Dong Xiulan has been extremely busy these past few days, cleaning rooms, steaming buns, making sticky rice cakes, making tofu, frying meatballs, chopping dumpling filling... She is busy every day and often has a smile on her face.
During this time, Dong Xiulan also got to know some older women in the village. Besides preparing her own New Year's goods, she also helped the women make traditional pastries and snacks. She was incredibly busy every day, but she remained cheerful.
Under Dong Xiulan's direction, Lin Jianguo and Lin Yunfeng also joined in the help. They were responsible for chopping firewood and cleaning the yard, making sure the house was spotless inside and out in preparation for the New Year.
Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun were also busy. They cut out many paper-cut window decorations and wrote the character "福" (fortune). In addition to writing for their own use, they also wrote for people in the village. During this period, people came to them to write Spring Festival couplets in an endless stream, and their house was always bustling with people.
In addition, Lin Qing also specially prepared a cozy little bed and some cute clothes for the soon-to-be-born baby. Recently, Lin Qing has become obsessed with making small items for the child. She makes one or two small things for the child every day, such as small clothes, hats, and socks. After finishing them, she looks at them and smiles like an idiot.
"Brother Nanxun, look at this little quilt, isn't it cute?" Lin Qing asked Gu Nanxun with a proud look on her face, holding up a cotton quilt embroidered with a little rabbit pattern.
Gu Nanxun looked at her gently and nodded, "Yes, you're very beautiful. Qingqing has such skillful hands."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qing nodded happily, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter.
During this time, Wang Dongsheng also delivered the things Gu Nanxun wanted: pork, mutton, beef, and various other meats, a very complete selection that left Dong Xiulan and Lin Jianguo speechless.
Gu Nanxun and Lin Qingqing also received a package from Beijing. The package contained various snacks, candies, fabrics, and daily necessities. Everything that could be sent for the New Year, their mother-in-law Zhao Xuan had sent.
Besides these items, there were also some red envelopes, which were said to be for the bride.
Lin Qing sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), while Dong Xiulan sat beside her. Lin Qing opened the red envelopes one by one. Her father-in-law and mother-in-law each gave 200 yuan, her grandparents gave 100 yuan, and her uncle and aunt also gave 100 yuan.
"Your in-laws are quite generous!"
Dong Xiulan watched Lin Qing open the red envelope and said with a smile.
"Well, I haven't met my grandparents, so I don't know much about them, but my second uncle and aunt seem to be quite nice. Their family atmosphere seems good, and it doesn't feel like the backstabbing and infighting that you see in other wealthy families."
Upon hearing Dong Xiulan's words, Lin Qing thought for a moment and then smiled, saying that based on his current understanding, this family seemed quite nice.
Dong Xiulan nodded upon hearing this.
But what made Lin Qing happiest was that her mother-in-law bought a cashmere coat for both Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun at the Friendship Store.
The black cashmere coat boasts a clean, elegant cut and flowing lines, fitting the body perfectly while maintaining comfort. The collar, likely a turn-down design, exudes a dignified and composed air. The fabric is incredibly soft, with fine cashmere fibers that feel exceptionally comfortable to the touch, as light and fluffy as a cloud. Delicate round metal buttons, gleaming subtly, add a touch of sophistication. It possesses a rustic charm unique to this era while maintaining a sense of high-end quality.
Lin Qing happily showed her cashmere coat to Dong Xiulan, who was also beaming with joy. The fact that her daughter was being cared for by her in-laws made Dong Xiulan both happy and gratified.
"Beautiful, so beautiful!"
Dong Xiulan carefully examined Lin Qing. She felt that her daughter should wear clothes like this. She was really beautiful. However, it was still too cold in Heilongjiang Province. The cashmere coat was beautiful, but it would still be a bit cold to wear it.
"It's a pity I can't wear it for the New Year. Cashmere coats aren't as warm as military coats."
Dong Xiulan said with a regretful expression.
"Mom, I'm pregnant now, so it wouldn't look good if I wore it. I'll wear it right after I give birth after the New Year!"
Lin Qing said with a smile that after she gives birth after the New Year, it won't be too cold then, and a cashmere coat will be just right.
Lin Qing was extremely satisfied with the cashmere coat she was wearing. Her mother-in-law had excellent taste; even from Lin Qing's perspective in her later years, she thought the cashmere coat was exceptionally beautiful.
Hearing her daughter's words, Dong Xiulan's smile widened. She gently stroked the soft fabric of the cashmere coat, imagining Lin Qing wearing it, her heart filled with anticipation.
Dong Xiulan nodded in agreement: "You're right. After you give birth and recover, you'll definitely look prettier in this coat than you do now."
"Oh, right, Mom, my mother-in-law sent a lot of supplements again this time. She still has a lot left from the last one! Let me give you some! You and Dad can drink them together," Lin Qing suddenly said.
Dong Xiulan smiled and waved her hand, "I'm perfectly healthy, you can keep it for yourself. It seems your mother-in-law cares about you quite a bit, which puts my mind at ease."
...
That evening, Lin Qing excitedly showed off her cashmere coat to Gu Nanxun.
"Brother Nanxun, your mother-in-law is so thoughtful. This coat is so beautiful." Lin Qing tried on the coat in front of Gu Nanxun, her face beaming with happiness.
Gu Nanxun also put on a coat, and the two stood together, looking like they were wearing matching outfits, which made Lin Qing even happier.
"I remember there are many coats like this on Taobao, but I haven't seen you like them that much!"
Seeing Lin Qing's delighted expression, Gu Nanxun couldn't help but ask.
“That’s not the same. Mom bought this for me.” Lin Qing said to Gu Nanxun while looking at herself in the mirror.
Seeing Lin Qing's happy expression, Gu Nanxun couldn't help but smile. It seemed that recognizing each other as relatives was a good thing.
"Nanxun, let's take a picture of ourselves dressed up tomorrow! We can send it to Mom!"
Gu Nanxun smiled and nodded.
Lin Qing was so excited that she couldn't fall asleep until very late that night.
The next morning, after breakfast, Lin Qing took Gu Nanxun to take photos in the yard. She took solo photos of herself and Gu Nanxun, and she also had Lin Yunfeng take many photos of herself and Gu Nanxun together.
Towards the end, the whole family changed into new clothes and started taking pictures inside and outside the yard. In the end, even Wang Haoran, Chen Bin, Lu Xianghong and Xu Fengjiao joined in the fun. Everyone was so engrossed in taking pictures that they didn't stop until all three rolls of film were used up.
Even so, Wang Haoran exclaimed that he hadn't bought enough film, saying he would buy a few more rolls when he got the photos developed, and continue shooting during the Chinese New Year.
...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
