"Mom, you can’t think this way. During New Year’s, it has to be lively to feel like New Year’s. Everyone in our village lives close by, we see each other all the time. If you let them watch TV, they’ll also remember our kindness," Jiang Changhai persuaded earnestly.
Zhang Guihua thought about it and felt it made sense, so she reluctantly agreed, "Alright, I’ll listen to you. Let them come over and watch, but just for tonight."
"Just this one night, I knew my mom is the most understanding old lady," Jiang Changhai went over and, with a cheeky grin, hugged the old lady’s shoulders while flattering her.
Zhang Guihua felt very pleased inside, but she pretended to be annoyed and said, "You’re all grown up and still acting like a child. Go and eat your meal."
"Yes, Old Buddha, whatever you say, I will do," Jiang Changhai mimicked an ancient person from the TV as he clapped his sleeves twice and then bowed before backing into the kitchen.
Zhang Guihua couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud, "You little rascal."
That evening, the Jiang family members had a bustling New Year’s Eve dinner, and the kids all went out to have fun.
Some adults of the Jiang family gathered in the main house, with Jiang Dashan holding a notebook recording the household’s labor contributions in front, settling the accounts with them.
"Eldest, your family hasn’t done any day’s work this year; you should make up one hundred and eighty-two yuan and fifty cents," Jiang Dashan pointed out on the notebook.
"Alright, Dad, I got it."
Jiang Changhai promptly pulled out one hundred and eighty-five yuan from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Guihua, saying with a grin, "Mom, keep the change."
Zhang Guihua happily took the money and muttered softly, "I wasn’t planning to give you any change anyway."
"Er Ya, your family’s Da Ya and Er Ya both went to school this year and didn’t earn much labor points. Subtracting your grain ration, you roughly break even. Although you still owe the communal fund a few cents, we’ll let it go," Jiang Dashan said.
"Alright, got it, Dad," Jiang Changhe nodded.
Ever since Da Ya and Er Ya went to school, Jiang Changhe and Zhao Xiaojuan had been prepared to supplement the family’s expenses this year. They hadn’t expected that they wouldn’t need to, making him quite satisfied.
"Laosan, this is what you’ve earned this year: sixteen yuan and eighty cents," Jiang Dashan handed the money to Jiang Changtao.
Jiang Changtao cheerfully took the money. He was not really concerned about these few yuan now, but after all, it was the money he and his spouse had worked hard to earn throughout the year, so he was still happy to receive it.
Not long after the Jiang family had settled their accounts, some eager young villagers arrived at their home, each bringing sunflower seeds and peanuts.
The moment they entered, they wished the elderly couple a Happy New Year and sweet-talked all the Jiang family members, making the elderly couple smile from ear to ear.
Not even half an hour passed, and the Jiang family’s courtyard was filled with people. Zhang Guihua, seeing so many people, worried that Mianmian, being small and short, would not be able to see from the back.
She quickly fetched a small stool from inside, placed it next to the stove, and grabbed a handful of candies and peanuts, stuffing them into Mianmian’s pockets, "Mianmian, here, Granny got you some peanuts and candy. Sit here and watch the Spring Festival Gala."
Mianmian was arranged in the best spot. Aware of her granny’s intentions, she sweetly smiled at the old lady and said, "Thank you, Granny."
"No need to thank me, just sit here quietly. If you need anything, tell Granny, and I will get it for you," Zhang Guihua said, looking at the soft and sticky Mianmian, her old face beaming with joy.