Chapter 95 New Year Greetings.
The first day of the Lunar New Year is undoubtedly the most lively day. Everyone visits each other and chats, and there is constant laughter in the family compound.
He Susu dressed Tangyuan in new clothes for the New Year when he woke up. The red cotton coat embroidered with a simple puppy pattern made the plump white Tangyuan look even more like a New Year picture doll.
Not to mention He Susu and Cheng Shi, the parents, even Cheng's father and mother wanted to hug him and give him some affection when they saw him.
After feeding Tangyuan and having breakfast, the family tidied up a little, took the prepared things and went to Political Commissar Zhang’s house to pay New Year’s greetings.
Political Commissar Zhang was Cheng Shi's good friend and colleague, and Mrs. Shao was the matchmaker between Cheng Shi and He Susu. Upon hearing this, Cheng's father and mother felt that they should pay him a visit.
When the family arrived, they knocked on the door. Mrs. Shao was the first to open the door and greet them: "Hey Cheng Shisusu, Happy New Year! This is uncle and aunt, hello, hello, even Tangyuan came with you!"
She turned around and shouted towards home, "Old Zhang, come out quickly! Cheng Shi's family, including his uncle and aunt, are here!"
Mrs. Shao warmly invited Cheng Shi and his family to come in and sit down. Cheng's father and mother greeted her with a smile.
When Political Commissar Zhang heard the noise, he hurried out to greet them: "Hello, uncle and aunt, I haven't even come to visit you yet, and you're here already."
Father Cheng smiled and said, "Don't be so polite. We heard from Cheng Shi that you treated him very well. Plus, you are the matchmaker between Cheng Shi and his wife, so we thought we could come over and sit down together to thank you."
Political Commissar Zhang smiled modestly: "Uncle, you are too polite. We are all comrades-in-arms and we are working in the same regiment. It is only natural for us to take care of each other. Besides, we are also happy that Xiaoling can help Cheng Shi and Su Su get married."
Mrs. Shao: "Yes, uncle and aunt, you are so polite, please sit down."
After saying that, she ran to the kitchen to boil water and prepare tea.
He Susu was holding Tangyuan. After greeting Political Commissar Zhang and Mrs. Shao, she taught Tangyuan how to call people and took him to sit on a chair in the living room.
Tang Yuan was quite familiar with Shao's wife. He remembered that this aunt had come to his house and gave him delicious cakes. He had just called her obediently. When he saw Shao's wife coming out of the kitchen, he smiled brightly at her and said the words his mother taught him: "Happy New Year!"
Mrs. Shao put down the tea set and a bottle of hot water and gave it to Lao Zhang to make tea. When she heard Tang Yuan's words, she was surprised and said, "Are you saying Happy New Year to me, Tang Yuan? Hey, Happy New Year, Tang Yuan is so good!"
She happily came closer to greet Tang Yuan, "Do you remember your aunt?"
Tang Yuan nodded heavily: "Auntie, the cakes are delicious."
Mrs. Shao was delighted: "It seems that I can only leave a good impression on Tangyuan by using mung bean cake. I will bring you mung bean cake when I go back to your house next time, okay?"
Tang Yuan nodded: "Okay, thank you auntie."
Mrs. Shao was amused and laughed continuously.
He Susu laughed and shook her head: "There's really nothing we can do about this kid. Sister-in-law, don't listen to him. Just come to our house and sit down."
Mrs. Shao smiled and said, "This is an agreement between Tangyuan and me, Susu, don't worry about it."
She sat down and greeted Cheng's mother, "Aunt, are you comfortable living here at the army? I went there to deliver melon seeds yesterday, and I was busy with housework and didn't have time to talk to you."
Cheng's mother smiled and nodded: "It's very comfortable to live here. It's okay, we didn't have time yesterday, let's sit down and have a good chat now. The environment of this family compound is really amazing. You can see that all the houses in our family compound are with yards. They are comfortable and free to live in. The surrounding infrastructure is also good, there are primary schools, canteens, and military hospitals, and daily life can be taken care of. Cheng Shi's father and I were walking around here..."
She talked about her feelings after joining the army, and she spoke sincerely.
Shao Ling was also happy to hear her aunt from Shanghai praise her living environment. She smiled and said, "Aunt, you are really good at talking. After hearing what you said, I realized that our family compound is so good. You came from so far to the army, so you have to stay a few more days."
Mother Cheng smiled and nodded: "Of course, of course. Cheng Shi's father and I have saved up a year's vacation. Adding the holiday we originally had during the Chinese New Year, we can at least stay here for a week. We also need to leave some time to take the train back, which takes a day and a half on the way."
Shao Ling agreed: "It's quite far. I heard from Susu before that it takes more than 20 hours to go to Shanghai and back. It's not easy for your family to be together. It's a blessing."
Mother Cheng responded with a smile.
Both of them were talkative, so they started chatting about this topic and then expanded it.
He Susu sat beside them, holding Tangyuan, listening and occasionally responding. Tangyuan nestled in his mother's arms, keeping silent, fearing to disturb their conversation. He listened to his grandmother and aunt talking, occasionally showing an expression of confusion or sudden enlightenment.
He Susu inadvertently looked down and saw Tang Yuan's colorful expression, and suddenly she began to doubt her life. Could it be that this child was listening to the conversation between her mother-in-law and Sister Shao as gossip?
When children grow up, they love to learn. When they start to speak, they will also be interested in conversations with adults. They will try to understand what they say as if they were solving a problem. This will broaden their horizons and enhance their ability to use language.
But He Susu suddenly remembered that in the past there would always be some gossipy aunts gathered at the entrance of the village, talking about all sorts of things. Whenever there was any small news in the village, they would get together and talk, and the whole village would know about it in less than half a day.
She was afraid that Tangyuan would become such a gossipy person in the future.
Although the topics discussed by the mother-in-law and Mrs. Shao were quite serious at the moment, He Susu would occasionally respond with a few words to show that she was listening, but she would shake Tangyuan's hand from time to time, or pinch his calf through his cotton pants to interrupt his concentration.
Tangyuan looked at his mother with a puzzled look, thinking that his mother was playing with him.
Normally, he would have stretched out his chubby little hand to shake his mother's hand, but this time he was more interested in what the adults were saying, so he pricked up his ears to continue listening.
Often after listening for a while he would be attracted by his mother's little movements. After a few times, Tangyuan lost interest and started playing various small games with his mother.
Father Cheng, Father Cheng and Political Commissar Zhang were having a pleasant chat. The men talked about family and national affairs. Father Cheng talked about the current business conditions and difficulties faced by his factory, while Political Commissar Zhang mentioned some things that the army could talk about. Cheng Shi sat in the middle as a listener.
After sitting for more than an hour, Cheng's father took the initiative to say that he was leaving. Cheng's mother also smiled and said goodbye to Shao Ling, and the whole family stood up.
Shao Ling warmly persuaded him to stay: "Uncle, aunt, it's a rare visit for you, so why don't you have lunch at our house? Give us a chance and make our home lively."
Mother Cheng smiled and declined: "Xiaoling, you are so thoughtful. We just came over to sit for a while. There is no way we can stay for dinner. It's only a few steps to go home. You can come over to sit when you are free."
Political Commissar Zhang also enthusiastically wanted to invite Father Cheng to dinner, but Father Cheng smiled and refused: "Xiao Zhang, we can just get together for tea when we are free. No need to bother you. We can just go home and have a simple meal."
Cheng Shi nodded: "Yes, we can drink tea and chat when we have time, so there is really no need for dinner."
He Susu: "Thank you, Political Commissar and sister-in-law. We can just go home and have dinner. Thank you for your kindness."
Tang Yuan clapped his hands and said, "Go home and eat!"
Political Commissar Zhang had no choice but to agree. Mrs. Shao smiled and said, "Okay, then Lao Zhang and I will come to your house again when we have time."
She smiled and pinched Tangyuan's cheeks, "Tangyuan, go back and have dinner. Do you like the food at home? I'll bring you some mung bean cakes next time."
Tang Yuan nodded and waved: "Bye!"
Mrs. Shao smiled and said, "Bye."
The family left Mrs. Shao's house. Cheng Shi took the dumplings and carried them away, fearing that Susu would be tired.
After getting home and taking a rest, Cheng's mother prepared to go into the kitchen to cook, and He Susu followed in to help. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law worked together to make a few simple dishes, and they had a simple lunch.
In the afternoon, when Tangyuan woke up, He Susu handed him over to Cheng Shi and his parents-in-law. She took the three gifts she had prepared earlier and went to visit Mrs. Wu, Mrs. Fang, and Mrs. Ye.
As early as the morning of New Year's Eve, they sent some melon seeds and candies as New Year gifts, and it was time for me to go and visit them.
The afternoon passed like this, and in the evening we had a bigger meal than usual, with four dishes and a soup.
The happiest person is undoubtedly the little boy Tangyuan. These two days, he has been eating those salty and delicious meat dishes with everyone, which are much more delicious than the usual light meat dishes.
It didn't matter who fed him, as long as there was meat or vegetables brought to his mouth he would eat them, and he chewed them very well. If He Susu hadn't watched over him and prevented him from eating too much, this guy would have eaten until his stomach was full.
His willingness to eat whatever was offered to him made Cheng's father and mother happy, and satisfied their wish to feed their grandson.
After two days of getting along, Tangyuan became completely familiar with his grandparents and felt very close to them. He would occasionally talk to them.
Since he could speak only a few words, he had his own logic in expressing his ideas, sometimes using concise sentences and sometimes using long sentences. Mr. and Mrs. Cheng listened patiently. When they didn't understand something, they discussed it with each other. They were always able to figure out what their grandson meant and communicate with him.
In this way, Tangyuan likes them even more.
He Susu was also happy to see this, mainly because her parents-in-law attracted Tangyuan's attention and could help take care of him, so she had a lot more free time.
On the second day of the Chinese New Year, after breakfast, Cheng Shi held Tangyuan and He Susu and went to the mail room together.
I had made an appointment with He's mother in advance, saying that I couldn't go back to her parents' home to see her that day, and asked her and He's father to go to the county post office to wait for a call. It would be nice to talk over the phone.
Although He Xiuxiu's family also has to go back to her parents' home, they have enough time to spend together for a whole day, so it doesn't matter if they go back late in the morning.
Arriving at the mailroom, He Susu explained her purpose to the staff inside and gave them her number. After a long delay, the call was connected. She held the receiver and asked, "Mom and Dad, this is Susu. Can you hear me?"
It was He's mother on the other end of the phone: "Hey Susu, I'm your mother, I can hear you."
Hearing the familiar voice, He Susu smiled and said, "Happy New Year, Mom. I'm here in the army to wish you and my dad a happy new year! I wish you good health and happiness in the new year."
Mother He nodded happily: "Happy New Year, I hope you are all healthy and happy, and grow up quickly. Susu, how have you been these days? I came back home and found that your brother and sister-in-law have managed the family very well and lived up to my trust. Guifang and the others are also well behaved and do well in their studies. Even the youngest, Kerou, can speak fluently now and runs around behind her brothers and sisters."
He Susu was happy to hear this: "Mom, we are doing fine here. My parents-in-law have been here these days, so we have prepared richer meals. Tangyuan loves to eat those delicious meat dishes. If I hadn't stopped her, she would have eaten too much. Yesterday we went to sit at the homes of Shao and Wu's wives, and she was thinking about coming here to make a phone call early this morning."
Mother He smiled and said, "Okay, during the Chinese New Year, we all go around and wish each other a happy new year. Yesterday, I followed your father around the village and sat everywhere. In the morning, we sent off your brothers and sisters-in-law, and then took your father to the county town in a bullock cart. You haven't called your father for a long time, so I asked him to talk to you."
The sound of the microphone being handed over came, and then the calm voice of He's father: "Susu, I'm your father. How have you been recently?"
He Susu responded, "Dad, I've been doing well recently. Everything is fine at home, Tangyuan is well behaved, and my parents-in-law are here to help take care of him, so I feel a lot more relaxed."
She gestured to Tangyuan, who was nestling in Cheng Shi's arms, to call her grandpa, and put the microphone to his ear.
Tang Yuan looked curious, but still followed his mother's instructions: "Hello, Grandpa. Happy New Year."
Father He on the other end of the phone was so happy that his voice trembled a little: "Oh, good, good, good rice dumplings, I'm grandpa, happy new year."
When Tang Yuan heard the voice coming from the microphone, it was like someone was talking. He was so surprised that his eyes widened and he subconsciously replied, "Hello, Grandpa too."
Father He was even happier: "Okay, Grandpa promised Tangyuan that he would take good care of himself and wait to see you in good health."
He's mother couldn't help but grab the microphone when she heard her good grandson's voice, "Tangyuan, I'm your grandma, do you remember me?"
Tang Yuan was immediately excited when he heard the familiar voice: "Grandma! I remember where you went? I missed you so much."
At the end of the conversation, the little guy's eyes were red, and he was obviously thinking about his grandmother. In the first two days after He's mother passed away, Tangyuan asked about his grandmother almost every day. He Susu finally explained and comforted him, and then Tangyuan gradually accepted it and stopped asking about his grandmother.
Judging from the look on his face, it’s not that the little guy has forgotten his grandmother, but that he has temporarily kept it in his heart, or has temporarily forgotten her. When he heard his grandmother’s voice, he was immediately filled with sadness and his eyes turned red.
He Susu and Cheng Shi felt distressed when they saw this.
He's mother was very happy to hear that Tangyuan remembered her. A child so young would forget about others after not seeing them for a few days, but Tangyuan still remembered her, which made her mother's hard work in raising him worthwhile.
But later she could hear the crying tone in Tangyuan's words, and she also felt distressed and anxious: "Tangyuan, don't cry, grandma is here, she will go back to see you in a few days, don't cry. Tangyuan is so well behaved, it will not look good if he cries."
Tang Yuan sniffled and nodded, "Be good, Tang Yuan, don't cry."
He's mother comforted him several more times, and only felt relieved when she heard the smile in Tangyuan's voice.
Cheng Shi also took the microphone and wished a happy new year to his father-in-law and mother-in-law, said some blessings, asked about their health, and then talked about the situation of his wife's family.
After Cheng Shi finished speaking, He Susu took the microphone and spoke a few words to her parents, finally saying everything she wanted to say when she returned home that day.
He's father kept telling her to take care of her health, as health is the capital of the revolution, and to live a good life with Cheng Shi and take good care of Tangyuan, saying that the child is a well-behaved one, and she should bring him home to see him when he grows up.
After hearing this, He Susu knew that her father did not plan to follow her mother to live with the army for a while after the New Year. She had expected this in her heart, and did not say much. She just smiled and agreed, telling him to take care of himself, do the work in the fields according to his ability, and not to force himself.
In the end, He's mother counted the time and felt sorry for the money she spent on the phone call, so she offered to write a letter and send it back if she had anything to say, or wait until she got back to talk slowly. She and the old man had to hurry home, as Xiuxiu's family would be back soon.
After hanging up the phone, He Susu was in a good mood, smiling with her eyes curved. She walked home with Cheng Shi and Tang Yuan.
During the Chinese New Year, the family housing complex has a more New Year atmosphere, and many red ribbons are hung on the roads to add to the festive atmosphere.
He Susu knew that these were hung by the organizers of the Women's Federation. These beautiful red things were left over from previous activities organized by the army. They were collected by the Women's Federation for reuse, which could be considered a good way to utilize them.
The cold wind blew from time to time, making people's faces hurt. Tangyuan wore a red tiger-head hat and was dressed warmly, fearing that he would catch a cold. So Cheng Shi asked him to lie in his arms and not raise his head, so he would not be blown by the wind.
He Susu sighed: "This winter seems to be colder than last year, but fortunately it didn't snow, otherwise it would be even colder."
Cheng Shi thought about it and said, "I think it's about the same. Last year, you stayed at home during your confinement period. You probably felt warmer because you didn't go out."
He Susu thought about how it was almost Lantern Festival when she came out of confinement. Maybe the weather has changed a lot in the past ten days, so she nodded and said, "It's possible. It's better to stay at home in such a cold day. I don't want to go out unless there's something to do."
Cheng Shi smiled: "Then don't go out. Anyway, you can stay at home and the meat and vegetables are all prepared."
They have been married for almost three years, and he knows Susu's lifestyle well. She likes to stay at home. If there is nothing else, she won't have any problem staying at home for ten days or half a month.
He Susu responded with a smile.
The second day of the Chinese New Year was Cheng Shi's last day off. He stayed at home with his parents, wife and children. On the morning of the third day of the Chinese New Year, he ate breakfast made by his mother and went to the army for training.
He Susu stayed at home with Tangyuan. She didn't feel bored because her parents-in-law were at home to chat with and help take care of the children.
Cheng's father and mother occasionally went out for a walk, but most of the time they stayed at home to play with their grandson. Cheng's mother often went into the kitchen and did not want He Susu to help, saying that she would do the work and let Susu take a rest so that she could cook more meals for Cheng Shi and show her motherly love.
After hearing this, He Susu agreed to it. She took it as a break during the Chinese New Year. Of course, she would still go into the kitchen to help out from time to time. She couldn't let her mother-in-law do all the cooking for three meals a day.
In a blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the New Year, the day to go to the county town. This was also a day specially added by the staff quarters to go to the county town for shopping.
Because we were afraid that the people in the staff quarters would have too much food during the New Year and eat up all the New Year's goods they had prepared, we specially added new buses to allow everyone to go shopping.
Leaving Cheng's father at home with the dumplings, He Susu and Cheng's mother carried the packages in their backpacks and took a bus to the county town.
In addition to buying meat and vegetables for the family, I also wanted to see if I could buy some dried seafood for my parents-in-law to take back to Shanghai to enjoy slowly.
The family has cooked abalone, dried shrimp and scallops a lot these days. After tasting them, Cheng's father and mother praised their deliciousness and liked them very much.
After getting off the bus in the county town, He Susu and Cheng's mother went to the grocery store to buy meat and vegetables. They picked a crucian carp, half a duck, two pieces of tofu, half a pound of yuba, an eggplant, a pound of mushrooms and two tomatoes. Then they went to the slaughterhouse to buy meat. They bought two pounds of pork belly, two pounds of lean meat, two pig's trotters and a rib.
Carrying a basket full of meat and vegetables, they walked back to the supply and marketing cooperative to check out the counter selling dried seafood.
After He Susu came closer and saw it clearly, she couldn't help but laugh and said, "Mom, it seems that we are lucky today. We actually have dried seafood."
Cheng's mother was also happy: "It's good that there is supply. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to buy it."
They picked two packages of abalone, three packages of dried shrimp, and two packages of scallop meat, and Cheng's mother also picked three or four pounds of dried fish.
When He Susu was paying, Cheng's mother rushed to pay, and she insisted on giving money: "Mom, we agreed to buy these things for you and Dad to take back to Shanghai to eat slowly. They are a little gift from Cheng Shi and me. Before Cheng Shi left today, he specifically told me to pay. He works so hard every month to earn an allowance just to let his family live a good life. It is only right for him to buy you some of your favorite food to honor you. Besides, you bought those sanitary napkins for me and didn't take my money. Don't fight with me, just let me pay."
Cheng's mother couldn't argue with Susu, and was also moved by her son and daughter-in-law's filial piety. She said nothing more, and stood aside, smiling as she watched her daughter-in-law take out the money to pay.
The salesperson had a deep impression of He Susu. Dried seafood was hard to come by, so many people came to buy it once it arrived. However, few people bought as much as the comrade in front of him.
Listening to the conversation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, they finally agreed on who would pay. She took the money handed over by He Susu, counted the change, and praised: "Auntie, you are so lucky to have such a good son and daughter-in-law to buy our dried seafood for you to eat. Our dried seafood is unique and it is a rare and good thing in Shanghai."
Mother Cheng was happy to hear this: "Yes, my son and daughter-in-law are filial. We feel like we are enjoying a good life here. We eat and drink well every day, and live in such a good place that we don't want to go back to Shanghai."
He Susu smiled and took the change and put it back into her pocket. She waited for her mother-in-law to chat with the salesperson. Then they walked around the supply and marketing cooperative and bought a pound of peach cakes and a pound of White Rabbit candies. Then they walked out and waited for the bus to go back by the door.
The sixth day of the New Year was another dull day. On the morning of the seventh day, Cheng Shi took a special leave to borrow a car to take his parents to the county railway station. If he went back later, he could also pick up his mother-in-law and his third uncle's family, killing two birds with one stone.
It was just a coincidence that the days came together.
After seeing her parents-in-law off, He Susu returned to the house with the dumplings.
Tangyuan had just woken up and finished his meal. He treated his grandparents' departure as just going out for a walk as usual and did not feel sad at all. He smiled and waved goodbye.
He Susu played with him for a while, then went to the second room to take off the sheets and replace them with new ones, and then went into the kitchen to prepare food. She would definitely have lunch at home when her mother and third brother's family came back.
She was preparing food in the kitchen facing the kitchen door, so she could notice what Tangyuan was doing in the living room by just turning around a little, and she was not afraid of anything happening.
When it was almost noon, He Susu pulled a baby high chair to the kitchen for Tangyuan to sit on, so that the child would not run around and she could also stir-fry meat and vegetables.
Tangyuan still sat on the chair in the kitchen. Since he sat high up, he could see his mother frying meat and vegetables. He smelled the aroma and swallowed his saliva. He didn't complain about being bored and asked to go out to play.
Cheng Shi quickly brought He's mother and He Lianzhou's family back, and then he went to return the car.
Seeing that her mother and her third brother and his wife's family were happy, He Susu thought Tangyuan was also very happy and called out to them in a baby voice with a smile on her face.
Mother He loved her grandson very much. After greeting him with a smile, she went to her room to change her clothes before she dared to hold Tangyuan in her arms.
He Susu invited her brothers and sisters-in-law to sit down and drink tea, responded to the auspicious words said by Dabao and Erbao with a smile, and took out two red envelopes that she had prepared earlier from her clothes pocket and handed them to them with a smile.
Dabao and Erbao were so happy that they kept saying, "Thank you, aunt."
Su Yu also took out the prepared red seal and stuffed it into Tang Yuan's mouth. After receiving it, Tang Yuan said happily: "Thank you, aunt."
He Susu asked them to sit down while she went to the kitchen to fry the meat. Seeing this, Su Yu hurriedly got up to help. He's mother loved her grandson very much and knew that they would have a lot of time to spend together, so she gave the dumplings to the third child to take care of and followed him into the kitchen to help.
When Cheng Shi returned the car, the family had time to have dinner.
This was the first time the two families had dinner together after the New Year. They started the meal by saying some auspicious words, brewed tea and clinked glasses from time to time. The meal was lively and joyful.
After sitting for a while after dinner and seeing off her brother and sister-in-law, He Susu told her mother, "Mom, I have changed the sheets, quilt covers, and pillowcases in the room, so you can go to bed right away. Because my parents-in-law are coming to live with me, I put the clothes you put in the closet into a box and put them in your room. I haven't had time to put them back in the closet yet."
Mother He smiled and said, "It's okay, I'll come and clean it up later."
He Susu: "Okay, then you should take a nap first. You must be tired after taking the train here."
He's mother agreed with a smile, and asked her daughter to take the dumplings back to the house for a nap.
In the afternoon, the Cheng family was very quiet, and everyone in the main room and the second room fell asleep. When they woke up again, life seemed to have returned to the past, relaxed and happy, and extremely warm.
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