To see if a family is doing well, the first thing to look at is their New Year's Eve dinner.
The more food there is on New Year's Eve dinner, the more meat there is; this family must be living a good life normally.
Their family is large, and there are 12 dishes tonight. Chicken, fish, and pork ribs are the more common ones, but there are also a lot of crabs and shrimp, which were mailed by their uncles.
When we first brought them back, they were all alive.
Mu's mother prepared dumplings with three different fillings, and put a few coins in each filling. It was a game of chance to find the coins in the dumplings.
Speaking of coins, Lin Chuchu thought of the Spring Festival they spent abroad. It was a really lively time, full of young people, laughing and joking around.
They even secretly put other fillings into the dumplings; some don't taste good, while others have a rather unique flavor.
Lin Chuchu then told an elder about the funny things they did during the Chinese New Year, which made everyone laugh.
"You young people just love excitement, unlike us. Putting oranges in dumplings, how did you come up with that idea?"
"Why didn't you say so before? We could give it a try."
Mu's mother looked eager to try, but unfortunately, all the dumplings were already wrapped, and she couldn't make them again now.
I'll definitely give it a try next year.
Lin Chuchu and Liu Xiaonuan exchanged a glance, their eyes full of smiles.
During the New Year's Eve dinner, Mr. Mu went out and called all the children back.
It's fine to drop by someone's house for a meal on ordinary days, but you can't go to someone's house for a meal during the Chinese New Year. You'll eat up all their good luck.
This year, Mr. Mu specially bought fireworks and firecrackers. Since last year, the residential compound has allowed individuals to set off firecrackers.
The firecrackers crackled and popped. Everyone in the room washed their faces and hands. After washing, the younger generation kowtowed to their elders, received red envelopes, and then it was time to eat the New Year's Eve dinner.
So many dishes, each served on a large plate, filled the round table.
We're not worried about wasting food, since there are several grown men in the family and there won't be much left over.
The next morning, people went to visit each other's homes and exchanged New Year's greetings.
Lin Chuchu had to visit several friends' homes, and she even prepared a lot of red envelopes for the children.
Of course, the red envelopes you give out will also receive a return gift.
They have many children, so they receive many red envelopes. But it's okay, they secretly discussed it beforehand and decided not to give too many red envelopes. The red envelopes for families with many children are smaller, and the red envelopes for families with fewer children are larger.
Mu's mother also made a set of clothes for each child, red clothes with zodiac animal patterns on them, which looked very cute.
These clothes are a complete set, with clothes, pants, shoes, hats, and gloves all in similar styles. It's especially festive to see a group of little kids dressed in the same clothes standing in front of adults.
There are older children, and also newborns; the main principle is to treat all children equally and not forget any one.
Others would also give some return gifts, such as pastries made at home, the multi-layered sole shoes that Grandma Hou made for the family, and some chocolates and candies brought back from other places.
The happiest people this year are the children, who not only get new clothes and lots of lucky money, but also all kinds of snacks.
Lin Chuchu only stayed at each house for a short while before leaving.
Even so, visiting each other still took up the whole morning.
When Lin Chuchu returned home at noon, a meal had already been prepared, but she couldn't eat it; she really wasn't hungry.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, everyone returned to their old houses in Beijing. Although some people occasionally come back to stay, the houses still need to be tidied up properly.
The kang (heated brick bed) and stove in the room both needed to be heated, but thankfully, the chimney wasn't blocked.
Relatives are coming to visit tomorrow, so I need to buy all the food, drinks, and snacks I've prepared.
Lin Chuchu hadn't seen her uncle's family for several years and didn't know how tall her eldest nephew had grown. Since she couldn't buy him clothes, she decided to buy something else.
For example, toy watches, etc.
My mom told me that my sister-in-law had a baby, so I'll buy some baby supplies.
I bought things in bags and bags, and ran into a former neighbor.
"Chuchu, your family is back for the New Year this year too. Did you buy so much stuff because of visiting relatives?"
"Yes, my uncle and his family are coming back this year."
Without saying much, he greeted the others and went home.
"The Mu family is living such a good life. I heard they've moved into the family compound. Their lives are truly good. Compared to us... sigh!"
The others were equally envious. "We can't compare. That clothing store makes so much money. I knew their family must have connections. They started doing business a few years ago."
“My son just started his breakfast shop this year and is making some money, but it’s too tiring. Look at other people, they can make money just by sitting in their shops all day without doing any hard work.”
"Your breakfast shop is making money now? I remember your son and daughter-in-law work in a factory, right? Did you buy out their years of service?"
"Well, at first his father and I were absolutely against it, but our son and daughter-in-law were very righteous. They bought out his years of service and opened a breakfast shop."
Everyone expressed their envy, saying that at this time, whoever earns more money is considered to have real skills.
Lin Chuchu had no idea what the women behind her were talking about.
She put the things in the room, and when Mu's mother saw them, she couldn't help but say something.
"You bought way too much stuff. Anyone who didn't know better would think you went to buy a lot of goods."
"That's what Mu's mother said jokingly."
“My uncle and brother only come back once a year, so of course I need to prepare more.”
"Mom, see if there's anything else we're missing, I'll go buy it."
Lin Chuchu not only bought it for the two children, but also bought a gold pendant for her sister-in-law.
When Mu's mother opened it, she complained that the things she had bought were too expensive.
“I’ve already prepared a set of jewelry for your sister-in-law, why are you buying more for her? Otherwise, you can keep it for yourself.”
Lin Chuchu quickly shook her head, "Mom, I still have more. You and Mu Chen gave me three sets already. I don't usually wear them, so giving me more would be a waste."
"Besides, you bought what you bought, and I bought what I feel is my own gift. You can give it to your sister-in-law together later."
She spent quite a bit of money today, but she really didn't feel the pinch at all.
Over the years, her parents have refused to accept their money. She and Mu Chen have spent their own salaries, and she also receives bonuses. The amount of money in her savings account is quite large.
After thinking about it, Mu's mother realized that Lin Chuchu was right, so she took the gifts and went to show them off to her grandmother.
Time flew by and it was the third day. Early in the morning, everyone got up to tidy up their rooms and themselves.
Around noon, Mu's father returned with his eldest uncle's family of six.
When newlyweds meet, it's inevitable to feel a little sentimental, as they both think of their grandfather who passed away early.
Everyone went inside and sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) exchanging pleasantries.
My aunt looked at my parents and said with a smile, "You two look so young. It's so nice not having to worry about anything."
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