Lunar New Year's eve.

One morning, the sky was foggy and bright.

The sound of firecrackers rang out one after another.

Fireworks and firecrackers are not allowed in the army, for fear that someone might take advantage of them to cause trouble, but it is the New Year, and customs cannot be ignored.

The troops only set off firecrackers when something happens, and basically only twice a year.

One was during the Chinese New Year, and the other was when new recruits were assigned to their companies.

The higher-ups had already made arrangements, asking the logistics department to set off two strings of 100-shot firecrackers in the cafeteria early in the morning.

Crackling, so lively.

I don’t know how many people were awakened from their sleep.

Qi Sisi was no exception. Even though Zhao Xingyu covered her ears, she was still woken up by the sudden noise.

"There are firecrackers outside, don't be afraid."

Zhao Xingyu patted the quilt gently, his voice gentle.

Qi Sisi thought about it vaguely in her mind. After a while, her mind became clear and she realized that today was New Year's Eve.

"Happy New Year!"

Qi Sisi said as she looked at her lover with a smile.

Zhao Xingyu saw that she was fully awake and not frightened. He looked back at her tenderly, his eyes full of attachment and joy.

"Happy New Year!"

Fortunately, she was the one who spent the New Year with him.

In the past few years, he was busy with training and tasks and had little time to accompany Sisi and his father-in-law. When he thought that they had already gotten married this year and that Sisi's baby was about to be born, all the changes were for the better, which made him feel sincerely happy.

I am so happy that sometimes I feel that everything happened too suddenly. From time to time, I feel a fear, worrying that everything is just a dream.

This proves the saying, "Because of love, there is fear; because of love, there is worry."

Fortunately, every time I wake up, she is by my side.

"It seems to be very lively outside."

The sound of firecrackers woke up many children. There were also the sounds of babies crying, but they were soon coaxed back to sleep by their mothers.

Children around five or six years old have already passed the stage of being easily frightened.

When I woke up and heard the sound of firecrackers, I didn't feel scared. Instead, I felt excited. I couldn't wait to get up and ran downstairs.

On a concrete floor covered with red paper, I searched for a single red firecracker that had not been completely burned out so that I could still play with it.

The soldier in charge of setting off firecrackers had not left yet, and was standing aside watching with a smile on his face.

"Just pick them, and when you're done, bring them to me for fun, and you can exchange them for a candy."

It is normal that among hundreds of firecrackers, occasionally a few may not be burned.

It is better to unblock than to block.

Rather than letting these children take it away and go somewhere else, which would involve unknown dangers, it would be better to cooperate with them and avoid this risk.

"Okay, okay!"

"What kind of candy is it?"

"I want orange-flavored hard candy."

"Can I have some candy?"

A dozen children were groping on the ground with laughter. After a while, they actually found a few silent ones and happily handed them to the soldiers next to them.

As I wished, I got the corresponding fruit hard candy.

You can exchange the number of candies you pick up for each one.

The children who didn't get any candies just watched others eat the candies.

Some sensible children broke the candies into pieces and shared them with others.

The child didn't dislike it at all, his mouth was sweet and he smiled happily.

Qi Sisi stood on the balcony, watching this scene with tender eyes. She touched the baby moving vigorously in her belly, and couldn't help but think of the lively appearance of the child in the future.

However, it is not okay to eat candy that has been bitten by others.

Be hygienic and love cleanliness.

"Is it cold?"

Zhao Xingyu came out from behind and put a coat on her.

"I have to be on duty tonight. After the reunion dinner in the evening, you can sleep at your parents' place."

The only night of the year when the soldiers don't have to stand guard is New Year's Eve.

After dinner, Zhao Xingyu and his company commanders and even platoon leaders would take over the duty guns from the sentries and go to their posts.

Zhao Xingyu was worried about leaving his wife at home alone, as she would have no one to support her if something happened.

Besides, it's Chinese New Year's Eve, of course I want to be with my family.

"good!"

Qi Sisi nodded in agreement, then belatedly asked, "Is there any danger?"

Hearing this, Zhao Xingyu smiled and said cheerfully, "It's New Year's Day, what danger can there be?"

Seeing that he spoke so easily, Qi Sisi put her worries aside and watched the children playing downstairs with him with a smile.

"Look how lively they are."

"I hope our child will be as lively as him in the future, but I am worried that he will be too naughty and I won't be able to control him."

Zhao Xingyu was amused. He put his arm around her shoulders, held her in his arms, and said proudly, "Just leave it to me. I promise to take good care of the child."

"Look at what you said, it's like training soldiers."

Qi Sisi hit him lightly.

She is our own daughter, can we still discipline her like we train soldiers?

"It's the same thing. If a child doesn't obey, he needs to be treated."

Zhao Xingyu felt that he had some experience in this area.

Every year, there are always a few unruly troublemakers among the new recruits. No matter how many tricks they have, they cannot escape his control and must obey his discipline in the end.

Qi Sisi smiled but said nothing.

She felt that if she were faced with a fair and soft girl like a little dough ball, she would definitely not have the heart to discipline her.

"I'd better pray that my daughter is not a naughty person."

Qi Sisi thought silently.

"Okay, change your clothes and go to your parents' place to see if you can help."

The two changed their clothes, put on scarves and hats, put on leather boots and went out.

The period from New Year's Eve to the first month of the lunar calendar is the coldest in Eastern Province.

If it rains, there will be no hope, as the damp and cold air will penetrate into your bones.

If you wear thin clothes, you will shiver with cold.

Many new recruits in the army did not pay attention at first, thinking they were strong and could get through it. It was not until their hands and feet were frozen and developed frostbite and they were itching from the cold at night that they realized their regret and never dared to neglect the work of keeping warm again.

This is Qi's side.

The old neighbors in the bungalow were very lively.

As soon as I reached the door, before I went in, I heard the sound of the TV.

The song is playing.

It was "Happy New Year with Good Fortune" sung by Teresa Teng, an iconic Chinese New Year song that becomes popular every Chinese New Year.

But before, we used to use a radio, but now we have a color TV at home, so we can not only listen to songs, but also watch MVs.

Hearing the voices in the living room and the yard, Qi Sisi knew that the house must be very lively.

"Hey, Sisi is back!"

"You two are here really early."

Qi Sisi greeted everyone with a smile, and explained that she came early today because she was woken up by the sound of firecrackers.

I was chatting with the neighbors.

A shrill sound was heard.

"I'm not saying this, Sisi, you're too naive. You're going back to your parents' home during the Chinese New Year? You don't know the rules. A daughter who is married off is like water spilled out. You're the daughter-in-law of the Zhao family now, so you can't go back to your parents' home during the Chinese New Year. You have to wait until the second day of the Chinese New Year."

Qi Sisi was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

"Auntie, is there any problem for a married daughter to go home for the New Year?"

She took a look at the person who was talking. She was a white-eyed girl and probably came here just this year. She vaguely heard people around her calling her Sister Niu.

"Of course there is. If a married girl returns to her parents' home during the Spring Festival, it will cause trouble to her brothers and affect the family's fortune. Don't disbelieve this. Auntie has been through this and knows more than you do." Auntie Niu said while counting on her fingers. She looked very reasonable and calm.

Qi Sisi nodded slowly, looking somewhat convinced.