I Got Rich in Period Fiction
Chapter 258: Celebrating the New Year

Chapter 258: Chapter 258: Celebrating the New Year

He Xuerong was a clever and nimble child. Seeing the big bag of candy in Aunt Chu’s hand, some of which she had never seen before with beautiful wrappers printed with foreign words, she was very tempted, but she still firmly shook her head, saying softly, "Aunt Chu, my uncle punished me for lying by forbidding me from eating candy for a year, and the time isn’t up yet. Please don’t lead me to make a mistake."

Shen Haoze smiled and said to Chu Ying, "I know about this matter, so don’t tempt her with candy anymore. She’s taken your kindness to heart, so save it for yourself."

Chu Ying really had no idea that He Xuerong was punished like that for that incident.

She was quite generous though and put the candies into her backpack, praising, "Rongrong, you’re a good girl."

"Aunt Chu, even if you praise me, I’ll still stick to my position."

Chu Ying was startled, finding this little girl as sharp as a tack.

"Alright, I understand your stance, don’t worry, I won’t break your principles, little one. I wish you a Happy New Year!"

"Aunt Chu, Happy New Year to you too!"

He Xuerong’s voice was also sweet.

Shen Haoze scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit confused. But he was too lazy to ponder it. Chu Ying turned and walked away, and just after taking a few steps, He Xuerong called out from behind, increasing her volume, "Aunt Chu, I also wish for you to get married this year."

Chu Ying took a misstep, stopping and turning around with a look of amused resignation toward He Xuerong, grinning without a word, then quickly walked away.

She was quite fond of He Xiuwen.

She wanted to be nice to He Xuerong, but after being teased by these kids, she realized she hadn’t backed out, but had come to see how naive and childish she was.

Just like her own mother said, she had read herself silly.

...

The New Year’s Eve dinner at He Xiuyu’s house was sumptuous.

Braised fish, oil-braised prawns, stir-fried cucumber and eggs, braised pork, potato and chicken stew with glass noodles, braised spareribs, and a dish of pork belly stir-fried with mung bean sprouts.

Qiao Qingyu also made fried potato balls for He Xuerong.

Somehow, He Xiuyu had gotten hold of a bottle of red wine. After opening it, he poured some for Qiao Qingyu first, then himself, and finally for Shen Haoze.

Shen Haoze pouted.

He had long known this guy favored love over friendship, and now he felt it acutely, but he also really liked the atmosphere in He Xiuyu’s house, and especially Qiao Qingyu’s cooking skills.

So he smartly kept his mouth shut.

He Xiuyu raised his glass, his gaze turning to Qiao Qingyu, and said softly, "Thank you."

Three words, and everything was said without speaking.

Qiao Qingyu smiled, "You’re being so formal with me."

"This isn’t formality, it’s something I’ve always wanted to say," He Xiuyu’s eyes twinkled with a smile.

"You’re great too, and I thank you as well," Qiao Qingyu returned with a smiling gaze.

Shen Haoze exchanged an awkward look with He Xuerong. Raising his glass, he clinked it with He Xuerong’s and said, "Uncle Shen wishes our Rongrong grows more beautiful by the day."

He Xuerong’s glass was filled with a drink, and she smiled sweetly, "I wish Uncle Shen finds a wife soon."

Shen Haoze roared with laughter, "You little rascal, you can’t even let one comment slide."

...

Although when in Rome, do as the Romans do, everyone there, including He Xiuyu and Shen Haoze, was from the North. Despite regional differences in New Year’s customs, they were all pretty similar.

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, there were dumplings to make, with Qiao Qingyu preparing a filling of celery and meat. Before eating the dumplings, they had to set off firecrackers.

He Xiuyu bought He Xuerong a bundle of small firecrackers, which, when lit, could be held in the hand to run around and let it pop and spark, particularly beautiful in the night.

It was like a fairy scattering magic from her wand.

However, Qiao Qingyu strictly forbade He Xuerong from running while setting them off.

Because it was simply too dangerous.

She took He Xuerong alone to a higher place to set off the fireworks, because He Xiuyu and Shen Haoze had gone to the base’s cafeteria to have a celebration with the staff.

Of course, they had to return home to eat dumplings at eleven o’clock at night.

Then, seeing the firecrackers being lit here, a large group of children ran over,

including Xiao Hu and his little aunt.

After giving some instructions, Qiao Qingyu headed home to make dumplings.

...

For the Chinese, New Year’s Eve is very important; it signifies whether the new year will have a good start and good luck, so every household’s New Year’s Eve dinner must be as lavish as possible.

In the past, scraping together every last cent was required to set up a New Year’s Eve feast, hoping for a prosperous year ahead.

But this year, Xiaxi Commune truly had a bountiful harvest. The pigs raised by the big teams were slaughtered, and after fulfilling their obligations, the remainder was distributed among the villagers.

At the end of the year, besides grain, households received a share of money too.

In Wang Laogen’s family, the elderly and children, including himself, were all dressed in new clothes, and so was his wife.

Two tables were set on the kang, with chicken, fish, and mostly meat.

After a year of hard work, this New Year’s Eve dinner seemed particularly significant.

Wang Laogen raised his cup, wanting to say something but was too overwhelmed to speak. Looking at his five ravenous children, he waved his large hand, "Eat!"

Eat up, eat heartily!

No longer would it be like in previous years, where a single piece of meat caused crying and howling among several children.

Life would only get better.

...

In Yun City, Wu Xiucai had already bought back the old Wu Family estate.

He went to the ancestral hall alone.

He didn’t dare to speak out loud; after lighting the incense, he just choked up in his heart, "Wan Jun, we’ve found our daughter. Her name is now Han Xianglan. We’ve become great-grandparents, but her life has been so tough..."

Tears streamed down Wu Xiucai’s face, rendering him speechless.

He thumped down on his knees in front of his wife’s memorial tablet, murmuring in his heart, "Wan Jun, wait for me to bring our daughter and her children to offer you incense. Once I’ve taken my revenge, I’ll join you. Just wait for me..."

...

On the morning of the first day of the new year, when the group of children came to pay their New Year’s visits, Qiao Qingyu didn’t see Xiao Xiao. She asked He Xuerong, "Didn’t Xiao Xiao come back? Why isn’t she playing with you all?"

Some time ago, Xiao Xiao had been sent back to her hometown and was brought back before the New Year. Because it had been so hectic, Qiao Qingyu really hadn’t noticed until she saw the bunch of children and remembered that it had been a long time since she last saw Xiao Xiao.

While she was talking, Xiao Xiao ran over from the side, her cheeks rosy, wearing a red woolen hat and a red scarf.

Qiao Qingyu wrapped New Year’s money in red paper, giving a share to each child, including Xiao Xiao. Not seeing her for half a year, Xiao Xiao had grown taller and was still somewhat shy.

But her expression was excited and thrilled as she happily thanked her, "Thank you, Aunt Qiao."

Then the group of kids rushed out to the main street in a commotion.

Continuing to visit each house to pay their New Year’s visits and collect New Year’s money.

Qiao Qingyu felt she really was paranoid; she thought Xiao Xiao had been sent away because of that conversation they had last time and had also secretly reminded He Xiuyu to be cautious.

But looking at Xiao Xiao now, she didn’t seem abnormal.

Now the base’s security forces had been increased. Any bad deeds wouldn’t be so easy to pull off.

The most important thing now was still technological and economic development.