Chapter 20 It's the Little New Year
When Wen Xiaoxiao woke up in the morning, the sky outside the window was still gray, but her mood was as if a ray of long-lost sunshine had pierced through.
My body was still a little sore, but I felt light and warm all over.
She got up and opened the wooden box containing her "good clothes".
She picked out a light brown, fitted wool coat; the fabric was crisp and the waist was perfectly cinched.
He then found a pair of black leather shoes with low heels that made him look taller and more upright.
Looking in the mirror, she carefully combed her curly hair and put on a hair clip.
The person in the mirror looks... different.
She has become more feminine.
She looked at herself in the mirror and felt a little happy.
When they arrived at the tailor shop, Sister Hu was clearly taken aback: "Wow, did the sun rise in the west today? Our Xiaoxiao has finally decided to dress up? Look at her, how pretty she is! She should have been like this a long time ago!"
Wen Xiaoxiao felt a little embarrassed by the praise, and this good mood lasted until she finished work in the evening.
She walked briskly home, pushed open the gate of the courtyard house, and heard Zhao Yidi's clear laughter and chattering voice coming from inside.
"Grandma, can I eat this sugar figurine?"
"Yes, but wait until after you finish eating, so you don't rot your teeth."
"Mom, Yidi, you're back?" She walked into the main room with a natural smile on her face.
"Xiaoxiao's back!" Li Yugu was unpacking the bags he had brought back when he saw Wen Xiaoxiao, and his eyes lit up. "Wow, you look so smart and beautiful today!"
The old lady had a keen eye and noticed the slight difference in her daughter-in-law, but she just assumed it was because her daughter-in-law was in a good mood, and she was happy for her too.
Zhao Yidi ran over and hugged Wen Xiaoxiao's leg: "Auntie! Grandma bought me sugar figurines and firecrackers!"
"Good girl." Wen Xiaoxiao patted her head.
She was happy to see the grandmother and grandson return; the family finally felt warm and lively again.
She turned and went into her room, took out a can of malted milk powder and the bag of red dates, and also took two boxes of pastries.
"Mom, Yidi," she put the things on the table, "you can drink this malted milk powder and red dates regularly to replenish your blood and energy. Yidi can have these pastries, and you can also share half of this malted milk powder with the child to help him grow."
Looking at the items, which were all expensive, Li Yugu said with satisfaction, "You child, it's not easy to earn money. You should keep it for yourself. Why did you buy these for us? But... Mom knows you're filial." She took Wen Xiaoxiao's hand and patted it.
As Li Yugu packed his things, he excitedly recounted his experiences returning to his hometown.
"If I weren't thinking about coming back for the Chinese New Year, cleaning the house and buying New Year's goods, I would really like to stay longer!"
She sighed, glancing at the calendar, "Today is already the 18th of the twelfth lunar month; the New Year is just around the corner."
Yes, the Chinese New Year is almost here.
Starting the next day, Li Yugu got busy, taking Zhao Yidi to the street to buy New Year's goods.
The market was bustling with activity, filled with the festive spirit of the New Year.
Li Yugu was so engrossed in his shopping that he seemed to be venting his frustration over his son's absence by buying New Year's goods.
Zhao Fei was indeed busy; he hadn't been seen for two consecutive days.
Wen Xiaoxiao was busy in the shop during the day, and returned to the quiet courtyard at night, looking at the dark main house.
The light in my heart gradually dimmed, replaced by deep longing.
She began to crave that warmth, yet feared its unsustainability.
The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year.
According to custom, dumplings are eaten on this day.
In the evening, Zhao Fei finally returned, shivering from the cold, but with a smile on his face.
Wen Xiaoxiao was chopping dumpling filling in the kitchen when she saw him come in. She paused for a moment, glanced at him quickly, and then lowered her head, her ears turning slightly red.
"Feizi's back." Li Yugu came out to greet him. "Perfect timing, we'll be making dumplings in a bit. Go wash your face."
"Yes," Zhao Fei replied, but his gaze involuntarily drifted towards that slender figure.
Just as the dumplings were about to be cooked, the courtyard gate was pushed open again.
Zhao Qingda strolled in, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his face expressionless.
As soon as Li Yugu saw him, her face darkened, but since it was the eve of the Lunar New Year, she suppressed her anger: "You still know how to come back? Quickly wash your hands and eat!"
Zhao Qingda gave a nonchalant "hmm," glancing at Wen Xiaoxiao, whose complexion had noticeably improved.
His eyes flickered, but he didn't say anything.
The dumplings we ate on the eve of the Lunar New Year were rather somber.
Li Yugu tried hard to find something to talk about, asking about Zhao Fei's pig farm and what Zhao Yidi was doing back in his hometown.
Zhao Fei gave a brief answer, while Wen Xiaoxiao remained mostly silent.
Zhao Qingda buried himself in eating dumplings, occasionally offering a word or two, but his tone was perfunctory.
After finishing his meal, Zhao Qingda wiped his mouth and prepared to leave.
"Stop right there!" Li Yugu shouted sternly, "Where are you going to squeeze in during the New Year? Today is the eve of the Lunar New Year, a time for family reunions. Can't you just stay home and enjoy the peace?"
Zhao Qingda said impatiently, "Mom, I have something to do..."
"Something wrong? Are you going to see that shameless vixen again?"
Li Yugu pointed at Zhao Qingda's nose and said, "Zhao Qingda, let me tell you, you're not going anywhere today! Come on, come back to the house with me! I have something to say to you!" As he spoke, he stepped forward and grabbed Zhao Qingda's ear.
"Mom! What are you doing! Let go!" Zhao Qingda cried out in pain.
Li Yugu wouldn't let go, and forcibly dragged him towards the west wing, cursing, "What am I going to do? I'm going to your station today, and I want to see which vixen has bewitched you so much that you've abandoned your home! I'm not only going to curse her, I'm going to let everyone know that she's a slut who destroys other people's families!"
Zhao Qingda was both ashamed and angry. He was probably really afraid that Li Yugu would cause trouble at the station. In the end, Li Yugu pulled him into the west wing and slammed the door shut.
Soon, Li Yugu's low reprimanding voice came from inside, mixed with Zhao Qingda's impatient explanation.
In the main room, only Zhao Fei, Wen Xiaoxiao, and a somewhat frightened Zhao Yidi remained.
Wen Xiaoxiao quietly cleared away the dishes.
Zhao Fei walked over, put his arm around Yi Di, and whispered reassuringly, "Yi Di, don't be afraid. Grandma is talking to Uncle. Go out and play."
Zhao Yidi nodded understandingly and ran out to play.
Zhao Fei walked over to Wen Xiaoxiao and helped her tidy up; the two stood very close together.
"Don't be afraid," he said in a voice only the two of them could hear.
She took a soft breath and nodded.
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