flstandardbreds Chapter 116: Staying Up to Welcome the New Year
Chapter 116: Staying Up to Welcome the New Year
In rural areas, it's customary to stay up all night on New Year's Eve. In Li Xiaoxiao's main hall, the Bai Jing and Bai Dong families had already gone home, saying they wanted to stay up too. Li Xiaoxiao's family of four gathered around the stove, continuing their vigil. The charcoal in the stove burned brightly, crackling and humming, as if to cheer on the new year.
"Mom, please tell us some stories about the New Year in the past." Li Linlin snuggled in Bai's arms and said coquettishly.
Mrs. Bai caressed her head lovingly, a hint of nostalgia flashing in her eyes. "Okay, then I'll tell you about my childhood Chinese New Year celebrations. Back then, my family was poor, and we were happy just to have a meal of meat during the Chinese New Year. It's nothing like now, when the table is filled with all kinds of dishes, including your favorite hot pot."
Li Xiaoxiao and Li Fang listened with great interest, interrupting with questions from time to time. Bai patiently answered them one by one, recounting her memories of the New Year and the simple yet happy times during those years.
The night deepened, but the Li family courtyard was still brightly lit, warm as spring. They chatted, and time passed quietly.
At twelve o'clock in the evening, just as Li Fang and Li Linlin were drooping, Mrs. Bai brought four bowls of steaming dumplings from the kitchen and told them to eat and go to bed quickly, so they wouldn't have to stay up until dawn. They obediently took the dumplings and ate them. It was a bit hungry after the New Year's Eve dinner, and eating the steaming dumplings made them feel much better.
After everyone finished eating, Bai sent Li Xiaoxiao and the others to bed. Children are in the growing stage now, and they can't stay up all night.
On the first day of the New Year, when Li Xiaoxiao and the other two got up, Bai had already prepared breakfast.
"The new year has begun!" Li Xiaoxiao stood up excitedly, stretched, and felt this brand new beginning.
Mrs. Bai also stood beside her with a smile, "Yes, a new year, new hope. We have to eat early and pay New Year's greetings to the elders in the village."
The family quickly sprang into action. After breakfast and a quick tidy up of the courtyard, Bai, along with Li Xiaoxiao and her younger siblings, began visiting every household to pay New Year's greetings to the village elders. At each house, they were greeted with a warm welcome and blessings, and the children were especially blessed, their pockets overflowing with candy and red envelopes.
On the way to pay New Year's greetings, Li Xiaoxiao encountered many familiar faces: fellow crayfish farmers, childhood playmates, and kindhearted people who had helped them. They exchanged greetings, shared the past year's gains and joys, and expressed their anticipation for the new year.
"Xiaoxiao, I heard that your family's crayfish farming has expanded again. That's amazing!" a villager said enviously.
Li Xiaoxiao smiled modestly, "No, no, it all depends on everyone's support and help. In the new year, I hope everyone can have a good harvest and live a good life together."
After paying New Year's greetings, they returned home. Li Fang and Li Linlin worked the fire, while Bai and Li Xiaoxiao busied themselves preparing lunch. Since they had already prepared a lot of meat dishes before the New Year, they simply stir-fried some simple vegetables. Before long, the table was filled with a variety of dishes, including fish and meat, symbolizing abundance and a rich life. The family sat together, enjoying their first reunion dinner on the first day of the New Year, in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
In the afternoon, with the sun shining brightly, Li Xiaoxiao suggested taking a walk up the hillside behind the village to soak in the New Year's atmosphere. The family readily agreed, changed into comfortable shoes, and set off on the path leading up the hillside. Up there, the air was fresh and the sun was shining brightly. The fields and villages in the distance, bathed in the New Year's sunshine, looked especially beautiful.
They walked and talked, enjoying the scenery along the way, feeling the tranquility and beauty. Li Fang and Li Linlin were extremely excited, running and playing in the front. Looking at them, Li Xiaoxiao suddenly felt a little emotional. She really wished she could have been with them until they grew up, but she felt a little sad when she thought about getting married soon.
Bai Shi, who was standing by, seemed to have sensed the change in Li Xiaoxiao's heart and asked, "Xiaoxiao, what's wrong with you?"
"Mom, it's nothing. I just feel a little reluctant to leave because I'm going to get married soon. I really hope I can always be with you."
"Silly child, this is a necessary stage in life." Bai Shi comforted her, "You have found a good home, and we should be happy for you."
Li Xiaoxiao nodded slightly, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes, "Mom, don't worry, I will live a good life."
In the evening, a gorgeous sunset glow appeared on the horizon. The family strolled home, their hearts filled with longing for the future.
At night, Li Xiaoxiao lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. She knew tomorrow would be a fresh start, a new phase in her life. Though reluctant, she also looked forward to the happiness that lay ahead. Under the moonlight, she gradually drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with beautiful visions of the future.
The next day was the second day of the Chinese New Year. At this time last year, Li Xiaoxiao still remembered the scene of following Bai to visit her grandmother's house to pay New Year's greetings. She didn't expect that another year had passed in a flash. Time flies so fast.
Now that grandma's family lived next door, they didn't have to go back and forth. Li Xiaoxiao prepared a lot of New Year's gifts. After breakfast on the second day of the New Year, she and Bai and a few others went to grandma's house, carrying large and small bags. When they arrived at grandma's house, they were still having breakfast. Bai deliberately went early because she was worried that if they were late, grandma and her family would also go to visit relatives.
After everyone exchanged greetings, Li Xiaoxiao and Mrs. Bai took Li Fang and Li Linlin to Bai Jing's house. As soon as they entered the door, they saw Li Jia still packing her things. She must be preparing to go back to her parents' home to pay New Year's greetings. "Aunt-in-law, are you preparing to go back to your parents' home?" Li Xiaoxiao asked with a smile.
"Sister, Xiaoxiao, why are you here so early? We are still packing up." Bai Jing said.
"We were just afraid that you wouldn't be at home if we were late, so we just went to mother's place and sat for a while before coming here." Mrs. Bai replied with a smile.
After putting down their things, Li Jia was about to pour them a glass of sugar water when Bai stopped her. "Alright, leave us alone. Hurry up and pack up. We'll go sit with Mom for a while." Li Jia gave up and asked Bai and the others to wait. She turned and ran into the room, took out three red envelopes, and gave one to each of Li Xiaoyao and her brothers.
Li Xiaoxiao accepted the red envelope, thanked Li Jia, and then went back to her grandmother's house with Bai. They chatted with her grandmother for a while, during which Li Xiaoxiao told a few jokes, which made her laugh.
Not long after, Li Jia and Bai Jing packed up and set off. Seeing this, Bai Shi also stood up and said goodbye, taking Li Xiaoxiao and the others home. Li Xiaoxiao was very happy along the way, thinking that she would see Yun Che when she got home, and wondered if he would come to see her today.