Hua Zhiping pulled two red envelopes out of his pocket. "If you make another loss this year, you'll make a profit next year."
Okay, they heard everything.
The two siblings weren't embarrassed at all, and quickly snatched one from Hua Zhiping's hand, saying, "Thank you, big brother."
"Aren't you going out to pay New Year's visits?" This was unusual, as these two usually ran faster than anyone else.
Hua Xiangyun was unusually shy. "I was too young before, but now that I'm older, it's not appropriate for me to go out like this anymore."
"When my little nephew is born next year, I'll bring him along, and I'll definitely bring you a bag of candy and peanuts."
Several groups of people have arrived today, each carrying a weapon, and some of them are her age.
"What's the big deal?" Hua Zhiping said dismissively. "Go if you want to, otherwise our family will suffer."
"It's alright, just this year. In a couple of years, you and my second brother will give me a few nephews, and we'll recoup our investment right away." Hua Xiangyun refused to budge, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Hua Zhiping didn't insist, after all, the girl was grown up and had some self-respect. "Then don't hide here, go out and help greet the guests."
Today's guests are all neighbors and acquaintances from around here. If Hua Xiangyun doesn't show up, people will inevitably gossip about her.
Hua Xiangyun hadn't intended to stay hidden in the room indefinitely. After putting the red envelope away, another group of people arrived in the courtyard.
"Grandpa Hua and Grandma Hua, Happy New Year!" The familiar voice made Hua Xiangyun's expression change. She felt a little annoyed. She should have guessed that Zhou Xiaolan would not give up so easily. She found another opportunity to come to their door.
Tian Guihua's smile froze in the courtyard. That damned Zhou Xiaolan didn't come alone; she was accompanied by some neighbors.
She couldn't get angry, so she could only pretend not to hear and chat with other people.
Hua Xiangyun stopped and grabbed Hua Zhian, saying, "Let's wait a bit before we go out."
"Why?" Although Hua Zhian had questions, he still obediently sat back down on the kang.
Hua Zhiping understood. "If you don't like it, then don't go out. But since she came to our door, it's probably not that simple."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Zhou Xiaolan seized the opportunity to ask, "Grandma Hua, where's Xiangyun? I haven't seen her. I was planning to go with her to pay New Year's visits."
The neighbors who came to visit all stopped to watch the show. The feud between the two families had been going on since before the Lunar New Year, and it seemed that today was a turning point.
On the first day of the new year, Zhou Xiaolan personally came to invite Hua Xiangyun, and Hua Xiangyun should accept the invitation and turn hostility into friendship.
"On the first day of the Lunar New Year this year, I don't want to say anything unpleasant. Since you've already come, this old woman can't just kick you out."
"Now that you've finished paying your respects, I won't keep you any longer. Goodbye." Tian Guihua said, handing her a handful of peanuts. "Hurry up and go; so many families are waiting for you."
Zhou Xiaolan looked at the peanuts in her palm, her face suddenly turning red. At that moment, she wished she could hide the bag hanging on her wrist behind her back. No wonder people treated her like a child.
The family felt that if they didn't bring something back, they would lose a lot this year. Xiaojun didn't want to move, so she went out and visited other people's homes to collect things, just like the other children.
"Isn't Xiaolan looking for your Xiangyun? It's not good for the child to stay cooped up at home all day. Why don't we let her go out for a walk?"
They're all young girls, so being together makes things more lively. There were also those who loved watching the drama and fanning the flames.
Tian Guihua remained unfazed. "What happened before the New Year still gives me lingering fear. Let's not say anything unpleasant during the New Year."
If you want water, I'll get you some.
The implication was clear to everyone: if they weren't going to drink water, they should leave.
When people visit each other for the New Year, they might eat some snacks at most; they would never stay for a drink or a meal.
Tian Guihua's words made them feel ashamed, as if they were being driven away in the same way as Zhou Xiaolan.
"Alright, let's not meddle in other people's business." Knowing that they wouldn't see any excitement now, everyone felt it was pointless. There were still many families who hadn't left, so they had to hurry and make a round before going back to cook.
Zhou Xiaolan stood still. She had finally managed to get into the Hua family, but she returned empty-handed. She didn't know when she would have another chance.
"Grandma Hua, let Xiangyun come with me to pay New Year's visits! It's not good for her to stay cooped up at home all the time."
Seeing that everyone else had left, Tian Guihua became less polite, "You don't need to worry about that. Xiangyun is shy and wouldn't dare to go around visiting people with a bag like you."
Instead of wasting time here, I'd better hurry up and wish everyone a Happy New Year, otherwise I'll miss out on everything if I'm late.
Each family has a limited number of New Year's goods prepared, and each child can grab a little bit when they come in. If the family is generous, they will prepare more, but if a dozen or so children come, the later ones will not get anything.
Just as they were frozen in place, Jiang Yi stepped in. Unlike the previous encounters, he was no longer cold and indifferent. Now, he was all smiles, "Grandpa Hua, Grandma Hua, Happy New Year!"
Tian Guihua looked slightly surprised, but quickly put on a smiling face and said, "Comrade Jiang, Happy New Year to you too!"
Even Hua Guangzong, who had been sitting on the side as a mascot, stood up at this moment, saying, "Happy New Year! Happy New Year! Have some candy."
Hua Guangzong grabbed a handful of candy from the plate and stuffed it into his hand, saying, "I wish you all your dreams come true in the new year."
Jiang Yi accepted it with both hands, "I also wish you both good health!"
A strange look flashed in Zhou Xiaolan's eyes. Jiang Yi had always kept to himself since he moved here, and he was never so enthusiastic towards his neighbors. Could it be that he had such a deep relationship with the Hua family in a way that they didn't know about?
"Comrade Jiang, Happy New Year!" Zhou Xiaolan asked with a smile, carrying the bag on her back.
Jiang Yi nodded indifferently before asking, "Grandpa Hua doesn't know that Xiangyun and Zhian are there?"
Hua Guangzong said with a smile, "They're here. The brother and sister are hiding in their room, whispering about something. Go find them directly."
Although it was unclear when Jiang Yi had met the two children, judging from his familiar way of addressing them, he must be quite familiar with them.
In addition, given his friendship with Comrade Lao Jiang, he was happy to see the children playing together.
Zhou Xiaolan's expression changed; these two elders of the Hua family were far too biased towards one another.
Seeing Jiang Yi follow Hua Guangzong's directions toward Hua Zhian's room, Zhou Xiaolan immediately followed behind.
She hadn't taken more than a few steps when Tian Guihua grabbed her arm. "I told you, Zhou girl, that's enough. Hurry up and go pay your respects for the New Year. If you're any later, your mother will give you another lecture."
Zhou Xiaolan turned back to Tian Guihua with a wronged expression, "Grandma Hua, I'm looking for Xiangyun..."
Tian Guihua grabbed her clothes and pulled her out. Just when she was wondering what Zhou Xiaolan had been up to, it seemed she had her eye on Jiang Yi.
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