Chapter 145: Zuo He’s Happiness

After returning to the house, everyone felt a bit scared. “Zhenhe, those two won’t come back, will they? Should my daughter and I stay outside for a while?” Zhang Lan knew her daughter had a treasure in her hands, so even if they stayed outside, they wouldn’t get cold. That’s why she suggested it.

“Wife, it’s not necessary. I don’t think those two kids will dare to come back. You all should do whatever you need to do. It’s late, and there’s nothing major happening,” Wang Zhenhe reassured them.

After midnight, everyone started feeling tired and went back inside to sleep. Tonight, Mingyuan insisted that all of them sleep with Zhang Lan. Zhang Lan didn’t stop him and brought their bedding into their room. Five little heads lined up on the kang, and Zuo He slept next to Wang Qian. He felt so happy, and the smile on his face never faded.

“Qianqian, I’m a very well-behaved sleeper. I don’t hit people or grind my teeth, unlike Mingyuan, who might kick you in his sleep,” Zuo He said.

Mingyuan, feeling exposed, quickly hugged Zuo He. “Zuo He, I’m also a well-behaved sleeper. I’ve never kicked my sister when we slept together. You can’t falsely accuse me.”

Zhang Lan knew her son’s sleeping habits and chuckled as she touched Zuo He’s face. “Zuo He, were you kicked by Mingyuan?”

Zuo He looked at Zhang Lan and then at his brother, and after a moment’s thought, he said, “Aunt, Mingyuan didn’t kick me. He kicked Mingcheng.”

Wang Qian looked at the cunning Zuo He and couldn’t help but admire the little guy’s cleverness. She took his hand and said, “Zuo He, it’s time to sleep. We have to wake up early tomorrow.”

After tossing and turning for most of the night, the family was truly exhausted. Soon, everyone drifted off to sleep.

When the sun rose on the first day of ’73, the siblings were still fast asleep. When Zhang Lan and Wang Zhenhe woke up, they were surprised to see Zuo He sleeping while embracing her little daughter. Originally, the two sisters shared a bed, but the entire blanket had been rolled over by the elder girl.

Seeing her daughter and Zuo He sleeping side by side was adorable. The two beautiful children had rosy cheeks, and Zuo He held her little daughter sweetly. His arm was under her neck, and his other hand was tightly wrapped around her.

“Zhenhe, wouldn’t it be wonderful if Zuo He were our child? Just imagine, our handsome and beautiful children. It would be a great honor for me as their mother,” Zhang Lan said with a hint of greed.

Wang Zhenhe, glancing at his somewhat greedy wife, said, “You’re dreaming. Our four children are already wonderful. Don’t be greedy. Zuo He has his own parents. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

Zhang Lan reluctantly looked away. The two beautiful children were a sight to behold. It’s no wonder everyone likes good-looking people.

“Alright, I’ll stop dreaming. It’s time to get up and cook. It’s the first day of the Lunar New Year, and I need to make dumplings for everyone,” Zhang Lan said.

She got up, got dressed, and placed her husband’s new clothes by his pillow. “Zhenhe, try these on. This fabric was sent by Zuo he’s parents. It’s much better than what’s sold here.”

Zhang Lan went to the bathroom and boiled a pot of water for everyone to use for washing their faces in the morning. She left the pot in the kitchen for making dumplings later. Wang Zhenhe put on his new clothes and shaved off his beard, instantly transforming his appearance. Seeing her husband’s new look, Zhang Lan couldn’t help but step forward to help him straighten his collar. “You look quite spirited. No wonder our little daughter is so pretty. She really inherited the best of both of us.”

When they mentioned their eldest daughter’s complaints from the previous night, the couple couldn’t help but smile at each other. “That’s right. Just look at whose child she is. She’s our own daughter. She takes after me. Your judgment was spot on, wasn’t it?”

After sharing a few jokes in the kitchen, the couple got busy. In the old man’s room, people had started to wake up. The first to come out was Old Wu, and the couple quickly went to wish him a happy New Year.

“Uncle, I’ve already boiled water for washing up in the bathroom. You can go and freshen up there. We’ll have our meal later,” Zhang Lan said.

On the first day of the New Year, everyone had a fresh start. All the elderly men were up, each wearing new clothes and looking lively. They didn’t seem like people in their fifties at all.

“Auntie, Uncles, happy New Year. How did you sleep last night?” Zhang Lan asked, concerned that everyone had gone to bed late the night before and didn’t want to affect the elderly.

“I slept well. The kang was warm and cozy. As we’ve gotten older, we don’t need as much sleep. Even staying up late isn’t a big deal,” Old Wu replied.

Zhang Lan began preparing breakfast, while Wang Zhenhe cleaned up the courtyard and then went to wake up the children.

When Wang Qian was awakened, she found herself sleeping in the same bed as Zuo He. She was a bit puzzled. Wasn’t she supposed to be sharing a bed with her sister? Well, they were just kids, so it wasn’t a big deal.

“Good morning, Zuo He,” she greeted.

Zuo He opened his eyes and saw that he was holding Wang Qian. His cheeks turned a bit red, but he was reluctant to let go. “Sister, did you sleep well? If you’re still tired, you can sleep a little longer.”

Wang Qian found Zuo He so adorable at that moment. She reached out and pinched his cheek, saying with a smile, “I slept very well, Zuo He. It’s time to get up. If you’re still tired, we can continue sleeping in the afternoon.”

Wang Zhenhe woke up all the children and then lifted Wang Qian. “My youngest daughter, it’s time to get up. Dad will help you put on your new clothes today.”

Wang Qian was delighted to have someone help her get dressed. She cooperatively extended her hand to let Wang Zhenhe help her change into her new clothes. Mingcheng and the others quickly put on the clothes that were placed beside them, but they all looked a bit groggy. It was clear that they hadn’t slept well the night before.

“Mingcheng, after eating, take your siblings out for a walk. When you come back, you can all take a nap,” Wang Zhenhe said to his eldest son while helping his daughter get dressed.

“Okay, I got it. Happy New Year, Dad,” Mingcheng said, realizing that it was the first day of the Lunar New Year and he hadn’t greeted his parents yet.

The others also greeted Wang Zhenhe one by one.

“Alright, everyone, Happy New Year. Later, I’ll have your mom give you your lucky money,” Wang Zhenhe said, his pockets as clean as his face, indicating that they would have to wait for their mother to distribute the traditional New Year’s money.

“What are you all talking about? Is everyone up?” Zhang Lan finished preparing the meal and entered the room to check on everyone. As she arrived at the door, she overheard the conversation about the lucky money.

“Aunt/Mom, Happy New Year,” all five of them, though not fully awake, quickly greeted her upon hearing about the lucky money.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lan’s smile deepened. “Alright, alright. Here, I’ll give you your lucky money.”

Zhang Lan took out five one-yuan bills from her pocket. Even Wang Zhenhe was a bit surprised, and even Mingcheng and the others found it somewhat unbelievable.

“Mom, did you make a mistake? Why are you giving us one yuan?”

One yuan was considered a significant amount of money in the rural area at that time. Typically, lucky money was just a few cents. It’s no wonder everyone was surprised by the one-yuan bill that Zhang Lan took out.

This one-yuan bill wasn’t a result of Zhang Lan being stingy. The family’s debts had been paid off this year, and she had some extra money on hand. The harvest in the family’s fields was also expected to be bountiful, which would bring in a substantial income. Additionally, the children in the family were well-behaved, didn’t give her a hard time, and worked hard for the family every day. Zhang Lan noticed all of this and considered the one-yuan bill as a reward for the siblings.

“That’s right. The lucky money I’m giving you today is one yuan. Keep it safe. If you see something you like, you can buy it, or you can save it for later. I won’t ask for it back,” Zhang Lan said.

Upon hearing this, Mingyuan felt like he had heard the most beautiful sound in the world. He jumped into Zhang Lan’s arms and said, “Mom, is that really true?”

It’s no wonder Mingyuan asked. In rural areas, there was an unwritten rule that all the lucky money received during the New Year, whether from parents or relatives, had to be handed over to the family and not a single cent could be kept.

After receiving confirmation from Zhang Lan, Mingyuan happily kissed his mom. “Mom, you’re the greatest mom in the world.”

With his own little treasure, Mingyuan was always generous with his sweet words. Seeing her son’s sweet talk, Zhang Lan couldn’t help but pat his bottom. “Son, if you keep praising me like this, the dumplings will get cold. Go wash your face and brush your teeth.”

Since Wang Qian came to the Wang family, the children had to brush their teeth. To instill the importance of dental hygiene, Zhang Lan had to persuade them a lot. However, apart from the Wang siblings, it was rare for children in the rural area to brush their teeth at that time, and even some adults didn’t do it.

Zuo He carefully placed his lucky money into the small pocket of his underwear, then quickly got dressed and even intended to make his own bed. However, Wang Zhenhe picked him up and took him to wash up, leaving the task of making the bed to him.

When the elderly men from the Wu family arrived, they saw Wang Zhenhe tucking in the quilt. “Hey, Zhenhe, you’re quite skilled at making the bed. I think you’re almost as good as us old folks. Not bad, not bad,” Old Wu remarked.

Zuo Zhanshan smiled and nodded approvingly at the neatly tucked bed. “Yes, not bad at all. It’s a pity. Zhenhe, if you had joined the army, you’d have no problem with these domestic tasks.”

Wang Zhenhe proudly raised his head. “Of course, being around you old folks, I have to learn something. How about it, Uncle Wu? I must have at least 80% of your skill now, right?”

Zhang Lan, who followed behind, gave her husband a disapproving look. “You’re quite the talker. There’s no way you can compare to Uncle Wu in making the bed. Hurry up, it’s time for us to eat, or the food will get cold.”

When it comes to lucky money, perhaps younger people have it better, as they get to keep it all. In the 1970s, not only was the lucky money meager, but it also had to be handed over. It’s truly a world of difference compared to today, where children can use their lucky money to buy houses.