57: Chapter 57 Eating Dumplings for the New Year
57 -57 Eating Dumplings for the New Year
Jin Zijin drew his hand back, saying, “Let me do it.
It’s too cold and not good for your health.”
Gu Youyou’s eyes dimmed, feeling somewhat sad.
Because her health was poor, was she even unable to do something as simple as washing cabbage?
Jin Zijin said, “You want to do it?
Wait until the weather warms up, no rush!”
Alright, considering the days ahead were long, by the time the weather warmed up, her health should have improved too.
She nodded and said, “It’s just this winter that you’ll be burdened!”
Perhaps because no one had ever said such things to him, Jin Zijin’s movements paused for a moment.
In truth, for him, being able to do things was a fortune.
If one day he found himself bedridden and unable to do anything, that would truly be a sadness!
Gu Youyou, holding a piece of cotton cloth, hesitated, but finally handed it to him to wipe his hands.
“Dry your hands from the cold water, it’ll be warmer!”
Jin Zijin smiled and said, “I’m not cold!” Though he said this, he still accepted it.
The days in the countryside were humble and peaceful, and finally, the New Year arrived.
Early in the morning, Gu Feng had Grandma and his second brother’s wife go to the town to buy fresh pork, insisting that they must at least eat a meal of meat dumplings on New Year’s Eve to mark the occasion.
He also called over Gu Hong to invite Youyou and her husband from the Jin household to celebrate the New Year.
According to custom, married daughters were not supposed to visit their natal family until after the first day of the New Year.
But considering that Jin Zijin and Gu Youyou were alone with no mother-in-law and that they would have a rather bleak New Year’s on the mountainside, Gu Feng thought it would be better for them to return to the Gu Family and enjoy some hot dumplings.
When Gu Hong came to call, it was clear Gu Youyou had not expected the invitation.
Gu Hong had seen Gu Youyou when he was very young, before she was confined to the small dark room, but so much time had passed that he had forgotten what she looked like.
The last time Gu Youyou visited, it was the first time he had seen her.
Gu Youyou looked as emaciated and frightening as the rumors described.
But now, upon seeing her, she had undergone a complete transformation.
All his life, he had never seen a girl as beautiful as his sister.
Having never been exposed to sunlight for many years and never having worked in the fields, her skin was delicate and pale as a peeled egg.
He blushed slightly and said in a low voice, “Sister, Grandfather sent me to invite you and brother-in-law back home for some dumplings.”
Gu Youyou had intended to go tomorrow for another meal anyway.
What would be the point of going today, only to possibly face disdain from Grandma and her uncles and aunts?
She then said to Gu Hong, “Dabao, I think I’ll pass.
Go back and tell Grandfather we’ll come tomorrow.”
Over these New Year’s days, Jin Zijin hadn’t gone hunting in the mountains.
Now that he had a wife, it was better to stay at home and spend the New Year with her, if just for appearances’ sake, to at least seem proper.
Gu Hong hesitated, and said, “Grandfather asked me to come.
Sister, you should go.
This morning, Mom and Grandma went to town to buy meat.
There will be meat dumplings.”
Gu Youyou’s mouth twitched slightly, touched.
Knowing how hard it was for a rural family to enjoy meat dumplings, the fact that they would invite her too showed that Grandfather still cared.
For that very reason, she preferred not to go, to avoid any arguments and ensure Grandfather could have a peaceful New Year.
She said, “No need, I will go tomorrow to give my New Year’s greetings to Grandfather.
You should head back quickly, tell him to eat a few more for me.”
“Sister…” Gu Hong still hesitated, unsure whether to stay or go.
The second brother and his wife were not great, but this Dabao was quite decent.
At the age of fifteen, he had an honest look about him.