Chapter 273 is acceptable.
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, dust is removed and new clothes are put on.
The whole family pitched in for the last major cleaning before the new year.
Lin Yan'an and Zhong Yang were responsible for climbing up and down, wiping the doors, windows and lamps; He Qilan and Zhong Wan were responsible for washing the sheets and clothes and wiping the furniture; Zhong Yuansheng was responsible for cleaning the yard, especially the snow and fallen leaves in the corners, which were his special attention.
Even Grandpa Zhou and the other three were busy. Old Zhao and Old Sun each took a small rag and wiped the utensils, while Grandpa Qin and Grandpa Zhou each had a feather duster. One went inside the room and the other outside, casually flicking the duster a couple of times to check everyone's work.
Zhong Suisui received special care from Zhong Wan, who personally dressed it in a set of dirt-resistant clothes and let it play around, crawling or rolling. It was even occasionally called over by Lin Yan'an to help.
Although the family was busy, the atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious.
On New Year's Eve, after breakfast,
Zhong Yuansheng then led Zhong Yang and Lin Yan'an to put up couplets and hang lanterns.
"Left, left, hey, a little higher... Okay, that's it."
Grandpa Zhou, with his hands behind his back, directed Zhong Yang to paste up the Spring Festival couplets.
Not to be outdone, Old Master Qin stood guard over Lin Yan'an and directed the operation.
Zhong Wan smiled as she ate a banana and strolled around, looking at the world.
Bright red couplets were pasted up, and golden "福" (good fortune) characters and large red lanterns were hung up one by one.
Zhong Yuansheng squatted on the gate tower, turned his head to look at Zhong Wan and loudly commanded, "Wanwan, go and try plugging in the electricity."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Wan quickly looked up and saw the plug that Zhong Yuansheng had thrown down. As she walked over, she replied, "OK."
She took the plug and walked to the socket behind the door, plugged it in, and said, "Dad, it's plugged in."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Yuansheng turned his head and looked at it, then nodded in satisfaction: "It's fine."
Zhong Wan also curiously turned her head to take a look. After the power was turned on, the bright red lantern lit up instantly, as dazzling as the colored lights in the KTV.
Especially after the row of lights under the eaves also came on, the festive atmosphere of the New Year was instantly brought to its peak.
"It's so beautiful."
It's a bit cliché, but Zhong Wan could only keep that thought to herself.
Her mother's eye for talent is as sharp and discerning as ever.
Lin Yan'an climbed down the ladder, walked to her side, and looked at the scene before them together, saying softly, "Yes, it is indeed quite beautiful."
What's beautiful isn't just the decorations, but also... their first New Year's Eve together.
After putting up the couplets, the family of ten got busy again.
He Qilan was in charge, and she was in the kitchen preparing the most sumptuous meal of the year—the New Year's Eve dinner.
Zhong Wan and Zhong Yang assisted her, and Lin Yan'an also mingled among them, both helping out and sneaking... no, sampling!
Uncle Zhao happily started cooking his signature dishes, and Uncle Sun did the same.
The aroma from frying, stir-frying, and cooking instantly filled the entire courtyard.
Grandpa Zhou enthusiastically helped Zhong Yuansheng prepare the fish and chicken.
Grandpa Qin diligently oversaw the large pot of braised pork, occasionally stirring it gently with a spoon to prevent it from sticking.
As the sun was about to set behind the mountains, a sumptuous feast was laid out on the round table.
Braised carp, four-happiness meatballs, braised prawns, sweet and sour pork ribs... a dazzling array of dishes that whet the appetite.
The family sat down around the round table, and Zhong Yuansheng personally called over even Chen Mo and the others.
At this moment, as the head of the family, he looked at his relatives and friends at the table with a radiant smile, picked up his wine glass, and said happily and loudly, "Come on, another year is almost over, and a new year is about to begin. Let's drink to that together!"
"Let's toast to our family, to everyone here, and to the upcoming new year for peace, joy, and all the best!"
"cheers!"
Everyone picked up their glasses and raised them, including Zhong Suisui.
It struggled to hold the cup up with its two front paws, and as it moved, a faint black mist instantly emanated from its paws, steadily supporting the cup.
After finishing our New Year's Eve dinner, the sky outside the window grew darker.
The indoor and outdoor lights were turned on, the sporadic sounds of firecrackers began to increase, and occasionally brilliant fireworks bloomed in the night sky.
Grandpa Qin was happily playing cards with them when suddenly his phone rang.
Old Master Qin paused in his laughter, picked up his phone, and squinted at it.
Looking at the words "brat" on it, he snorted and picked it up.
"Hello."
Director Qin had just returned home. Looking at the empty room, he helplessly walked to the sofa, sat down, and picked up his phone to call his father.
He hadn't even had a chance to open his mouth when he heard the voice on the other end of the phone.
Then I heard his old man quickly complain, "Anything else? If not, I'm hanging up, I'm busy."
Upon hearing this, Director Qin opened his mouth and said, "Dad..."
Unexpectedly, the moment he finished speaking, he heard the dial tone of the phone being hung up.
His expression momentarily showed surprise; he looked at his phone again and again.
Undeterred, I called again.
Unexpectedly, Old Master Qin was even faster this time: "Get to the point if you have something to say, otherwise I'm hanging up."
"Smack."
Great, we didn't give him a chance to speak at all!
Director Qin took a deep breath and pressed it again.
The "beep beep beep" sound kept ringing out.
Immediately afterwards...
"Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later..."
Director Qin was speechless.
"Oh."
He sneered, tossed his phone aside, and leaned back on the sofa with his head tilted back.
Then he raised his hand and rubbed his temples.
For a moment, he didn't even know what it meant to rush back today.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
The room was dimly lit, with the lights off yet, but outside the window, the faint sounds of laughter and joy from other families gathering could be heard.
Director Qin picked up the remote and turned on the TV. The lively sounds of the Spring Festival Gala on TV made his place seem even more deserted.
Director Qin lay back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, and finally sighed helplessly.
His phone, which had been tossed aside, kept ringing. He reached out and picked it up to look at it.
Looking at the New Year's greetings messages sent by my subordinates in the work group...
He was watching... the video that Uncle Sun had sent him.
Director Qin's finger twitched slightly, and he clicked on the first video.
In the video, his father appears to be diligently watching the pot, but he also sneaks a bite when no one is looking.
Upon seeing this, a smile flashed across Director Qin's eyes.
"Cough cough."
Suddenly, Uncle Sun's coughing sound came from the video, startling the old man.
He quickly wiped his mouth and looked back.
Upon seeing that it was Uncle Sun, he rolled his eyes in disdain.
Then she turned around again, picked up another piece with her chopsticks, and said bluntly, "Go away, have you finished your work? What are you wandering around for?"
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