Yang Wanwan shared her plans for next year: "Erye, Shangtao, I don't want to farm or raise pigs anymore next year. We'll continue making and selling cold dishes and braised meat, and catch some fish and shrimp. These are more profitable than farming and raising pigs, and they don't take up too much of our time. This way, we can save some money, enough for my high school tuition. Next summer, I want to start a business in the county town, so that you'll have places to go when you go to high school, and your expenses will be covered."
Er Ye and Shang Tao looked at their eldest sister with anticipation, nodding repeatedly.
As for whether what the eldest sister said could be achieved, they didn't even consider it.
All they knew was that following their eldest sister would make their lives better and better.
When I woke up the next day, the world was covered in a blanket of snow, and the weather was very cold.
Since their parents passed away, their feet and hands have been covered in bright red chilblains every winter.
This year, they had prepared briquettes and firewood well in advance, and bought warm cotton shoes and cotton clothes, so none of the siblings got frostbite.
Lunar New Year's Eve falls on the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month. By then, most of the fish, shrimp, and braised meat in the house have been sold, and all the New Year's goods have been prepared.
After breakfast, the three siblings went to visit their parents' graves.
Yang Wanwan recounted the general experiences of the three siblings over the past year to her parents, praised her younger siblings for their growth, and finally assured them, "Mom and Dad, don't worry, the three of us siblings will definitely grow up well."
Aside from a somber expression, no one was crying.
The deceased are gone; it's been almost five years since their parents died, and the deepest pain has gradually faded with the trials of these past few years. What they need to do now is look back and look to the future.
Besides, isn't that what parents want too?
What good does crying do?
Furthermore, having endured the hardships of life, the siblings now feel ashamed to cry, and believe that crying represents weakness.
I'm too embarrassed to cry in front of others.
After setting off firecrackers, the siblings bowed a few times, then carried their baskets and headed back.
Along the way, when you encounter groups of two or three people coming to pay respects to their ancestors, many people will whisper among themselves.
Look, these are the three children Yang Jinqiang left behind. It's been almost five years since Yang Jinqiang and his wife died, and their three children have all grown up. It's truly remarkable.
It wasn't easy, having such an uncle.
Sigh, Yang Wanwan is really good at managing the household. These three siblings should all be successful.
...
Before people knew it, the direction of their discussions gradually veered off course.
I will no longer dwell on the siblings' comments about being "ungrateful."
Yang Wanwan overheard much of their discussion.
This applies to people at all times: weakness and incompetence will only earn you contempt, and even if you are kind and harmless, few people will respect you.
Only when you become strong will others take you seriously and talk about you with positive words.
Weakness means being unwanted; strength means being needed.
Amidst the murmurs of the crowd and the intermittent sounds of firecrackers, Yang Wanwan and her two siblings walked out of the cemetery.
On New Year's Eve, Yang Wanwan invited her grandparents to her home to celebrate the holiday. In recent years, Grandpa and Grandma Yang have always spent New Year's Eve with their three children.
For the first few years, the three siblings would go to their grandparents' house, but this year the roles were reversed, and Yang Wanwan and her siblings insisted on bringing their grandparents over.
Grandpa Yang and his wife initially disagreed, as preparing a meal for New Year's Eve would cost a lot of money.
In any case, a chicken, a fish, and several pounds of meat are a must. A free-range chicken costs twenty or thirty yuan, and with the other ingredients, a meal can easily cost more than fifty yuan.
In previous years, Grandpa Yang and his wife wanted to save their grandchildren this money, so they would have their grandchildren spend the New Year with them.
This year, the grandchildren had been trying to persuade their grandparents ever since the Lunar New Year. Grandpa Yang and his wife were forced to inspect their kitchen, and only after finding it fully stocked with chicken, duck, fish, and meat did they reluctantly agree to come over.
The free-range chicken was a ten-month-old chick raised at home, stewed with chestnuts until tender and sweet; the duck meat was stir-fried, coated with rice flour, and stewed until soft; the fish consisted of three small red carp with fresh and tender meat; the pork knuckle was stewed with kelp, the broth was thick and melted in your mouth; there was also a vegetable hot pot, which contained fish soup, meatballs and other meats, as well as various vegetables grown at home.
Considering that Grandpa Yang and his wife have bad teeth, everything was cooked until very soft.
Grandpa Yang took a bite of the carp and immediately gave a thumbs up, "Made by Wanwan? It's sweet!"
He took another sip of rice wine, his eyes shining, "Sweet!"
Grandma Yang happily took a bite of the braised pork knuckle skin, her mouth full of delicious flavor. "Oh, Wanwan, you stewed it so well! I can never stew it like this."
Shang Tao tilted his head: "Grandma, how do you know it was my eldest sister who cooked it just by tasting it?"
“Your eldest sister has been making this and that for the past few months, and she always sends everything she makes to Grandma. I can tell the difference just by tasting it. Shangtao, do you think Grandma has gained some weight?”
Shang Tao shook his head: "I can't tell."
Grandma Yang said with a smile, "The villagers all say I've gained a lot of weight in the second half of the year. It's all because of the meat you cook. I'm just benefiting from my grandchildren."
Grandpa Yang took a puff of his pipe, squinted his eyes, and said, "Your siblings are capable and successful, which makes Grandpa and Grandma happy, and that's why we've gained weight."
The siblings smiled at each other, and the dinner table was filled with joy and warm family affection.
Yang Wanwan said, "Grandpa, Grandma, please come over again tomorrow morning, and we'll make dumplings together."
Shang Tao's eyes lit up. "That's right! Big Sister's dumplings are the best!"
Grandpa Yang and Grandma Yang were delighted and readily agreed.
The next day, the siblings got up early. Yang Wanwan prepared the dumpling filling, while Er Ye led her eldest sister and Shang Tao to roll out the dumpling wrappers. Soon, they had made a batch of dumplings.
Yang Wanwan went to call Grandpa Yang and his wife over. They brought some oranges and candies to give to their grandchildren.
The five members of the family happily ate dumplings, and laughter filled the table throughout the meal.
According to the usual practice and village custom, Yang Wanwan and her siblings should visit Yang Dali and Yang Youneng's homes to offer New Year's greetings on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
However, they did not go this year.
We've already fallen out like this, so why pretend to maintain appearances?
Yang Qingqiu didn't return home until the 27th of the twelfth lunar month. After returning, he did not go to Yang Wanwan's house.
Yang Wanwan had seen him when she was walking around the village. He was dressed fashionably and was quite handsome. He also inherited the height characteristic of the Yang family, being tall and upright, and stood out in a group of people.
Someone greeted Yang Wanwan, and Yang Qingqiu naturally saw her as well. However, Yang Qingqiu only glanced at Yang Wanwan with disdain before looking away.
Yang Wanwan knew exactly what he was thinking.
This is blaming Yang Wanwan.
Yang Wanwan made up her mind to completely sever all ties with the Yang Dali and Yang Youneng families.
But, judging from Yang Qingqiu's attitude, do you think the two families will let Yang Wanwan off the hook?
Will I be able to have a peaceful New Year?
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