Cheng Su and her husband returned home to find the Qi family already preparing the Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner. They came back late and brought a bundle of fireworks, which caused Mother Qi’s face to stretch long with displeasure.
"You went drinking, didn’t you?" Mother Qi’s nose was very sensitive, and she smelled the alcohol on them.
"We bumped into Jianming on the way and had a couple of drinks," explained Taiguo.
Mother Qi pursed her lips and walked into the kitchen.
Cheng Su stuck her tongue out at Taiguo and followed her mother-in-law in, enthusiastically offering, "Mom, what else needs to be cooked? Let me help!"
Mother Qi instructed Cheng Su in the cooking while she seized the opportunity to pull Taiguo aside as he was chatting with Father Qi.
"Mom, what’s up?"
Mother Qi hemmed and hawed, thinking of the grandchildren she had yet to see and plucked up the courage to ask, "About that, didn’t you and your wife say you wanted to wait a bit before having kids?"
Taiguo’s scalp tingled at the question; not this again.
"Mom, we had a good talk before, remember? We said we’re not having kids now to give our child a better environment to come into the world," he said.
"I know. Your mom’s memory isn’t that bad," Mother Qi clicked her tongue and asked, "So what kind of contraception are you two using now? You’re not taking pills, are you?"
"How could we do that? Pills are bad for your health. The Women’s Federation community provides free contraceptives, so don’t worry, Mom!" Taiguo was a bit embarrassed discussing this with his mother—it was still somewhat awkward.
Mother Qi’s eyes flickered, "That’s not a hundred percent foolproof, you know. Just in case, I mean, if it happened, you’d have to have the baby, right?"
"Of course, if it happens by accident, we’ll certainly have the baby. But don’t worry, Mom, we’re very careful," Taiguo laughed.
Mother Qi twisted her lips and muttered, "I actually hope you’re not careful. It would be better if an accident happened!"
"Mom, what did you say?"
"Nothing much. Is dinner ready? I was just asking." Mother Qi waved her hand and went back to her own tasks.
Taiguo was left feeling utterly baffled.
...
As night fell, the Qi family’s dining table was filled with dishes and each seat had a wine glass filled to the brim.
The family of six sat down together and Father Qi, with a beaming smile, said some auspicious words. As the head of the family, he picked up some food with his chopsticks, signaling the start of the New Year’s Eve dinner.
After a few bites, Taiguo picked up his wine glass and toasted his elders.
Cheng Su was not to be outdone and lifted her glass, saying, "Dad, Mom, I wish you health and happiness all year round."
"Very good, I also wish you and Taiguo a harmonious marriage," Father Qi said with a smile.
But Mother Qi said, "I don’t ask for much, just hurry up and add branches to the Qi family tree, and I’ll be happy."
Father Qi kicked her under the table.
Cheng Su was not annoyed but smiled and said, "Mom, don’t worry. When the time is right, we’ll definitely give you a chubby grandson."
Of course, that ’right time’ had no deadline.
Cheng Su also toasted her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, offering well-wishes for success in their studies.
The family laughed and talked as they enjoyed their meal, and Cheng Su handed out red packets as a New Year’s allowance to Qi Fengping and the others. She also gave a larger red packet to the elders as a sign of filial piety.
Qi Fengping peeked inside and said to Qi Jianguo, "She’s quite generous."
Qi Jianguo didn’t say anything but put it away carefully; he could use it to buy books.
When it was time to stay up late for the New Year, Taiguo set off fireworks in the yard, and each burst of color was a brilliant spectacle in the night sky.
Qi Jianguo and Qi Fengping joined in their revelry, and the courtyard was filled with laughter, while Mother Qi winced and hissed with pain—those weren’t just fireworks burning; it was money!
At midnight, as every household set off fireworks to welcome the New Year, the sound of firecrackers rose and fell. As Cheng Su watched the fireworks bloom in the night sky, she planted a kiss on Taiguo’s face and said, "Husband, happy New Year!"