Chapter 89.1 

At this time, the Lunar New Year is not as festive as it was after the reform and opening up. There are no decorations everywhere, no songs or dances.

The atmosphere in the county town is relatively better than usual, but it still exudes a sense of oppression from this special era. There are no familiar New Year songs, nor are streets and alleys filled with festive New Year’s foods, and there are no bright red festive couplets.

There are only a few places where they can purchase materials for the Chinese New Year, the meat processing factories, the food processing factory, the supply and marketing cooperative, and the state-owned market… Every place is crowded, and there’s hardly any room to move.

Even in this cold weather, people can’t resist their enthusiasm for shopping.

Seeing this, Han Cheng regrets a bit that he didn’t buy some fireworks and firecrackers from the city, even though it would be crowded there too, it wouldn’t be this terrifying.

“I’ll send you to find the eldest brother-in-law first, and then I’ll come back to wait in line to buy. You don’t need to squeeze in here.” Han Cheng said.

Xiao Fantuan is also someone who has seen the “big crowd” before. He often follows his parents to crowded places like the supply and marketing cooperative and the black market to buy things. But this is the first time he’s seen such a huge crowd.

Fantuan blinked and said, “Mom, there are many people.”

Su Xiaoxiao hugged her baby and said, “Yes, rural life is hard, and everyone is only willing to buy something delicious and good to use during the Chinese New Year, so this is why it’s crowded here.”

Fantuan nodded and said, “Then let’s not compete with them? Mom, should we not buy firecrackers?”

Since the Chinese New Year, Xiaobao has always been squeezing into the supply and marketing cooperative like this since he can remember during the New Year. He’s used to it, “I’m also a rural person, and I only buy things once a year. Usually, Grandma doesn’t let me buy anything. I’m not afraid of the crowd, and I can squeeze into the front quickly. Later, my uncle and I will go buy.”

The children at home are each as clever as a monkey. In terms of logical thinking, Fantuan and Xiao Bao are evenly matched; neither one is worse than the other.

Han Cheng said, “It’s okay, it’s once a year. Xiao Bao, you stay at Uncle’s house for a while, and I’ll go buy later. After I’m done, I’ll come pick you up.”

Xiao Bao was delighted and said, “Uncle is the best!”
Little Fantuan and Little Zhuzi also wanted to play, so they naturally felt happy when they heard Han Cheng say so.

Han Cheng took them to the dormitory building of the food processing factory and drove away.

Su Xiaoxiao took some cookies and gave them to the elderly man in charge of the gate at the entrance. They registered and then went to find Su Zhenzhong. The elderly man happily accepted her cookies and led them to the building where Su Zhenzhong was.

After so many years, the dormitory building became dilapidated, and the corridor in the shabby building was narrow. The handrails were peeling, and the walls were dark. Xiao Doubao didn’t let his mom carry him; he had his older brother pull him upstairs.

Su Zhenzhong’s family of three lives in a unit at the end of the second floor.

Most of the factory workers had already gone on vacation, and Su Zhenzhong’s family was also preparing to finish cleaning up and return to Su’s village for the New Year.

Da Bao got a new slingshot and was reluctant to use it. He touched it again and again, preparing to take it back to Su Village and play with Xiao Bao again.

The door was unlocked, and when Su Xiaoxiao arrived with the children, Da Bao was simulating shooting at the door. With a “BIU,” Su Xiaoxiao suddenly appeared and called out with a smile, “Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, and Big Bao.”

Da Bao was so startled that he almost fell off his chair.

Su Zhenzhong and Liang Hongmei were cleaning, and upon hearing the sound, they both looked towards the door.

Liang Hongmei was both surprised and pleased. “Xiaoxiao? Why are you here?” Liang Hongmei wiped her hand and grabbed Su Xiaoxiao’s arm. looking her up and down. “You’ve changed a lot. You even gained a bit of weight. Sister-in-law, I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Su Xiaoxiao said. “I’ve been eating and sleeping well lately, so I’ve gained a little weight. These are your nephews. This is Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt, and Da Bao.”

The three beautiful and confident children lined up and crisply greeted each other. “It’s nice to meet you, Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt, and Da Bao!”

Liang Hongmei and Su Zhenzhong were pleasantly surprised.

Liang Hongmei looked at the children one by one, her eyes widened and she said. “Wow, how did you raise such good-looking kids? Come on, Da Bao, quickly bring the winter melon candy over and share it with your younger brothers.”

Big Bao hadn’t reacted yet. Apart from the time Su Xiaoxiao took care of him when he was too young to remember, he had spent the rest of his time living with his parents in the county. He didn’t have the same deep bond with Xiao Bao and Su Xiaoxiao, but he still liked his beautiful aunt very much.

The child shyly shouted, “Aunt,” and then ran into the room with a “thud” to retrieve the winter melon candy sent by the unit where his parents work. They said it was for sharing with his little friends.

Xiao Bao first grabbed a piece and stuffed it into Xiao Doubao’s hand before introducing him to Da Bao: “Brother Da Bao, the smallest one is Xiao Doubao, this is Fantuan, and this is Zhuzi. I told you about them before. They’re all in the first grade, but they’re really good at things, and their handwriting is even better than mine.”

Da Bao is the eldest child here. He is one year older than Xiao Bao and is in second grade. He was their big brother.

Xiao Fantuan and his brothers were all eating winter melon candy for the first time. They chewed on it, finding it soft and sweet. Fantuan, who loved to eat, immediately took a liking to it.

“Mom, this winter melon candy is even better than White Rabbit candy. Can we ask Dad to buy some for us?”

Su Xiaoxiao, who was chatting with Liang Hongfang, heard Fantuan say this and nodded. “We can’t buy it today, but we can get some when we go back.”

Liang Hongfang said it directly. “No need to buy, we have plenty at our workplace. Both Zhenzhong and I have some, so you can take some home.”

Liang Hongmei is actually quite generous, but she is burdened by her irresponsible brothers at home. Every month, she has to spend some money and tickets to subsidize her mother’s family. The conditions in her mother-in-law’s family are quite good, and although her husband and mother-in-law don’t say anything, she feels she owes the Su family something. Being generous with winter melon candy was a small gesture compared to buying things like big warm coats and pencil cases for Big Bao.

Su Xiaoxiao was about to suggest leaving some for Da Bao and Xiao Bao when a sharp voice from outside the door interrupted, “Goodness gracious, this winter melon candy is so good. My sons, Daniu and Dadan, have never tasted it. You, wasteful woman, are giving it to outsiders. If lightning doesn’t strike you down for your unfilial behavior, I’ll kill you first!”
Upon hearing this sound, Liang Hongfang’s face changed, and Su Zhenzhong’s expression was not very good either.

The cubs who had winter melon candy in their mouths had their cheeks bulging like little hamsters. They stared at each other with wide eyes and looked at Da Bao and Xiao Bao with an obvious meaning: “What’s going on?”

Da Bao’s face, which had just been excited, suddenly collapsed. Feeling embarrassed and slightly flushed, he whispered. “It’s my grandmother. She’s here to take our things again.”