Chapter 153 New Year's Eve Dinner
Although the old man is already seventy-two years old, he is in good spirits and looks much younger than his actual age.
In daily life, he stands straight, and you can tell at a glance that he has the energy and spirit honed by years of military career.
The old man spent the whole day running around various troops today, and when he returned home in the evening, he was still feeling quite high-spirited.
Second Uncle Lu followed behind Grandpa Lu and was a very serious man.
It was the first time that Jiang Haitang met the second uncle of the Lu family. He was different from Lu's father. Lu's father was gentle, while the second uncle of the Lu family had a bit more toughness, very similar to Grandpa Lu.
Yes, both of them have been immersed in the army for many years and hold high positions, so their aura must be different.
When he saw Jiang Haitang, Uncle Lu forced a smile.
However, that smile was a bit horrible, and his facial muscles were so stiff as if they were frozen.
Fortunately, Jiang Haitang had seen Mr. Lu smile before, otherwise, she might have been really scared.
"You'd better stop laughing, you'll scare the child." Yuan Yinnan smiled and pushed her husband, telling him to change his clothes quickly.
In the living room, the table was polished to a shine and was filled with eight carefully prepared dishes: in the middle was the shiny red braised pork, next to it was the sweet and sour carp, with the fish heads facing the direction of Mr. Lu's main seat.
Surrounding it are braised chicken, pork trotters with soybeans, sweet and sour spare ribs, braised beef with soy sauce, cold bean sprouts and stir-fried cabbage.
In addition to these dishes, there is also a large bowl of dumplings stuffed with cabbage and pork.
After Mr. Lu and Uncle Lu changed their clothes and came down, the whole family finally sat around the dinner table.
Mr. Lu sat in the main seat, with his two sons sitting on his left and right, and then his daughter-in-law and grandson's wife.
Finally, there are a few little radish heads.
Because there were so many people this year, the Lu family’s big table felt a bit crowded.
"Everyone is here!" Old Master Lu's loud voice came from the main seat.
"This year is a good year. Our whole family is stable and healthy." The old man looked around with a burning gaze, with some sadness in his eyes.
Everyone in the family knew that this year, several families with good relationships were liquidated and demoted. It was indeed fortunate that the Lu family was doing well.
Everyone was silent, and finally Jiang Haitang spoke: "Grandpa, I believe this is just the darkness before dawn. After this period, everything will be fine."
This storm will be over in more than a year, and everything will be fine after that.
"Good girl, you are right. It will pass and everything will be fine!" Grandpa Lu looked at his future granddaughter-in-law with appreciation.
"This year, you have all performed outstandingly in your respective positions and have done great things for the country and its people. Liangchen's transfer to the local government was forced upon me, but fortunately, Liangchen has done an excellent job, and I can now rest a little easier."
It was only at this time that Jiang Haitang realized that there was a reason why Lu Liangchen chose his major.
She couldn't help but look towards Lu Liangchen, who was also looking at her with affection in his eyes.
"Dad, I think that this kid's marriage destiny has arrived after he changed his career. It's time for him to find Haitang." He Wanyi said with a faint smile.
My son had been in the army for many years. He was somewhat reluctant when he was demobilized, but when he came back this time, that resentment had long disappeared.
Look at the way he looks at his wife now, it's unbearable.
When Mr. Lu heard his daughter-in-law's words, he also smiled. "I used to worry that Liangchen would be alone for the rest of his life. This year, Haitang also came to our house. They are going to be engaged on the fifth day of the first lunar month. I am relieved now."
After Mr. Lu finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Jiang Haitang again.
"Our Lu family is a military family. We value discipline and friendship. When Liangchen said he wanted to adopt a comrade's daughter, I didn't object. But I was always worried that if I adopted this child, it would be more difficult for him to find a wife. But after seeing how you treat Xiao Taozi, my worries are gone. You are a good child."
Jiang Haitang's eyes were filled with tears, and she quickly stood up: "Thank you, Grandpa. I will try my best to do better."
"Sit down, sit down." The old man waved his hand, "No need to be so polite among family members. Come, let's have a drink together!"
There was a bottle of Moutai on the table today, and Shi Shulan had filled everyone's glasses. The whole family clinked their glasses together, and even the children raised their glasses of orange juice.
Jiang Haitang took a sip of the white wine and it was so spicy that she stuck out her tongue, which made Lu Liangchen laugh softly.
He Wanyi scolded, "You stinky boy, didn't you see Haitang was feeling the heat? Why didn't you pour her some soda?"
Lu Liangchen hurriedly poured Jiang Haitang a glass of soda and said, "You'll get used to it slowly. You've never drunk alcohol before, so drink less today."
Jiang Haitang smiled shyly, revealing two shallow dimples on her cheeks which had turned pink from drinking.
Lu Liangchen felt warm in his heart when he saw this, and he quietly held her hand under the table.
"After drinking the wine, let's start eating." After Mr. Lu gave the order, the whole family picked up their chopsticks.
Mr. Lu picked up his chopsticks first. He picked up the eye of the sweet and sour carp, which has the meaning of "the finishing touch", implying that one will be more observant in the new year.
After Mr. Lu started eating, everyone else could do as they pleased, but generally speaking, the younger generations would wait for the elders to start eating first.
"Liangchen, pick some food for Haitang. Don't just stand there." He Wanyi was worried that Jiang Haitang would still feel uncomfortable, so she urged her son, "The dishes on the table today are Haitang's cooking. The rest of us are just helping out."
After Lu Liangchen handed Jiang Haitang a piece of braised pork with a touch of fat and lean meat, he said proudly, "Haitang's cooking is delicious. Grandpa, let me get you a piece too."
Lu Liangchen picked up another piece of braised pork for the old man. Looking at the shiny, red, fat but not greasy braised pork in the bowl, old man Lu's eyes lit up.
"Liangchen, the doctor doesn't let your grandpa eat braised pork." Uncle Lu said hurriedly.
"It's not a big deal to eat one piece during the New Year. Besides, I'm an old man in my seventies. What's the point of not being able to eat meat?"
Uncle Lu was silent, and Father Lu said, "Today is New Year's Day, so just eat one piece, but don't eat more."
"Three pieces!" Old Master Lu squinted at the braised pork on the plate. "Don't tell me about eating fish or something like that. It's tasteless. You guys have a good life, so you can't understand us back then. Every time we won a battle, we'd just dream of having a bite of braised pork. But nine times out of ten, we couldn't get any, so we were lucky enough to have a bite of wild vegetable porridge."
Mr. Lu even brought up what happened in the past. Everyone was reluctant to persuade him, but they only allowed him to eat three pieces of braised pork.
Mr. Lu ate three pieces of braised pork, but did not ask for more.
He also knew that the children did this for his health.
The whole family was talking and laughing, and even Uncle Lu's mouth twitched a few times.
"How is Liangchen doing in the factory? Is he adapting well?" Uncle Lu suddenly spoke in a deep and powerful voice.
This nephew was once his most promising successor, but unfortunately, he had to transfer to the local area, and he always felt a little regretful.
"Last year, the factory exceeded its production targets and achieved good results at the Canton Fair. Our wool sweaters are now on the market. This year, we plan to introduce new equipment, continue to expand production, and research new products."
Lu Liangchen straightened his back reflexively and his tone became formal.
"Haitang, I heard that you are researching new textile machines?" Uncle Lu asked Jiang Haitang again.
Jiang Haitang didn't expect to be called out and almost choked on the dumplings in her mouth.
Lu Liangchen quickly poured her a glass of water and patted her back gently.
"Yes, Second Uncle." Jiang Haitang swallowed the dumplings in his mouth and finally spoke, "After the New Year, we will try to improve the drafting device of the spinning frame, hoping to increase production efficiency by 30%."
"Why are you asking about work? Look how nervous the two kids are." Yuan Yinnan glared at her husband, and Uncle Lu pursed his lips in embarrassment.
"Grandpa, I think the biggest happy event in our family is that we have a younger sister!"
Lu Baoguo suddenly said this, and everyone present was stunned at first, and then they all laughed.
For children, it seems to be true that family and national affairs have nothing to do with them.
"Okay! Let's have a drink to celebrate that you guys have sisters?" Grandpa Lu picked up the wine glass and interacted with his great-grandsons.
Little Peach was also holding a small cup and drinking orange juice in a serious manner.
The atmosphere became more lively. He Wanyi and Yuan Yinnan were busy picking up food for the children. Father Lu and Second Uncle were chatting about interesting things in the military region, and Lu Liangchen was adding some of Jiang Haitang's favorite dishes to her bowl from time to time.
"Enough, enough," Jiang Haitang protested softly, "I'm getting fat."
"It's better to be fatter. You were too thin before." Lu Liangchen leaned close to her ear, and his warm breath brushed her earlobe. "It's more comfortable and warm to hug you when you're fatter."
Jiang Haitang was so embarrassed that she almost buried her face in the bowl. She looked around secretly. Fortunately, everyone was busy talking and eating, and no one noticed their little actions.
The New Year's Eve dinner lasted until after nine o'clock in the evening. After the meal, the women cleaned up the dishes and Grandpa Lu called the little ones in the family to go outside to set off firecrackers. Originally, Father Lu and Uncle Lu didn't want to go, but since their old father had gone, they had no choice but to follow.
Jiang Haitang wanted to follow him to the kitchen, but was rejected by He Wanyi and Yuan Yinnan: "You've cooked so many dishes today, you must be very tired. Take a break, or accompany Xiao Taozi to set off fireworks."
Jiang Haitang couldn't persuade them and had to go back to the living room.
There was no one in the living room, everyone had gone out. Jiang Haitang thought about it, put on her cotton coat, put on her scarf, and walked out the door to the yard.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
