In the blink of an eye, it was Laba Festival.
After Laba Festival, the Chinese New Year is coming soon.
This also means that Zhou Ziwen will not be able to stay in the city for long.
On Laba Day, all the sisters had a holiday, and the eldest and second brothers, and the eldest and second sisters-in-law also came.
"Ziwen, is the Laba porridge ready?" Zhou Ma was busy in the kitchen, preparing Laba porridge while asking Zhou Ziwen.
"Mom, don't worry, I've been prepared for a long time." Zhou Ziwen said with a smile.
Laba porridge is a traditional food for Laba Festival, and Zhou Ziwen certainly will not forget it.
He bought various ingredients a few days in advance, including red beans, coix seed, peanuts, lotus seeds, red dates, walnut kernels, etc.
This morning, he got up early and started to cook Laba porridge.
The porridge is slowly cooking in the pot, emitting an enticing aroma.
"It smells so good, Brother Ziwen. The Laba porridge you made must be delicious." Chen Qiaoyi walked over while holding little Yueyue, smelling the fragrance.
"Of course, your brother Ziwen's craftsmanship is first-class." Zhou Ma said proudly.
Zhou Ziwen smiled and shook his head. He was indeed very confident in his cooking skills.
"Ziwen, you have such skills that you can open a restaurant." The second brother Zhou Guohua also came over and said with a smile.
"Second brother, stop making fun of me." Zhou Ziwen responded with a smile.
"I'm not making fun of you. Your craftsmanship is really good." The second brother said seriously.
"Okay, okay, everyone, stop standing and sit down to drink porridge." Dad Zhou asked everyone to sit down.
The family sat around the dining table and began to enjoy Laba porridge.
The porridge was sweet and delicious, and everyone ate it with relish.
"Ziwen, your porridge is really well cooked. It tastes much better than the ones bought outside." The sister-in-law praised.
"Yes, Ziwen, you can really open a restaurant with your cooking skills." The second sister-in-law also agreed.
"Thank you all for the compliments. I'm just trying to get by." Zhou Ziwen said modestly.
"Ziwen, you are not just trying to endure this casually. This requires real skill." Father Zhou said seriously.
Zhou Ziwen smiled and was no longer modest.
He knew that his cooking skills were indeed good, but this was not his goal.
His goal is to improve his skills and provide a better life for himself and his family.
After drinking Laba porridge, everyone sat in the living room and chatted, discussing plans and preparations for the New Year.
Mother Zhou said, "We have to prepare well for the New Year this year so that the whole family can get together and have a lively time."
Father Zhou nodded and said, "That's right. We need to buy all the necessary New Year's goods. The children are all back now, so we need to make sure they have a happy New Year."
"Yes, it's so rare that our family can get together this year." Eldest brother Zhou Jianhua also joined the discussion with a happy smile on his face.
"Yes, after the New Year, I will go back to my hometown."
Having said that, the eldest sister's mood began to decline.
"Sister, don't worry, I will come back to see you often." Zhou Ziwen comforted his elder sister, although he himself was reluctant.
"Ziwen, you have to take good care of yourself in the countryside, okay?" Zhou Ma's voice was choked with sobs. Although she hoped her son could stay in the city for a few more days, she also understood that it was inevitable for her son to return to the countryside.
"Mom, I will." Zhou Ziwen nodded.
In fact, he did not feel that going to the countryside was a suffering, especially with his current achievements, life in the countryside was even more comfortable than in the city.
"Okay, okay, today is Laba, a festive day, let's all be happy." Dad Zhou broke the slightly heavy atmosphere. He knew that it was inevitable for his son to return to the countryside, but he hoped that his family could cherish the time of reunion now.
"Yes, yes, we should celebrate today." Mother Zhou also adjusted her mood. She stood up and began to prepare more festive food.
"Ziwen, is there anything you particularly want to eat? Mom will make it for you." Mother Zhou asked Zhou Ziwen.
"Mom, I love everything you cook." Zhou Ziwen said with a smile. He knew this was his mother's way of expressing her love.
"That's good. I'll just do it casually then." Mother Zhou smiled and returned to the kitchen.
Although she said to cook casually, Zhou Ma still prepared a large table of dishes.
During lunch, Zhou Ziwen drank with his elder and second brothers, and Zhou's father also had two drinks.
Zhou Ziwen had a very good relationship with his elder and second brothers. I remember that when he first went to the countryside, they gave him a lot of money.
"Ziwen, if you have any difficulties in the countryside, please write home and we will definitely help you if we can."
Eldest brother Zhou Jianhua said to Zhou Ziwen at the dinner table, his tone full of brotherly care.
"Thank you, brother. I know."
Zhou Ziwen looked at his elder brother with gratitude. He knew that his elder brother was a down-to-earth and steady person. He didn't talk much, but he could always provide the most practical help at critical moments.
"Ziwen, your elder brother is right. Your family will always support you."
Zhou's father also interjected, his eyes full of expectations and trust in his son.
During the time Zhou Ziwen was back home, his family knew about his experiences.
Knowing that he was doing well in the countryside, Zhou's father was not too worried about him.
"Dad, I will remember it." Zhou Ziwen nodded seriously.
He always remembers the help his family gave him.
You know, when he went to the countryside, his family gave him most of the money.
Including the eldest brother and the second brother, they secretly gave him a lot of private money.
He kept all these in mind.
"Ziwen, when do you plan to come back from your trip to the countryside this time?"
Second brother Zhou Guohua asked. He knew that Zhou Ziwen's life in the countryside was on track, but he was still concerned about his return.
"Second brother, I may have to wait until next Spring Festival to come back."
Zhou Ziwen answered, with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
"Then you must work hard in the countryside and don't let your family worry." The second brother warned.
"Don't worry, second brother, I will." Zhou Ziwen nodded. He knew that his family's concern was the greatest support for him.
Everyone continued chatting, and the topic gradually turned to Yueyue.
"Yueyue is such a cute child. She will definitely be a great beauty in the future." said the sister-in-law with a smile.
"Yes, it's really a joy to watch her grow up day by day." The second sister-in-law also agreed.
Chen Qiaoyi held little Yueyue in her arms, her face filled with a happy smile: "I hope Yueyue can grow up healthy and happy."
Zhou Ziwen looked at his wife and daughter, his heart filled with warmth: "I will work hard to create better living conditions for them."
After lunch, everyone helped to clean up the dishes. Seeing the busy figures of the children, Zhou Ma felt very happy.
After cleaning up, Zhou Ziwen and Chen Qiaoyi took Yueyue back to the room to rest.
Little Yueyue fell asleep quickly, while Zhou Ziwen and Chen Qiaoyi talked quietly.
"Time flies so fast. Soon, we will go back to our hometown."
Chen Qiaoyi sighed.
"Yeah, I've been out for so long, I don't know how Uncle Wu and the others are doing."
Zhou Ziwen also sighed.
Although he had only been back in the city for a short time, he already missed his fellow countrymen. (End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
