…
Busy, busy, busy--
I was busy until New Year's Eve.
These past few days, we've been doing a thorough cleaning, making sure the house and everything else are spotless.
Sweep away the bad luck of the old year and welcome the arrival of the new year.
They also prepared a variety of foods, mostly meats like chicken, duck, and goose, as well as glutinous rice cakes and so on.
all in all--
Everything needs to be prepared, including food, drinks, clothing, and other necessities.
When staying up late on New Year's Eve, the charcoal fire must be kept burning brightly.
The elders say that the brighter the fire, the more prosperous the new year will be.
but--
Exhausted, Mu Achen was no longer able to muster any energy.
But when he said that he couldn't prosper, Amo, who was keeping watch over the New Year with him, quickly slapped his mouth.
"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey--"
"Children speak without restraint, children speak without restraint."
Children speak without restraint?
Mu Achen looked utterly dejected!
He wanted to ask Amo: "Wife, can my words still be called childish talk? Isn't it obvious whether I'm a child or not?"
It's a pity I can't ask!
During New Year's Eve and the Spring Festival, the Miao people cannot joke around as they usually do, let alone speak carelessly.
The Miao men, who usually enjoy fighting, must behave themselves and not lay a hand on each other.
Not only that, if they encounter Miao people from other branches, they will put aside all grudges and drink and make merry.
At that moment, the sight of Ah Chen having his mouth gently patted by Ah Mo made Ah Rui, who was adding charcoal to the fire, laugh.
"Brother, you've grown another year older with the passing of the New Year!"
When Arui said this, she also added in her heart: I'm a year older now, I'm eighteen!
"Yes, time flies!"
Looking back at the past year and comparing it with the past, it's so bittersweet!
Ah Chen indeed had many, many feelings in his heart!
As soon as he finished speaking, he took out the New Year's money he had prepared.
Both Arui and Amo have it.
Only Ah Chen didn't have it!
He is the only Miao man in this little family, the pillar of the family, no longer a child!
If his parents were still alive, he would definitely have received a share of the New Year's money.
Thinking about all this, Ah Chen felt even more heartbroken.
However--
Ah Chen never expected it; he really never expected it.
On New Year's Eve, my father-in-law's family and Uncle A-Dong's family came.
Moreover, the core Miao people from both villages all came.
"Ah Chen, here you go! Lucky money."
"Miao'er, this is your New Year's money, given by Grandma. Don't think it's too little!"
The father-in-law, mother-in-law, and the old women of Heiwu Village first gave Achen lucky money.
after--
Uncles and aunties from both villages came to give Ah Chen New Year's money.
It doesn't matter how much money is in the red envelope.
The key is this feeling, this love.
It was like a tear gas grenade exploding in front of Achen.
In just twenty minutes, Ah Chen's hands were piled high with red envelopes.
Every elder who gave Ah Chen New Year's money would say the most simple and honest thing:
"Ah Chen, here's your New Year's money. May you have peace and good fortune!"
"Give New Year's money, give New Year's money, ward off evil and harm!"
This was a simple New Year's gift, and Mu Achen's eyes welled up with tears from the deep affection shown by the Miao people.
"In the New Year, don't cry, laugh."
The old woman hurriedly reminded Ah Chen.
Ah Chen smiled, but his eyes became even redder.
So many years!
When my grandfather was alive, he was the one who gave me New Year's money.
Grandpa has passed away. Last year, the uncles and aunties from Heiwu Village gave him a gift.
This year, because he married Amo, Quedong Village also gave him a gift.
At this moment, Ah Chen's chest was constantly being rushed by a hot current.
Amo moved over and pulled Achen along.
“Starting this year, you have Amo.”
“Amo knows you’re in pain, and Amo also knows the hardships and bitterness you’ve endured over the years.”
"Amo knows that you, with your frail body, have shouldered the heavy responsibility for the future of the entire Miao region. Only we know the joys and sorrows you have endured."
"But Ah Chen, you are no longer alone."
"From now on, you'll have Amo."
"Tonight we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. Smile! The brothers from both villages are waiting to drink with you! Go on—"
Amo's deep affection brought tears to Mu Achen's eyes once again.
As his vision began to blur, he grinned and shouted to the Miao men from the two villages, "Brothers, let's go, get some wine and cigarettes."
"Tonight, let's drink Maotai, smoke Huazi, and stay up all night!"
"Come on, everyone help Ah Chen carry the wine and cigarettes. Hurry up, Mao Tai and Hua Zi, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Upon hearing Mu Achen's words, dozens of the brothers from both villages immediately stepped forward.
Dozens of people?
Is this an attempt to empty Mu Achen's inventory?
There's not enough stock for all the princes to carry!
Fortunately, they were just teasing Ah Chen, and only a few of them came; otherwise, who knows how many people would have gotten drunk tonight.
Even so, Mu Achen immediately ordered ten boxes of thatch and twenty cartons of tobacco to be brought out.
Everyone drinks, one bottle per person, and after that, we drink rice wine.
Cigarettes, one pack per person.
Wow!
Singing folk songs and playing drinking games, going head-to-head and engaging in lively exchanges—it was quite a spectacle.
The old lady and the other women were all with Amo, talking intimately.
Tonight, there is no saintess, no future Miao king.
Yes, it was the conversation between the Miao people from the two villages.
Amo is a girl who married out of Quedong Village, and Mu Achen is a Miao man from Heiwu Village.
It's that simple.
Eat when you're hungry, drink when you're thirsty, and have fun when you're happy.
The older generation, led by Grandpa Tang in Quedong Village and by Grandpa Clan in Heiwu Village, would drink and sing together.
The older generation, the father-in-law and Uncle Yue, fought against Uncle Dong and Uncle Gan.
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