Chapter 152 New Year's Eve
Generally, in wealthy families, the sending of holiday gifts is arranged by the mistress of the house, and someone else will naturally do it. As for receiving gifts, unless the person is a close relative, it is usually the housekeeper's responsibility, and the list will be given to the mistress of the house for her to review so that she will have an idea.
Unless I come across something valuable, I will specifically let you know.
Logically speaking, Lu Yao's family was of ordinary status and the gifts they sent out did not attract much attention, as expected, except for a few families who were on good terms with the Rong family and came to participate in the housewarming.
These families were not surprised when they received the New Year gifts from the younger generation of the Rong family. They were even curious about what kind of New Year gifts they would give. Others might not know, but they knew clearly that they had opened three shops in just over a month, and each of them was doing very well. This was not something that ordinary people could do.
Furthermore, considering the friendship with the Rong family, they have to take better care of them.
Therefore, as soon as Lu Yao and the others' New Year gifts were delivered, someone immediately reported it.
Several families looked at the New Year gifts in front of them and felt a little moved.
Nowadays, they would arrange gifts according to the other party's family conditions and ability to reciprocate, but they would never give such thoughtful gifts.
"This child is not simple."
Some people sighed.
Before, they thought that the wives of the younger generation of the Rong family were of ordinary background and had no knowledge, but after getting to know them these days, they found that they had taken it for granted.
They took extra care of them because of their relationship with their elders, but they were also concerned, worried that they would become too clingy. However, during this period, not only did they not come to ask for help as expected, but they sent all the good things to them as soon as possible, even the New Year gifts were so thoughtful. Compared with some of their own ideas, how could they not feel ashamed?
Therefore, they felt more sincere and caring towards Rong Yanhui's family.
Lu Yao didn't know that her New Year gift would have such a great effect. Currently, she was preparing things for the New Year with her family.
Normally, Ding Ping and the others would arrange these things, but Lu Yao and the others wanted to do it themselves. It was the New Year, and they had to feel involved.
In this way, the day soon arrived on the twenty-ninth day of the lunar year.
After a day of drinking, classes at Rong Family Primary School were suspended, and Rong Yanhui and Lu Mingxiu were both at home.
After breakfast that day, Lu Yao and her family took a carriage to Lu Mingxiu's place. They also brought with them the things they had prepared for the New Year.
After so many years of silence, Lu Yao planned to have a lively and happy New Year this year.
Arriving at Lu Mingxiu's house, Lu Yao moved out all the things she had prepared.
She mainly brought lantern stickers to decorate the yard. As for couplets, she specially selected two with good meanings and asked her husband to write them.
Lu Yao handed the couplet to Lu Mingxiu and signaled him to post it on the door.
Lu Mingxiu is the only male in the Lu family, so it is natural for him to come in person to post the couplets.
In fact, it would be better to let the people below put it up directly, but Lu Yao still felt that it would be more engaging for him to do it himself. After he gets married and is busy with work on weekdays, this can be regarded as a common program for the family at this time.
After putting up the couplets, they started hanging lanterns.
Before the decoration was finished, Mo Zhu came back with the housekeeper.
"Uncle Mozhu!"
Xiao Yunhao and Xiao Xinyue greeted Mo Zhurenqing when they saw him.
"Uncle Mozhu, where have you been?"
"We just put up Spring Festival couplets and hung lanterns. It was so much fun."
Mo Zhu took out two strings of candied haws from a pile of things and handed them to the two little guys, saying, "Uncle Mo Zhu went to the shop and the farm to check it out. I guessed you would come today, so I rushed back early."
He answered seriously and did not answer perfunctorily just because Haohao and Yueyue were children.
Mo Zhu actually went to the farm two days ago and came back early this morning, but he did not come back directly. Instead, he stopped by to check on the situation of the two shops.
Although the shopkeeper and the waiter were the ones they hired, it was still safer for them to keep abreast of the situation at all times, so as to avoid being caught off guard by what was happening, which would cause trouble.
"Business at both shops is booming. Chinese New Year is coming soon, and the revenue from the past few days has almost matched the total of all the previous days."
Having said that, the smile on Mo Zhu's face became more obvious. At this rate, the young master would soon be able to save enough money to exchange for a young lady.
Lu Yao was also very happy to hear that business was booming.
Although her shop has only been open for a month, its reputation for elegance and grace has spread, and now, the items in her shop are in great demand.
Today, Fenghua Fengya has five shops in the capital, which are some distance apart and do not affect each other.
In order to facilitate customers, with a VIP card, you can enjoy the same service no matter which store you go to. When this news came out, not only those who have the card were excited, but also those who don’t have the card. Many people are even asking how to get the VIP card called "Wei Ai Pi".
The threshold for VIP was originally set quite high, but several have been released recently.
Lu Yao thought of what Ding Er had said earlier: "It's become popular in Beijing lately to give gifts of things you've made yourself."
"I don't know if it's popular or not, but I know that as long as they're open, the second floors of the shops are always occupied. Moreover," Mo Zhu said, "the shopkeeper asked me to ask if we can accommodate more people at the same time, otherwise those ladies will refuse to work."
Originally, in order to give customers a better experience, they would generally stagger the arrival time of each customer according to the appointment. However, this thing is new and fun, and many people are reluctant to move once they get started, and do not want to stop even when the appointment time comes, which affects the next wave of customers who have made appointments.
Lu Yao couldn't help but feel lucky that there were only 30 VIP tickets for them, so there weren't that many people. Otherwise, it would be even more difficult to accommodate them all.
"Let's redecorate it after the New Year." Lu Yao made the decision immediately.
She was mistaken.
At that time, the upper floor will be divided into several private rooms, and customers can be directly accommodated in the rooms, so that they can have better privacy.
The only bad thing is that we will probably be short of people again.
After a few simple words, Lu Yao asked Mo Zhu to go wash up and have a rest first. He must be exhausted after running around for the past two days.
Mo Zhu wiped his face and said that it was okay. There were carriages along the way. When he arrived at the place, he just looked at the account book. There were other people who went around privately to understand the situation. He was not tired at all.
After dinner, the family sat and talked for a while, and then Lu Yao and Rong Yan returned home with the two children.
Before leaving, Lu Yao discussed tomorrow's arrangements with Lu Mingxiu and repeatedly reminded him to remember them. Only after her brother promised to follow the arrangements did she leave satisfied.
The next day is New Year’s Eve.
Lu Mingxiu and Mo Zhu came early in the morning and had breakfast with Lu Yao's family, then they started to get busy.
There is strength in numbers. In just half a day, the whole house looked brand new, and the festive atmosphere was everywhere.
After the house was decorated, Lu Yao went to check the kitchen materials.
She will personally prepare the New Year's Eve dinner today.
The Rong family originally wanted them to go over for the New Year's Eve dinner, but Rong Yanhui hesitated for a long time and finally refused, saying he would go on the second day of the New Year.
Upon hearing his decision, no one in the Rong family said anything, but just sent a lot of precious ingredients.
The New Year’s Eve dinner is very sumptuous.
Lu Yao prepared ten dishes in total, each symbolizing perfection. Among them were the braised pork elbow, symbolizing good luck and prosperity; the braised pork belly, symbolizing prosperity and success; the braised carp, symbolizing abundance year after year; and the cordyceps flower and free-range chicken soup, symbolizing great fortune...
The table was full, and the smell from afar made one drool.
"My little sister's cooking skills have improved again."
"really."
Rong Yanhui, Lu Mingxiu and others were not idle either. They were helping out in the kitchen. Seeing the dishes of delicious food coming out of the pot, they seemed as if they had not eaten for several days even though they were not very hungry.
Fortunately, Lu Yao was quick and the meal was ready in the afternoon.
They did not have the New Year's Eve dinner in the side hall as they did in the past, but in the pavilion in the garden.
Logically speaking, it was freezing outside at this time, and the food would be cold in less than two minutes if left outside, making it impossible to eat. However, this pavilion was specially designed and built by Lu Yao. It not only had a ground heating system and a fire wall, but also cleverly left flues between the brick pillars so as not to affect the load-bearing capacity. Now, there was a fire burning in the pavilion, and curtains were covering it, so the whole pavilion was warm as spring.
During the Chinese New Year, Lu Yao did not restrict the servants. At noon, she gave each of them a red envelope and let them go home to spend the New Year with their families.
This action instantly moved the servants to tears, and they all expressed that they would be more loyal in the future.
The food was placed on the table. Lu Yao took out the wine that had been put in the wine jug and poured a glass for each person. The two children drank warm soy milk.
"Alright, to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new, let's all have a toast," Lu Yao raised her glass first. "Let's put all the bad things in the past. In the new year, let's all be well, safe and healthy, have everything go smoothly, and may all our dreams come true. Happy New Year!"
The others also raised their glasses, and with a crisp sound, the glasses clinked together, "Happy New Year!"
Xiao Yunhao and Xiao Xinyue were particularly excited and their voices were the loudest. After clinking glasses with everyone else, they followed their example and gulped down two mouthfuls before putting the glass down and sighing with a smile, "It's delicious."
Lu Yao rubbed the two children's heads with care and gave each of them a piece of garlic pork ribs: "Drink less."
Haohao and Yueyue responded obediently, and said "Thank you, Mom" again, then grabbed the ribs and started to chew them seriously.
The others also started eating.
The pavilion was covered with a floor and carpet, and there were pillows and cushions on the floor. The table was also a specially made low table. They sat cross-legged by the fire, or kneeled, or sat sideways on the floor. There were no rules to restrict them, and they were very relaxed.
"Is this the wine you mentioned earlier?" Lu Mingxiu took a bite of his food and then turned his attention to the glass in front of him. "It's a little different from the wine we're used to drinking."
Lu Yao nodded: "Do you like it?"
"It tastes good." Lu Mingxiu took another sip.
This wine is not strong, but has the sweetness of grapes, and is clear without any impurities. This must be what my sister got by chance.
"Drinking a small glass of wine every day is good for beauty and cardiovascular health, and can also improve sleep."
"Oh? There are such benefits?"
Lu Yao nodded.
"If you like it, take it back later," she said. "Next year, when the grapes are ripe, we'll make it ourselves. We'll select the best ingredients, and the taste will definitely be better."
Lu Mingxiu did not doubt his little sister's ability and said with a smile, "Do more when the time comes."
He really liked this taste.
Today is New Year's Eve, and they are all very happy. They finished a bottle of wine.
Even though the wine wasn't very intoxicating, several novices who had hardly ever drunk alcohol still got drunk on their faces.
Fortunately, they were not really drunk, and it did not affect the subsequent activities.
After filling her stomach, Lu Yao started to "make some fun", saying that at this time of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, how could it be okay to have only food and drinks without any entertainment?
The people present were all Lu Yao's closest and most familiar people. Likewise, they also knew her very well. As soon as the words started coming out, they all knew what she was going to say.
Lu Mingxiu was helpless but doting: "I'll play a song for you?"
Lu Yao's eyes lit up, and she immediately clapped her hands: "Everyone, warmly welcome Mr. Lu to perform the flute."
Lu Mingxiu couldn't help but reach out and flick Lu Yao's forehead. Lu Yao screamed in response, covering her forehead and said aggrievedly: "Brother!"
Lu Mingxiu curled his lips, took out the jade flute he carried with him, and began to play.
The jade flute is one of the few things he has left with him. He wanted to pawn it at first, but his younger sister wouldn't let him. In the end, he had to keep it, but his younger sister was forced to go to the Shen family.
His eyes fell on Rong Yanhui. Although the people in the Shen family were useless, this man was still pretty good. It could be said that his younger sister had turned a disaster into a blessing.
But no matter what happens now, everything I have experienced in the past is not fake.
The flute sounds melodious, with a hint of sadness, unwillingness and heartache. Gradually, the tone of the flute changes, as if a beast trapped in a cage finally breaks free from all shackles and restraints, running wild in the wilderness. Everything is so refreshing and happy, and even bursts of joyful calls are emitted, which are sighs and praises for the current life, and longings and yearnings for the future.
The flute music gradually stopped, and everyone was fascinated by it.
Lu Yao blinked and started clapping, "Brother, you play the flute so beautifully."
The two children also applauded:
“Uncle is awesome!”
"Uncle is really awesome."
"Uncle, can you teach me?"
"Uncle, I want to learn too."
Haohao and Yueyue moved to their uncle's side, holding his arms on the left and right, flattering him like they were free.
Lu Yao found it a little funny and had no idea who these two children looked like.
"Who will perform for us next?" Lu Yao's right index finger kept moving in different directions before finally dropping it. "We'll let the last performer decide."
She pulled out the purse at her side and played a simple version of passing the flower.
Finally, the purse fell into Yueyue's arms.
"Oh, it's me!" Little Yueyue grinned happily, but then she thought of the performance she had to give, and her smile froze instantly. "Yueyue, I don't know what to perform."
"It's okay, Yueyue can perform whatever she wants." Lu Mingxiu comforted.
Lu Yao nodded: "The most important thing is to participate."
Rong Yanhui also encouraged: "Our Yueyue is amazing."
Xiao Xinyue thought about it and finally performed a boxing move for everyone. This was the Tai Chi that they practiced every morning.
Because Yueyue was too young, Lu Yao did not ask her to practice with them. She just watched from the side and sometimes imitated them. Everyone thought she was just playing, but they didn't expect her to be able to play properly.
This indeed shocked everyone.
Little Yueyue performed a few moves, but she couldn't remember what happened after that. Lu Yao winked at everyone, and the Chinese people immediately applauded in unison.
"Yueyue is great."
"Yueyue is amazing."
"When did Yueyue learn this?"
“We didn’t even notice.”
"Yueyue, do you want to follow us in the future?"
Yueyue forgot the following moves and felt a little embarrassed. When she heard what everyone said, there was disbelief in her dark eyes. Instead of laughing at her, they also said that she could join them in boxing. Her big, round eyes instantly curved into two crescents.
Lu Yao didn't expect that the child liked Tai Chi. She hadn't let her join in before, thinking that the child was too young and there was no need to make her so tired. If she really liked it, she could wait until she was older.
Now she knew she had taken it for granted, so she naturally wanted to ask her what she thought. Upon hearing her affirmative answer, Lu Yao pinched her little face and said, "Then you can't sleep in if you follow us from now on."
"Ah?" Xiao Xinyue hesitated.
Sometimes she gets up early, and sometimes when she wakes up, her parents have already finished exercising and washed up.
"When Yueyue is older, we'll practice seriously, okay?"
Yueyue wanted to refuse at first, but when she thought about how she had been reluctant to leave her warm bed every day since waking up, she felt guilty: "Then, shall I wait a little longer?"
Lu Yao nodded: "Or wait until the weather warms up."
This time, Xiao Xinyue simply agreed and decided to talk about it later if she couldn't get up.
My mother said that she is still young and doesn't need to be treated so harshly or strictly.
The game continues.
Next, Xiaoyun, Haorong, Yan Hui and others were hit by the purses at once.
Xiao Yunhao performed a tongue twister, and Rong Yanhui performed a magic trick, which he learned from the video that Yaomei brought out. It's amazing, it really impressed many people.
Look, Mo Zhu and the others were all stunned.
Lu Mingxiu was eager to try it. He had heard about it from the boy before, but this was the first time he saw it with his own eyes. He didn't know how difficult it was.
Rong Yanhui generously said that they could discuss it together when they have time in the future.
This was something he learned from Yao Mei, so he naturally couldn't hide it from his brother-in-law.
Next, it was Lu Yao's turn.
Lu Yao had been thinking about what to perform since she first proposed the idea. Now that it was her turn, she spoke without hesitation.
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