At midnight, the new year arrived, ushering in 1977.
When the family arrived at the dining room, it was time for dumplings. They didn't usually eat snacks, but everyone ate a few, as dumplings on New Year's Eve have a good meaning.
Zhang Hongmei told them to go back to sleep. The next morning, Zhenye drove the four of them to wish the old lady a Happy New Year.
They arrived here as their first stop in the morning. They prepared snacks for the old lady and fine wines for Liu Changhe, Liu Aimin, Liu Jingze, and Liu Jingxiang.
Zhenye and the other three knelt respectfully before the old lady and kowtowed. "Grandmother, Happy New Year."
Zhang Zhenye wished his ancestor many happy returns of the day.
Zhang Ruifeng wished his ancestor a long and healthy life.
Zhang Weiyu wished his ancestor good health.
Gu Yaozu wished his ancestor good health and freedom from all illnesses.
The old lady was beaming from ear to ear. She was so happy. She quickly had Liu Jingze help the four of them up and give each of them a box.
Afterwards, I visited Liu Changhe and his wife to wish them a Happy New Year and received a large red envelope.
Liu Aimin and his wife also gave red envelopes.
When it was Liu Jingze's turn, he gave each of his four children a savings book with their names on it. "From now on, all the New Year's money will be transferred directly to this account."
Of course, Liu Jingze gave Liu Chongyu and Liu Yuhui the same. He also prepared the same for the three younger ones.
"Zhenye, the four of you can eat here at home."
"Grandma, we're going to visit my third grandma for the New Year. We'll come over for lunch."
"Alright, Grandma has prepared some delicious food for you, so don't rush."
Zhang Weiyu leaned against the old lady and said, "Grandma, we want to burn paper money for Zhou Shixiong."
The old lady nodded. "Okay, go ahead. The fact that you all care about him means he hasn't been kind to you for nothing."
The four of them drove to Liu Maocai's house. They also received lucky money, and Cheng Guangxu's red envelope was particularly large.
Li Cuihua pulled Zhenye's hand and said, "The four of you stay for dinner."
"Third Grandmother, my ancestor invites us over for dinner."
"Okay, that works too. Your second aunt and her family are also going to your great-grandfather's house to pay New Year's respects. You can go together. Come over tomorrow."
"Uncle, you go ahead. We're going out to burn paper money for our ancestor Zhou Shixiong. We need to see him. It's the New Year, he must be feeling lonely by himself, right?" Zhang Weiyu said, a little sadly.
Cheng Guangxu patted him on the shoulder. "Be careful, and come back quickly. We'll be waiting for you at your ancestral home."
The four nodded, drove off, and bought paper money and incense at the foot of the mountain.
The four of them arranged the offerings, knelt before Zhou Shixiong's grave, and kowtowed three times, saying, "Ancestor, we have come to wish you a Happy New Year."
After that, everyone kept adding paper money to the fire.
Only the howling north wind blew, and none of the four of them spoke, but they were all reminiscing about the moments they had spent with Zhou Shixiong.
Half an hour later, the four of them knelt down again, kowtowed once, and then got up and left.
Zhang Zhenye was driving. "Boss, let's go home first. I want to change my clothes."
"Okay, let's go home."
Zhang Hongmei knew that the four of them had gone to burn paper money for Zhou Shixiong, and that they still had a lot of feelings for him.
"Mom, Grandpa wants us to come over for dinner."
"Alright, you can go ahead." Zhang Hongmei asked Lu Jing to prepare some candy. There were many children, and it was the New Year, so let them eat as much as they wanted.
At ten o'clock, they returned to the old lady's house, and Ping An rushed over happily when he saw the four of them.
"Ping An, I brought a lot of candy. Come on, let's share it."
The older children went to see the two younger ones; one was lying on the bed, and the other was sitting and playing.
The two little ones got excited when they saw so many older brothers come in.
Song Xiangting handed the rattle drum in his hand to Zhang Weiyu.
Ma Li chuckled and said, "Our third child is loved by everyone. Even such a young child likes you."
"Second Aunt, this shows that the little guy has good taste."
"San'er, where's your face?" Zhang Ruifeng glanced at his smug younger brother with disdain.
"Hehe. Second brother, look at us all standing here. I'm their favorite, so where am I being shameless?"
The brothers in the room all scoffed. Zhang Weiyu picked up the excessively handsome Song Xiangting from the bed.
"If you were a girl, you'd definitely be a problem for us guys in the future. We'd be constantly worried that someone would trick you away. Luckily, you're a boy."
"Hehe, San'er even knows this?" Ma Li found Zhang Weiyu's words quite funny.
"Second Aunt, these are the words my father kept repeating to my sister before she left. How could I not remember them?"
"Heh, your dad can do that?"
"That's right. My dad is afraid that someone will trick my sister away."
In the kitchen, Hu Aifen, Li Cuihua, and Er Ya were busy frying, stir-frying, and cooking.
A short while later, Zhenye and the other three went to the study and found Liu Jingze.
The five of them mostly discussed economics.
“Zhenye, you four should go to Haishi during the summer vacation and visit the companies there. You should learn about how things work there.”
"Uncle, we know. Otherwise, we were thinking of taking a trip to the border."
"Don't go there. It should be relatively peaceful there. What the country needs most right now is rapid economic development. As long as we stand up on our own, the border will be much more peaceful."
All four nodded.
"Godfather, before my sister left, she asked us if we wanted to go to university in the United States. What do you think?"
"I think you can go out and see what's going on. You're capable enough and won't be bullied. It's just that your identity might be a bit of a problem."
"Well, I'll let my dad arrange it then."
There were three large tables full of food at noon. After a lively lunch, we rested on the kang (a heated brick bed) with the old lady for a while. "Grandma, are Liu Qiang and Xiang Dong coming back with us?"
“Ask them if your godfather and the others can go over to wish your great-grandfather and grandfather a Happy New Year tomorrow. They can go back whenever they want.”
Before they left, the four of them asked Liu Qiang, “Brother, I think I’ll stay and keep the old ancestor company for a few more days. I won’t go back tomorrow either. Let Xiangdong go back. I’m thinking of going up the mountain with Chongyu in a few days. Xiangdong has adapted to life here now.”
Zhang Zhenye patted Liu Qiang on the shoulder, "Yes, that's how an older brother should be."
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Cheng Guangxu and his family of five, Liu Jingze and Liu Jingxiang and their two families, Zeng Zhongkang and his family of three, Cai Peilin and his family of three, and Zhuzi and his family of three all came over.
Zhang Xingguo and Gu Chuanming were delighted. As people get older, they crave crowds and lively atmospheres.
The two elders gave out generous New Year's money. Chongyu also took Liu Yuhui's money back with him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com