Chapter 307 Preparing for the New Year
"You are a capable person, and you are a child we have watched grow up. Of course, we will fully support you. What's more, both the Lu family and the Jiang family will rely on you for support in the future." said Mr. Jiang.
Before finding his granddaughter, Grandpa Jiang no longer cared about these things, but now it is different. What kind of life his granddaughter can live in the future depends on Lu Liangchen's future prospects.
This child has already suffered a loss by leaving the army to avoid disaster, and he cannot suffer a loss in his future work arrangements.
"I heard there's a good position opening recently at the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, responsible for coordinating military production. It's a good position, and there are a lot of people to look after. We still need to make some plans, so please go back to the textile factory and wait patiently."
Lu Liangchen didn't expect that the elders in his family would work so hard for him, and he was deeply moved for a moment.
Uncle Lu said, "I'll give it a try after the New Year. It should be possible. Liangchen is not only a veteran of the military, but also has experience in business management and technical security. He's the most suitable candidate."
"Thank you, second uncle."
"I've consulted your second and fourth brothers, and they don't really want to return to the capital. I plan to find a way to arrange for your second brother to go to Huacheng. The country should have big moves in the south in the future."
Although Uncle Lu felt a little sorry that his two sons were unwilling to come back, he still decided to respect his sons' choice.
"As for your fourth brother, we still need to ask for his opinion and see what he thinks."
Lu Liangchen didn't expect that the two brothers would unanimously decide not to come back, but after thinking about it carefully, staying outside might not be a bad thing.
If Grandpa Jiang didn't have only Haitang as his relative, Lu Liangchen would probably have chosen to stay outside instead of returning to the capital.
In the evening, He Wanyi took Xiao Chengzi away, and Xiao Taozi was taken away by Mr. Lu on the grounds that he was afraid of thunder.
Only then did Lu Liangchen realize that this was the reason why Mr. Lu was afraid of thunder, and he couldn't help laughing.
This is just to appease little Taozi. All older children know that there is no thunder in winter.
The couple was lying on the bed and talking.
Knowing that Lu Liangchen could not return to the capital for the time being, Jiang Haitang felt a little regretful, but she could still accept it.
Jiang Haitang was quite surprised when she heard that Uncle Lu was planning to transfer her second brother to Huacheng. It must be said that people in high positions tend to see things more accurately.
Flower City, won’t it be the forefront of reform and opening up in the future?
"If my second brother can successfully take up a position in Huacheng, it will be of great benefit to his future development." Jiang Haitang nodded.
"Never mind others, we haven't seen each other for a while, and I miss you." After a few words, Lu Liangchen couldn't bear it anymore and couldn't help but touch her all over.
In the following days, Lu Liangchen's main job every day was to accompany his wife and children, trying his best to make up for the missed time.
He followed He Wanyi and Yuan Yinnan to learn how to change diapers and feed Xiaochengzi more skillfully. His clumsy but serious appearance often made everyone laugh, and he was even kicked by Xiaochengzi with his little feet in disgust. But overall, it was still very harmonious and warm.
Apart from holding Xiaochengzi, Lu Liangchen also played with Xiaotaozi and other nephews. With a mix of older and younger children, their laughter almost blew the roof off.
Jiang Haitang said it twice, but seeing that he didn't listen, she just let it go.
Little Orange seemed to have completely accepted the sudden appearance of his father. As long as it wasn't his father changing his diaper, he would accept it well.
When Lu Liangchen held him, he felt particularly stable. His big eyes like black grapes often stared at Lu Liangchen's face intently, and occasionally he would reveal a toothless smile that could melt Lu Liangchen's heart.
In a blink of an eye, it is the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month. The Chinese New Year is three days away and the atmosphere of the New Year is officially getting stronger.
"Mom, let's prepare more New Year's goods this year and have a good reunion!" Lu Liangchen rolled up his sleeves and prepared to work hard.
"You're not even telling me. We've already started preparing." He Wanyi instructed with a smile, "Liangchen, you're tall, go get those bacon and sausages from the side rooms and hang them in a well-ventilated area under the porch. Liangjin, take a few guys and sweep the snow in the yard again, especially the path in front of the door. Keep it clean."
Father Lu and Uncle Lu were responsible for writing Spring Festival couplets and the word "Fu".
Mr. Lu was in great spirits. He spread out the paper and ground the ink himself, and wrote several big "Fu" characters with vigorous strokes. Mr. Jiang commented on it, sometimes nodding, sometimes making a "picky" remark. The two old brothers were having a great time.
Mr. Lu took the character "Fu" and looked at it for a long time. He said, "In my life, apart from writing my own name, this character is the only one I write that looks good."
"That's why they say you are so lucky!" The young guard on the side was busy flattering her.
Yuan Yinan and He Wanyi are the main forces in the kitchen, steaming buns, frying meatballs, stewing meat, and roasting fish... These two days, the kitchen is filled with tempting aromas all day long.
Fortunately, this is a large compound and everyone's living conditions are generally good. If we moved to other places, we would definitely be watched.
This is also the happiest time for children. The younger ones in the family, including Xiao Taozi, follow their grandma and aunt like little tails, eagerly waiting for the delicious food fresh from the pot.
When they were in the kitchen, they always got a small portion to "sample" first, and their little mouths were full of grease after eating.
Jiang Haitang was not idle either. She was preparing to cut paper-cuts. This job was easy, but it was a delicate job that required skills, and Jiang Haitang was very good at it.
The red paper flipped in her hands, and soon, patterns of lifelike carp, adorable-looking peaches, and fat dolls appeared one by one under Jiang Haitang's hands.
Shi Shulan found it novel and wanted to learn it, but although it looked simple, it was actually not very easy to learn.
"Look at this one I cut out. It looks weird, even though I was following you all along." Shi Shulan looked left and right and felt that the paper-cuts he had cut out were extremely strange.
After reading it, Jiang Haitang smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, it's actually not bad, but you are too demanding of yourself."
"If you compare them, the gap is huge."
"Just cut more and it will be fine. I have been cutting for many years to develop this skill."
"Forget it, I won't cut it anymore. I'll go clean the windows. After I'm done, I'll paste up the paper-cuts you cut." Shi Shulan was not one to waste time on internal matters. He immediately changed direction and went to do something else.
Soon, she wiped the glass clean and pasted window grilles on it. The bright red window grilles looked particularly festive.
Little Orange was lying in the cradle beside him, happily playing with his fingers.
The two brothers Lu Liangchen moved the things wherever they were needed, and he took care of all the heavy work.
They felt that the New Year's goods prepared at home were still not enough, so they took some time to take their children to the department store and bought candy, peanuts, melon seeds and some new snacks.
Lu Liangchen is a thoughtful person and even bought a beautiful hair flower for Xiao Taozi.
Little Taozi was so happy that she took the hairpin and praised it to everyone in the family.
Looking at the many candies and sunflower seeds her two sons brought back, He Wanyi, who was making new clothes for her grandson and granddaughter, said angrily, "You really don't know how expensive food and fuel are until you manage the household. How much money must have been spent on so many candies and sunflower seeds? It would be great if I could just save the money!"
"Mom, there are a lot of happy events at home this year, so it's okay to buy a little more. We can afford it."
After hearing what her son said, He Wanyi stopped talking and said nothing more.
The family conditions are indeed good. After all, except for a few children, everyone else is earning money.
During the Chinese New Year and other festivals, it’s no big deal to buy a little more candy and melon seeds.
New Year's Eve soon arrived. Early in the morning, Grandpa Lu, Grandpa Jiang and Uncle Lu went to the military camp to celebrate the festival with the soldiers.
As per their usual practice, the Lu family made dumplings and sent them to the military camp.
After finishing all this, it was almost noon. Aunt Wang helped with the ingredients for a while and then went home.
The rest of the New Year's Eve dinner was prepared by the family. He Wanyi and Yuan Yinan were both good cooks. Even Shi Shulan, although young, had a few specialties. In addition, Jiang Haitang was already a family member this year, so she also went to help.
The task of looking after Xiaochengzi was handed over to Lu Liangchen.
The kitchen was steaming hot, filled with the tempting aroma of various ingredients mixed together.
Several women were chatting about family matters while busy with their work.
He Wanyi, wearing a clean apron, skillfully prepared a plump carp, which was a special New Year's gift from Lu's father's unit. She was going to make a braised fish dish that symbolizes "abundance every year."
"Haitang, help me bring the bowl of fermented dough over. I need to let the steamed buns rise for the last time before steaming them later." He Wanyi ordered without even looking up.
"Okay, Mom." Jiang Haitang responded and brought the washbasin covered with a white cloth next to her to the chopping board.
The fermented dough is white and plump, exuding a faint sour and wheat aroma.
Yuan Yinan was busy frying something on another stove.
In the frying pan, the crispy meatballs coated with batter sizzled and gradually turned golden and crispy.
She skillfully flipped the food with long chopsticks. A small pile of meatballs and tofu puffs had already been fried on the plate next to her.
"Aunt, these meatballs smell so good!" Shi Shulan couldn't help but praise while cutting winter bamboo shoots.
"Yes, thanks to the two old gentlemen, this year's meat coupons are more abundant than in previous years, so I put in more meat to satisfy the children's cravings."
Yuan Yinan smiled, with satisfaction in his tone.
Although the Lu family was well-off, in that era when supplies still required tickets, such a "luxurious" way of frying a large pot of meatballs was a treat only available during the Chinese New Year.
After frying the meatballs, Yuan Yinan also planned to fry a pot of vegetarian meatballs. Although such a large pot of meatballs looked like a lot, there were many people in the family and it would not be enough to eat them all. It would be better to make some vegetarian meatballs to supplement the family.
After Jiang Haitang handed over the basin, she took the initiative to pick up a handful of green leeks and began to pick and wash them.
This is what Aunt Wang grew herself in two large pots. It’s not much, just enough to make dumplings stuffed with leeks and eggs for the New Year’s Eve dinner, in the hope of good luck and long-term wealth.
In addition to leek dumplings, dumplings stuffed with cabbage and pork are also made, which also symbolizes good fortune.
"Haitang, you're very skillful. I'll give you the job of mixing the dumpling fillings later. You make the best flavor."
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