On New Year's Eve, the lights are bright and every household is filled with festive joy.
In the Yincai Jixian Village, the elderly sat around the TV, watching the Spring Festival Gala with great interest, while the women were busy making dumplings, mixing the fillings, rolling the dough, and making the dumplings, each doing their own job and having a great time.
In the parking lot, Xu Shaojia, Yu Zhiming, Xiaomei, Ningyu and Wang Yanshu's daughter Nannan and I set off fireworks and firecrackers together. The children were so happy that they jumped for joy.
The colorful fireworks bloomed in the night sky, like bright stars, temporarily driving away the frustration, unhappiness and troubles that had accumulated in my heart over the past year.
During the New Year's Eve dinner, there were two tables in the hall. One table was for the elderly and children, and another table was for the chefs and waiters in the restaurant who did not go home for the New Year.
At our table, there were Qingwan and I, Wang Yanshu and his wife, Yu Zhiming and his wife, Lin Xun, and Liu Yun. I wanted to ask Zhang Fangfang to sit at the same table with us, but she insisted on sitting at the table with the elderly. No matter how I tried to persuade her, she wouldn't listen, so I just went with her.
Everyone was talking and laughing, toasting each other, and celebrating the arrival of the new year.
I gave out red envelopes of 200 yuan to everyone present. Although it was not much, it showed my appreciation. Others also expressed their gratitude. The givers were generous and the receivers were happy. Everyone was happy.
After midnight, the old people and children gradually couldn't stand it anymore and went back to their rooms to rest. Qingwan said she would go see Xixi and also got up and went back to the guest room.
The rest of us sat together, sipping tea and chatting.
I said, "Brother-in-law, you are a literary man, why don't you write a poem about tonight's scene and educate us?"
Xu Shaojia, under the influence of alcohol, was very interested when he heard this. After a little thought, he recited: "Qinyuanchun·New Year's Eve" - The year is renewed, the lanterns are lit, the old calendar is replaced by a new one. Thousands of families are celebrating the New Year, with music and singing; the cold plum blossoms are reflected in the snow, and people are laughing around the fire. Children are lighting whips, parents are offering wine, and dumplings are cooked in the warm pot for reunion. Suddenly, I was shocked to realize how many times the smoke and fire of this world has risen and fallen.
Life is like a dream, why should we be afraid? Let the wind and frost stain our hair and add more marks. Sigh the snow and mud, the dust ahead is vast; the spring river is surging, the waves behind are surging. Don't say spring is late, don't say winter is late, the east wind will knock on the door. Look up, wait for the sunrise tomorrow, and everything will come back to life. "
After hearing this, everyone cheered and applauded. I couldn't stop praising him: "Brother-in-law is really talented and his reputation is well deserved! These 'claws in the snow and mud' and 'spring river surges', one after the other, are not only a deep feeling about the impermanence of life, but also a philosophical insight into the alternation of the old and the new. It is quite philosopher-like. The last sentence 'wait for the sunrise tomorrow, and all things will recover' is full of infinite hope and imagination for the future. Good words! Good words!"
Xu Shaojia looked very proud, but he was not willing to let me off easily. He smiled and said, "Hongjun, although you are an engineering student, your talent should not be underestimated. Tonight, you have to sing a song, or we won't let you go to the back to accompany your wife, don't you agree?"
The people at the scene also started to make a commotion and shouted "Yes!"
I thought of my experiences over the past six months, from witnessing the joys and sorrows of the world in the mining accident to Qingwan's serious illness and her imminent death. I couldn't help but feel sad, so I stood up, looked out the window at the night, and chanted: "The sound of firecrackers is urging the year to pass, and I am alone in the cold window facing my shadow.
My sick body is being treated with medicine, and I am thinking of you all night long.
The sewing thread is still warm in my palm, and the old wine jug is warm on the table.
I want to send a letter to the east wind, but my tears are wet first, separated by the world of Yin and Yang. "
As soon as I finished speaking, the whole room fell silent. Xu Shaojia stood up with red eyes, walked to my side, patted my shoulder and said: "The heart has feelings, and the poem has something to express. This poem is really well written, but it is too sad. Hongjun, I know it's not easy for you, but you are strong, and we brothers and sisters will always be by your side."
As he spoke, he hugged me tightly and began to sob. Everyone in the room was moved, sobbing as soft as mosquitoes.
The originally joyful and cheerful scene became heavy because of my poem. Everyone stood up and said goodbye, and went back to their rooms to rest. I also returned to Qingwan and I's room with a full heart of melancholy.
Qingwan seemed to have sensed the subtle change in my mood and asked gently, "Why did you come back so early? Did something unhappy happen to you?"
I shook my head gently and tried to smile to comfort her: "No, it's nothing. We had a very pleasant chat. But maybe I was too tired from playing today."
Qing Wan heard this and whispered, "If that's the case, lie down and rest."
She continued to sit on the sofa and had no intention of going to bed. I looked at her in confusion and asked, "Why don't you come up and sleep with me?"
Qing Wan smiled and said, "The elders say that staying up all night on New Year's Eve can ward off evil spirits and prevent illness. Tonight, I plan to stay up all night and not sleep."
Seeing her firm attitude, I stopped forcing her and said, "Okay, I'll keep watch with you. But it's quite cold under the bed, so you should get on the bed. Let's sit against the headboard and I'll tell you the story of Big Bad Wolf and Pleasant Goat."
Qingwan heard this and a mischievous look flashed in her eyes. She climbed onto the bed lightly, rested her head on my shoulder, and said with a smile, "I don't want to listen to Big Bad Wolf and Pleasant Goat. I want to hear the story of you, a big pervert, and the little girl."
I was amused by her, so I hugged her and said with a smile: "Well, let me tell you, a long, long time ago, I was still a kid..."
Qingwan suddenly interrupted me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and surprise: "You were already in love when you were still a little kid? Guan Hongjun, you really are a precocious pervert, it's not unfair to say that about you!"
I chuckled, a little breathless: "Men, from the moment they are born to the moment a photo hangs on the wall, their love for beauty never fades."
She gently pinched my arm and said angrily, "None of you men are good!"
I quickly defended myself: "Don't say that. Don't forget that your father is also a man."
Qing Wan snorted contemptuously: "Humph! What's wrong with my dad? Do you think he doesn't have those tricks? If my mom hadn't been watching him closely, he would have climbed over other people's walls to look at other women."
I opened my mouth in surprise: "Then tell me about Zhu Ren's romantic affairs. I didn't expect to get such an unexpected reward tonight."