After the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the village becomes lively. Every household is cleaning the house or preparing food for the New Year. Many women ask the husband to push the cart to the mill. One reason is to make vermicelli with sweet potatoes in exchange for some money, and the other is to grind some flour to eat dumplings during the New Year.
Many people came back from the mill with unhappy faces, and asked their wives to weigh the grain and send it to the mill.
The labor costs of the mill can be settled with money or with grain. Now, in order to avoid false accusations, the old man Wei who manages the mill directly allows everyone to pay the fees with grain.
The villagers asked Old Man Wei the reason in confusion. Old Man Wei looked helpless and spread his hands.
"Xing'er came back and told me that many small mill managers in the county town were framed for allowing the use of money to pay processing fees. Someone went to the Pigeon Committee to accuse them of speculation and profiteering." Old Man Wei looked at the villagers around him. "I believe you wouldn't be so heartless, but I'm also afraid of my family being torn apart."
The villagers were also afraid of these things. Some jealous villagers wanted to take action, but were blocked by Old Man Wei at the source.
"Old man Wei, why don't you wait until after the holiday to do this? It's the New Year now, and every household needs to grind things." The jealous villagers thought about it for a long time and decided to calm Old Man Wei down first.
"No!" Old Man Wei shook his head. "Since this situation has occurred in the city, I will also follow the rules. If you think my approach is wrong, you can appeal."
Lu Shiyi had reminded him in advance not to be soft-hearted because of the villagers' reminders, as several people, instigated by the children, had already turned their attention to the village.
After hearing what Old Man Wei said, the villagers dared not say anything more and had to do as he asked.
Villagers from several nearby villages got the news and went home to exchange their money for food. After telling their wives, the women and children started talking about it, wanting to know who was responsible. They would definitely not let it off easily.
Years ago, the village women were busy as tops at home. When they had free time, they would gather in groups of three or four to rest and talk about the mill.
Old man Wei's house has always kept its door closed. Some relatives learned that the processing fees of the mill were exchanged for food rations, so they came to ask for money.
Su Jin heard Wang Dahong talk about what happened in the village. Several families who were living together were preparing food for the New Year. The educated youth sent the food to the educated youth site and decided to have the New Year's Eve dinner there.
"The Hundred Family Banquet at the Threshing Ground will be held every day from the first day of the Lunar New Year. Every household can go to the Threshing Ground to eat. We have decided to go until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. We will just sleep at the people we share the room with." Wang Dahong told Su Jin, "Do you want to come with us to the Threshing Ground to eat?"
"No, I'll stay home and have dinner with Ayi." Su Jin agreed to Lu Shiyi's request to see if they could get along. "I promised to spend the New Year together."
"You two..." Wang Dahong looked at Su Jin with gossip. When she lived in Lu Shiyi's yard, she had guessed that the two would be together.
Wang Dahong didn't expect that Lu Shiyi could conquer Su Jin in such a short time.
"The villagers don't know yet. Ayi will announce it when he attends the banquet for hundreds of families." Su Jin said helplessly.
Wang Dahong looked at Su Jin cheerfully: "As long as you like it, it's good. Girls should protect themselves first when they are out there."
"Sister, you are all in the village and can help each other." Su Jin smiled and took out a small cloth bag from the cabinet beside her. "Sister, these are snacks for you to celebrate the New Year. It's too cold outside and I hardly go out. Please share some with my second sister and the others."
Su Jin wrapped herself up like a ball whenever she went out, and wherever she went, all one could see was her pair of bright eyes. Many people didn't know that Su Jin's appearance was very outstanding.
As time passed, it was the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month. The Northeast Province paid great attention to the Little New Year. Every household began to hang up red lanterns, and some even took their children to the county town to visit the temple fair.
Su Jin was afraid that the weather outside was too cold, so except for Lu Shiyi going out for training every day and bringing back some prey, she almost stayed at home.
Lu Shiyi was standing on the roof, clearing the snow, when he heard a loud noise. He looked towards the village from the roof and found that it was in the direction of the village brigade headquarters.
Su Jin ran out of the house, and Lu Shiyi, holding a broom in his right hand, jumped directly from the roof to the ground.
"Ayi!" Su Jin exclaimed, "Why is there such a loud noise?"
"Hurry up and put on your military coats. Let's go to the brigade headquarters and take a look. I think someone set off firecrackers and blew up the brigade headquarters." Lu Shiyi was worried about Su Jin being alone at home.
When the two walked out of the house, they found that many people in the village were rushing to the brigade headquarters. Lu Shiyuan led his two sons and walked forward quickly.
"Xiaoyi, what are you doing..." Lu Shiyuan was surprised to see Lu Shiyi holding Su Jin's hand and walking forward in public.
"Uncle, Xiaojin and I are dating." Lu Shiyi announced it on the spot.
Lu Shiyuan chuckled and said, "He's a good kid. You should treat him well."
Su Jin's cheeks flushed slightly when she heard Lu Shiyi's words: "Captain, you're joking."
"Xiao Jin, we're a family from now on. If anything happens, let Xiao Yi tell me." Lu Shiyuan slowed down his pace. "Did you hear the noise just now? I was worried that someone threw firecrackers into the cowshed at the brigade headquarters and scared the cows."
There are a few naughty kids in the village who always cause trouble during the New Year's Eve. Oxen are very precious to everyone, but in the eyes of these naughty kids, they are just toys.
When the group arrived at the brigade headquarters, they found that two oxen had knocked down the brigade wall. The naughty kids who had caused trouble also threw firecrackers towards the cowshed where the old people lived, blowing up the entire wooden house.
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