Lunar New Year's Eve is the last night of the year.
"除" means to remove; "夕" refers to the night.
The last day of the year is called "Suichu," meaning that the old year ends here and a new year begins.
Early in the morning, Feng Ye put up red New Year decorations, swept the doorway clean, and then went to buy pork.
Someone in the village is slaughtering a pig for the New Year today; we've already made arrangements.
There's nothing much going on at home for now, so we can start preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner this afternoon.
Besides, he doesn't eat lunch at his own home, but at his neighbor's house, and only eats dinner at his own home.
Ye Qingling was helping out next door early in the morning.
His parents also came over, helping to kill chickens and ducks, as well as the seafood they had caught the day before.
Although the families have separated, they still eat together for the New Year's Eve dinner every year.
We moved to a new house this year, so we don't cook at the old house anymore; we eat here instead.
In the village, every household was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and new couplets and lanterns were hung up...
These days, the festive atmosphere of the New Year is strong.
Unlike decades later, when we can no longer feel the atmosphere of the New Year.
Everyone I met on the street had a bright smile on their face.
Especially the little kids, they were throwing firecrackers everywhere, even into people's vegetable gardens, and they were specifically aiming at the cabbages.
With a "bang," the shredded vegetable leaves scattered everywhere.
Seeing this, Feng Ye smiled slightly; he had done his share of such mischief when he was a child.
Almost every house he passed by had a table set up at the door, with a group of people playing cards.
Some people play without any stakes, just for fun, while others gamble with money.
It's rare to have this kind of free time normally. Even on windy or rainy days, there are always chores to be done at home.
The only time to truly relax and unwind throughout the year is during the Lunar New Year.
At this point, the woman wouldn't make a fuss; at most, she would remind him not to go too far.
It doesn't feel like Chinese New Year if you don't play cards.
Whenever Feng Ye saw them, he would go over to take a look and see what they were playing and how big of a game it was.
Most of them are just small-scale activities, just for fun.
However, there are many more ways to play.
Poker games include Texas Hold'em, Run Fast, Thirteen Cards...
Some people were betting on dice, either high or low, or on the numbers; quite a few were also playing mahjong...
Wandering aimlessly, I came across a family slaughtering pigs for the New Year, and there they were, a group of people playing poker.
Feng Ye wasn't very interested in these games of chance; he just watched and didn't play.
He prefers games that require some skill and brainpower, such as mahjong, poker, and running fast.
After watching for a short while, he took the pig's trotter, three pounds of pork belly, and five pounds of pork shoulder that he had ordered in advance and headed back.
When he passed by the village store, he felt the few dollars he had left in his pocket after buying meat, and went in to buy a few boxes of firecrackers.
My son is too young to play with firecrackers, but he can play with these snap pops.
As soon as I got home, I saw my son playing in the sand with Feng Yanmei and Feng Xinan at the door, looking bored.
As soon as the firecrackers were brought out, everyone excitedly gathered around.
He didn't show favoritism and shared some with his nephews and nieces as well.
"Be careful when you throw it, don't hit anyone."
"Uncle is so kind, I like you the most..."
"Finally, I can play with firecrackers! I asked my mom for money to buy firecrackers this morning and got a scolding. Uncle is the best."
The children were overjoyed to receive the firecrackers and had a wonderful time playing with them.
...
After having a big lunch at my older brother's house and cleaning up, his kitchen was bustling with activity again.
Around 4 p.m., seeing that the New Year's Eve dinner was almost ready, Feng Ye took incense, candles, and firecrackers and went to the Feng Clan Ancestral Hall in the village to worship the ancestral tablets.
After returning, they worshipped the ancestral shrine in their hall and put up the Kitchen God's image again in the kitchen and worshipped it.
Then, a long string of firecrackers was lit.
Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, the New Year's Eve dinner officially began.
From the direction of the village, the sound of firecrackers announcing the start of dinner could be heard one after another.
On New Year's Eve, dinner is usually served early, before dark.
Fish is an indispensable dish for the New Year's Eve dinner, whether you're at the seaside or inland.
In some places, fish are served on the table but are not eaten; they are purely used as auspicious symbols, signifying "abundance year after year."
In some places, when eating fish at the New Year's Eve dinner, the head and tail must be left intact to express the wish for a "complete beginning and end" in the new year;
Of course, some places don't follow these rules.
Their custom here is to leave the beginning and the end of the food, which must be eaten the next day, in order to pray that everything will have a beginning and an end, and that things will go smoothly in the new year.
There were more than a dozen dishes on the table, and not a single one was vegetarian; they were all hearty dishes.
Although they had just eaten lunch and weren't very hungry, everyone still toasted and ate heartily, their mouths greasy with food.
Especially for children, they push themselves to the limit.
They wouldn't stop eating unless an adult stopped them.
After finishing the New Year's Eve dinner, taking a shower, and changing into the new clothes she had bought a few days ago, Feng Ye slipped away.
As soon as we entered the village, we saw tables everywhere, one here and one there, all surrounded by people.
He also saw gamblers from several villages.
This guy is a real gambling addict, famous throughout the island. He doesn't do anything productive all year round; he gambles away any money he has.
Now, they are openly acting as the dealer in a betting game, attracting many people to participate.
Gambling in moderation is harmless, but excessive gambling is detrimental to health.
He won't participate. He'll just play around a little with acquaintances to kill some time; he won't really get involved.
Call Ah-Can and we'll go to Xiao Guowen's house together, where we'll eat sunflower seeds and play mahjong.
They played until after 11 p.m., and then went to the Mazu Temple to offer incense. They arrived at the temple just after midnight.
On holidays, it is a custom on the island to go to the Mazu Temple to offer incense.
Not to mention the first day of the Lunar New Year at the beginning of the year.
Forget about being the first to offer incense; Old Man Lu, who guards the temple, will definitely do it on time.
Thanks to the advice of the Mazu Temple Council, far fewer people have come to offer incense this year.
In previous years, if it arrived a little late, there would be a long wait, possibly even until dawn.
There weren't many people today, so it was their turn soon.
After offering incense in turn, they dispersed and went home.
As you walk through the village, every house is brightly lit.
Whether or not we stay up all night is uncertain, but the lights must not be turned off; they must remain on until dawn.
This is also a custom!
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