Chapter 130 I Like Them All
The heavy snow didn't stop until the early hours of the morning, and the snow on the ground was ankle-deep.
The family ate dumplings in a lively atmosphere and fell asleep to the sound of firecrackers outside.
Sheng An slept soundly until dawn, and when he opened his eyes, he heard the sound of firecrackers exploding downstairs.
The first day of the Lunar New Year is a day to pay New Year's visits to relatives. The Sheng family has had only one son per generation for generations and no relatives. The two elderly people in the Sheng family are too old to go back to the village to pay New Year's visits to anyone.
However, there are quite a few relatives in Xujiaba who are within five degrees of kinship, so Xu Jinnian and his son need to go back and visit them.
The snow on the ground was quite thick, and the ride in the donkey cart would be very bumpy. Xu Jinnian didn't want Sheng An to suffer like that, so while getting dressed, he said to her, "My father and I will go back. No one will criticize your gifts."
Sheng Anle was relieved: "Alright, you and Dad go early and come back early. The road is difficult to travel, so you'll have to take your time to catch the carriage."
Xu Jinnian leaned down and kissed her on the face: "You stay at home obediently. If you feel bored, go play cards with Baoxiu and the others. Your husband will come back as soon as possible."
Sheng An waved his hand: "Grandpa and Grandma are at home, I won't be bored."
After thinking for a moment, she instructed, "My uncle has emptied the coffers of those three families, so they're sure to have a tough New Year. They might take their anger out on you and Dad. Try to persuade Dad to make sure he doesn't kill anyone during the New Year."
She knew her own man's temper well; no matter how much he hated someone, he wouldn't openly take action.
My father-in-law is a different story. He's getting old and still has a fiery temper. Someone would have to keep him in check if he goes to Xujiaba.
Xu Jinnian chuckled and ruffled Sheng An's hair: "I know."
After giving him all the necessary instructions, Sheng An dressed and combed her hair before going downstairs with him.
When the three elders saw the young couple, they all took out the New Year's money they had prepared in advance.
“Although you’re adults now that you’re married, in the eyes of us old folks, you’re still kids, and we still have to give you New Year’s money every year.”
Grandma Sheng smiled and handed two red envelopes to her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, her words full of best wishes for the young couple: "Grandma hopes you two will live happily ever after, and enjoy good health and happiness."
The couple accepted the red envelope and replied in unison, "Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma!"
Xu Chenglin didn't lag behind either, taking out two red envelopes and handing them to them: "I don't have anything to ask for, just have a good new year."
The couple responded again, "Thank you, Dad!"
After the ceremony of giving out lucky money ended, the family gathered at the table for breakfast.
Breakfast was dumplings with garlic sprouts and cured pork filling that I made last night. Even though they were left out for half a night, they were still delicious. The five of us ate them with great satisfaction.
After the meal, Xu Jinnian and his son rode a donkey cart to Xujiaba, while Sheng An went to the main kitchen to cook for Ning Sihan.
Bao Lan and Bao Yun were busy inside, preparing breakfast for ten people, including Granny Sun and Li Daya.
Breakfast for ten people is simple: cook a pot of porridge and reheat the leftover dishes from yesterday's New Year's Eve dinner. It's quick, easy, and convenient.
Looking at the dark circles under their eyes, Sheng An asked in puzzlement, "Was it because the firecrackers outside were too loud last night and kept you awake?"
Bao Lan said embarrassedly, "We were having so much fun last night that we invited Shu Qi and the others to play a game of billiards, and it got really late."
Shengyuan has two billiard rooms. When there are no customers, Baolan, Shuqi, and the others can go to the billiard room to play after they finish their own work, since they need to teach customers who don't know how to play.
Sometimes they also have to represent the guests in friendly matches. They don't have to be superb in terms of skills, but they at least have to satisfy the guests, so they have to practice every now and then.
Sheng An asked curiously, "Eight people competing together? Who won in the end? Is there a prize?"
Bao Lan quickly shook her head: "We didn't gamble. In the end, Shu Qi and the others won."
They might have fun, but they knew all too well the rules of Shengyuan and wouldn't dare gamble at all.
Even though it was New Year's Eve last night, no one dared to mention the lucky draw.
Just as they were having a great time, Li Daya suddenly came over and said that playing ball like this was no fun. She wanted to set up a betting game and be the dealer herself, but no one paid any attention to her, so she left feeling bored.
Sheng An was unaware of Li Daya's actions and was quite satisfied with the fact that Bao Lan and the other eight adhered to the rules.
"There are still nearly twenty days of holiday left. If you get bored staying in the courtyard, you can go out and play. I heard that starting from the third day of the Lunar New Year, there will be stages set up on the streets for opera performances and acrobatic shows."
Bao Lan and Bao Yun were very interested and asked eagerly, "Master, may we go and see?"
Sheng An smiled and said, "Of course you can. As long as you do your job well, you can go out and have fun with me. But be careful and don't get pickpocketed. Also, be wary of human traffickers."
They are all young women and young men, who are like shining silver coins in the eyes of human traffickers. We must make them be vigilant and careful.
Bao Lan and Bao Yun readily agreed, indicating that the eight of them would travel together to prevent thieves and human traffickers from having any opportunities.
Sheng An carried the food box to the neighboring courtyard. As soon as he entered Ning Sihan's room, he was handed three exquisitely embroidered purses.
Meeting Sheng An's surprised gaze, Physician Hu explained with a smile, "It's the New Year, so we give a gift to everyone who comes to our door, whether they are guests or strangers."
Sheng An doesn't remember this rule. But thinking about it carefully, it's not that it didn't exist; it's just that everyone in Huai Shu Village lived a very ordinary life, so who would be willing to give red envelopes to others?
Thank you.
Sheng An accepted the three purses with a smile and thanked him. Two of them were heavy, while the other was light.
She placed the food box on the table and introduced it as she took it out: "These are dumplings and glutinous rice balls that I just made this morning. The glutinous rice balls are filled with black sesame and peanut filling. Young Master Ning, please have a couple to try."
Tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) are hard to digest, and their sweet fillings can make them cloying and cause indigestion if eaten in excess.
Sheng An specially used glutinous rice to make it, which is sweet with a hint of wine aroma. Even before the food box was opened, a sweet fragrance filled the air.
When Physician Wang heard that there were glutinous rice balls, he was overjoyed: "Thank you, Boss Sheng, this is my favorite."
Physician Hu teased, "You've been thinking about it all night. I told you to tell the kitchen staff to make it, but you insisted that the cook's cooking wasn't to your liking."
Sheng An hadn't expected that Physician Wang would have such a taste, so she immediately chimed in, "Physician Wang, please try it. If you like it, I'll make you an extra serving next time."
Physician Wang didn't stand on ceremony: "Then thank you very much, Boss Sheng."
Seeing his old partner get the better deal, Doctor Hu coughed and looked at Sheng An: "What's so great about glutinous rice balls? Chicken soup dumplings are much more delicious."
Sheng An suppressed a laugh and naturally obliged him: "I'll prepare a chicken soup dumpling for you next time too."
Physician Hu was very satisfied and in an exceptionally good mood.
Seeing the two of them won over by Sheng An's culinary skills, Ning Sihan, lying on the bed, couldn't help but smile, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
Sheng An assumed he also had his own favorite foods, so she casually asked, "What does Young Master Ning like to eat?"
Ning Sihan was taken aback. His gaze fell on the woman's incredibly sincere face, and his heart inexplicably trembled.
He lowered his eyes, his voice gentle and warm like the tinkling of jade pendants: "I really like all the food that Boss Sheng makes himself."
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