The biting wind, coupled with yesterday's heavy snowfall, made winter in Beijing even more chilly and desolate.
"It's time to eat, Jung-guk. Don't catch a cold in this cold weather, you have to go to school later."
On the snowy ground at dawn, Sun Zhengguo finished his final round of boxing, exhaling a breath of stale air, from which a plume of white smoke billowed out. (Don't misunderstand, it wasn't internal energy; it was just the cold weather.)
"Mom's here."
Upon entering the house, Sun Zhengguo wiped his face with a hot towel and sat down to eat.
I've been in this world for more than half a year now, and nothing major has happened in the courtyard since Sha Zhu beat up Xu Damao last time.
The birth of a son, Liu Guangfu, to Liu Haizhong's family, and the birth of a daughter, Yan Jiedi, to Yan Bugui's family, made the Yan family's life even more difficult.
At the dinner table, Lin Wencui added an egg to each of the three children's diet, as they were about to take exams and she wanted to give them extra nutrition.
"Zheng'an, Zheng Hong, I'm not worried about your brother's exam. How did you two do this time?"
Lin Dajiang doesn't usually pay much attention to his child's studies; it's usually Lin Wencui who takes care of them. He asked with some concern.
"Don't worry, Dad. My sister and I are both good enough to get top marks. Besides, my brother often tutors us."
"You usually don't care about the children's studies, so why are you worrying about their grades now that the exams are here? Don't worry! The children are doing well."
Lin Wencui complained, but it's not surprising that she complained. Sun Dajiang only knew how to study, and he wouldn't even pick up a fallen oil bottle at home. Lin Wencui had always been the one taking care of the household.
After finishing his meal, Sun Zhengguo took his two little followers and headed towards the school.
As soon as they arrived at the classroom, Nie Jianjun furtively pulled Sun Zhengguo aside.
"Jung-guk, please take care of him during the exam later."
After friendly negotiations, on the condition that Nie Jianjun pay with a sheet of brand-new four-stamp sheets, the other party happily agreed to Nie Jianjun's unreasonable request and took care of him.
The morning exam started with math, which Sun Zhengguo handled with ease. The afternoon exam was Chinese, which was also easy. After the exams, they had a holiday, and the results would be available in three days.
Three days later, as expected, Sun Zhengguo achieved perfect scores in both subjects, standing out among all six years of students. According to insiders, Teacher Jiang had a smile on his face all day, telling everyone he met, "It's nothing, nothing, just old Versailles."
Under Sun Zhengguo's friendly care, Nie Jianjun broke the curse of failing grades and passed both subjects. Overjoyed, he took a few close friends to Beibingyang (a popular Chinese soda restaurant), with Nie paying for everything.
My younger brother, Sun Zheng'an, ranked 2nd in his class and 5th in his grade.
Sun Zhenghong, the younger sister, scored 198 points in two subjects, ranking first in her class and tied for first in the grade. Even the principal said that the school must give special attention to the three siblings of the Sun family.
Back at the courtyard house, Mr. and Mrs. Sun were overjoyed. That evening, they made braised pork, which caused a commotion in the courtyard. After all, the adults couldn't compete with Mr. and Mrs. Sun, and the children were even less so. Old Beijingers value face, so it was no wonder they were happy.
Sun Zhengguo doesn't care what happens to those beasts in the compound. What does it matter to me, Sun Zhengguo, if you're unhappy?
On the 23rd of the lunar calendar, according to old Beijing custom, a ceremony to worship the Kitchen God is held, which is presided over by Sun Dajiang.
On the 24th of the lunar month, the whole family mobilizes to clean the house inside and out, making the entire house look brand new.
On the 25th, grind tofu; on the 26th, stew pork; on the 27th, slaughter roosters; on the 28th, prepare dough; on the 29th, steam buns; and on the 30th, stay up all night.
Anyway, from the 23rd of the month until the New Year, there were activities and delicious food every day. Children love the New Year, and Sun Zhengguo loved it too. Although there was a soul in his brain that was over fifty years old, Sun Zhengguo had been an orphan since he was born and had never experienced such family affection.
Time has come full circle to Lunar New Year's Eve. Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill closed yesterday for a week-long holiday, and will resume work on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.
After lunch, everyone had a clear division of labor. Lin Wencui led Sun Zhenghong in cutting paper-cuts, while Sun Dajiang led his two brothers in writing couplets. Everyone in the courtyard would ask Yan Bugui to write them, but the Sun family didn't need to. Sun Dajiang could write them himself, and his handwriting was no worse than Yan Bugui's.
The father and his two sons cut the red paper, and Sun Dajiang prepared the brush and ink line. After thinking for a moment, he picked up the brush and wrote.
Spring returns to the earth and all things revive.
Blessings and joy fill the world.
Horizontal scroll: Happy Chinese New Year
"Dad's handwriting is really good. Teach me sometime."
Sun Zhengguo may not fully understand the calligraphy his father writes, but he will appreciate it!
"Okay, as long as you're willing to learn, I'll definitely teach you well."
Next, Sun Dajiang wrote two more couplets and a few more "Fu" characters. After finishing, the father and his two sons began to paste up couplets and window decorations. After everything was done, Sun Dajiang and his wife started to fry meatballs, make dumplings, and prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.
The courtyard was filled with the rich aroma of meat all afternoon.
As night fell, the five members of the Sun family sat around the table, which was set with ten dishes, symbolizing completeness and happiness. Sun Dajiang raised his glass and gave a toast.
"In the past year, we want to thank your mothers. They not only have to work and take care of their families, but also take care of the elderly and children. Let's toast our mothers together."
Lin Wencui was also moved, and her eyes reddened slightly.
"Cheers x5"
After the family finished their meal, the three children took turns wishing Sun Dajiang and Lin Wencui a Happy New Year, each receiving two red envelopes. Then they set off firecrackers, ate dumplings, and stayed up all night to welcome the New Year, having a wonderful time.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year in 1951, Sun Zhengguo and his two siblings got up, put on new clothes, and first wished Sun Dajiang and his wife a Happy New Year. After breakfast, Sun Dajiang led the three siblings to wish their neighbors in the courtyard a Happy New Year.
Happy New Year!
May you have good fortune!
The entire courtyard was filled with joy, and auspicious words were spoken one after another as if they were free.
Sun Dajiang, along with his three siblings, visited each family to offer New Year's greetings.
After the first day of the Lunar New Year, on the second day, Sun Dajiang's family took gifts and boarded the bus early to return to their hometown to pay New Year's visits to his parents and father-in-law.
Knowing that Sun Dajiang was going back to the village, his second uncle came to pick them up early.
After the family arrived, Aunt Sun Xiaoying and her family also came, making it lively again.
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the family visited the maternal grandfather's house. The grandfather specially tested Sun Zhengguo's martial arts skills. The result did not disappoint Lin Hong. Although he had not yet achieved minor success, he was already at a certain level. Lin Hong estimated that he could reach minor success and enter the Ming Jin realm around the age of 16.
On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the family returned to their courtyard house. People kept coming to visit Sun Dajiang and his wife, and the couple also visited some of their superiors and leaders.
Busy times always fly by. Since Sun Dajiang and his wife started working, Sun Zhengguo and his two siblings will soon be starting school.
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