Chapter 308: New Year's Bickering
He Wanyi kneaded the dough while arranging tasks.
Jiang Haitang is very good at cooking, especially at preparing stuffing, which is very much to the taste of her family.
"Okay, Mom, don't worry." Jiang Haitang agreed with a smile.
After living at home for such a long time, her mother-in-law truly treated her as one of her own.
After Shi Shulan finished cutting the bamboo shoots, he began to cut the bacon. The red and white bacon was cut into thin slices and prepared to be stir-fried with the winter bamboo shoots. It was a rare seasonal dish.
As she cut, she said, "This year's bacon is also good, with a nice mix of fat and lean meat, and it smells delicious. Liang Jin said it was brought from an old comrade from the south."
"Yes, it's a rare thing." He Wanyi continued, "Once everything is ready, we'll have ten hot dishes, four cold dishes, dumplings and soup tonight. It's quite a feast."
"This is the most sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner our family has had in all these years. We have chicken, duck, fish, and beef ribs as well. It's really great." Yuan Yinnan couldn't suppress the smile on his face.
"Life is getting better now. I never thought before that I would be satisfied just by having white flour dumplings filled with pork during the Spring Festival."
"But not only our family is getting better, the whole family is getting better." Shi Shulan also responded with a smile.
"In the future, life will get better and better. By that time, everyone will be tired of eating meat, and maybe everyone will want to eat something light." Jiang Haitang thought of the good days in the future and said it casually.
But no one believed this.
"I don't believe it. There's a time when I get tired of eating meat. I could eat it every day and I could still do it."
"Sister-in-law, let's wait and see. Comparing year after year, I believe this day will come."
Jiang Haitang drained the water from the selected leeks and began to prepare to chop them, mentally calculating how much oil and seasoning to add to the stuffing so that it would be fragrant and not greasy.
When the dishes were almost cooked, Jiang Haitang started to prepare the stuffing and make dumplings.
According to the Lu family’s custom, when making dumplings, everyone in the family who can help will come and help.
Even Little Peach was given a small piece of dough and learned to knead it properly.
Although the dumplings she made were of strange shapes and even looked like dumplings, He Wanyi still solemnly put them aside.
"These dumplings were made by our little Taozi. Grandma must remember them well later."
"Let's wrap half first, and then wrap the rest when we go back to stay up all night to celebrate the New Year." He Wanyi reminded Jiang Haitang.
As the sky gradually darkened, lights came on throughout the compound, making it look much more lively and bright than usual.
The same goes for the Lu family. The lights in the room are all turned on, and the bright lights indicate that everything will be bright and beautiful in the coming year.
Lu Liangchen took the boys to check the yard one last time and hung up big red lanterns.
The two old men and Uncle Lu came back from the army, with a look of satisfaction and experience on their faces from having fun with the officers and soldiers. As soon as they entered the house, they were enveloped by the aroma of food and the lively atmosphere in the house.
"Dad, Uncle Jiang, you're back? Hurry up and wash your hands. It's time to eat!"
He Wanyi came over with a smile, took their coats and hung them up.
In the middle of the living room, the large round table was already filled to the brim.
The cold dishes have already been served: paper-thin slices of braised beef with soy sauce, preserved eggs drizzled with sesame oil, spicy and sour cold-mixed cabbage hearts, and a plate of shiny sausage platter. Just looking at them makes one's mouth water.
Lu Liangchen held the babbling little Chengzi in his arms and directed his half-grown nephews to set the table with dishes and wine glasses.
Little Taozi was like a happy little butterfly, wearing a new cotton-padded jacket and a new hairband, shuttling between tables and chairs, muttering to herself.
"Little Orange, it's Chinese New Year. After the Chinese New Year, you'll be one year older. By this time next year, you'll be able to eat and eat delicious food!"
Soon, the hot dishes were served one by one.
Yuan Yinan served her specialty, a bright red and fragrant braised carp, adorned with green chopped green onions and coriander.
Shi Shulan was carrying a plate of winter bamboo shoots and bacon, the salty aroma of the bacon and the fragrance of the winter bamboo shoots blended perfectly;
He Wanyi brought a pot of steaming hot chicken and potatoes. The chicken was stewed until soft and the potatoes were soaked up the broth. It smelled delicious.
There was also a sliced roast duck, a platter of golden and crispy meatballs and vegetarian meatballs, sweet and sour pork ribs, shredded pork with garlic sprouts, lamb in clear soup, braised pork with preserved vegetables, and finally a large bowl of milky white radish and bone soup, sprinkled with some chopped green onions, which was fresh and fragrant.
"It's sumptuous! Too sumptuous!" Mr. Lu looked at the table full of dishes with a serious expression.
Old Master Jiang glared at him and said unhappily, "What's the matter? Are you going to say something unpleasant again? The children have been busy all year long, so what's wrong with having something nice to eat during the New Year? We can afford it."
Mr. Lu, who had originally intended to criticize the children for being too extravagant, kept silent after being rebuked by Mr. Jiang.
Yes, things are different now than they were two years ago. Everyone’s conditions have improved.
The kids have worked hard all year, they really deserve to eat something good.
Thinking of this, Mr. Lu changed the subject and said, "Don't blame me, old ginger, I didn't say that. I wanted to say that they have worked hard."
Mr. Lu waved at the busy women and said.
"That's not realistic at all. They should be given more money and tickets so they can prepare a good feast."
The two of them were bickering with each other, and everyone was used to it, so no one paid any attention to them.
"Dad, Uncle Jiang, please take a seat, both of you, and everyone else too," He Wanyi called out.
Everyone sat down according to age.
Mr. Lu and Mr. Jiang naturally sat at the top, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Lu, Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu, then Mr. and Mrs. Lu Liangjin, and Mr. and Mrs. Lu Liangchen. The children sat next to the adults in between.
Lu Liangchen moved Xiao Chengzi's cradle out and placed it next to the table, one reason being to allow the little guy to participate, and the other to prevent him from lying alone in the room and crying out of boredom.
The wine glasses were filled with Moutai for the men and fruit wine for the women, while the children's glasses were filled with sweet orange soda.
Old Master Lu raised his glass first and looked around at his children and grandchildren, especially Lu Liangchen who was holding his little great-grandson in his arms and Jiang Haitang who was smiling gently beside him. His voice was loud and full of emotion.
"The old year has passed, and the new year has arrived! This year, our family has welcomed a new baby, and the good times have returned safely. It is a year of great joy! I hope that in the new year, our family will be as harmonious and peaceful as always! I also hope that the country will have good weather and get better and better! Come on, Old Ginger, say a few words too."
"I don't have anything else to say, except that I hope everything goes well for everyone and our country! Come, let's have a toast together."
"cheers!"
"Happy New Year!"
Everyone raised their glasses to celebrate, the crisp sound of clinking glasses and laughter intertwined together, filled with a strong sense of reunion.
Little Taozi couldn't reach other people's cups, so she simply stood on a stool, tried hard to hold up her own small cup, and after clinking glasses with everyone else one by one, she happily took a big sip of soda.
"This wine is so delicious!" Little Taozi smacked her lips twice, looking exactly like Grandpa Jiang.
"Look at what you've done to that good little girl?" Old Master Lu glanced at Old Master Jiang with a reproachful look. "It's fine if you stole the wine and drank it, but why did you let the little girl see it?"
Old Master Jiang didn't expect that the little girl saw him stealing a glass of wine and imitated him in doing so. He felt embarrassed for a moment and drank the glass of wine awkwardly.
"Pick up your chopsticks, everyone! Try it and see how it tastes!" He Wanyi, the hostess, greeted everyone warmly.
Everyone stopped talking and reached for their favorite dishes with their chopsticks.
"Mmm! This fish is cooked well and is very tasty!"
"Second Aunt's fried meatballs are so delicious!"
"This bacon fried with winter bamboo shoots is so delicious!"
The praises are endless.
Lu Liangchen carefully picked up a piece of braised pork belly that Jiang Haitang loved, and put a meatball in Xiao Taozi's bowl. He also did not forget to pay attention to Xiao Chengzi in the baby chair next to him.
The little guy opened his big black eyes, looking at the table full of delicious food and the adults chewing, his little mouth moved along with the food, drooling with greed, making everyone laugh.
"Oh, our little Orange is greedy too, right? It's a pity that you are still too young and can only drink milk." Yuan Yinan teased him with a smile.
During the meal, everyone ate and chatted.
The men talked about family and national affairs, the women talked about family matters, and the children focused on the food, eating until their mouths were shiny.
By the time the plump, white dumplings were served steaming hot, everyone had almost finished eating.
He Wanyi specially wrapped coins in a few dumplings and said with a smile: "Whoever eats it will have good luck in the coming year, smooth work and academic progress!"
Everyone picked up the dumplings, hoping to eat the one with the coin inside for good luck.
"Oh!" Lu Liangjin was the first to shout and spit out a coin from his mouth. Everyone smiled and congratulated him on good luck in the coming year.
Then, Little Taozi babbled and spit out a coin from her mouth, making He Wanyi so happy that she exclaimed, "Oh, grandma's lucky star! Our Little Taozi will definitely be healthy and happy next year!"
Finally, Mr. Lu also ate one, which brought the atmosphere at the dinner table to a climax.
"There are only two left. Let's see who can eat them."
At this time, Mr. Jiang picked up a dumpling for Jiang Haitang.
"Haitang, come and eat this dumpling!"
After Jiang Haitang thanked him, he picked up the dumpling and put it in his mouth. Then he heard Jiang Haitang exclaim, "There's one here too!"
"This old man Jiang is really a person who protects his own people." Mr. Lu scolded with a smile.
A few people were talking when the last dumpling was eaten by Lu Baoguo.
Lu Baoguo ate in a hurry and almost swallowed the coin, but luckily he discovered it in time.
"Hahaha, I got a coin too. I'm sure I'll get 100% on every subject starting next year!"
Lu Baoguo grinned widely and didn't forget to mutter to himself.
After muttering, she remembered something and hurriedly handed the coin in her hand to Yuan Yinan: "Grandma, this coin is for you. I hope you will be healthy next year!"
Yuan Yinan's heart, which was originally filled with longing for her son who was far away, was instantly soothed by her grandson's thoughtfulness.
"Oh, our Baoguo has grown up and knows how to feel sorry for grandma."
Yuan Yinan hugged Lu Baoguo and kissed him on the little face. Unexpectedly, the little boy blushed instantly and everyone laughed.
The New Year’s Eve dinner was held in this warm, lively and satisfying atmosphere.
After eating the New Year’s Eve dinner, the family sat in the living room to stay up all night.
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