March 6, 1985, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
On this day, in addition to eating glutinous rice balls, there is another custom in the forest area: after nightfall, people go to roll on the ice of the river.
This act symbolizes sticking bad luck and illness to the ice and snow, so that they will be washed away by the river when the ice and snow melt in the spring, and you will have good health and everything will go smoothly in the new year.
After Gu Wei and the others finished their meal, they tidied up briefly and prepared to set off.
Right now, the big, round moon is high in the sky, illuminating the entire earth.
Gu Wei saw that in his yard, besides the large red lanterns swaying in the wind, there were also several ice lanterns that Gu Jianguo had frozen in buckets, and small bonfires made of sawdust mixed with diesel fuel, leading straight to the gate, creating a wonderful atmosphere, and he smiled.
Sometimes I think it's better to live in a bungalow.
After moving upstairs, it's hard to see scenes like this anymore.
Gu Hongjie came out of the house carrying a small lantern he made from a canned food jar.
The two planned to wait for each other outside the gate, and walked out together in tacit agreement.
Before we even reached the doghouse, the three leashed dogs, clearly knowing their owner was about to leave, excitedly rushed forward, barking all the while.
Gu Hongjie said to the dogs in a serious tone, "There are too many people in Dahe, so I can't take you. You stay home and guard the house. I'll feed you big bones when we get back."
Perhaps understanding some of the words, the black dragon changed to humming and even shook its tail into a propeller shape.
The other two dogs, however, persisted in trying to break free of their chains, straining and barking incessantly.
Gu Wei couldn't help but sternly reprimand, "Alright! Quiet down, all of you."
Seeing that Gu Wei's words were very effective, and that the three dogs had become obedient, Gu Hongjie looked at him with admiration, "They really listen to you."
Gu Wei smiled but remained silent.
At this moment, Gu Jianguo and Li Guizhi also came out after changing their clothes.
After locking the house door and the main gate, the family of four headed towards the river.
On the slippery road, not only them, but also many men, women, and children were walking carefully.
Some children, carrying various homemade lanterns, ran and jumped around and played near the adults.
Gu Hongjie considered himself a grown-up and behaved quite maturely.
When they encountered acquaintances, they would simply greet them and stay by Gu Wei's side, walking side by side.
The river wasn't far from their home, so they arrived there quickly.
The river was bustling with activity, filled with cheers, shouts, and the occasional sound of firecrackers.
Several large bonfires were lit on the ice, along with smaller fires scattered at intervals with sawdust mixed with diesel fuel, forming several large circles.
A dense crowd surged about, with many figures rolling around on the ice, creating a spectacular scene.
At this moment, no words are needed.
Gu Wei and Gu Jianguo then walked down the steps from the riverbank.
They found a place where there weren't many people.
Gu Hongjie handed the canned food jar to Li Guizhi, then lay down on the ground and rolled around happily.
Gu Jianguo chuckled and said to Gu Wei, "Gu Wei, don't be shy. There are so many people here, nobody knows anyone else. Why don't you go and roll around in the ice?"
Gu Wei had originally intended to do that, so he didn't hesitate. Afraid of bumping into others, he walked a few steps away before lying down on the ice.
As he rolled it back and forth, he heard Gu Jianguo muttering:
"Ice rolls around, no problem all year round."
"The ice rolls on and on, bringing peace and tranquility throughout spring, summer, autumn and winter."
"..."
It made him want to laugh, but at the same time he felt it was especially wonderful.
As long as people are alive, everything else is insignificant.
After Gu Wei and Gu Hongjie got up, they brushed the snow off their clothes and urged Gu Jianguo and the others to hurry up.
"Grandpa, Grandma, while there are fewer people here, you should hurry up and go roll around too."
"Yes, Dad, Mom, you should go too."
Li Guizhi was initially a little embarrassed.
After all, they were both over 30 years old, and it was in front of Gu Wei, a junior.
Later, Gu Jianguo pulled him aside and persuaded him for a few words before he was able to let go of his burden.
However, they deliberately walked a little further away.
Gu Wei and Gu Hongjie looked at each other and smiled.
They both understood the reason behind it, so they didn't follow and just stood there watching.
However.
No one expected that, as it rolled along, it would collide with someone else.
Li Guizhi instinctively exclaimed, "Ouch!"
As it turned out, when she looked up, she saw that the person she had bumped into was Lin Yu.
Lin Yu hadn't expected that rolling around would lead to her bumping into Li Guizhi. She was both surprised and worried. "Grandma, are you alright?"
As she spoke, she subconsciously glanced to the side, searching for that figure she longed for.
Li Guizhi quickly said, "It's okay, it's okay, don't worry, I'm not that fragile."
Gu Jianguo hurried over to their side, helping his wife brush off the snow, and said with a smile, "What a coincidence, to run into you here."
Lin Yu smiled and agreed, "Yes, it proves we're very destined for each other."
At this moment, Gu Wei and Gu Hongjie quickly slipped over.
Seeing that the person helping Li Guizhi to her feet was Lin Yu, and that there were two adults and one child who had also come over, it was clearly Hou Yongxian and his group.
Gu Wei raised an eyebrow slightly, clearly somewhat surprised.
Because it was the fifteenth of the month, he deliberately closed the shop early, allowing Zhao Zhengying and Lin Yu to leave work early as well.
"You guys are coming to roll on the ice too?"
"Yes. I came here after delivering the lanterns to Beishan."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone dispersed in twos and threes.
Gu Wei and Hou Yongxian stood together chatting.
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