"Sister-in-law! We've found her!"
Chu Xin'er looked up and said, "Uncle Wang from the supply and marketing cooperative said these are the last few boxes of stock. I had to haggle with Brother Ye Sheng for a long time before he agreed to sell them to us."
"There are 'stars in the sky' and 'gold ingots', and the bottom one is 'peony in bloom'!"
Ye Nian'an bent down to look through the pages, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "Thank you for your hard work."
"That……"
Chu Xin'er suddenly grabbed her sleeve, her eyes sparkling: "Sister-in-law, can I have a reward?"
"I really want to eat your shrimp dumplings. I had them in the countryside last time, and I still dream about them."
Ye Nian'an was amused by her and reached out to pinch her little nose: "Okay, I'll let you eat your fill, but be careful not to become a little fat pig, then Song Yan won't recognize you."
"No way!"
Chu Xin'er retorted, her neck stiff, but her cheeks quietly flushed: "Yay~ My sister-in-law made these dumplings herself. I ate them back in the countryside and my stomach is still rumbling!"
“Niannian, it’s just finding a few fireworks, how can it be as tiring as making dumplings? Look at her, she’s already out of breath after running half the distance, and she still dares to ask for a reward. You’re spoiling her too much.”
Ye Sheng rolled his eyes and retorted without holding back.
Chu Xin'er immediately glared back: "I'm still better than some people. I almost fell into a snowdrift when I was helping Uncle Wang move boxes, and you still have the nerve to criticize me!"
"The road is slippery!"
Ye Sheng's face flushed red: "Besides, I was trying to snatch the fireworks. If I was slow, someone else would buy them. What do you know?"
"I don't understand, I don't understand."
Chu Xin'er made a face at Ye Sheng, then snuggled up to Ye Nian'an, implying, "My sister-in-law really spoils me~ Unlike some people~ who have no respect for girls at all, they'll probably never be able to find a wife in the future."
"Tch, who do you think you're talking to? With my looks and background, there's a line of girls chasing after me, but I just don't look at them!"
"You're just bragging!"
The night, like a deep blue velvet cloth, slowly covered the sky.
A round red lacquered table was set up in the courtyard, covered with white porcelain plates.
The dumplings filled with chives and eggs had a greenish tinge, while those filled with shrimp and pork had a pinkish hue. There were also sweet dumplings specially made for the children.
The noodles, soaked in the spring water, are exceptionally chewy. When you bite into one, the delicious broth is so hot it makes you gasp, yet you can't bear to let go.
"call out--"
Suddenly, a golden arc ripped through the night sky, followed by a loud "bang"!
Chu Xin'er held up a match and carefully lit the fuse of the "Peony Blooms" match, the sparks hissing as they shot upwards.
The next second, a huge firework exploded in the dark blue sky.
The layers upon layers of petals were as red as the winter plum blossoms in the courtyard, and the golden dust falling down made it seem as if countless butterflies were flying.
"Wow!"
The three little ones were overjoyed, pointing at the fireworks in the sky, chattering away, and even chasing after the sparks.
Seven little ones, wrapped in red cotton-padded jackets, perched on their parents' shoulders, pointing their tiny fingers at the night sky. Their babbling sounds mingled with the crisp sounds of fireworks, their adorable cries melting everyone's hearts.
As Ye Nian'an and the others watched this scene, the aroma of dumplings and the smell of cooking filled their nostrils, and a satisfied smile curved their lips.
The fireworks continued, one after another blooming against the deep blue sky.
The bustling crowd in the courtyard, along with the aroma of dumplings, warmed the New Year's Day of 1978 into an irresistible sweetness.
After everyone finished eating the dumplings, Ye Nian'an picked up the white porcelain wine glass on the table.
"This first toast is for my mother-in-law, my father, and my mother."
Ye Nian'an's voice was gentle as she glanced at the three elders: "Thank you for your care this past year. In the new year, I wish you good health and all the best."
Ye Xiang pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes behind the lenses crinkling into crescent moons as he picked up his wine glass: "Good! Good! I love hearing you say that!"
Jin Xiangyu and Chi Xinyao also raised their glasses, the rims of their glasses gently touching together, making a crisp sound.
The wine reflected the smiles in their eyes, like two stars falling from the sky.
"The second cup is for my eldest brother and third brother."
Ye Nian'an turned to Ye Yao and Ye Sheng, her eyes filled with tenderness: "As your younger sister, I have received so much care from you in this life. In the new year, I wish you both a bright future and continuous advancement."
"What are you saying, Niannian?"
Ye Yao put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "We should be thanking you."
If Ye Nian'an hadn't followed the Chu family to the countryside and found them in Houpu Township...
I really don't know how I got through those tough times.
The worst-case scenario is that someone...
Ye Yao dared not think any further.
Ye Sheng waved his hand casually and slammed his wine glass on the table: "She's my own sister, no need to be so polite! Come on, let me drink first!"
Ye Nian'an suddenly blinked and softened her voice: "Since you know I'm being taken care of a lot, then my ten little ones and I will have to rely on the two big brothers to support us from now on."
Ye Sheng slapped the table with delight: "No problem! Leave it to me! From now on, I'll give half of my earnings to my nephew and niece to buy them candy!"
Ye Yao nodded, a smile playing on his lips: "My nephews, of course I have to spoil them."
"This last glass is for my dearest sister-in-law."
Ye Nian'an then turned to Chu Xin'er, a mischievous glint in her eyes: "Xin'er, I wish you a sweet and happy new year."
Chu Xin'er's face flushed red. She coughed lightly, picked up her juice glass, and gently touched Ye Nian'an's wine glass to hers: "Thank you, sister-in-law."
Seeing this, the three little ones followed suit, holding their orange juice cups and saying in their childish voices, "Wishing Grandpa, Grandma, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, and Third Uncle a happy day every day!"
Her chubby, adorable appearance delighted everyone, bringing them immense joy.
After eating dumplings, the young man planned to take the three little ones out for a stroll, go shopping, and watch fireworks.
Chi Xinyao and the others are getting old and don't want to move around much, so they stay at home to take care of their seven children.
Ye Nian'an was about to call Ye Sheng and Chu Xin'er when she bumped into the two hiding under a tree behind the moon gate, whispering to each other.
Chu Xin'er frowned: "When are you going to see Comrade Shen Shuling? You're not planning to go alone and leave me behind, are you?"
Ye Sheng scratched his head, looking helpless: "I really don't have it. But I still haven't found the stone she wants. How am I supposed to go see her?"
——
Next, I'll write about the romantic relationships of the eldest, second, and third brothers, as well as Chu Xin'er's romantic relationship.
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