"Auntie doesn’t buy anything for herself and still complains that we didn’t buy clothes, yet Grandpa and Grandma didn’t say a word," Xu Nian’an complained on behalf of his parents.
Xu Qinghe spared a glance at Xu Nian’an.
Xu Nian’an muttered, "Not even allowed to speak, fine, I won’t say anything to avoid upsetting everyone during the New Year. Dad, Mom, what are we going to do for New Year’s tomorrow?"
Almost instantly, Xu Nian’an switched the topic, looking forward exceedingly to how their family would celebrate the New Year.
Ever since they were young, every New Year was spent at the Xu family home. Grandpa and Grandma doted on Xu Zhihao and Xu Zhiyuan, so it was never about the two brothers.
"Of course, it will be a family reunion," Nianhua replied without hesitation, holding Ji Ying’s hand. Though the cold wind outside was freezing, being together with her family filled Nianhua with immense happiness.
"Mom, let’s make some sweet rice balls tomorrow," Nianhua suggested, craving sweet rice balls.
In the past, she never touched sweet rice balls, as they made her feel particularly lonely.
Ji Ying always fulfilled her daughter’s requests without hesitation.
The next day, bright and early, Xu Nianji and Xu Qinghe went to the county to buy groceries, including ingredients for the New Year’s celebration and for the days following the holiday, as the market would have no vegetables to sell then.
Xu Nian’an was home slaughtering chickens and ducks that were raised for the New Year feast. The little chicks and ducklings had all grown up.
Nianhua was frying crispy pork, which was not only fragrant and crunchy but would also last a long time if kept well-sealed in a bag.
Ji Ying was kneading dough and making sweet rice balls, while Zhou He, who was pregnant, was treated delicately by everyone, as if she were a porcelain doll. Afraid of her getting hurt, they took extra care around her. Still, Zhou He kept busy, for instance, peeling garlic needed for the evening meal...
The whole family cooperated seamlessly, filling the table with dishes. Nian’an couldn’t help but remark, "This is wonderful!"
Having money is wonderful; splitting the household is wonderful!
He had never felt so satisfied before in his life.
Pork belly with winter bamboo shoots, fragrant sausages, chicken soup, duck soup, spicy fried rabbit, braised pork, stir-fried bean sprouts, cabbage, little sister’s steamed fish, and sweet rice balls—ten dishes in total.
The table was packed, and the aroma kept wafting into their noses, bringing an immense feeling of satisfaction.
"Yes, it’s wonderful for our family to be together,"
Nianhua agreed, nodding, her words infused with a broad smile.
"These past years, I have not taken good care of you all," Xu Qinghe said, his eyes filled with remorse. He even regretted not splitting the household sooner, wondering if his children could have suffered less.
Especially Xu Nianji, could he have been married to Zhou He earlier?
Fortunately, it wasn’t too late.
"Dad, you’ve been the one working hard all these years," Nianhua said as she poured wine for Xu Qinghe.
"Exactly, Dad, you’ve had it the toughest," Xu Nianji said with a broad smile, aware deep down of his parents’ kindness.
Xu Nian’an eagerly eyed the wine, saying, "I’ll try some too."
He held out his wine glass to Nianhua.
Considering it was New Year’s Day, Nianhua didn’t hesitate and poured wine for Nian’an.
"I’ll have some too," Xu Nianji felt an itch to join in, feeling joyful today and wanting to drink as well.
"Be careful since your sister-in-law is pregnant; don’t get too drunk," Nianhua reminded him.
Xu Nianji responded enthusiastically.
However, after the reunion dinner, Xu Qinghe and his two sons ended up drunk.