Chapter 49 The Moon of Yesteryear
When the fighting broke out in Fujian, Xie Ning ate several meals of bitter melon stir-fried with eggs. It was so bitter that she almost cried. In the end, she resolutely shared these bitter melon stir-fried with eggs and stuffed bitter melons. Since we were going to suffer, we would suffer together.
Aside from bitter melon lovers, everyone looked pale and sickly, feeling that all the vegetables they had been buying lately were bitter melons, and they were really getting sick of them.
Xie Ning was only able to drink the sweet soup when news of the ceasefire agreement being signed at the end of the year arrived.
Wang Cheng helped Aunt Liu carry vegetables into the kitchen. When he noticed there was no bitter melon, he asked in surprise, "Aunt Liu, are we not buying bitter melon this time?"
He likes to eat bitter melon, and thinks the more bitter it is, the better it tastes! Only Brother Yang in the yard shares his taste. A while ago, Aunt Liu said that bitter melon nourishes the blood and liver, and invigorates qi and strengthens yang. He told the purchasing agent at the factory, and then the factory started eating bitter melon too.
Wang Cheng felt very pleased, thinking that his favorite food had been recognized by most people.
Aunt Liu said with a smile, "This year is a good year, so we should eat something sweet and delicious."
A few days ago, Aunt Liu took Xiao Yang to buy New Year's goods. They brought back truckloads of them, filling the warehouse. Cai Huai and Zhang Mingyuan had no family here, so they spent the New Year with Xie Ning in the villa. Besides them, there was Aunt Liu, Xiao Yang, and the Wang brothers.
Xie Ning, unusually, put down her work and went into the kitchen to help, but was chased out by Aunt Liu in less than five minutes. Xiao Yang, on the other hand, was busy inside, while Blind Wang and Wang Cheng were cleaning inside and out.
Shaking his head, Xie Ning had no choice but to carry a basket of couplets and lanterns to the door to paste them up. The hot paste was very sticky. The couplets were written and delivered by someone at Principal An's request. The writing was smooth and flowing, as if the brushstrokes were as light as clouds and smoke.
Cai Huai and Zhang Mingyuan only had time to rush back when they were having New Year's Eve dinner. The factory was even busier during the holidays, with a very tight schedule. Apart from worker welfare, due to the special nature of the factory, secrets could not be leaked.
A large table of New Year's Eve dinner was laid out, with chicken and fish on the table. Xie Ning saw two plates of braised lion's head meatballs and was secretly moved. Aunt Liu really understood her!
Xiao Yang bought a lot of firecrackers, and the crackling sound made it very lively. Several people sat under the tree to make a fire, roasting sweet potatoes and exchanging auspicious words. Even though they were of different social statuses, it did not prevent them from chatting about all sorts of things.
"As the only child, Xiao Cheng, you have to say something auspicious." Xie Ning waved the red envelope in her hand.
Wang Cheng's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected to receive a red envelope, and he was momentarily at a loss for words. He stammered out auspicious words, but to his surprise, everyone except Xie Ning had prepared red envelopes for him. They all liked the boy because he was honest, obedient, and hardworking.
It's Chinese New Year, giving children a red envelope as a New Year's gift is no big deal.
Cai Huai brought several bottles of wine, indulging himself for once.
The atmosphere was right, and Xie Ning couldn't help but drink several glasses. Wang the Blind Man probably couldn't hold his liquor; even though he was a grown man, he started to shed tears as he drank. Xiao Yang laughed at him for a while before telling Wang Cheng to help Wang the Blind Man back to his room to rest.
Zhang Mingyuan turned his head and saw Xie Ning's flushed face. His usually stern face broke into a rare smile. He raised his hand and pressed down the wine glass in Xie Ning's hand, saying softly, "This wine has a strong aftereffect, drink less."
Xie Ning blinked, her mind fogged up, unable to understand Zhang Mingyuan's meaning at all. Her usually bright eyes now seemed veiled by a layer of mist, hazy and indistinct. Zhang Mingyuan swallowed hard, restrained himself from looking away, and instead asked Aunt Liu to take the drunk Xie Ning back to her room.
"How could you be drunk? Your alcohol tolerance is too low." Cai Huai, who had just returned from the restroom, bumped into Xie Ning, who was being supported by Aunt Liu.
Xie Ning hiccuped. Although her mind was foggy, she kicked a pillar blocking her way. She lost her balance and stumbled, pulling Aunt Liu down with her and causing her to bend over with difficulty.
Seeing Aunt Liu struggling to support the drunkard, Cai Huai shook his head, put his long arm around Xie Ning, and picked her up. Not only that, he also bounced her around a bit, asking Aunt Liu with a curious look, "I've seen Changning eat quite a lot, how come she's so light?"
Aunt Liu didn't know either; all she knew was that she had twisted her back. Sure enough, not everyone could subdue a drunkard; even Blind Wang needed two people to support him.
One of the drunkards, Blind Wang, was still in the room crying and wailing while holding Wang Cheng. Xiao Yang didn't want to listen. He threw Wang Cheng on the bed and strode out of the room. He still had to go back and have a drink. It was rare for Brother Huai to be so generous today, bringing out all his treasured wines. He had to drink more!
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Xie Ning, clutching her splitting headache, drank a hangover soup while apologizing to Aunt Liu. She had not only caused Aunt Liu to twist her back but had also kept her up for most of the night. Look at Aunt Liu's dark circles under her eyes, she really deserved to die!
And then there's Cai Huai. Yesterday, after she got back to her room, she threw up all over him. What a terrible thing to do.
Despite her hangover, she still had to get up and go pay New Year's visits. Her first stop was Principal An's house, where Ms. Lin Qin was waiting for her. She treated Xie Ning to a lot of new-style snacks, gave her a custom-made cheongsam, and a red envelope!
Ms. Lin Qin pinched Xie Ning's cheek and said with a smile, "Although you act maturely and are considered an adult by others, you are still a junior in our eyes. Naturally, we have to give you lucky money to ward off evil spirits and wish you a safe and peaceful year."
"I also wish you and Principal An good fortune throughout the year and all your wishes fulfilled."
There's also Cheng Youmin, with whom Xie Ning is both a mentor and friend, as well as a superior and subordinate. Of course, Xie Ning is the mentor, but that doesn't stop her from visiting him for the New Year, as he's her second most important assistant.
Cheng Youmin still lives in the school's dormitory building, a two-bedroom apartment where he, his wife, and their two sons live. The older child is only seven or eight years old, and the younger one has just learned to walk.
They are all very well-behaved children, and they are incredibly sweet-talking when they say auspicious words.
Xie Ning didn't go to Liu Ping's place. Given Liu Ping's current status, there would be many eyes watching him, and her identity hadn't been exposed yet, so she only sent Wang the Blind to deliver holiday gifts and gifts for the baby's full moon celebration.
Yes, Ruan Yuan gave birth to a healthy girl on the winter solstice.
After Liu Ping finished his business with Blind Wang, he returned to his room and saw Ruan Yuan playing with the baby using a small bell. She looked more relaxed than ever before, which showed that the healthy birth of the child had truly put Ruan Yuan at ease.
Seeing Liu Ping try to touch the child's face, Ruan Yuan slapped him across the face. "Your hands are so rough. The child's skin is so delicate. You'll make it red."
After being scolded, Liu Ping could only stare longingly at his daughter. Her eyes were so bright, just like her mother's, and her little nose resembled his, high and straight.
Seeing the longevity lock hanging around the child's neck, its craftsmanship was exquisite, indicating it wasn't cheap. "Was this a gift from Mr. Xie?"
"Yes, I only hope that Nuanyang can grow up safely without any disasters or misfortunes." She will make sure her child is well-fed and clothed, goes to school to learn to read, is pampered by his mother, and loved by his father.
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