Chapter 113 Chapter 113 Ma Lijuan blinked, what did she say...
Ma Lijuan blinked her eyes. What are you talking about? Why are you dreaming about bullshit?
"I'm not saying I'll go alone. Why don't we go together? Think about it, Xia Li, find me a job. Your brother's place will definitely be able to accommodate you, right? Isn't that better than us digging for food in the dirt at home?"
It doesn't matter if they don't have anyone at home. But we have a ladder at home, and it would be stupid not to use it!
Jiang Erdong still shook his head, but he did see his wife in a new light. He had never realized how clever she was before. Now, this idea was actually quite clever, but he just didn't want to accept it.
"Alright, forget it. What they have is theirs. Do you have the luck to live like that? What are you going to do there? Can you adapt? Just go to bed. Most people can't endure that kind of hardship."
Jiang Erdong knew exactly what kind of person his brother was. While he wouldn't risk his life, he was certainly ruthless. He could pick up some bargains at home, but if he had to go out and do something with his brother, spare him. He wasn't destined for that!
And with his older brother around, he couldn't possibly be living too badly. Haven't you seen how well they're taking care of their own mother? His brother constantly buys them this and that. The old lady can afford it all by herself, and that's just a subsidy for them. And when it comes time to support her with medical expenses, there's no need to worry. His brother will cover the expenses, and they'll just do the hard work. Haven't you seen so many families with two brothers in the village that end up in trouble? With a brother like him, what else could he possibly do?
Women, you have long hair but short knowledge!
The days leading up to the New Year went by so quickly that his family had already steamed the buns, which was a big deal. The next day, the 28th, they started frying meatballs and tofu balls and making big bowls of meat dishes. When guests came, they would just steam a bowl or two and serve them.
On the 29th day of the 12th lunar month, they began hanging Spring Festival couplets and setting up offerings. On New Year's Eve, Jiang Dong's mother and her daughter-in-law made dumplings together. At dusk, they put the dumplings into the pot. The first batch of dumplings was served in bowls first for the ancestors to eat. Afterward, Jiang Dong's mother would let her sons and grandchildren eat the dumplings that had been offered to the ancestors, saying that it would be delicious and make the ancestors happy.
In the evening, the whole family crowded into Jiang Dong's mother's room to watch TV and stay up all night. The table in the room was filled with peanuts, melon seeds, candies, red apples, fragrant green oranges, and home-cooked snacks, which was very rich.
The happiest person was the little kid Jiang Mingming, who had his mouth full of delicious food and fun things while watching TV. In the end, he felt sleepy, but he kept fighting off sleep because this year his family not only bought firecrackers and cannons, but also fireworks, and he was looking forward to watching them.
Setting off firecrackers at home was left to the two grown men. Jiang Dong hung the firecrackers on the clothesline in the yard, and he was responsible for lighting them. He took a lighter, flicked the fuse at the bottom, and quickly ran away. After that, there was a burst of crackling sounds that lasted for about two minutes.
After the firecrackers finished going off, Jiang Erdong took the firecrackers to the yard and stuck them into the snow pile in the yard. As he did so, he said to his brother, "Brother, the firecrackers you bought this year last a really long time. Usually, the firecrackers at our house only last about ten seconds."
Jiang Dong also laughed and said, "No, that's not possible. This firecracker cost a lot of money!"
Seeing his brother go over to light the firecrackers, Jiang Dong did not go forward. Soon he saw Erdong light them and then ran back to his son, seeming to yell at his son to cover his ears quickly.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!..." Several deafening explosions echoed in the sky, as if they were going to make my ears pop out. I thought that was the end of it, but there was another explosion.
At ten past midnight, the sound of firecrackers burning could be heard not only in their house, but also in the houses of their neighbors and the entire village.
The village, which was originally very quiet due to the white snow, suddenly became very lively with all the families doing the same thing.
After setting off firecrackers, Jiang Mingming jumped and asked his father to light the fireworks quickly. Jiang Erdong looked at his son with a longing face and called his brother. After all, the fireworks were bought by his brother, and he might have extra money to buy this.
Jiang Dong naturally agreed. He said to his nephew, "Mingming, go get the fireworks and let your dad help you set them off!"
Jiang Mingming shouted happily, then quickly went into the house to bring out the fireworks. He followed his father's example and placed them next to the firecracker stuck in the snow.
Jiang Erdong walked to his son and took him with him, but he didn't let him light the signal himself. However, it was good to let the boy grow courage. After he lit the signal, he picked up his son and ran, and stopped when he reached the previous place.
After I stood still and looked back, I saw that the fuse was still burning. After it burned out, it seemed like a few seconds passed before I suddenly heard a deafening "bang". Then a beam of light rushed into the sky, and then there was another "bang". It then spread out in the sky. The red and green colors looked very beautiful in the night sky.
Jiang Mingming clapped his hands happily when he saw the fireworks he and his father set off: "Dad, our family set off such beautiful fireworks!" No one else had any!
When Jiang Dong saw this scene, he wondered if Jiang Zai was over there and whether anyone took him to set off firecrackers or to watch such fireworks.
Jiang Dong didn't know that he was worrying too much at this time, because although Xia Li and the others only set off firecrackers on New Year's Eve, they went outside together to watch a grand fireworks display on the fifth day of the New Year. The fireworks lasted for half an hour, which made Jiang Zai very satisfied.
After that, Jiang Dong and his brother took on the responsibility of visiting relatives, and the reception of relatives was done by the two women in the family. What they didn't expect was that on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Zhao Haiyan and Zhao Qingqing and their group actually came to the Jiang family to express their gratitude.
Jiang Dong and his mother were receiving them. Jiang Dong said they were too polite, but Zhao Qingqing and the others knew that if Jiang Dong's mother and Sister Xia Li hadn't been in constant contact, they wouldn't have been able to get through so smoothly. So after returning for the New Year, they had to come and express their gratitude. Otherwise, in their rural area, it would be considered ungrateful.
Jiang Dong also knew why they came on the first day of the Lunar New Year. The real busy season began on the second day, when they could visit several relatives in a single day. And visiting relatives wasn't just about dropping off your belongings and leaving. Instead, everyone took the opportunity to chat and have a good time. Some distant relatives might only get to see each other once a year during the Lunar New Year holiday, eating, chatting, and leaving in the afternoon. The festive atmosphere was so strong at that time.
Jiang Dong didn't expect that his partner Wang Changlin and his brother Wang Changjun also came to his house to pay New Year's greetings.
He went out to give gifts to relatives, and when he came back he was surprised to see the two people at home. He asked happily, "How did you two know my house is here? I was thinking of visiting you tomorrow, and I've already prepared the gifts!"
Wang Changjun walked over and patted his shoulder with a smile, very cheerfully: "We two brothers are thinking the same thing. And although I can't get to your home, I know your village. When I get to the village entrance, I can just ask you Jiang Dong's name."
Jiang Dong said, "You're so polite. Why did you bring so many things? We are brothers, don't we know each other? Mom, let me introduce you. This is-"
Wang Changlin interrupted him: "Dongzi, no need for introductions. I've been talking to Auntie for quite a while, and she already knows me."
Jiang Dong's mother called out from the side: "Yes, you should have sent your brother to call you earlier, but your brother is not at home, so you made people wait for you at home for so long."
Jiang Dong said: "I'm sorry, brother!"
Jiang Dong's mother saw the three of them talking, so she went out. She wanted to make something for them to eat while they talked. Before Jiang Dong came back, she said she was worried that they hadn't eaten yet, so she said she would make something for them, but they refused. Now that Jiang Dong was back, they probably had to talk for a while. It would be rude for their family not to let them eat at home during the New Year.
She went to the kitchen to prepare. She had braised pork and eight-treasure rice that had been prepared earlier at home. She also prepared a plate of steamed chicken and steamed them together with the steamed buns in a big pot.
Jiang Dong cut a plate of braised beef she'd bought from a local stall, and then added a plate of pickled vegetables: bean curd sheets, black fungus, kelp, and lotus root. They were simple, just mixed to taste. She also cooked a few hot dishes: shredded pork with garlic sprouts, stir-fried pork with green peppers, and stir-fried pork with garlic sprouts and mushrooms.
These dishes are quick to prepare. She has already washed, cut and prepared the ingredients in advance, and they are ready in no time. She then opens the lid of the steamed dishes and takes a look. Needless to say, they are ready. As soon as they are opened, they are steaming hot and full of fragrance.
Jiang Dong's mother saw that everything was ready, so she went into the house and asked her son to come out and serve the dishes.
Wang Changlin and his brother were naturally surprised and felt very embarrassed that they had made the old lady busy for them for so long.
Jiang Dong's mother, however, found it quite lively. Seeing her son with so many friends, she was happy and had no complaints. When the food was served, she said, "Hurry up and eat. Let's try Auntie's cooking."
Seeing nearly ten dishes on the table, the Wang Changlin brothers felt deeply moved by the woman's genuine regard for them. Their hearts warmed, and they felt even more deeply that knowing this man was worthwhile. Sometimes, when choosing a partner, one should consider the family's character. Having a family that's understanding, generous, and kind gives them peace of mind.
Jiang Dong stayed at home for a few days after the New Year and was about to leave. However, there was still one thing he hadn't done, and that was about Xia Li's biological mother.
Her mother lived in another town. After Xia Li married him, she had been living alone. I heard that she found a partner later, but I didn't know whether it was true or not. At least when Jiang Dong saw her a few years ago, she was still alone.
Jiang Dong had to admit that the old lady wasn't a good person. Furthermore, Xia Li didn't have a good relationship with her mother, otherwise she wouldn't have mentioned it or asked about it.
As Xia Li's husband, Jiang Dong naturally has to take his wife's thoughts and feelings into consideration. So even though they are relatives after all, he tries not to contact her mother on weekdays.
I just give some gifts to people during the Chinese New Year and leave about a hundred yuan, and nothing else.
A few years ago, when Xia Li was still at home, they did the same thing. Her attitude at the time was neither cold nor indifferent, neither agreeing nor refusing. Later, Jiang Dong figured out her thoughts and decided not to interact with her on weekdays. Too much interaction would make her feel annoyed, so he decided to just meet her during the New Year.
Xia Li's mother also knew that Xia Li had run away from home, but when she saw Jiang Dong, she still treated him as before and did not ask much about her daughter. She would take whatever Jiang Dong gave to her, and sometimes even wanted him to give more.
At that time, Jiang Dong was wondering how Xia Li, such a smart person, could have such a mother.
This year was a bit unusual; Xia Li had news and had returned. However, Jiang Dong still planned to follow the usual etiquette and go through the formalities. He didn't follow the custom of returning to one's parents' home on the second day of the Lunar New Year to prepare, waiting until the day before departure.
Jiang Dong's mother knew that her son was planning to visit his wife's parents' home before leaving. After thinking about it, she decided to tell her son something.
That night, after finishing her chores, she went to the west room, opened the curtain, and knocked on the door.
Jiang Dong heard the noise and asked, "Mom? The door is not closed, just come in!"
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