Chapter 276: 099: A very happy New Year, a mysteriously strong and foolish tycoon_6
So, sweet and sour pork with pineapple is also very good for toning the glutes. As all of the dishes had some meat in them, Ni Yang made vegetable tofu soup. The vegetable tofu soup not only dissipates the heaviness, but also has excellent slimming effects.
Busy till a little after five in the afternoon, Ni Yang finally prepared a table full of dishes.
By then, Ni Cuihua and Ni Chenggui were already setting the table outside in the yard for the ritual offering to heaven and earth.
Ni Yang placed three meat dishes and three vegetarian dishes on the table, setting nine pairs of chopsticks and nine wine glasses, each filled with wine. After the offerings were arranged, Ni Cuihua and Ni Chenggui burnt incense sticks and spirit money on the side while Ni Yang threw out a string of lit firecrackers.
The red paper from the firecrackers dropped onto the white snow, resembling red plums blooming fiercely against the snow, appearing rather picturesque. Then, the sounds of firecrackers began to be heard all around.
The sound of firecrackers represents bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, so no matter how poor a family is, they would set off a string of firecrackers at this time.
After setting off the firecrackers, it is customary to bow in reverence to heaven and earth.
Ni Yang took this act seriously and performed a few deep bows.
Having paid their respects to heaven and earth, they all went back inside to enjoy their meal.
It seemed as if little Ni Yun could sense the festive atmosphere. Sitting in her stroller, she excitedly watched Ni Yang and Ni Chenggui moving dishes from the kitchen to the living room.
With a table full of food and smiles on their faces, the new year had arrived.
“Mom, Aunt Ni, I raise my glass to you both. May you both become increasingly youthful and beautiful, and find happiness soon.” said Ni Yang, standing up with her wine glass in hand.
Ni Chenggui laughed and replied, “And Auntie wishes that your business will boom even more, and you’ll become a wealthy woman one day!”
Little did Ni Chenggui realise that what she said would actually come true!
Not only did Ni Yang become a wealthy woman, she became the most eyed among them.
Halfway through the meal, Ni Chenggui took out a thick red envelope and gave it to Ni Yang, “Yangyang, this is Auntie’s New Year gift money for you, you better not think it’s too little!”
Ni Yang took it with a grin, “Thank you, Aunt Ni.”
Ni Chenggui took out another envelope and stuffed it into little Ni Yun’s arms, “May our Yunyun become increasingly beautiful and intelligent as she grows, just like her elder sister.”
Little Ni Yun, holding the red envelope, started to giggle happily.
“Our little money-lover!” Ni Yang lightly tapped little Ni Yun’s nose.
Ni Cuihua said, “Sister Chenggui, you’re really too kind.”
Ni Chenggui laughed and said, “We are all family, so drop your formalities.” “Aunt Ni, this is my New Year gift to you. I hope you’ll like the style.” Ni Yang handed Ni Chenggui a prepared jewelry box.
When Ni Chenggui opened the box, she was totally stunned.
She saw earrings, a ring, and a necklace inside it.
No woman can resist jewelry. When Ni Chenggui got married, she dreamed of buying a complete three-piece gold set. She thought that if she couldn’t get the three pieces, just one would be good enough.
But life was hard at the time. Forget about gold, even affording food was a struggle.
Even now, Ni Chenggui still couldn’t bear to buy the three pieces of gold.
She only makes 30 yuan a month. Even with the extra income from helping Ni Yang sell skincare products, her monthly income is nearly 200 yuan. She would need to save for a long time to afford something that costs several thousand yuan.
“Yangyang, how can Auntie accept such an expensive gift from you? You should give them to your mom to wear!” Ni Chenggui immediately refused.
Ni Cuihua responded by saying: “Sister Chenggui, like you said, we’re family, there’s no need for formalities. Plus, Yangyang bought a set for me too. I’m just one person, how much could I possibly wear?”
Ni Yang grabbed the necklace and assisted Ni Chenggui to put it around her neck. “Aunt Ni, my mom has no other siblings, you are her only sister. Please accept this as a token of my filial piety. See how good you look wearing this necklace.”
Every New Year’s Eve was the toughest for Ni Chenggui. Every time, she found herself reminiscing about her deceased husband and her married-off daughter, which would uncontrollably bring her to tears.
But this year was different. The arrival of Ni Cuihua and her daughter Ni Yang brought her a sense of hope.
“Yangyang, thankyou.” Ni Chenggui gripped Ni Yang’s hand, fighting back the urge to cry.
Ni Yang offered Ni Chenggui a hug.
When they were almost done with the New Year’s Eve dinner, Ni Yang grabbed the fireworks. “Mom, Aunt Ni, shall we set off the fireworks?”
Sure,” both Ni Chenggui and Ni Cuihua agreed.