뎃Thirty.
Braised carp, mutton stew with broad beans, chicken stew with mushrooms, steamed seafood, white chicken, stir-fried meatballs with vinegar, sweet and sour pork ribs, pig's trotters stewed with soybeans, stir-fried cured pork with bamboo shoots, and pork bone stew with radish soup.
Stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings, stir-fried shredded beans with vinegar, cold black fungus salad, fruit platter, dessert platter, steamed buns, rice, Moutai liquor, and Arctic Ocean soda.
Both large tables were fully occupied. At the main table sat Su Huaiyuan and Cai Qingwen, Lao Feng, Su Ze and Su Feng, Qiao Qiru, and Zhou Meihua.
At the other table were Zhou Wanwan, Cai Min, Su Huazhu, Feng Zilu, Su Xingchen, and Su Xinghai.
Old Feng and his grandson Feng Zilu had been living with the Su family for the past two years and were used to this kind of food. However, the Cai Qingwen family had never had such a sumptuous meal in the past few years.
Not only was it not as lavish, but even after being exonerated, the past few years haven't been as good.
The eldest son's family frequently come over, either trying to mend relations, taking advantage of others, or causing trouble. In short, they rarely have a good time during holidays.
Today, following my friend's advice, I came to Kyoto for a few days, and finally had a few relaxing days.
This is what it means to celebrate, this is what it means to reunite.
"Before we have dinner, I wish everyone a happy new year, good health, smooth work, academic progress, and all your wishes come true. Old Feng, it's your turn."
As the head of the family, Su Huaiyuan first gave an opening speech, which was also his blessing to all the family members.
"Then I wish everyone a better life than the last, peace, health, and all the best. Old Cai, thank you."
Old Feng smiled and offered his blessings to everyone, hoping that each person would have a better life than the last, and even more so, that his grandson would grow up well, get married, and have children, then he would have no regrets.
"Then I'll say a few words too. May the new year bring gentle breezes and echoes with every step."
"good."
Su led the applause, saying, "Great!" He truly understood that things were getting better with each passing year, and his family's business was always thriving. He was very satisfied with his life.
"good."
"Have a meal."
"Time to eat."
Qiao Qiru and Zhou Meihua couldn't help but smile at each other, and urged everyone to eat, otherwise the food would get cold.
The brothers Su Xingchen and Su Xinghai had been drooling over the huge table of delicious food for a long time, and they cheered as soon as they heard the sound of dinner being served.
With over a dozen dishes to choose from, they didn't know which to eat first. However, they would definitely eat whatever they liked first, without hesitation.
The late-night dinner lasted for over an hour before everyone left. Afterwards, they gathered around the fire to warm themselves and brewed tea to aid digestion. After all, there would be dumplings to eat before midnight.
After 10:30 PM, Qiao Qiru, Zhou Meihua, Cai Min, Zhou Wanwan, and Su Huazhu started making dumplings, ten at a time. Once they were cooked, everyone started eating. It was already midnight shortly after they finished eating.
Firecrackers began to sound in the distance and nearby. Su Ze and Su Feng, the brothers, immediately took their three children and went outside to set off firecrackers.
After setting off the firecrackers, Su Ze and Su Feng led the kneeling monks to pay their respects to Su Huaiyuan, Qiao Qiru, Lao Feng, Cai Qingwen, and Zhou Meimei one by one.
Su Huaiyuan and his group had prepared red envelopes in advance, one for each person, and each envelope contained ten yuan.
After the elders finished giving out red envelopes, Su Ze, Su Feng, and Zhou Wanwan also gave red envelopes to Feng Zilu, Su Xingchen, and Su Xinghai.
Feng Zilu and Su Xingchen received so many red envelopes in one go that Su Xinghai was overjoyed. After paying his respects, he ran back to the room where they lived together.
After midnight, the firecrackers were set off, and the red envelopes were distributed, Qiao and the others quickly went to sleep.
On the first day of the lunar month, except for the three little ones who were still asleep, the rest of the girls got up and first prayed to each other before making breakfast.
Dumplings, wontons, noodles, steamed buns, mantou (steamed bread), millet porridge—cook whatever you want to eat.
Since the Su family didn't have many relatives in Beijing, Qiao Qiru and Su Huaiyuan discussed it with everyone and decided that they should visit Zhang Hong and Lu Baoguo on the first day of the Lunar New Year. On the second day, their daughters and sons-in-law would be visiting their maternal grandparents' homes, so it wouldn't be appropriate for them to go.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Su Feng was going to visit the Jin family. This was something they had discussed when they went to the Jin family the day before yesterday.
Zhou Wanwan and Su Zeyi are also going back to their parents' home on the second day of the Lunar New Year. They need to take Su Xingchen and Su Xinghai with them to the Zhou family home.
Now, the Zhou family elders also live in Beijing. Mai Dong, Zhou Wanhua, Zhou Zilin, and Zhou Wanyun all returned to Beijing before the festival to spend the festival with the elders and Zhou Wanhua's youngest daughter.
“Mom and Dad, Ling Xiaohe said he’s coming to our house to pay his respects today. We have to wait for him.”
As it was almost 10 o'clock, and the families were getting ready to leave, Su Feng remembered that Ling Xiaohe had said he was coming to visit their home today, so he quickly told his mother the news.
"Then, why don't you and Huazhu wait for him at home, and we'll go to your Uncle Zhang's house first?!"
Qiao thought about it and decided to leave early. With so many of them, they definitely couldn't have lunch at the Zhang family's house, so they would find a restaurant for lunch.
Then, in the afternoon, I went to the mainland to report to the government, and in the evening, I went home and cooked dinner myself.
Su Feng knew he couldn't eat at other people's houses, so he had no choice but to agree to his mother's arrangement.
So, everyone, young and old, got ready to go, some riding bicycles, others taking the bus.
As a result, they had barely stepped out of their house when they encountered Ling Xiaohe coming in a jeep.
"Hello, Uncle and Aunt, Hello, Uncle Feng, Hello, Uncle Cai and Aunt Zhou, Hello, Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law, Hello, Second Brother, Hello, Comrade Cai Min, Hello, Huazhu, Hello, Zilu, Dabao, and Xiaobao."
Ling Xiaohe greeted each of them enthusiastically; he recognized all of them and didn't mispronounce a single one.
"Hello, Xiaoling."
"Hello, Uncle Ling."
"Comrade Ling, I am well."
Today, Ling Xiaohe was still in his military uniform, looking particularly dashing. Qiao Qiru and the others exchanged greetings with him.
"Old Ling, you've come at the right time! We're going to pay our respects to Uncle Zhang. Would you like to come along?"
Knowing that his friend was coming to the 놅目놅 today, Su Feng directly asked him if he wanted to go see his relatives and friends.
Ling Xiaohe couldn't have been happier. This was a perfect opportunity for him, an outsider, to be taken to meet the Su family's relatives and friends.
"Go ahead, it's too cold. Why don't you uncles and aunties ride in my car? Su Feng, you drive, I'll ride my bicycle with Hua Zhu."
He happened to arrive in his Jeep, but unfortunately it could only carry one person, and it had to be an elder. However, he had a solution.
Su Feng: "..."
...
Thank you for your companionship this time; let's continue to walk side by side.
Goodbye 2025. Welcome 2026.
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