Chapter 225 The Cold Wave Recedes, Hope Arrives
Before they knew it, it was the 26th of the twelfth lunar month. Early in the morning, Ningbao woke up in Shen Yuzhen's arms, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Mu Chunping walked in from outside, rubbing his hands together.
"Ningbao is awake. It's still very cold today. It's okay for you to get up. You and your mother can sleep a little longer."
Your grandma said there's nothing to do if you get up, so as long as you're not hungry, you can sleep a little longer. The kang (heated brick bed) is always on fire, and breakfast is stewing on the stove so it won't get cold. Anyone can eat whenever they want.
Ningbao poked her little head out from under the covers.
"Dad, the New Year is almost here."
Mu Chunping sighed.
"Yes, the New Year is coming soon. We left in late summer, and now it's almost the end of the year. We've been out here for almost half a year and we're still wandering around."
Shen Yuzhen sat up, hugged Ningbao in her arms, and wrapped her in a blanket.
"This year is Ningbao's first New Year in our family. We should have celebrated it properly, but now we can't celebrate even if we want to."
"Let alone the fact that we're short of supplies right now, even if we were, nobody's in the mood to celebrate in this cold weather."
Ningbao's eyes darted around.
"Father, Mother, Ning Bao has supplies."
This is fish, this is meat, this is rice, this is noodles, this is wild vegetables, this is wild fruit. What else does Mother want?
Ningbao has many more here…”
In the blink of an eye, Ning Bao took out a bunch of food and drinks from her storage talisman, and looked at Mu Chunping and Shen Yuzhen expectantly.
Shen Yuzhen chuckled as she looked at the supplies Ningbao had brought out, and affectionately pinched Ningbao's little cheek.
"Does Ningbao like celebrating the Chinese New Year?"
"Hmm, does Ningbao like celebrating the Chinese New Year?"
Upon hearing Shen Yuzhen's question, Ningbao nodded obediently.
"Master said that the New Year is the most important thing. Ningbao will be a year older during the New Year. When Ningbao grows up, he can go out and explore the world."
Moreover, there are many delicious foods during the New Year... and every year during the New Year, many people go to the Taoist temple to draw lots, and those who draw lots bring many things...
Mu Chunping and Shen Yuzhen both looked at Ning Bao with heartache.
"If Ningbao likes celebrating the Chinese New Year, then we'll celebrate it."
After deciding to celebrate the New Year, Mu Chunping got busy. He couldn't decide whether other families in the village celebrated the New Year or not, but his family could celebrate it on their own.
Preparing dumplings and other elaborate dishes for the Lunar New Year definitely requires a lot of work in the kitchen. In the small courtyard where Mu Chunping lived, several families shared one kitchen. The village chief's wife was a little puzzled when she saw Li Guizhi taking out a lot of dried vegetables and salted meat and making a fuss.
"Sister-in-law Guizhi, why did you bring out the old goods today? Is there some good news?"
Li Guizhi rubbed her hands, which were red from the cold, and smiled at the village chief's wife.
"Isn't today the 26th of the twelfth lunar month? The New Year is just around the corner. This is Ningbao's first year in our family. We're planning to have a good time together."
...
Ningbao was overjoyed to learn that the New Year was approaching. Usually, she would stay on the kang (a heated brick bed) either drawing talismans or being forced by her fourth brother to read and write. Today, she unusually ran out of the house and stood in the yard, staring blankly at the sky...
"Ningbao. Why did you come out here instead of sleeping in this cold weather?"
Village Chief Ning Bao smiled sweetly.
"Village Chief, I am feeling the last bit of cold air."
The village chief looked up at the sky.
"Ningbao, what's so interesting about this cold air? It's freezing people to death."
Ning Bao looked at the village chief meaningfully.
"Grandpa Village Chief, let me tell you a secret. After this cold wave, there won't be another cold wave for a hundred years. From now on, we can't say that the weather will be favorable, but the weather will be favorable."
Therefore, I must cherish this last bit of chill and savor it fully.
The village chief was taken aback by Ning Bao's words.
"Ningbao, do you mean the cold wave is about to end?"
Ning Bao paused for a moment. Did she say it? Didn't she say it?
All right!
Heavenly secrets should not be revealed; some things are better left unsaid.
Ning Bao didn't answer the village chief's question directly, but instead said something meaningful.
"Village Chief, I don't know if the cold wave will end, but I know it won't delay the New Year!"
The village chief raised an eyebrow at Ning Bao, then burst into laughter, clearly delighted.
"Okay! As long as it doesn't interfere with the New Year, that's fine. Today is the 26th of the twelfth lunar month. Since it won't interfere, let's make some good preparations."
"By the way, Ningbao, do you have any supplies left? Since it's the New Year, let's make it a big feast. I'll keep track of the expenses. Then everyone can work to pay off their debts."
The village chief did not insist that Ningbao not directly state when the cold wave would end.
He knew Ningbao must know the exact time, and since the child wouldn't say, it meant he couldn't say. Since he couldn't say, he wouldn't ask.
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