After dinner on the first night of the Lunar New Year, Huang's mother looked at her four children, her tone filled with a hint of reluctance and anticipation: "You will go back to your mother's house tomorrow, the second day of the Lunar New Year. Your father and I will go back to your grandmother's house early in the morning and visit your grandmother. You four brothers and sisters will just cook your own meals at home for two days."
The four siblings nodded in agreement. The eldest sister, Huang Wenrong, smiled and said, "Don't worry, Mom. We will take good care of ourselves. Be careful on the road and give New Year's greetings to Grandma and Grandma for us."
Xu Mengyao also added: "Mom, remember to tell them that we will go back to see them when the road is open."
The next morning, Huang's parents quietly left the house. Xu Mengyao was startled by the soft slam of a door. She opened her eyes, only to find it still dark before dawn, and went back to sleep. On the morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year, without the usual sounds of firecrackers and Huang's mother's wake-up calls, the four siblings slept in until noon, a rare moment. It wasn't until Qiu Xin called out for Wenxia to play that their first day as head of the family officially began.
In the cupboards were a few homemade dishes Huang's mother had cooked the previous night, and there were still buns in the steamed bun basket. The eldest sister briskly began to heat up the dishes, while Xu Mengyao helped pass plates around. Thus, a simple yet heartwarming brunch was prepared.
After dinner, the eldest brother and Wenxia rushed out to have some fun, while the eldest sister sat by the coal stove, roasting oranges and leisurely reading a book. Meanwhile, Xu Mengyao was inside, counting the bills in her small treasury and dreaming about her future plans.
After a while, the eldest brother led Tiger brother into the house and said in a loud voice: "Wenjuan, the street outside is very lively. The cinema area is crowded with people and there are stalls everywhere. Let's go sell popcorn too!"
The two sisters discussed it and immediately started preparing. The more they made money, the more addicted they became.
On the other side, Huang's father and mother finally arrived at Huang's mother's village after a morning of travel. As soon as they arrived at the village, Huang's mother couldn't wait to jump out of the car, pounding her waist and saying with a smile:
"Ouch! My old waist is almost broken from sitting here. Luckily the seat is tied with cotton cloth, otherwise my butt would be broken into pieces!"
Huang's father couldn't help laughing when he saw his wife's appearance. "With only two ounces of meat, there's no need for eight petals. At most, four petals."
Huang's mother gave him a stern look and said, "Dad, when you were off duty, you used to travel dozens of miles to get home. It must have been very tiring, right?"
Huang's father straightened his back, full of pride: "It's not hard. I was a soldier before, so this little hardship is nothing. The will of a soldier is harder than steel!"
Along the way, neighbors and villagers warmly greeted Huang's mother: "Fengxia is back!"
"Hey, isn't this the youngest daughter of the Liu family? I haven't seen you for so many years, and you still look so young!"
When they reached the door of Huang's mother's house, the aunt next door shouted towards the Liu family's yard as soon as she saw Huang's mother: "Brother Liu, sister-in-law, come out and take a look, there are guests in your house!"
When Grandma Huang heard the noise, she hurried out, wiping her hands. When she saw them, she exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my God, how did you come back? It must have been a long way! Come inside and rest. Old man, our little girl and son-in-law Huang are back!"
Grandpa Huang, holding his pipe, walked out of the main room cheerfully: "Haha, my son-in-law is here, we have to have two drinks at noon."
Huang's father agreed repeatedly. While helping to unload the items from the bicycle, he asked with concern, "Dad, are you all right? I bought you two bottles of good wine. Are your elder and second brothers home?"
"I'm fine, very strong. They both went back to their parents' home with their wives, so let's have a good drink together, just the two of us." Grandpa Huang replied with a smile.
Afterwards, the father-in-law and son-in-law went into the main room to chat about family matters, while Huang's mother followed Huang's grandmother into the kitchen to help prepare lunch. The yard was filled with a happy scene.
Grandma Huang took out the prepared ingredients from the cupboard and muttered, "You two must have come here before dawn. You must be exhausted. What's the point of making this trip during Chinese New Year?"
Huang's mother smiled gently, "Mom, it's not that far. Aren't we used to going back to my parents' home every year on the second day of the New Year? Besides, if I don't come back today, wouldn't it be so lonely at home with you two alone?"
Grandma Huang skillfully cut the vegetables with her knife, speaking with a carefree tone, "We're both very comfortable at home. Your eldest sister has been married in the provincial capital for so many years, and she hasn't come back very often. It's more important for you to live a good life. Your father and I are in good health, so don't worry about us. Just focus on being filial to your mother-in-law and taking good care of your husband and children. That's the real thing. By the way, where are my grandchildren?"
Huang's mother smiled even more gently. "The children are all at the mine. They only have one bicycle and can't bring them here. They asked me to send my regards to you two, and said that when transportation becomes more convenient, they will definitely come back to visit you often."
Grandma Huang was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling: "Oh, my grandchildren are all very sensible."
Although there were only four people eating at noon, Grandma Huang still prepared an extremely sumptuous meal. The table was filled with a variety of dishes. The father-in-law and son-in-law both ate happily, clinked glasses, talked and laughed, and the atmosphere was very warm.
In the afternoon, Huang's mother's brother, sister-in-law, and nephews and nieces returned. The courtyard suddenly became lively. Huang's mother took out gifts for the two families and New Year's money for the children. The children happily accepted the red envelopes and circled around Huang's mother and grandmother, laughing and talking non-stop.
That evening, Grandma Huang even prepared hot water for Huang's mother and her husband to soak their feet. This thoughtful gesture was heartwarming. Huang's father rested in the main room, while Huang's mother followed Grandma Huang into the room. The two of them half-leaned on the bed and chatted about family matters.
"You spent a lot of money today. You could have just given the children some New Year's money, but you also gave them so many gifts. How could your son-in-law not have any objections?" Grandma Huang pinched Huang's mother's hand, feeling distressed.
Huang's mother smiled and said, "Don't worry, Mom. I'm doing business at the mine now. This is all my own money. He can't say anything about me."
When Grandma Huang heard this, she was surprised but also relieved: "You're doing business? What kind of business?"
Huang's mother nodded with some pride and recounted in detail the changes that had taken place in the family during this period.
After hearing this, Grandma Huang patted her hands gently, full of praise: "You can stand on your own feet now, and the children are all obedient and sensible, so I can rest assured. Xiaojuan is a really good child. Not only is she good at studying, but she can also help the family earn money. You will definitely enjoy a happy future."
Huang's mother felt a surge of warmth when she heard this. She took out a handkerchief wrapped in money from her lapel and handed it to Huang's grandmother: "Mom, I can earn my own money now. Take these two hundred yuan. You and Dad should eat more good food in the future. Your health and longevity are my greatest blessings!"
Grandma Huang's eyes were red. She wiped the corners of her eyes with her rough hands and patted Huang's mother gently: "Go to bed quickly. You have to go to your in-laws' house tomorrow." After saying that, she did not take the money. She turned around and lay down with her back to Huang's mother.
Mother Huang looked at Grandma Huang's back, her eyes were very sore. She gently stuffed the money under the pillow, smelled the familiar scent of Grandma Huang, her heart was filled with peace and sweetness, and she fell into a deep sleep.
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