At this time, the boys of the same family could kowtow to the elders to pay their New Year’s greetings. This was also a good opportunity to kowtow for money.
Because there were fights and conflicts in the main house, there wouldn’t be anyone available to entertain the children, so Lin Lan didn’t let her children go. They’ll talk about it the next morning.
Of course, she didn’t expect nor want the children over there to come here either.
She lit up the lamp and held it up high, leading her children to shine the light on every part of the house and the courtyard. They shone the light over the latrines, thatched cottages, chicken coops, duck pens, and dog kennels. This was all done as a tradition to bless them and make sure the animals grew up well.
Finally shining the light on the children, she said with a smile, “It’s Chinese New Year, so I’ll shine this on you and hope that you all grow tall and healthy.”
Sanwang jumped up and asked Lin Lan to shine the light on him, “Mother, do I look like your boyfriend?”
Lin Lan, “…” I think you need a beating
She lifted her foot as Sanwang ran away.
Sanwang chased after Dawang and whispered, “Eldest Brother, what is a boyfriend?”
Dawang, “A friend that is a boy.”
“That means I have a girlfriend then.”
“Then you will be my boyfriend.”
Dawang, “I am your eldest brother.”
“Then, Zhuzi is your boyfriend.”
“He’s my little brother.”
Sanwang was a little confused about what a boyfriend and a girlfriend were, so he asked his Sister and Second Brother since they were good at studies.
Maisui, “A friend comes from afar. A boyfriend is a male friend from afar. Didn’t the adults say that father is mother’s man? So boyfriend must mean any other friend who isn’t her man. Basically, a friend that isn’t from our family, so it’s probably someone from outside.”
Sanwang’s eyes widened, “Then my mother has a boyfriend? Who is that?”
Erwang, “Doctor Yang?”
Sanwang, “Doctor Yang can be mother’s boyfriend; that’s not a bad idea. Then Sister Xiuyun and the Director are girlfriends?”
“Yes. At any rate, it’s fine if the person is not your own family.”
Sanwang grabbed his hair, “Then who is my boyfriend?”
“You have to have friends first. Classmates are also considered friends, so male classmates can be considered boyfriends,” Maisui explained in a serious manner.
The three of them reached a consensus.
Lin Lan went to let Xiaowang shine the lamp around the place, but she didn’t know that the children had so many opinions about the concept of boyfriends. After all, the locals didn’t have such opinions.
Locally, they would talk about their ‘wives’ directly. They go on blind dates, engage in marriage and welcome their daughter-in-law straight away. Few people would even talk about their dating partners. Even if they did, most of them were educated youths and some trendy youngsters who learned about it.
Lin Lan entered the room and finally hung the lantern on the wooden frame of the main room to illuminate the space.
Sanwang anxiously continued to kowtow to get his New Year’s money, “Why isn’t my father coming back yet? I’ll go call for him.”
Just as he was about to run, Lin Lan grabbed him by the ear and brought him back.
Sanwang was in a hurry, “Eldest Brother, you should go and have a look. Don’t let him be-haha!” He wanted to say ‘don’t let him become someone’s boyfriend’ or some sort of similar nonsense.
Children were naughty and they find it interesting when they learn something new. The more adults didn’t want them to talk about it, the more entertaining they thought of it.