The neighbors who had been watching dispersed with smiles, and a few acquaintances even came over to chat with Su Jianguo, praising his family for their strong festive atmosphere.
Back in the courtyard, Su Yuzhen was still immersed in the excitement of the previous activity, dancing and imitating the movements of the Yangko dancers.
"Dad, how much money did you give them? Why are they so happy?"
Su Jianguo smiled and patted his daughter's head.
"Ten yuan isn't much. It's not easy for everyone to come out and perform in this cold weather."
"Ten dollars isn't enough?"
Wang Xiulan peeked out from the kitchen.
"That's almost half a month's salary for an average worker!"
Su Jianguo went back to the kitchen and continued his braised food business.
"It's Chinese New Year, so the important thing is to be happy. Besides, business has been good this year, so we can't skimp on necessary expenses."
The braising liquid in the pot has boiled and is emitting a rich aroma.
Su Jianguo put the pig stomach, pig intestines and pig liver into the pot one by one, and then added a few hard-boiled eggs.
The brown braising liquid was bubbling away, its aroma filling the entire kitchen.
"It smells so good!"
Su Mingfu took a deep breath.
"Dad, could you teach me your braising spice recipe?"
Su Jianguo used long chopsticks to stir the ingredients in the pot.
"Want to learn? Sure, I'll teach you slowly after the New Year."
In the kitchen, Wang Xiulan had already started stewing chicken.
The plump hen floats up and down in the boiling water in the casserole. After adding ginger slices, goji berries and red dates, an enticing aroma quickly wafts out.
"Honey, how should we prepare the fish? Steamed or braised?"
Wang Xiulan asked.
Su Jianguo thought about it.
"Let's steam it. My parents' teeth aren't good, so steaming will make it tender. Besides, the braised dishes are already quite strong in flavor, so a light fish will be just right."
"Okay, I'll go clean the fish then."
Wang Xiulan picked up a large, fat carp and began to prepare it.
Su Jianguo glanced at the pots on the stove. The braised dishes were boiling, the chicken soup was simmering, and the rice was already being cooked.
He wiped his hands, walked into the yard, took a deep breath of the cold air, and looked at his busy family members, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.
On this day in their past lives, they were struggling to make ends meet.
Now, not only are they well-fed and clothed, but their business is also growing bigger and bigger.
Most importantly, the whole family is together, enjoying each other's company.
This is the real spirit of the New Year, Su Jianguo thought, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his face.
He looked up at the brand-new couplets and red lanterns on the gate, then at the smoke rising from the kitchen, and listened to the laughter and chatter of his family in the courtyard. He felt that the happiness he felt at that moment was more precious than anything else.
The next day, it was the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Su Jianguo woke up just as dawn was breaking.
"Honey, up so early?"
Wang Xiulan rubbed her eyes and peeked out from under the covers. She had stayed up until after midnight last night, so she was still a little groggy from waking up so early.
"Yes, I have to go back to the village today to wish my parents a Happy New Year."
Su Jianguo said as he put on his clothes.
"You stay home and take care of your parents-in-law. It's too far. I'll take Mingfu with me."
Wang Xiulan nodded, put on her cotton-padded coat, and got off the kang (heated brick bed).
"I'll cook you a bowl of dumplings; you can't go out on an empty stomach on the first day of the Lunar New Year."
In the kitchen, the water on the stove was boiling, bubbling away.
Wang Xiulan quickly cooked a pot of cabbage and pork dumplings, sliced a plate of sausages, and heated a pot of Shaoxing wine.
Su Jianguo sat at the table, watching his wife's busy figure, feeling a warm glow in his heart.
In my previous life, being able to eat white flour dumplings on the first day of the Lunar New Year would have been a luxury.
"Dad, I'm all packed!"
Su Mingfu ran in wearing a brand-new blue cotton-padded jacket, his hair neatly combed, and his face still carrying the youthful vigor unique to young people.
"Eat quickly, we'll set off after we finish."
Su Jianguo poured half a cup of rice wine for his son.
"It's cold, have some water to warm yourself up."
The father and son quickly finished the dumplings with the sausage.
Su Jianguo took out two bulging cloth bags from the inner room. The New Year's goods had already been taken; this time, he had only casually grabbed a few bottles of wine and a few packs of cigarettes.
Be careful on the road, it's slippery in the snow.
Wang Xiulan reminded her.
"Okay, go back to your room and get some more sleep."
Su Jianguo hung the cloth bag on the bicycle handlebars and checked the rope that was tied to it.
Soon, Su Jianguo and Su Mingfu pushed two bicycles out the door.
"Dad, I wish we had a car."
Su Mingfu pushed the cart out, lost in thought.
"This way, our whole family can go back to the village together, and we won't have to ride such a long way."
Upon hearing this, Su Jianguo shook his head with a wry smile.
"Currently, private car ownership is not allowed; it will have to wait a few more years before it's permitted."
In truth, he also wanted to buy it.
He felt envious every time he saw a Shanghai-brand car on the road.
But given the current situation, not only is it impossible to buy them, but even if you could, you wouldn't dare to.
It's too eye-catching.
The father and son got on the bike.
Su Jianguo rode in front, the New Year's goods hanging on the handlebars swaying gently with the bumps.
Su Mingfu followed behind, occasionally struggling to keep up due to the icy road surface.
"Ride slowly and watch your step!"
Su Jianguo turned around and gave him some instructions.
"There are many potholes on this road, be careful not to fall."
"Okay!"
Su Mingfu agreed, but couldn't help bringing up the car again.
"Dad, I heard that some people in the south are already buying cars privately, so we..."
"Don't think about useless things."
Su Jianguo interrupted him.
"Things are changing every day; who knows when things will loosen up? Let's focus on making the most of what we have now."
After leaving the city, the number of pedestrians on the road gradually increased.
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