The Taoist priest didn't forget to add, "Bring more wine. Since we're all gathered together, let's have a good get-together."
As Xu Han walked, she replied, "Yes, I remember."
There were quite a few people today, so Xu Han made two jugs of sweet potato wine and a little bit of mulberry wine left over.
The sweet potato wine was given to the men, while the mulberry wine was reserved for Xu Han and Zhao Yunyun.
As for the children, Xu Han didn't want to spoil their fun, so she specially made them some fruit jam water, which was sweet and sour, delicious, and appetizing.
After everyone was seated, Grandpa Zhao spoke first, "Haha, it's been a long time since our whole family has gathered together like this. It's rare for everyone to be here today, so let's have a toast first."
After Yunhua poured wine for everyone, she chimed in, "Yes, yes, we must drink to our hearts' content tonight, and not let this delicious meal go to waste."
After saying that, everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together. Even Mu'er followed suit. Ze'er watched everyone's actions with curiosity, not understanding what they were doing, and then started showing off her food like crazy.
After finishing her drink, Xu Han put down her cup and said, "I've said so many times that we should all spend the New Year together, but every year at the end of the year we end up being separated by various things. This year we're finally all together."
Zhao Yunyun looked particularly happy, her smile never fading. "I've been looking forward to coming back for the New Year for a long time, and I finally made it back after traveling day and night."
Yunhua continued, "If you hadn't come back soon, I probably would have been sent out to pick you up. You don't know, ever since I came back, Grandpa Zhao has been restless, looking at the door every day, hoping that he'll see you come back in the blink of an eye."
Grandpa Zhao picked up his wine glass, trying to hide his expression. "Am I like that? It's not as exaggerated as you say."
Xu Han chimed in, "Yes, of course! Her face practically screams 'Yunyun'!"
Hahaha, everyone burst into laughter again upon hearing this.
Everyone enjoyed the meal, chatting about the changes in themselves and their families over the past year, as well as what they had seen and heard while away from home.
In particular, when Xu Han heard Yun Hua and Zhao Yun Yun talk about the places they had been to, the things they had done, and the people they had met in the past year, she was filled with longing.
Lu Chuan saw all of this and made up his mind that he would definitely take Xu Han out for a walk when he had the chance.
After thinking about it, I felt something was wrong. Even if there wasn't an opportunity, I had to find one. I had to go out and travel.
Everyone was happy today, and Xu Han didn't want to spoil the fun. After finishing two jugs of sweet potato wine, she went to the storeroom and fetched two more jugs of wine.
Mu'er and Ze'er were still young, so after about the right time, Lu Chuan helped them wash up and then let them go to sleep on their own.
The remaining adults continued to eat and chat. Because it was winter and cold, Xu Han went to reheat the food twice.
Everyone was happy that night because there was nothing important to do the next day, so they chatted until late into the night, and finally went back to their rooms feeling dizzy.
As expected, everyone woke up late the next morning. Even Lu Chuan and the Taoist priest, who were always punctual, were unusually late. Xu Han and Zhao Yunyun slept until late morning and only got up when they were too hungry.
Today is the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, and tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Xu Han wants to take advantage of the time she has today to prepare the ingredients for tomorrow's New Year's Eve dinner in advance.
The house needs a thorough cleaning too. A new year brings a new look, and year-end cleaning is something every household must do. It symbolizes bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, hoping for a better year to come.
Xu Han and Zhao Yunyun were busy preparing meals for the whole family in the kitchen. Lu Chuan and the others didn't go out either, but instead used the time to clean every nook and cranny of the house.
Throw away everything that's no longer usable, and declutter even things you wouldn't normally throw away. As for the things that are still usable, put them all in the storage room in the backyard.
Now there are more storage rooms in the house. In addition to the large storage room in the west room of the front yard and the old woodshed in front of the kitchen, there is also a newly built area in the back yard, which is also used to store many things that are not usually used but are necessary.
Xu Han really felt that the longer she stayed in this house, the more stuff accumulated. Back when Lu Chuan was alone, he could empty more than half of one storage room, but now three storage rooms couldn't hold it all. And that doesn't even include Xu Han's own space and cellar.
At first, there weren't many things when it was just the two of them, but after the Taoist priest and Grandpa Zhao joined, the amount of things increased.
Later, we had two more children, and we had even more things. Their toys and rocking horses alone took up a large space.
As Xu Han picked the vegetables in her hands, she said to Yunyun, "Yunyun, I've made a lot of snacks lately. You didn't have a chance to eat them yesterday. I'll take them out for you to try in a bit."
Zhao Yunyun's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Really?"
"Of course it's true. I made a lot, including bread, cookies, and konjac snacks. I can give you some to take back with you when you leave."
Zhao Yunyun put down what she was holding, went to Xu Han's side, and hugged her. "Sister Xiao Han, I like you so much. You're so good to me."
Xu Han smiled but didn't say anything. The longer they spent together, the more relaxed Zhao Yunyun became, and she was even willing to hug her on her own initiative.
Snacks are something that no girl can resist, and it seems that Zhao Yunyun is no exception.
Yunhua came in and interrupted, "The noodles on the kang have overflowed. Do you want to go and take a look?"
Xu Han then remembered the dough she had just kneaded; it seemed it had already risen.
Xu Han slapped her forehead. "Oh no, I hope I don't go too far!"
Yunhua, being very perceptive, came out of the kitchen and said, "I'll bring it over for you."
Xu Han took this opportunity to quickly clean the cutting board so she could make steamed buns and dumplings later.
After the area was cleaned up, Lu Chuan and Yun Hua each carried a large wooden basin to knead the dough.
Lu Chuan looked at Xu Han and said, "I'll knead the dough for you. I'm strong and I can knead it faster than you."
Xu Han nodded and said, "Okay, hurry up and knead the dough. First, let the dough release the air. Luckily, it didn't over-proof, otherwise, it would have been a waste to use up such a big bowl of dough."
Upon hearing this, Lu Chuan rolled up his sleeves and began kneading the dough, while Xu Han took the opportunity to stir the filling for the buns.
Today I prepared three kinds of bun fillings: one with beef and scallions, one with tofu and vermicelli, and one with dried vegetables, vermicelli, and wood ear mushrooms.
Everyone loves these different kinds of fillings, so Xu Han simply made them all so that Yunhua and Zhao Yunyun could also enjoy them.
In addition, Xu Han also prepared white flour steamed buns and cornmeal steamed buns.
Make extra today, so we can eat for a few more days. At least we won't need to make steamed buns before the Lantern Festival.
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