As the saying goes, "Whether you're rich or poor, you should go home for the New Year."
A Rolls-Royce sped along the highway, heading north from the bustling and glittering shores of Hong Kong towards Xianshan County.
As the car drove away from Hong Kong, a trace of the warm, moist scent of the ocean still lingered in the air.
Although Hong Kong's winter is not as harsh as the north, it still has a chilly feel. The streets are still bustling with traffic and brightly lit, and the lively scene seems to be right before my eyes.
As the car continued to move forward, the temperature outside the window gradually dropped.
Upon entering Guangdong, the chill in the air noticeably intensified.
The scenery outside the car window gradually changed from modern high-rise buildings to green mountains and clear waters and quaint towns, and people's clothes became thicker.
When the car finally entered the territory of Xianshan County, a cold wind swept over us.
When Uncle Zhang got out of the car, he put on a fur coat.
Liu Yue and Lin Hao also put on their newly bought down jackets and hats, covering themselves up completely.
Only Liu Feng remained dressed in light autumn sportswear, seemingly unafraid of the biting cold.
By this time, it was late December, and the entire county was enveloped in a light mist, as soft as a veil.
A biting wind howled past, stinging people's cheeks. People were all wrapped in thick cotton-padded clothes, wearing hats and gloves, and hurried along the street.
At the market, all kinds of New Year's goods are on display, including bright red couplets, the character "福" (good fortune), and paper-cut window decorations, as well as colorful candies, pastries, and various New Year's gift boxes, all exuding a strong festive atmosphere.
At the bustling market intersection in Xianshan County, Uncle Zhang got off the bus.
People who were waiting nearby hurriedly came forward. "Mr. Zhang, you've finally arrived," the man said respectfully.
Uncle Zhang nodded slightly: "Let's go check on the situation at the spicy snack workshop."
The new factory has been completed, and the plan is to move all the production equipment in during the holiday period in December when the employees are given a break.
These past few days, the workshop has been working overtime to catch up on production, with truckloads of finished products being piled up like small mountains in the new factory warehouse.
At the same time, in a corner of Hubei Province, another branch of Yushanfang Food Factory has also sprung up, on an even larger scale.
This is Uncle Zhang's hometown. His influence and connections here are far greater than those in Xianshan County. Everything he does goes smoothly. Although the branch factory was built later, it was the first to be completed.
After watching Uncle Zhang leave, Liu Feng got into the car, which continued driving along the country road.
Despite the cold winter, the countryside is not completely silent.
Occasionally, a few villagers can be seen, wearing heavy cotton-padded clothes, busy in the fields, either pruning fruit trees or turning over the soil, preparing for next year's harvest.
On the ridges of the fields, withered rice stubble swayed in the cold wind, while the occasional birdsong from the fields added a touch of life and vitality.
Liu Feng also saw his uncle and grandmother in the distance; they were also busy in the fields.
Liu Yue asked curiously, "Fourth brother, why are Uncle and the others still working in the dead of winter?"
Liu Feng frowned slightly: "Logically speaking, the arcade that my eldest brother Liu Xingman opened should have been enough to allow my uncle's family to live a comfortable life. Especially at the end of the year, business is even better."
Liu Yue laughed and said, "They just can't sit still."
In the village, rows of old houses with earthen walls or blue bricks and gray tiles are arranged in a staggered manner, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.
In front of each house, bright red dried chilies and golden strings of corn hang, while cured meats are dried in the sun. These unique winter flavors are the best reward for a year of hard work.
We arrived at our doorstep.
Hearing the sound of the car, He Qunfang and Liu Fei rushed out, their faces beaming as they watched Liu Feng and the others get out of the car.
Liu Yue was the most excited. As soon as she got out of the car, she grabbed He Qunfang and said, "Mom, I missed you so much."
He Qunfang patted her hand with a smile: "This child, even after being away for so long, she still knows how to miss home."
Then, Liu Yue excitedly took the bags and packages off the car.
Naturally, He Qunfang couldn't help but scold him: "How much money did you spend on all this stuff?"
Liu Yue chuckled and said, "Mom, I don't know how much it cost!"
He Qunfang looked at Liu Feng.
Liu Feng quickly said, "I don't know how much money was paid. My sister and Sister Lin bought all these things together. I didn't participate!"
"Fifth Brother, look what I brought you!" Lin Hao said to Liu Fei. They were like two agile monkeys, quickly taking gift boxes from the car.
Driver Marvin also helped, and after they got the items, Marvin drove away.
Liu Feng and his family went inside.
A brazier had been lit inside the house, and two oily sweet potatoes were roasting next to it.
Liu Yue spotted the sweet potato immediately and couldn't resist saying, "Wow, this sweet potato looks delicious! Fourth brother, do you want some?"
"I won't eat, you guys eat," Liu Feng replied.
"Then let's eat!" Liu Yue and Lin Hao each had one. They had been eating too many delicacies lately and were now craving sweet potatoes.
"Big sister, you've gained weight," Liu Fei said, looking at Liu Yue who was eating sweet potatoes.
"What? I've gained weight?" Upon hearing this, Liu Yue jumped up and rushed to her room to look in the mirror.
"I think I've actually gained a little weight," Liu Yue muttered to herself as she sat down by the brazier.
"Big sister, you're getting more and more beautiful!" Liu Feng exclaimed.
"Really?" Liu Yue asked, her expression a mixture of joy and worry.
"If you don't believe me, go ask Mom," Liu Feng said.
Liu Yue took the half-eaten sweet potato to the kitchen, while Liu Fei squinted as he ate the chocolate Lin Hao had brought.
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