooking skills and Jiaren's education are both thanks to other people's help.
Both families were overjoyed and returned equally generous gifts.
Needless to say, we will definitely get closer in the future.
They were busy like this until New Year's Eve. Old Li and his family got up early and put on new clothes and shoes.
The family wasn't exactly well-off. Some people got new coats, some got new shoes. They got different things, but they were all necessary, and everyone was happy.
Of course, Jiayin, the family's darling, got a complete makeover from head to toe.
A red jacket and trousers, a small hat made of color-blocked brocade, and butterfly shoes that were a bit too big, tied with straps around her ankles.
She wore a silver necklace around her neck with a longevity lock as a pendant, and a red string with silver beads on her wrist.
This outfit made her look even more fair-skinned, plump, and adorable. When she smiled, she revealed two small teeth, looking like a New Year's painting doll, exuding extra joy.
The whole family adores him; they hug him and kiss him—he's truly their darling.
Grandma Li decided to let Jiaren and Jiayi hug their grandsons more often, so that the two grandsons, who are often away from home, could receive more blessings and good fortune.
In winter, there is no farm work, and people eat only two meals a day, even during the Lunar New Year.
Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru were so busy in the kitchen that their feet barely touched the ground as they cooked and stir-fried dishes.
Li Lao Er, Li Lao San, and Li Lao Si went next door to host a dinner party.
None of the six old men next door have children or grandchildren, so they inevitably feel lonely and desolate at times like this.
The Li family had already arranged to invite them over for a family reunion dinner.
But the old men had no idea that they were gathered together, frantically trying to start a fire and cook.
As a result, when the three Li brothers came to invite them, their eyes lit up with envy.
"No, it's the Lunar New Year. You should have your own family reunion. We won't go and join in the fun."
"Yes, look, we've also prepared New Year's goods, so we're not short of food."
The old men all declined, but Li Lao Er stepped forward and helped Uncle Zhao up.
"Uncle, everything is prepared at home, and we've even bought the wine. Come to our house for dinner first, and we'll take you back tonight to cook dumplings for yourselves."
As he spoke, he walked out, and Li Laosan and Li Laosi followed suit.
So, the old men were half-heartedly "invited" to the Li family's courtyard.
Inside the main room of the Li family home, a large round table had already been set up, and the room was warmed by fire, as warm as springtime.
Jiaxi and Jia'an ran around inside and outside, helping to get bowls and chopsticks, and occasionally sneaking a bite of food, which made Tao Hongying laugh and scold them.
The lively and festive atmosphere is simply overwhelming.
Grandma Li carried Jiayin and greeted the old men as they entered, smiling.
"Brothers, don't stand on ceremony. A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. Let's celebrate the New Year together."
The old men were both moved and apprehensive. Before they could speak, they were helped to their seats.
Soon, a sumptuous meal was served one after another.
Braised pork knuckle, braised fish chunks, pork belly with garlic sauce, lamb stew with radish, stir-fried chicken with wood ear mushrooms…
Nine dishes and a soup, plus a large bowl of snow-white rice, made everyone secretly swallow their saliva.
Even Wu Cuihua, who had been faking illness, came out early, staring at the food, eager to start eating immediately.
Li Lao Er filled the old men's bowls with wine, and he and his brothers, along with their three eldest children, Jia Ren, Jia Yi, and Jia Huan, each received half a bowl.
The wine bowls were raised and clattered together, a moment of solace for a year's hard work.
The men drank and ate, while the women and children chatted and ate, filling the room with the aroma of food and drink.
Jiayin also received a bowl of steamed egg custard for the first time ever, without salt, only a little soy sauce.
But Tao Hongying's cooking skills are really good. The steamed egg custard is not honeycomb-like and is as tender as jelly.
This is incredibly kind to someone as shameless as her.
She ate half a bowl in one go and wanted to eat more, but was stopped by Grandma Li.
I was afraid she would eat too much and get an indigestion and stomachache.
Jiayin could only watch helplessly as the remaining half bowl ended up in Jiaxi and Jia'an's mouths.
Everyone was amused by her pitiful appearance and burst into laughter.
"This child clearly loves to eat, so we won't have to worry about him not gaining weight in the future."
"Blessed child!"
Jiayin was pinched under her armpits by her grandmother and bounced up and down on her legs a few times, which was considered her post-meal exercise.
Jiaxi and Jia'an were burping from eating, so they were chased off the table and carried their younger sister to play on the kang (heated brick bed) inside the house.
Jiayin rode his horse for quite a while before the banquet table in the main room finally dispersed.
The old men drank quite a bit, their faces flushed, and they walked around.
The Li brothers escorted them back, bringing them a full tray of frozen dumplings with cabbage and pork.
The old men will sober up by then, and it will be dark. They can just cook it and eat it.
The village chief was worried about staying at home, so he came to check on his old comrades.
They were found with flushed faces from drinking, sprawled out on the warm kang (heated brick bed).
Without even guessing, he knew that this was thanks to his son leaving home.
So he went back home reassured and, when he told his wife about it, he praised the Li family without reservation.
The Li family members also had a rare moment of leisure, eating melon seeds and peanuts while chatting.
Old Mrs. Li took the money bag and gave each of her three sons two taels of silver.
"Although you haven't separated your households and all the money is from the public coffers, you all have your own families now. You can't be without any savings. Here are two taels of silver for you. If there's anything you want to buy, you can arrange it yourselves."
Li Lao Er was about to refuse when Wu Cuihua acted swiftly, grabbing the silver and trying to run away, but he pulled her back, snatched the silver, and stuffed it into his arms.
Wu Cuihua was furious. She looked at her two sons, who were both bowing their heads, clearly indicating that they would not help her.
She stomped her foot hard, turned around, and went back into the house.
Zhao Yuru, being soft-hearted, whispered, "Should we go and say a few words to Second Sister-in-law?"
"No need," Li Lao Er waved his hand, "I'll be out after we eat dumplings."
Everyone couldn't help but suppress their laughter when they recalled Wu Cuihua's eating habits earlier.
Li Lao Er was afraid that his two sons would be soft-hearted, so he gave them further instructions.
“Your mother is asking you for money, but you won’t be allowed to give her a single penny. She’s probably trying to find money for Er Gouzi to pay off his gambling debts again.”
Jiaren and Jiayi nodded quickly. Old Mrs. Li couldn't bear to see her grandsons suffer, so she quickly took out more silver.
The three families are Jiaren, Jiayi, and Jiahuan. One is studying, the other is a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), and the other is a chef.
They were all of an age where they could help support their families, and each of them received two hundred coins as pocket money.
Jiaxi and Jiaan each received fifty coins as New Year's money.
The boys were all happy, especially Jiaxi and Jia'an, who kept asking to buy candied hawthorns one minute and then changed their minds and wanted to buy sugar figurines the next.
This is quite an achievement; it's like they've spent tens of coins, or even tens of taels of silver.
Jiayin was itching to play and snuggled in her grandmother's arms, whimpering in protest.
The old lady understood and patted her on the back.
Sure enough, after it got completely dark, Jiayin yawned, and the old lady carried her inside. Then, she secretly took a five-tael silver ingot and placed it under her granddaughter's pillow.
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