These are silent; most of them rotate and spew flames outwards.
Something was mixed in the gunpowder, so the flames that shot out were multicolored and had little stars, which was especially beautiful, making Sheng Xinyu clap his hands with joy.
Finally, Sheng Xiping lit another bottle of Didi Gold and gave it to his two sons.
The two children each held several sticks in their left and right hands, shaking them with their hands. The bright flames, sparkling with tiny stars, were exceptionally beautiful.
It has to be said that setting off firecrackers is really expensive; in no time at all, a whole basket of fireworks and firecrackers was used up.
Just then, they were called inside to eat dumplings, so Sheng Xiping quickly led his younger brother and son back inside.
It was especially cold on New Year's Eve. Everyone was hissing and shivering when they went inside. The two children, Sheng Xinhua and Sheng Xinyu, had their little faces red from the cold.
The offerings were still placed outside on the kang table, but they were still set aside. The family sat down, watched the gala, and ate dumplings.
The TV program was so captivating that everyone ate their dumplings somewhat absentmindedly.
Sheng Xiping was watching the program when he suddenly felt something stuck in his teeth. He looked down and spat out what was in his mouth—a coin.
One by one, everyone started to find something in their food; some found dates, and some found peanuts.
Only the sugar was melted during cooking, and since people didn't pay much attention when eating it, no one cared even if they ate it.
I ate quite a lot in the afternoon, so I barely ate any dumplings for dinner.
Before, we were obsessed with eating until we made money, and we would stuff our mouths full. Now that we're all grown up, we don't care about that anymore. Once we've eaten a few, we'll put down our chopsticks.
Seeing this, Zhang Shuzhen could only sigh, "Alright, let's get ready and watch TV."
In this way, everyone quickly tidied up the table, put away the outdoor table, and then sat on the kang (heated brick bed) to watch TV.
As the countdown to midnight began on TV, Sheng Xiping, along with his wife, younger brother and sister-in-law, and two sons, got ready.
As the clock struck twelve, everyone greeted each other with New Year's wishes. "Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, Happy New Year!"
Sheng Liancheng and his wife sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), grinning from ear to ear. They quickly told the children to get up and then took out their New Year's money, giving each child a red envelope.
Xin Yue and Xin Qi have fallen asleep, and Zhou Qinglan is temporarily keeping the red envelopes.
Sheng Xinhua and Sheng Xinyu were so sleepy that even with red envelopes in their hands, the two kids couldn't muster any energy.
Seeing this, Zhou Qinglan led the child to sleep in the west room.
The others sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and continued watching television.
The local relay station was quite reliable today; the TV only stopped showing programs and became static after the gala ended.
The Sheng family members sighed with lingering enjoyment, then went to tidy up and rest before going to sleep.
On the first and second days of the Lunar New Year, people visit relatives and friends. On the third day, Sheng Xiping accompanies his wife back to her parents' home.
Just then, Zhou Qingyang and his wife returned before the New Year, and the whole family reunited and had a lively time.
Sheng Xiping and his wife did not spend the New Year in Songjianghe. On New Year's Eve, Zhou Qingyue went to the Sheng family and invited Aunt Li to spend the New Year with them.
On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Sheng Liancheng and his wife took their daughter and son down the road to Songjiang River for a lively celebration.
Just then, Sheng Xiping invited his father-in-law and his family over for a family reunion.
Zhou Mingyuan and Sheng Liancheng, who were related by marriage, hadn't seen each other for a while. When they met again during the Spring Festival, they felt very close and had countless things to say.
Needless to say, Wang Chunxiu and Zhang Shuzhen helped Aunt Li cook while chatting, and the more they talked, the happier they became.
Sheng Xiping came down with his camera. It was midday, the sun was shining brightly, and it wasn't cold.
Everyone moved chairs outside, held the children, and asked the neighbors to take some group photos in the yard.
In the evening, Sheng Xiping took his parents and siblings to see the ice lanterns and took many photos.
On the morning of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, everyone went to see the Yangko dance and the bureau's cultural performance together.
Sheng Liancheng and his wife were worried about their home and couldn't stay on this side of the Songjiang River, so they took a car back on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.
Sheng Xiping had things to do at the forest farm, so he went back with them, leaving Zhou Qinglan and the four children, as well as Sheng Xitai, who was about to start school, in Songjianghe.
Sheng Xiping and his companions had just arrived at the forest farm and gotten off the bus, and before they even got home, they ran into Zheng Xianyong.
"Oh, Brother Sheng, you're finally back! Hurry up, pack your things and go back to your hometown in Shandong for a visit."
Yesterday, the venue received a call saying that your elderly father is not well and may not be able to make it, so you should go back as soon as possible.
These words struck like a bolt from the blue, sending a shiver down the spines of everyone in the Sheng family.
Sheng Liancheng's face turned pale, and he staggered, almost losing his balance. Fortunately, Sheng Xiping and a few others reacted quickly and caught him.
"Dad, don't worry. My grandpa is almost eighty years old. It's common for him to have health problems. It's not necessarily as serious as they say."
Let's go home, pack our things, and then I'll take you both back to your hometown for a visit.
"Maybe my grandfather will be in a better mood and get better as soon as he sees you all come back?" Sheng Xiping hurriedly tried to persuade his father.
In my past life, when my grandparents passed away, Sheng Xiping hadn't been born yet, but later I heard my father mention that it didn't seem to happen during the first month of the lunar calendar.
Therefore, Sheng Xiping was able to remain calm.
"Big brother, you don't need to coax me. Don't you know what kind of people your uncle and aunt are?"
"They absolutely cannot call here unless your grandfather is truly in serious trouble."
Sheng Liancheng raised his hand and pounded his chest, feeling extremely uncomfortable, and tears streamed down his face.
"Brother Sheng, please don't do this. You're getting on in years. What if you get sick from worrying and getting stressed? What will Xiping and the others do then?"
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