Okay, our handsome Brother An has become bad, no, we should say his manly nature has been awakened.
"You’re spacing out, stop daydreaming, it’s time to eat."
Seeing Ye Zi’an still covering his face with one hand, with a smile creeping up at the corner of his mouth, Yang Chuxia gave him a glare.
By the time he arrived at the table, Yang Chuxia had already opened the food box and served the dishes.
"By the way, Brother An, my dad and my mom said that you should celebrate Chinese New Year with us."
"Is that appropriate?" Ye Zi’an said, "Celebrating New Year is not like an ordinary day."
"What’s the difference? It’s just that we eat and drink a little better than usual. The celebrations at those large households are just like usual days." Yang Chuxia handed a bowl to Ye Zi’an and continued, "You should celebrate with us and not be by yourself, understand? How nice it is to celebrate with us, it’s lively and you don’t have to cook. Spending the holiday alone is sad. I can’t bear it even if you can."
Having heard this, Ye Zi’an felt a warmth in his heart and nodded, "I’ll listen to Xiaxia."
"It’s right to listen to me." Yang Chuxia brazenly proclaimed, "There’s meat to eat if you listen to your sister."
Ye Zi’an was made to laugh by her.
After the Minor New Year, the households of the village were crazily busy preparing for the grand day of the year - New Year. Starting from Lunar December 24th, they began cleaning the house and making food. Those who have some extra money would start making pastries and fried twists, and go to the town to buy popped millet to make brittle. By the 26th or 27th, they would start steaming buns, some with vegetable fillings, others with meat. The harder up made buns with flour mixed with white flour, these were plain buns without any filling.
By the 28th or 29th, they’d start washing vegetables and chopping meat again, making dumplings in advance. Dumplings were a luxury that most families could only afford during the New Year, so no matter rich or poor, everyone would somehow find a way to make some dumplings for New Year.
New Year’s Eve finally arrived!
Crackle Crackle Boom Boom! The unsteady sound of firecrackers started as soon as the rooster crowed at dawn.
At this time, Yang Chuxia had just got up from bed and saw Yang Dachuan wrapping a big string of firecrackers around a bamboo pole at the doorstep.
Then he lit the firecrackers with a fire starter before a chorus of rattling and popping ensued. Soon, the sound of firecrackers exploded from Ye Zi’an’s house as well.
This New Year’s Eve was the first New Year that Yang Chuxia had spent since her arrival here.
But reflecting on the events that had transpired over the past half a year, it felt as though she had lived through half a century. She faced the prospect of being sold off when she first arrived, contended with the family’s poverty, and the host of other frustrating issues. Yet, most of the problems have been dealt with, the family had separated, they weren’t as poor anymore, and she’s even gained a handsome future young master. Indeed, a charmed life is truly wonderful.
"Xiaxia, later you all should paste the couplets on our doors and don’t forget about Brother An’s house and our old house." On seeing Yang Chuxia standing at the door, Yang Dachuan said so after he lit the firecrackers.
"I know, dad. Let’s do it when it’s brighter."
Old Yang was also up, wearing the new clothes Ms.Wang sewed for him. Hearing Yang Dachuan talking, he said, "Don’t forget to paste some in the main room where I live, your fourth uncle is unlikely to do it."
Hearing this, Yang Chuxia couldn’t help but twitch a smirk, knowing full well how well his father understood his son.