With the departure of Zhang Chengli,
Second Grandpa's voice rang out in the house:
"Rong girl, you should think about this matter yourself. Don't be afraid. If you want to go, just go. Just treat it as fun."
Huang Wenrong nodded slightly. This little incident soon passed, and everyone continued to happily do what they should do during the New Year.
Around noon, Third Uncle returned, his image gentle and refined, his scholarly demeanor overwhelming. After greeting them gently, he stayed close to Third Aunt, and the couple seemed to have a very good relationship.
After lunch, they were summoned to Second Grandfather's study. The room was filled with the faint scent of ink, and the children gathered around the old man, diligently learning to write calligraphy. Second Grandfather patiently held Jianwen's hand, teaching him stroke by stroke.
"Look carefully, the character 'Fu' should be written in a round and full shape, implying abundant blessings."
As he spoke, he demonstrated by writing auspicious "Fu" characters one by one.
After coming out of the study, the children helped clean the coins and carefully wrapped them in dumplings, which symbolizes good fortune in the coming year.
As the sun set, the old man and Jianping finally returned home, and the family was reunited. As soon as the old man got out of the car, he immediately took out two tank models made of bullet shells from his bag and handed them to the two sisters:
"Wenrong, Wenjuan, this is a New Year's gift from me to you two. See if you like it!"
The old lady laughed and said, "How can you give a girl a bullet shell?"
"Haha, didn't the kids in our family like this before?" The uncle laughed heartily.
Xu Mengyao took the model, gently stroked the cool metal texture, and said with a smile: "Uncle, this is such a special gift! I have never seen anything like it before."
Huang Wenrong also said with a smile: "Thank you, uncle, I like it very much."
The old lady smiled and shook her head. Although she was angry, her eyes were full of tenderness.
"Your uncle is a very rude person. How can a girl be the same as a boy? Come and see the gift I prepared."
After saying that, he took out two boxes and handed them to them. When they opened them, there was an ancient silver bracelet, shining with tiny light.
The old lady took it out and put it on them.
Second Aunt also came over and said with a smile: "Sister-in-law, we are thinking of the same thing. I went to the temple to ask for bracelets for the two children, and they are just right to wear one on the left and one on the right."
Aunt Three looked at the gifts from her two sisters-in-law and said in a frustrated tone, "Sister-in-law and sister-in-law, why didn't you tell me you were preparing gifts? I only bought clothes. Compared to you, I'm so superficial."
After hearing what Third Aunt said, everyone burst into laughter.
"Okay, whatever you give to the two girls is your thoughtfulness. I had prepared gifts, but you stole the limelight first." The second wife smiled and scolded.
"Children, come here, it's time to give out your New Year's money."
Hearing this, the whole room was in an uproar. Second Grandpa, Second Grandma, and Huang Nai sat on the sofa in turn to accept the children's New Year's blessings. The children lined up from oldest to youngest, knelt down and kowtowed, saying auspicious words repeatedly, and accepted the red envelopes with satisfaction.
In addition to giving them New Year's money, my second grandfather and second grandmother also took out the mutton-fat jade peace lockets that they had treasured for many years and gave them to them.
"There are only two of these peace lockets, and now is the perfect time to give them to you two sisters. I hope they can protect you for a lifetime of peace and good health."
Before taking their seats, Fourth Uncle gave each child a seal with their name engraved on it.
At the New Year's Eve dinner, Xu Mengyao and her fourth uncle ate the first pot of dumplings with lucky coins, and everyone applauded and congratulated them. At the table, the adults chatted over the international situation and people's livelihoods, while the children, eager to escape, ran outside to set off fireworks.
The alleys were filled with the crackling sound of firecrackers, and the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder. Children stood on the observation deck, watching fireworks of all sizes explode in the sky in the distance, and shouted loudly to the distance: "Happy New Year."
As the Spring Festival Gala approached, families gathered around the television, ready to embrace this annual cultural feast. On the screen, host Ni, teacher Zhao, and the intellectual Ms. Yang, all in their prime, dressed in gorgeous costumes, delivered a dazzling opening for the audience. The stage backdrop was dotted with various Year of the Monkey elements, and several actors portraying the Monkey King tumbled and leaped across the stage, creating a jubilant atmosphere.
As the program progressed, it was approaching midnight and the performance on TV had ended. There were still two minutes left in the countdown. Teacher Zhao, with his stable stage presence and quick wit, managed to hold the scene. He led the actors to send New Year greetings to the audience across the country, successfully filling this blank time and resolving the crisis.
As the countdown to midnight approached, Huang Jianping led his brothers and sisters in lighting firecrackers in the courtyard. The entire capital seemed to be instantly awakened, the sound of firecrackers echoing and deafening. Fireworks burst into the night sky, as bright as daylight.
When all the noise gradually subsided, the two sisters lay on the bed, still very excited. Huang Wenrong said softly:
"Beijing is great. I'm having a really great time today."
Her voice was full of happiness and satisfaction, and her eyes sparkled in the darkness like bright black gems.
"Sister, do you want to go to the photo shoot that Uncle Zhang mentioned this morning?" Xu Mengyao asked at this time.
Huang Wenrong answered without hesitation:
"I want to go. I really like monsoons, and I think it should be quite interesting. In fact, I have always envied you because you always have goals and know what you like and what you want to do. But I don't know what I like. What Uncle Zhang mentioned today is quite interesting, so I want to give it a try."
Xu Mengyao encouraged: "Okay, go if you want to, otherwise you will always have longings in your heart."
The next morning, when Huang Wenrong and Xu Mengyao were still asleep, there was a knock on the door. Huang Wenrong opened the door sleepily and saw his fourth uncle half-leaning at the door, his arms folded, a smile on his face:
"My two sleeping beauties, it's time for breakfast. Rongrong, have you made up your mind? I should give Director Zhang a reply."
Huang Wenrong's sleepiness immediately dissipated when he heard him ask this: "I've thought about it, Fourth Uncle. I want to go."
"Okay, I'll tell him right away." Fourth Uncle answered and turned to leave.
When the two sisters came to the living room, their uncle was having breakfast in the dining room.
"Rongrong, I've already told Director Zhang that you agreed to film. He was very happy to hear the news. Get ready in the next two days. They'll start filming on the third day of the Lunar New Year. I'll take you there then."
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