Zhao Xiuzhi placed peanuts, melon seeds, and candy on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed): "This year, thanks to my elder brother and sister-in-law for bringing us so many New Year's goods, otherwise we wouldn't have had such a good New Year."
Hua Wanjiang said, "Your parents are here, and you've suffered the most. It's only right that we bring them some food and drink."
Gu Lanyan said, "Yes, you've been working the hardest during this period. If you're ever overwhelmed with work, just let us know."
Hua Wanhai looked at Hua Wanjiang and Gu Lanyan: "Brother and sister-in-law, thank you. I haven't said it in a long time. I've kept it in my heart."
As they were talking, Third Uncle Hua Wanhu came in with his wife Wang Min and two daughters Hua Shuang and Hua Lu. They smiled at each other, wished the elders a Happy New Year, and then found a place to sit down.
Wang Min didn't get on the kang (heated brick bed) either. She said to Zheng Shuzhen, "Mother, we won't get on the kang. It's not easy for the fourth son's wife to take apart and wash the bedding. We won't make a mess of the kang."
Actually, she didn't want to get on the kang (heated brick bed). When she came today, they had already agreed not to stay here and to go back after lunch, because staying here would mean taking care of the old man and woman's bodily functions, which they didn't want to do.
Zheng Shuzhen is a sensible person. She knows very well that her third son and his wife have started to distance themselves from her. She thought that all three of her sons could take care of her in her old age, but when she really got sick, only her fourth son was truly devoted. She is also grateful that she lives with her fourth son, otherwise she probably wouldn't have lived for many more days.
Huashuang and Hualu used to be closest to Zheng Shuzhen. Every time they came, they would sit on the kang (a heated brick bed) next to Zheng Shuzhen. But seeing Zheng Shuzhen now, and hearing from their parents that Zheng Shuzhen ate and ate on the kang, the two of them stopped sitting on the kang and took two wooden stools from the ground to sit down.
The two women looked at Hua Kai with envy, because Hua Kai was wearing a new outfit, not dressed extravagantly, but she was very beautiful, the kind of clean and pretty beauty.
Meanwhile, the sisters Huashuang and Hualu were dressed up specially, each wearing a pink hair accessory and two sparkly plastic hoop earrings. Their cotton-padded jackets were also the latest styles from the market. However, compared to Huakai, they were simply not in the same league.
Hua Lu really wanted to ask Hua Kai where she bought her clothes, but she didn't dare, because her older sister had told her at home not to talk to Hua Kai.
Hua Shuang and Hua Kai are about the same age and used to be classmates. Although she knew Hua Kai was beautiful, she felt really inferior looking at Hua Kai's current demeanor.
So she stopped talking to Huakai and ignored her. She secretly resolved to study hard, get into a vocational school next year, start working early, and try to find a good partner so that she could keep Huakai in check.
However, Hua Kai didn't have much time to think about these unimportant people; she was sitting there thinking about the factory after the New Year.
Hua Zhongzhi looked at his third son and felt quite uncomfortable. This third son always showed his true colors when something happened, and he was clearly distancing himself from his side.
At this time, the third and fourth sons were born to the same parents, but the eldest and fourth sons were closer, probably because they were kinder and more filial. The third son, on the other hand, was clearly afraid of needing them to support him in his old age and always spoke evasively and strangely.
After chatting for a while, Zhao Xiuzhi said she was going to prepare lunch. Although Hua Wanhe and his family weren't home, they still needed to have a family reunion.
Gu Lanyan and Wang Min went to the kitchen to help.
Hua Kai followed Gu Lan Yan out, so Hua Shuang and Hua Lu couldn't stay indoors and had to go out with them.
Many of the unwritten rules that existed in this family are slowly changing today.
In the kitchen, Zhao Xiuzhi was talking to Gu Lanyan, and Wang Min couldn't get a word in edgewise as she washed the vegetables.
Inside the house, Hua Zhongzhi spoke with his three sons in an awkward manner.
We finally had lunch, and sitting at the table, the conversation about the dishes and rice seemed a bit more harmonious.
Zhao Xiuzhi fed Zheng Shuzhen, and Hua Qingyi went over to help Hua Zhongzhi eat. Hua Zhongzhi can now turn sideways and hold the spoon to eat by himself, so it's relatively easier for him.
There were quite a few people, so adults and children sat at separate tables.
Hua Kai didn't seem to have any trouble adjusting. He had an older brother on his left and a younger brother on his right. His cousin from Hua Wanhai's family was now getting along well with them. During the days when Zheng Shuzhen had her accident, Hua Kai's family basically took care of his daily needs. In addition, Hua Qingyi and Hua Qingyang also played with him. So now, the boy was like family to Hua Kai and his family.
So it was a bit quiet around the sisters, Huashuang and Hualu.
Zheng Shuzhen was anxious, but there was no use in it. In her anxiety, the food would fall out of her mouth, making it even more difficult for Zhao Xiuzhi.
Seeing Zheng Shuzhen spill a mouthful of soup, Zhao Xiuzhi said to Wang Min beside her, "Third sister-in-law, help me wipe Mother's mouth."
Wang Min took a towel, frowned, and wiped herself a few times from a distance.
Zheng Shuzhen was uncomfortable; her mouth was crooked, but she couldn't say anything. It wasn't that she couldn't speak, but rather that she didn't know what to say.
After lunch, Hua Wanhu made arrangements to go back, saying the weather was bad and he was afraid it would snow. In reality, it was just a bit cloudy and there was no chance of snow.
After seeing off Hua Wanhu's family, Zheng Shuzhen secretly wiped away her tears. She was heartbroken and distressed, but she couldn't let anyone see her. She cried bitterly under the covers.
Hua Kai and his family didn't stay there for long before heading back.
On the way back, I greeted my elders for the New Year and exchanged a few words with my peers.
As soon as they arrived home, the children from the neighborhood came over to wish them a Happy New Year. Hua Wanjiang gave the children a lot of delicious food, and the house became lively.
Just as Hua Kai was about to go with her older brother and younger brother to wish Jiang Lanfeng a Happy New Year, Li Jing arrived. After Li Jing wished Hua Wanjiang and the others a Happy New Year, Hua Kai went to Li Jing's house with her.
That's how it is during Chinese New Year: visiting neighbors to exchange New Year's greetings.
It wasn't until evening that Hua Kai, Hua Qingyi, and Hua Qingyang returned for dinner.
That evening, Gu Lanyan and Hua Wanjiang discussed their plans to visit Gu Lanyan's parents' home the day after tomorrow. Since her family was doing well this year, they decided to bring extra gifts with them.
Hua Kai didn't know when Ye Yifan would come, but he would probably have to visit relatives, so he could probably pick her up around the fifth or sixth day of the Lunar New Year. He should be back in the city by the seventh day. Also, Hua Kai's birthday is big; she will turn eighteen on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, so she thought Ye Yifan should be able to come around the fifth day.
Soon it was the third day of the Lunar New Year. Since they planned to stay overnight at their uncle Gu Jinzhou's house, they didn't take an early bus. They planned to take the 9 a.m. bus and arrive before 10 a.m.
They packed a bunch of gifts; since there were so many people, five of them could carry quite a lot.
It wasn't even nine o'clock yet when the familiar sound of a car arrived at the door.
From the yard, Hua Qingyang called out to the house, "Mom and Dad, older brother and sister, Xiao Fan is here, come out quickly!"
Although Hua Kai thought Ye Yifan would come on the fifth or sixth day of the month, she still missed him. When she heard that he was coming, she ran out without putting on her cotton-padded coat: "Ye Yifan, why did you come today?"
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