Chapter 288 New Year (Part Two)
Yun Zhao played with the children for a while, building a snowman.
Her little face was red from the cold.
The old town mayor came over with his cane and pulled her into the shed to warm herself by the fire.
The tarpaulin tightly sealed off the biting winter wind, and people gradually entered the tarpaulin, gathering together to chat.
The stove fire crackled and popped.
The aunties were busy working while chatting with everyone, their laughter and playful banter filling the air with a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Yao Qian suddenly asked, "There's a lantern festival on Central Street tonight, do you want to go together?"
“I heard there will be a Sichuan opera performance, but I haven’t seen it yet…” One of the aunties turned her head and said, “Mayor, why don’t you come over after we finish our New Year’s Eve dinner tonight?”
The old mayor pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Go and take a look."
Sichuan Opera?
"Is it the one with painted faces? I saw the promotional posters on the street yesterday, right at the entrance of the farmers' market."
"Yes! That's the one. I heard from the sentries that they've been selecting people to train for this New Year's event for months."
"I heard it's part of our traditional culture, and with this apocalypse, it almost got lost."
"Zhaozhao, are you going or not?"
When asked, Yun Zhao nodded silently, "Go."
She had already seen the video, but still wanted to see with her own eyes what kind of effect the culture they promoted would have.
The scene must be even more breathtaking.
People started coming in one after another.
He Xiang and Cheng Dongshu finally appeared, and as soon as they arrived, they were surrounded by the town's sentries, who all wanted them to talk about the training camp.
It wasn't even noon yet, and the shed was almost full of people, with constant noise.
Yun Zhao called some people, and they went back and brought out some candy and melon seeds.
The cooking had already started on the stove. As soon as the hot oil was poured into the large iron wok, it sizzled and instantly released a fragrant aroma.
More than a hundred people gathered together, laughing and talking, causing the temperature inside the shed to rise steadily.
*
Xie Tu, Rabbit, and Qi Ling arrived by car around 3 p.m.
At that time, many people in the town had already gone out to go shopping. In the vegetable preparation area next to the shed, more than ten people who worked as cooks in the evening were still busy. A few people sat idly chatting in the shed.
An unfamiliar car slowly drove into the parking lot, attracting the unintentional glances of the townspeople.
The car stopped on the other side, and three people got out.
Two men and one woman.
The man driving the car had a very cold and aloof appearance, with slightly raised brow bones and thick, dark eyebrows that looked like they were drawn with an ink brush, naturally exuding a sharp and heroic air.
His posture was as upright as a lone pine tree on a cliff, and his narrow eyes beneath his brows were as deep as an ancient pool, with a sharp insight into the world hidden in the darkness, as if they were lightly covered by a layer of frost, making it difficult for people to easily see the emotions in them.
He exudes an innate composure.
Many people in the town seemed to recognize him.
For a while, he drove Yun Zhao to and from get off work every day, and people in town saw him doing so several times.
They knew they were looking for Yun Zhao.
Sister-in-law He was squatting by the stove tending the fire when she greeted us with a smile, "Are you looking for Zhaozhao? She's upstairs."
Compared to their reserved demeanor when they first arrived at the base, the people in the town seemed to have become much more talkative.
The rabbit, carrying New Year's gifts, looked at the huge plastic greenhouse with a curious expression. Three large stoves had been newly built next to it, and many tables and chairs were placed inside.
She realized what was happening and replied with a smile, "Thank you, sister-in-law. We'll go upstairs to find her now."
The three of them turned into the apartment building.
There were many small stools in the hallway on the first floor, and quite a few people, men, women, young and old, were sitting there chatting and warming themselves by the fire.
The children seemed to be playing a game, running around laughing and joking.
When everyone saw the three people who suddenly entered, the atmosphere froze, and they all subconsciously paused for a moment.
"Is he Zhao Zhao's colleague?"
Old Liu was the first to react, and stood up to greet her warmly, "She's at home, come on up."
The other people in the town also realized what had happened; Zhao Zhao had said that she had friends celebrating the New Year with them that night.
Guests are welcome.
Everyone immediately became very enthusiastic.
"It's so cold outside, come over and warm up by the fire..."
"Here's some candy, would you like some? Don't be shy, make yourselves at home."
"You're all Zhaozhao's colleagues, right? Thank you so much for taking care of her. Our Zhaozhao is kind-hearted, and she's new to the base and doesn't like to talk to us about anything. It's all thanks to you..."
"Do you know where Zhaozhao lives? She lives in 1202. It's the apartment on the left after you get off the elevator."
The people in the town were talking amongst themselves.
The rabbit couldn't get a word in edgewise, completely overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the people of Qingshan Town.
Xie Tu remained calm, standing there chatting with everyone and occasionally chiming in with a few words.
Just as the conversation paused for a moment, the elevator came down.
Xie Tu calmly pressed the button to open the elevator door and said familiarly, "Then let's go up first."
The three of them carried the things inside.
As the elevator doors closed, all sights and noise were blocked out.
Qi Ling finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He kept his head down from the moment he got out of the car, his whole body was wrapped up tightly, with a black cloak and hood over his head and a mask on his face, as if afraid of being recognized as a mutant.
Fortunately, everyone was dressed warmly in the dead of winter, and his complete concealment aroused no suspicion.
Before Qi Ling arrived, she thought she was just going to visit Guide Yun's house for the New Year.
He was also curious about the guide's house.
Xiao Zhang from the research institute had told him that the base had given Yun Xiangdao a building...
Who would have thought that so many people would be in her family for the Chinese New Year!
"It's so lively here, Sister Yun Zhao."
Rabbit and Qi Ling had similar thoughts; she noticed that there were New Year pictures pasted inside the elevator!
Bright red "Fu" characters and colorful ribbons create a festive atmosphere everywhere.
The rabbit exclaimed, "The festive atmosphere is so strong! I've never seen so many people eating a reunion dinner together before."
It is filled with the radiant glow of family reunion, joy, and good health.
It feels like Chinese New Year!
*
Hearing the knock, Yun Zhao jogged over to open the door.
With a slight turn of the door hinges, Xie Tu's tall and straight figure came into view.
He lowered his head slightly, and upon seeing her, a gentle smile appeared in his usually cool gaze. He whispered, "Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year."
Yun Zhao responded instinctively, shifting her gaze and stepping aside to make way, adopting the manners of a guest, "Come in and sit down."
The house was thoroughly cleaned this morning. Since Qi Ling was invited, the living room carpet had been taken down, and a wooden stool with a layer of tin foil on it was placed opposite the sofa.
"The banquet started promptly at 6:30 p.m. I heard there were New Year's activities outside, and many people from our town went."
There will also be lantern festivals and Sichuan opera performances.
Aunt Zhao went along with her two children.
Yun Zhao stayed at home after lunch to wait for them.
Qi Ling looked up, her eyes filled with curiosity as she surveyed Yun Xiangdao's house.
He cautiously stepped into the house, and hesitated upon hearing the question, "Can I go too?"
Sichuan Opera performance...
People of later generations have never seen it, but Qi Ling knows clearly that it is a legacy brought out from the No. 28 contaminated zone.
The rabbit also vividly remembered the contaminated zone on the 28th and couldn't contain its excitement any longer. "When are we going?!"
The room was warm and cozy, and the table was piled high with fruits and snacks that Yun Zhao had prepared in advance.
The faint sounds of children playing and firecrackers exploding from outside the window carried the warm atmosphere of family reunion.
Xie Tu turned around and closed the door before slowly saying, "Let's go after we finish eating."
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