On New Year's Day, the village was unusually quiet.
We are lucky enough to be able to store some food to survive the whole year. There is no chance of enjoying big fish and meat for the festival. Moreover, beating drums and gongs and setting off firecrackers like in previous years are all prohibited this year.
If there is any situation outside the wall, the message must be conveyed by striking the gong, and it must not be covered up by other sounds.
Before the Chinese New Year, Zhou Lizheng went door to door to explain the situation and emphasized the seriousness of the matter. Anyone who didn't want to die would not do such a thing at this time.
Everyone has had a hard time this year, so naturally they don't have the same enthusiasm as in previous years.
This year was a year of disaster, and Granny Wang originally didn't want to come over to celebrate the New Year, but Song Yuehua and Dabao and Xiaobao went to the Wang family specially to invite her over.
"Granny Wang, without the dumpling fillings you make, the New Year wouldn't have quite the same flavor," said Song Yuehua.
Dabao also chimed in, "Yes, it doesn't have that taste."
It’s good enough to be able to eat enough during the New Year this year, and the Song family can even eat dumplings. It’s for this reason that Grandma Wang doesn’t want to go. She always feels like she’s taking advantage of others if she goes, and there’s nothing good in her own home.
Song Yuehua sighed and said, "Xiaoyu can't come back this year. If you don't come, this New Year will really be a waste."
While Granny Wang was hesitating, Xiao Bao pulled Granny Wang's sleeve and said, "Grandma, can we celebrate the New Year together?"
"Okay, okay," Granny Wang said, "I have a bag of red dates. Let's boil some red dates to drink in the evening."
By the evening, Granny Wang had prepared the dumpling filling early and sat with Madam Xia and Madam Nie to make dumplings.
Zhang Dandan and Bai Shu were playing with Liu Shitou, Liu Xiaomian, Dabao and Xiaobao in the yard.
Master Yi and Master Duan made a portable lantern for each of the children before they drank any alcohol.
Master Duan made a bunny-like thing, which caused some of the children to exclaim in surprise. Master Yi glanced at it and snorted, "It's flashy but not practical."
"Who wants this?"
Master Duan proudly waved the little rabbit lantern in his hand, and the younger ones all rushed to raise their hands.
Seeing the two teachers having fun with the children, the people in the room also started laughing.
Liu Xue was cooking dumplings there, while Song Yuehua was sitting next to the small clay stove cooking red dates and egg soup.
"I hope there will be good weather and good harvests next year." Liu Xue murmured.
Song Yuehua glanced at the children playing outside and sighed softly, "Yes."
This year has not been easy.
Song Yuehua turned her head and looked at the pot with big bubbles in it. She stirred it, and it was calm for only a moment before it continued to bubble again.
After the dumplings were cooked, Madam Xia shouted outside the house.
Everyone, young and old, went back to the house to eat dumplings together.
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