Jian Ning liked it as soon as she tasted it. However, she didn't eat much; after a few bites, she felt quite full.
Since tomorrow is the New Year, after dinner, Jian Ning went back to her space and found a few bright red couplets. She decided not to set off firecrackers at this time, as they would attract too much attention.
However, it's still customary to put up couplets and light up bright red lanterns during the New Year, all for the sake of celebration and good fortune, isn't it?
As soon as I got up in the morning, I delivered a painting to both Aunt Wang and Jian Anping's homes.
We also discussed it, and decided that all three families would get together this year to have a more lively New Year.
Aunt Wang happily agreed. Actually, she had prepared quite a bit of food at home.
The pork knuckle and large carp are out and thawed, and the hen is already killed. We're just waiting to cook it this afternoon. I said I'd provide six dishes. With the two families joining together, it'll be just the right amount for a big table.
Jian Ning went back into the house and took out a lot of candies, melon seeds, and various dried fruits and snacks from her spatial storage.
This is indispensable during the Chinese New Year.
In the afternoon, Xiao Lingfeng also returned, wearing a thick military overcoat and a fur-lined cotton hat, looking as if he had just come down from Tiger Mountain.
He was also carrying a bag containing wild boar meat.
"Wow, you caught it! With the heavy snow blocking the mountains, are wild boars out of food?"
"There are still some. These wild animals all have their own survival skills. This time we caught three wild boars. I kept one leg to bring back for the New Year."
Jian Ning wasn't interested in this. During her cultivation journey, she'd eaten the meat of all sorts of spirit beasts. This wild boar meat wasn't even as good as domestic pig meat; the meat fibers were tough and coarse, requiring high heat to cook.
Jian Anping, however, had never eaten wild game before, and excitedly pulled Xiao Lingfeng into the house. They cut a large piece off the wild boar's thigh, intending to barbecue it and have some drinks with it.
The New Year's Eve dinner was exceptionally lavish. It included braised beef brisket with tomatoes, hand-shredded Sichuan peppercorn chicken, sweet and sour pork tenderloin, boiled prawns, braised carp, braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens, braised spare ribs, garlic lettuce, roasted wild boar, pearl meatballs, sour soup beef, and eight-treasure rice.
A whole table was set up.
Uncle Li had already taken out the best liquor in his house and heated it up.
He poured Xiao Lingfeng a glass first: "Come on, it's New Year's Day, everyone drink more, let's be happy."
"Thank you, Uncle Li. This year has been tough for all of us. I hope that the festive atmosphere of the New Year will help us..."
"May things return to normal next year." Xiao Lingfeng raised his glass and clinked it against Uncle Li's. These words expressed his most sincere hope.
Although he knew it was impossible, one should always have beautiful wishes.
The happiest person today is Tian Tian. It's been a long time since we've had such a lively atmosphere. And all the dishes on the table are so delicious. Grandma usually wouldn't be willing to cook so much good food at home.
And today she was wearing a brand new red dress with a white fur collar, looking just like a doll from a New Year's painting, so festive. It's been so long since she's dressed so beautifully to go out. Chinese New Year is truly wonderful.
Jian Ning took out her tablet and played a Spring Festival Gala she had downloaded before, instantly filling the room with a lively atmosphere.
The festive atmosphere of the New Year was palpable, and everyone smiled happily. Even the howling wind outside couldn't dampen their anticipation for the new year.
After finishing their New Year's Eve dinner, Aunt Li and Grandma Wang started preparing dumplings for midnight, making cabbage, celery, and pork dumplings, as well as three-delicacy dumplings.
Although Jian Ning didn't know how to make dumplings, she washed her hands and went to help, just for the sake of making it lively. As a result, the dumpling wrappers were all rolled into rectangles and she couldn't make them round no matter what she did.
Needless to say, the dumplings she made came in all sorts of shapes. Even though no one said anything, she herself felt it was too much to bear to look at, so she simply dragged Tian Tian aside to play games on her tablet.
The two of them were like little kids, lying on the kang (a heated brick bed) playing a game of catching mice on a tablet. Jian Ning was particularly skilled; she was quick-witted and nimble, and no mouse could escape her fingers.
Soon it was almost midnight, the plump dumplings were already in the pot cooking, and Tian Tian had long since fallen asleep on the kang (heated brick bed).
Children shouldn't stay up late. Just then, the sound of firecrackers suddenly came from outside the window, bringing a touch of vitality to the otherwise silent city.
Jian Anping was the first to run to the window, pull back the curtains, and look outside.
"It's in the direction of the rescue station. They're quite in line with the occasion; they can even find firecrackers for the New Year." Jian Anping's tone was full of envy.
"I have some too! Let's go to the rooftop and set off fireworks!" Jian Ning suddenly got excited. She put on her coat and ran out, and soon set off quite a few fireworks and firecrackers at the door.
She bought quite a few of these things on a whim, never expecting they would actually come in handy.
"Let's go, Brother Xiao, let's set off some firecrackers, and then come back for dumplings later." Jian Anping put on his coat, grabbed a lighter, and excitedly pulled Xiao Lingfeng out together.
The thick snow on the rooftop terrace had mostly melted into water, leaving a large, open, flat area above it.
Jian Ning, also bundled up tightly, followed along to join the fun. She had never seen New Year's fireworks before; they must be incredibly interesting.
Jian Anping quickly lit the fireworks, and with a whoosh, they soared into the sky, blooming silently, layer upon layer of brilliant fireworks that instantly illuminated the dark night sky.
Jian Ning couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "It's really so beautiful!"
She ran over to try it herself. Xiao Lingfeng, however, only let her play with sparklers; the fireworks were something the two men could handle. They played for over half an hour.
Aunt Wang came upstairs and called the three of them downstairs to eat dumplings before they reluctantly went back.
Jian Ning casually used a cleaning spell to clean up all the fireworks debris upstairs. Otherwise, it would be a hassle to get water next time it snows.
Xiao Lingfeng returned to the mountain on the second day of the Lunar New Year. The mission there was urgent and required his presence.
It was too cold outside and there was no need to go out, so Jian Ning resumed her seclusion, this time focusing on communicating with her immortal abode and bringing out her idea for the Foundation Establishment Pill.
After her continuous arduous cultivation, the spiritual power in her body was almost exhausted, and today she finally reconnected with the immortal abode.
Overjoyed, she let out a long shout, and in a flash, she disappeared into the space of the jade pendant.
"Master, you've finally come in! I've been waiting for you for so long!" As soon as Jian Ning entered the immortal mansion, a white, furry animal jumped into her arms.
"Old Huang, it's so great to see you again!" Jian Ning happily hugged it and showered it with kisses.
"Ouch, let go of me! You've gotten my fur all wet! What's wrong with you? You're getting worse the more you cultivate, and you haven't even reached the Foundation Establishment stage yet?"
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