"It’s okay, the meal is just ready, go wash up and we can eat." He Nan’s expression was indifferent, and even on New Year’s Eve, he showed no particular joy. It seemed to him that celebrating the New Year or not made no difference, just like any other day.
Shen Mianmian was different, she felt that this New Year was the happiest one she had ever had in her two lifetimes. Though it was just her and Big Brother He, she didn’t feel lonely at all.
After washing up, she happily sat down opposite him to eat. Perhaps it was because of the New Year, but the breakfast he cooked was a bit more lavish than usual.
Shen Mianmian took a sip of congee and her mind whirred, planning how to make the most of this New Year. After pondering, she focused on two important things: hanging spring couplets and eating dumplings, which are both essential activities for the celebration.
"Big Brother He, how about we hang spring couplets and make dumplings after breakfast?"
He Nan answered with a disdainful tone, two words, "Troublesome."
Before Shen Mianmian could reply, he added another sentence, "We don’t have any spring couplets at home."
"I’ve thought about that," Shen Mianmian narrowed her eyes with a plan. "I have brushes, ink, and red paper. We can just cut the paper with scissors, and you can write a couple of couplets. We don’t need many, just enough to hang on the main door. You bought celery and pork yesterday, so making dumplings won’t be a problem."
Big Brother He is so good at English, so writing a couple of spring couplets would definitely not be an issue. She didn’t doubt this at all.
"You’re full of clever ideas," He Nan said with a faint smile, which was as good as agreeing to her plan.
After they finished eating, He Nan cleared the dishes, while Shen Mianmian excitedly went to get the brushes and the red paper. By the time He Nan came out of the kitchen, she had cut the red paper and had set the ink and paper on the study room’s table.
He Nan thought for only a moment before picking up a brush and swiftly writing two couplets. His calligraphy was strong and spirited, like a dragon coming alive on the paper, leaving Shen Mianmian in awe.
Big Brother He was like an encyclopedia, seemingly adept at everything and excelling in all he does.
A man like him, in any era, would be a leader of his domain. The sands of time could not bury the talent he possessed.
After a silent admiration, she followed He Nan to the doorway with a pot of paste in hand. Looking at the height of the door frame, she handed the paste to He Nan.
"Big Brother He, you take this first."
After she spoke, she turned back to the house. When she came out again with a chair in her arms, she found that he had already hung one pair of couplets. The frame that was out of her reach was easily accessible to him.
She stood there feeling awkward, as if a crow had flown over her head.
There was a smug smile in He Nan’s eyes and the corners of his mouth, confirming how he felt.
Once they finished hanging the spring couplets, they got busy chopping fillings for the dumplings. She whirled around the kitchen like a spinning top, while He Nan worked at a steady pace without any rush, his efficiency unabated.
With the filling and wrappers ready, Shen Mianmian suggested they move to the dining table to make dumplings, "Big Brother He, the dining table is large and convenient for laying out the dumplings, shall we take everything over there?" Read full story at 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
He Nan was about to respond when suddenly, the doorbell rang. He raised an eyebrow, seemingly dissatisfied with the interruption of their dumpling making. Shen Mianmian was also momentarily stunned, but then quickly said.
"I’ll go get the door."
On New Year’s Eve, the visitor had to be someone close to Big Brother He. Ruan Yiyang had already returned to Beijing to manage his business there, and Li Yue’s family had gone to Beijing as well.