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Although Old Cui received a package today, the absence of a letter left him feeling a bit down. He wondered why they were being so frugal. If they could send a package, why couldn’t they include a letter?
“Old Cui, don’t overthink it. The fact that your wife sent you something means that they are all doing well. They probably did it to avoid suspicion. At a time like this, we should also consider the children. As long as they are all doing well, that’s what matters. After all, your situation is better than Old Chen’s,” Zuo Zhanshan said, noticing Old Cui’s distress and hoping to provide some comfort. Sometimes, intellectuals are sensitive, and it’s not always easy to get through to them.
“Old Cui, don’t sigh. Our good days are still ahead. How long do you think those people can keep going? Dawn is just around the corner. We need to be patient and wait,” Zuo Zhanshan encouraged.
Old Cui nodded. “Yes, we need to see hope. We, the old brothers, still need to live well.”
The family finished folding the paper money, and Wang Zhenhe borrowed a tool for imprinting coins on the paper money. They prepared the paper money and Zhang Lan finished cooking. After a silent meal, Old Chen quietly burned the paper money for his wife in the courtyard.
Zhang Lan and the others stayed inside, but asked the children to accompany Old Chen. After all, she can be considered their Grandmother, the siblings should go and offer paper money to the elderly.
Mingcheng carried a basket containing frozen fruits, peanuts, steamed buns, a small piece of meat, and wine, selected by Zhang Lan. This was a way for the elderly to taste the offerings from the younger generation.
Old Chen quietly placed these items into the fire, murmuring to himself. The siblings stood by, helping to add paper money to the fire.
“Grandpa Chen, don’t be sad. You still have us in the future. You won’t be alone,” Mingcheng whispered, trying to console him.
Old Chen raised his slightly cloudy eyes and patted Mingcheng’s head. “Yes, I still have you all. Grandma Chen will bless us from heaven.”
Wang Qian, feeling melancholic as she watched the lonely old man, couldn’t help but sigh. In old age, although children and grandchildren are good, they cannot be with you every day. Perhaps the one who argued with you for a lifetime, or even fought with you for a lifetime, is the one who will ultimately accompany you. Without the companionship of the other half, the old man was inevitably lonely.
She gently embraced the old man, who was squatting and burning the paper money. “Grandpa Chen, when you are old and unable to move, come to me. I will accompany you and take care of you in your old age.”
Old Chen hugged the little girl behind him, and tears finally fell from his eyes.
“Good child, Grandpa will remember your words. With Qianqian by my side, I’m not worried about the future. Grandpa Chen is also fortunate to have met a family like yours. With you all by my side in the future, I will have no regrets in this life.”
After burning the paper money, the siblings slowly walked back with the old man. Old Chen bowed to the people in the room. “Thank you all for today. I won’t just say thank you to Zhenhe and his wife. That would be too light. I will remember your kindness, my friends.”
Wu Changyong and the others came over to embrace Old Chen. It was heartbreaking to learn that this news was transmitted to him by his grandson. Everyone felt sorry for Old Chen, but they were relieved that he had a grandson who cared for him.
In the past few days, Old Chen’s mood had not been very high, but with several people comforting him and the children keeping him company, his despondency gradually faded.
New Year’s Eve arrived as scheduled. Wang Zhenhe and his wife decided that from now on, they would celebrate New Year’s Eve at their own home. Not only had they reached an impasse with their in-laws, but Wang Zhenhe also didn’t want his wife and children to suffer any more grievances and mistreatment.
Every year, the New Year’s Eve dinner at their home was prepared by his wife and eldest sister-in-law, while his second sister-in-law stood by and made critical remarks. Wang Zhi was even less helpful, and by the time Zhang Lan finished preparing the table, there was hardly anything left to eat.
The family enjoyed a very rich lunch. Zhang Lan sent the elderly men to rest for a while in the afternoon and planned for everyone to stay up together at night.
She and Hao Lianchun prepared dumplings for the evening. Wang Qian, unusually, went out for a walk, and Zuo He, excitedly, followed behind her. “Qianqian, what do you want to do? How about we go sledding? You’ve never tried it before.”
Zuo He felt that sledding with Wang Qian last time was enjoyable, so he was very excited to invite her to go sledding again.
“Brother, why don’t we go and play with Uncle’s family? They probably have nothing to do today. By the way, isn’t Big Brother and Big Sister at Uncle’s house?” Mingyuan suggested. “Yes, they are playing at Uncle’s house. You and Zuo He can go get the sled, and I’ll go find them to play by the river,” he added.
However, when the two arrived at the river with the sled, they didn’t see Mingyuan and the others. They had a good time on the ice, but there was no one else at the river today. The children in the village were all staying at home, enjoying good food.
Zuo He was pulling the sled in front, and Wang Qian was sitting behind him. It was not only windproof but also quite safe. “Qianqian, when I grow up, I want to drive a car to take you for a ride,” Zuo He said as he paddled hard and talked to Wang Qian behind him.
“I think that’s a good idea. But when you grow up, you must remember not to forget us,” Wang Qian replied. She was giving Zuo He a gentle reminder. According to Zuo’s status and position, he would be a second-generation official in the future, and he would be influential.
“I won’t forget. I will remember it for the rest of my life. You should also grow up quickly. When the time comes, you should also remember me. Don’t forget about me when I’m gone,” Zuo He said. He didn’t want his sister to forget about him after he left. He didn’t want her to meet another brother after he was gone.
“Zuo He, your future will be better than you can imagine. So, be a good person and don’t become a playboy. You may not understand what I’m saying now, but just remember what I said today,” Wang Qian said. Zuo He didn’t fully understand what his sister was saying, but he promised to remember it. Wang Qian saw Zuo He nodding earnestly.
Wang Qian didn’t want Zuo He to grow up to be a playboy after leaving them. As the living environment changed, many people’s attitudes were also changing. She hoped that those who had lived with them could maintain a positive mindset for the future.
“Sister, we’re here!” Mingyuan, who had been absent for a while, waved at them from a distance. Zuo He changed direction and paddled back to them.
“Brother, why did you take so long to come?” Wang Qian asked, noticing that her elder sister’s eyes looked a bit red, as if she had been crying.
“Elder sister, what’s wrong? Who upset you?”
Wang Minglin, their second elder brother, kicked a stone at his feet and said, “Who else but our grandmother and Aunt? It’s infuriating. Our mother worked hard to cook for them, but they didn’t appreciate it. Instead, they caused trouble. When my mother came back, she got angry and argued with my father.”
Although Wang Minglin didn’t say it all, Wang Qian could imagine the kind of people they had encountered. It was almost impossible not to be upset. With no one from their family visiting this year, their mother was left to do all the work. Han Cui was good with words, and it was possible that she could retaliate, but it was unlikely that she would cook for those people. She was not one to suffer losses. The meal at their uncle’s house at noon was probably not enjoyable.
“Is Aunt okay?” Wang Qian asked, still concerned.
“My mother didn’t even eat. How could she be okay? She said she won’t go there next year, just like your family. They can do as they please. She’s not going to do anything that doesn’t bring her any good,” Wang Minglin replied.
This sentence sounded just like something their Aunt would say. Wang Juan was not one to compromise like her mother. If she angered their her, she wouldn’t tolerate their faults. In the past, it was their mother who bore the brunt of it, but this year, it was Wang Juan who took the lead.
Mingcheng played with his two brothers on the sled, and they forgot about the unpleasantness from noon. Unfortunately, when they returned home, Wang Juan, their aunt, was sitting there.
“Aunt, have you calmed down from the afternoon?” Wang Qian asked, approaching Wang Juan curiously.
Wang Juan hugged her. “You’re such a good girl, Qianqian. Your Aunt’s anger has subsided. It’s not worth getting angry with them. It’s the New Year, and your aunt wants to start the year off well. She doesn’t want the unrelated people to affect her luck for the year.”
Wang Juan didn’t stay long and went back home. She still had to make dumplings in the evening and couldn’t afford to sit around.
Zhang Lan and Hao Lianchun brought the well-prepared filling and dough to the table. Several elderly men who were chatting next door also came over to help. The kang was filled with people helping to make dumplings.
Even Zuo He was learning to make dumplings with them for the first time. Looking at the dumplings he made, even Hao Lianchun couldn’t help but smile.
“Look at Zuo He. It’s his first time making dumplings, but they look so good. Well done,” she praised.
Everyone chuckled, and Zuo Zhanshan added, “Of course. Look at whose grandson he is. Zuo He makes such good-looking dumplings. In the future, he will definitely find a beautiful wife.”
At nine years old, Zuo He already understood what a wife was, so he felt a bit embarrassed and lowered his head, pinching the dumplings with care.