The sound of firecrackers outside never stopped, making the house lively.
"The dumplings are out of the pot, Haoting, quickly bring them to the table." Zhang Fengrong scooped the dumplings from the pot onto a plate, turned around and saw Cheng Haoting eating secretly. She picked up a dumpling and was about to put it in her mouth when Zhang Fengrong hit her with her chopsticks.
"Mom, what are you doing? It's not a big deal if I eat one secretly." Cheng Haoting rubbed the back of her red hand and said with a frown.
Zhang Fengrong rolled his eyes at her and handed her the plate of dumplings. "Haoting, could you be a little polite? Bring these dumplings to the table so we can all start eating together."
Cheng Haoting sighed softly, took the dumpling plate helplessly, and turned to leave. Zhang Fengrong glanced at Cuihua a little embarrassedly and smiled slightly: "This child has been spoiled by me since she was a child."
"Oh! That's why. Xinyue is spoiled by me. Besides, we can only eat dumplings once a year. It's understandable that the children miss the taste." Cuihua responded with a smile.
Shao Fang prepared the dishes and chopsticks, while Zhang Fengrong and Cuihua simply fried a few home-cooked dishes. Everyone sat around the table. Zhang Fengrong called out to Zheng Shaochun and Cheng Dayu in the yard, "Have you lit the firecrackers? It's time to eat."
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard crackling sounds in the yard. The sound was so deafening that everyone couldn't help but cover their ears with their hands. Everyone's attention was on the firecrackers outside. No one spoke. Even if someone spoke, they were shocked by the sound of the firecrackers.
Zheng Xinyi protected her stomach with one hand and covered her ears with the other. It was a long time before the sound of firecrackers outside stopped.
Zheng Shaochun and Cheng Dayu pushed the door open shivering from the cold. Without even caring about the food on the table, they quickly ran to the stove to warm themselves.
"Son, bring me the white wine that I have collected for many years. Today is New Year's Eve, and I want to drink some with my in-laws." Cheng Dayu said to Cheng Haoyang who was sitting at the dining table.
Cheng Haoyang quickly stood up and brought over his wine jug. The children started drooling as they looked at the hot dumplings, especially Cheng Haoting, whose eyes were wide open as she stared at the dumplings.
"Dayu, if you two have warmed up, come over quickly! The children are hungry." Zhang Fengrong said.
A moment later, Cheng Haoyu and Zheng Shaochun sat down at the dinner table, filling their glasses. Cheng Dayu, the oldest, raised his glass and began to speak: "This year marks the first time that our Zheng and Cheng families have had New Year's Eve dinner together, and it's also the most complete gathering. I hope that next year, the year after, and every year thereafter, we can celebrate the New Year together and have New Year's Eve dinner every year."
"Okay, in-laws, let's go first." As he spoke, Adam Cheng had already picked up his wine glass and clinked it with his.
"Everyone, don't just stand there in a daze, let's eat!" Cheng Dayu said, pointing to the dumplings on the table.
Cheng Haoting was just waiting for these words. She couldn't wait to pick up a few dumplings and put them into her bowl. She took a bite and found them delicious. "The filling of the dumplings this year is so fragrant and delicious."
"It's delicious, everyone, eat more." Zhang Fengrong warmly entertained, then glanced at Cheng Haoting and said, "Girl, take your time. There are so many dumplings, more than enough for us to eat."
Cheng Haoyu picked up a dumpling and put it in Zheng Xinyi's bowl. The two looked at Cheng Haoting with smiles on their faces.
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