New Year’s Day, at the start of the Lunar New Year, usually a day reserved for offering New Year greetings.
After breakfast, Feng Qingxue put on shabby makeup, stepped out with her younger sister, and wished the elders in her family a happy New Year. They did not go knocking on doors.
Her actions received much appreciation.
At that time, every household was starving, everyone was financially strained, under such circumstances, who had extra money to give as New Year’s gifts? Apart from close relatives receiving a token amount of "lucky money" or some trivial things after offering their respect to the elders, people merely greeted their friends and family members when they met outside.
Even though everyone hoped to receive New Year’s greetings from their juniors to affirm their seniority, some families simply didn’t have anything to offer their guests. Some other families were too stingy, sending away the visitors empty-handed. That resulted in the unhappy faces of both the visitors and the hosts. Therefore, Feng Qingxue’s considerate behavior was commendable.
After making a round, Feng Qingxue found that there wasn’t any distinct New Year atmosphere in the Coahu Brigade.
Although a few houses had couplets praising the contemporary great man, and some were emanating a faint aroma of meat, there were no sounds of firecrackers. The emaciated or bloated faces of many didn’t reflect any joy for the New Year.
A warm meal and snug clothes in the coming year were their greatest desires.
Feng Qingxue sensibly warned her sister not to recount their own family’s New Year celebration to others.
"I know, Sister, I’m not stupid! I won’t go around telling people that we’ve good things at home." What if people covet our goods and rob us? Then we would lose all our treats.
Upon hearing, a delighted Feng Qingxue ruffled her sister’s hair, "You little imp!"
"Hee hee!" Feng Qingyun’s eyes curved with laughter.
"Xiaoxue!" Feng Erniang, standing in a well-lit, wind-protected corner, stopped Feng Qingxue as she passed by and ushered her into a chat group basking in the sun, filled with men, women, young, and old from the neighborhood.
Everyone enjoyed sunbathing and chatting during the idle winter days when energy levels were low.
A group of children, ranging from two to over ten years old, were playing various games; some played with slingshots, some threw sandbags, some played with mud, and some played games that even Feng Qingxue couldn’t name.
Feng Qingyun’s eyes sparkled. She looked at Feng Qingxue, who nodded, and then she quickly ran to join the group of children.
Feng Qingyun, who was naturally beautiful and cleanly dressed, was distinctly different from the unwashed, grimy kids. However, she was very popular among children.
The love for beauty was universal, regardless of age or gender.
People with good looks always easily gained the favor of others.
Seeing her sister happily playing, Feng Qingxue could finally listen to the others’ conversation without any worries.
"Has Hongling given birth yet? We haven’t seen her around recently, I reckon she should be due these couple days." Someone asked Hongling’s father.
Hongling’s father, who was discussing the field crops with a group of laborers, hurriedly replied when the subject turned to his daughter, "Her mother went to Guangcheng’s house early in the morning, I’m also waiting for news."
Which meant that Hongling was in labor.
The woman who had asked chuckled, "Just by looking at Hongling’s belly you can already tell it’s a boy, don’t worry. Nothing unfortunate has happened in our Brigade this month, the child will undoubtedly be safe and sound."
Even in times of famine, everyone blessed the arrival of a newborn.
Unfortunately, blessings have no control over one’s fate. By evening, when it was revealed that Hongling had given birth to a boy, the families hadn’t even had a chance to be happy when news came that the child had died overnight.
Feng Qingxue found out the next morning. At that time, she was preparing brown sugar eggs to send to Hongling who had just given birth.
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