With the beginning of the new year, the overall appearance of the Fujia family has been upgraded to a higher level.
In early 1961, in China, where people were short of food and drink, it was truly a rare opportunity for their family, young and old, to wear thick cotton-padded jackets and eat meals that would have been very rich even in later times.
Our great hero Baoer was picked up and washed by grandma early in the morning. His little face was washed white and clean with warm water, and his short hair was tied up with a red rope by Zhaodi.
Even Heiwa had a red rope tied around his neck, adding a festive atmosphere.
Fu Manshan and Jiang Fengxia sat on the chairs at the head of the main hall, smiling as they watched Zhaodi and Pandi kowtow to them.
"Happy New Year, Grandpa and Grandma!" The two sisters greeted in a crisp voice, and their small bodies kowtowed to the ground.
"Oh, my good granddaughters, you are so honest. Come on, get up and let me see if you are red." Jiang Fengxia pulled her two granddaughters to her side with concern, looked left and right, and was relieved when she found that they were fine.
Fu Manshan took out two red envelopes wrapped in red paper, with two reddish-brown dimes inside. "Here, these are the New Year's money given by grandma and grandpa. Keep them and buy yourself some candy later."
Zhaodi cheered and hugged her grandparents, kissing them again and again. "I'll keep it for Pandi! She's still young and doesn't understand anything."
Pan Di really didn't understand, and foolishly let her sister exchange her New Year's money for a piece of fruit candy.
But Zhaodi will not be greedy for her sister's money.
Fubaoer was lying on the little bed, babbling. She also wanted the New Year's money!
After a while, the outside of the village became lively. Now every household had no money to buy firecrackers, and Lao Fu's family was afraid of attracting attention, so they did not use the firecrackers sent by the gods.
There is such a big commotion outside now. It should be the young men in the village who have come out together to celebrate the New Year.
According to the custom in Qingshan Village, people do not sleep in on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, but go from house to house to pay New Year's greetings to their elders.
Normally, the brothers of the Fu family should go out together to wish others a happy new year, but now that the family has split up, Fu Manshan and Jiang Fengxia just have to wait at home for others to come.
"Kowtow to uncle and aunt! Happy New Year!" A uniform voice came from outside. The cheerful and powerful voice unique to young men made the whole Qingshan Village seem more prosperous.
Most of the men outside just tapped the ground with their knees as a gesture, otherwise their knees would be broken from knocking their knees all the way from one end of the village to the other.
Fu Manshan and Jiang Fengxia hurried out and welcomed the younger generations into the house.
Everyone looked at the Spring Festival couplets posted on the door. The handwriting was vigorous and powerful, exuding an extraordinary atmosphere. The lanterns hanging on the beams were simple and elegant, with exquisite workmanship. The yard was swept clean, the house was tidy and bright, and there were even melon seeds, chestnuts, peanuts and other things on the table.
No wonder people say that the two elders of the Fu family are lucky and smart. They have hidden a lot of private money and found ways to divide the family property from their unfilial son, so that they can live a good life.
It turns out to be true.
Jiang Fengxia enthusiastically poured water for them. Since there were not enough cups at home, they used bowls. If that didn't work, two people could just have one drink. No one minded this. Who could afford to entertain so many guests at home these days?
"Eat some melon seeds!" Fu Manshan grabbed some and gave everyone a handful. "I bought them in the city before the New Year. City people only want the little things we have in the mountains."
Everyone understands that they will also sneak into the city to exchange things.
These young people are not so tactless. They just drank a glass of water, ate some melon seeds, said some auspicious words, and left. They still have to visit other people's homes to wish them a happy new year!
Fu Manshan sent them to the door. Looking at this group of young and energetic guys, he was filled with envy. He was not envious of their youth, but envious of himself for not having such a good son.
After a while, Chen Youpeng and Song Fang brought Daya to the Fu family, kowtowed to the two elders and wished a happy new year. Jiang Fengxia also took out a red envelope with ten cents in it.
"Come, give our Daya some New Year's money, keep it!" Jiang Fengxia stuffed the red envelope into Daya's cotton-padded jacket.
Song Fang and Chen Youpeng did not refuse. They also took out a red envelope with one cent in it, which was quite a lot for the Chen family.
"This is a red envelope for my goddaughter. Please keep it for her, godmother!"
Jiang Fengxia accepted it with a smile, served water and food to the two of them, and also took out the snacks and fruits that she had hidden away and was reluctant to show to others.
Daya is seven months old and can eat some adult food. Song Fang broke off some egg cake for her to eat, but she was embarrassed to eat it herself.
It’s too expensive, especially the big red apple. It must be so expensive. My godmother is really willing to spend it.
After chatting for a while, Song Fang and Chen Youpeng decided to go back. Jiang Fengxia asked them to wait and went into the house to pack a large basket of food, insisting that she give it to Song Fang.
Song Fang looked down and saw all kinds of snacks, fruits, melon seeds, peanuts, vegetables, some large pieces of wrapped pork, beef, etc., and even a small bottle of oil and several packets of seasoning.
This was too much, she didn't dare to accept it, "No, godmother, it's too expensive, we can't accept it!"
"Here, isn't Youpeng's sister coming back tomorrow? Don't let the city people laugh at us."
Chen Youmei, the youngest daughter of the Chen family, was the same age as Fu Xiuzhi. They had a good relationship and got married together. She married into the city, and Fu Xiuzhi married into Fengjia Village.
This year, both of them will rush back to their parents' home on the second day of the Chinese New Year. This is the old custom in Qingshan Village.
Song Fang and Chen Youpeng looked at each other, feeling sad. In fact, last night their family was still worrying about how to entertain the new son-in-law. The food at home was enough for the time being, but it was not very decent.
Most of the wild boar meat distributed before the New Year was also saved and stewed into a dish on the second day of the New Year. This was already the most presentable meal.
Chen Youpeng made a prompt decision and knelt down to kowtow to the two elders twice. Jiang Fengxia and Fu Manshan couldn't stop him.
"I'll follow Xiaofang and call you two godfathers and godmothers too! Today, I, Chen Youpeng, will lend you money. In the future, I will definitely serve you two as my own parents and provide for your well-being in your old age!"
The two elders helped him up and said, "You are a good child. Your mother and I are satisfied with what you said. Go back quickly. If it weren't for the fact that it's not customary to entertain people for dinner on the first day of the new year, we would have had a drink together today!"
Chen Youpeng and Song Fang, with their hearts full of emotion, returned home with the farewell of Fu Manshan and Jiang Fengxia.
The Chen family felt uncomfortable when they looked at these things.
Although he had helped their family a little, Chen Zhifang always felt that it was what he should do as the village party secretary, and he did not expect any reward from others.
Besides, this reward is too much.
"Since it's given by your godfather and godmother, just accept it," Chen Zhifang took a puff of his cigarette. "Youpeng, Xiaofang, you must have a conscience. Don't forget your godfather and godmother, and don't forget Baoer either."
People will always grow old. Maybe Brother Fu and his wife can't bear to see Baoer being alone in the world, so they want to find someone to support her.
Chen Zhifang and Feng Guiying thought of this at the same time.
"We will! We will love Baoer as if she were our own daughter!" Chen Youpeng promised.
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