Chapter 82: New Year

Today is New Year’s Eve. With good dishes at home, after Jiang Honghai’s parents received the twenty yuan from Feng Qiufeng, they bought two bottles of bottled liquor as per Jiang Honghai’s request. Even if they bought the cheapest bottled liquor, it was better than bulk white liquor!

Jiang Honghai started drinking at noon and had been drinking for most of the day, already quite drunk.

After being pushed down, he didn’t react initially. When he realised what had happened, he couldn’t help but curse, “You damn woman, you dare to hit me!”

Saying this, Jiang Honghai got up from the ground and tried to hit Feng Qiufeng.

Feng Qiufeng, watching Jiang Honghai, trembled all over, and her whole body shook.

She was afraid of Jiang Honghai and her in-laws. This was Jiang Honghai’s home, not hers. If she was driven away, she would have nowhere to go. In the past, whenever Jiang Honghai beat her and said he wanted to kick her out, she could do nothing but cry.

She was afraid of being expelled.

But now she had the key to the Liyun Dumpling Shop. Even if she was kicked out, so what? She could just stay at the dumpling shop!

“You’ve gone mad! Today, I must teach you a lesson!” Jiang Honghai, accustomed to beating his wife, hadn’t realised that the situation was a bit off.

Jiang Honghai’s parents were anxious and hurried to help him, glaring at Feng Qiufeng.

Jiang Honghai continued to curse.

Feng Qiufeng trembled even more, and her teeth started chattering. She felt her head getting strangely hot, as if she were scared but not quite.

She had always been afraid of her husband and in-laws.

This was Jiang Honghai’s home, not hers. If she was driven away, she would have nowhere to go.

Even if Jiang Honghai said he wanted to kick her out while beating her in the past, she could do nothing but cry.

She was afraid of being expelled.

But now she had the key to the Liyun Dumpling Shop. Even if she was kicked out, so what? She could just stay at the dumpling shop!

“You damn woman, you dare to hit me!” Jiang Honghai, not realising the situation, got up and tried to hit Feng Qiufeng.

Feng Qiufeng, watching Jiang Honghai, trembled all over, and her whole body shook.

She was afraid of Jiang Honghai and her in-laws.

This was Jiang Honghai’s home, not hers. If she was driven away, she would have nowhere to go.

In the past, whenever Jiang Honghai beat her and said he wanted to kick her out, she could do nothing but cry.

She was afraid of being expelled.

But now she had the key to the Liyun Dumpling Shop. Even if she was kicked out, so what? She could just stay at the dumpling shop!

Jiang Honghai’s parents were unhappy with Feng Qiufeng. “Xiaofeng, how could you hit Honghai?” they scolded.

Feng Qiufeng’s expression was a bit strange. She trembled but rushed forward again, slapped Jiang Honghai in the face, and pushed him down again.

“Honghai!”

“Are you okay, Honghai?”

Jiang Honghai’s parents rushed to help him, giving Feng Qiufeng angry looks.

Jiang Honghai continued to curse.

Feng Qiufeng, shaking even more, suddenly smiled. “If you dare to hit me, wait until you’re old and can’t move, then see if your son will take care of you!”

Jiang Honghai’s parents froze.

Feng Qiufeng’s teeth made a clicking sound, but she suddenly laughed. “When you’re old and can’t move, see if your son will take care of you!”

Feng Qiufeng had no great resentment towards her in-laws. They were okay with her, and when Jiang Honghai wanted to hit her, they would try to stop him.

But they always loved Jiang Honghai the most.

Who knows, would their love for Jiang Honghai make them ignore their own interests?

Feng Qiufeng continued, “Now I can support myself. Jiang Honghai, if you dare to hit me, I’ll divorce you! By then, let’s see how you will handle things!”

Jiang Honghai’s father was afraid. “You shouldn’t say such things.”

Jiang Honghai’s mother added, “Xiaofeng, think about the children.”

“I’ll take the children with me! I won’t let them starve!” Feng Qiufeng, no longer trembling, felt like she was completely sober.

Her current salary was not high, but she could still afford to support her two children’s education. They were getting older, and after a few more years of studying, they could start working.

By then, who would care about this family? Let Jiang Honghai live with his parents!

“Feng Qiufeng never dared to think about these things before, let alone mention divorce.

She was afraid that if she said it, Jiang Honghai would hit her.

When she just went to the fried dumpling shop, she worried that Jiang Honghai would find the shop.

However, Jiang Honghai was just a paper tiger! Even if he found the dumpling shop, so what? She could easily slap him away!

As for Jiang’s family possibly siding with Jiang Honghai, they wouldn’t meddle in family matters like this.

Jiang Liyun and the others would stand by her!

Jiang Fenlan and Jiang Anshu, upon hearing Feng Qiufeng’s words, immediately stood behind her.

Feng Qiufeng had never worked before; she had raised these two children by herself.

It was only in recent years that Jiang Honghai’s violence escalated, causing the two children to sleep with their grandparents.

But their grandparents treated Jiang Honghai better, and he would still hurt them. These two children were closest to their mother.

If they followed their mother and went to Liyun’s dumpling shop, they would definitely have a better life than staying at home!

Jiang Honghai was still cursing, but he didn’t dare to hit Feng Qiufeng anymore.

As for Jiang Honghai’s parents… They were frightened when they heard Feng Qiufeng say she would no longer care about them and saw their grandchildren stand behind Feng Qiufeng.

Rural elderly people don’t have retirement pensions. When they’re still able, it’s alright, but if their children don’t take care of them when they’re unable, they’ll end up in a miserable situation.

If they suddenly die, that’s alright, but if they become paralysed or something… They might end up starving to death.

Who would want to die?

Actually, Jiang Honghai’s parents have always been so good to him because he’s their son, and they rely on him to support them in old age.

But now, after hearing Feng Qiufeng’s words, they suddenly realise that Jiang Honghai is not reliable.

When they’re old and unable to work or even cook, the one who will cook and do laundry for them will definitely not be Jiang Honghai, but only Feng Qiufeng!

If Feng Qiufeng runs away, the only ones who might take care of them in the future are probably their grandchildren, but their grandchildren are on Feng Qiufeng’s side!

“It’s New Year’s; why argue? Let’s eat.” Feng Qiufeng suddenly smiled when she saw her in-laws’ expressions.

“You still have the face to eat?” Jiang Honghai was furious.

At this moment, Feng Qiufeng suddenly grabbed his arm, dragged him outside, and swiftly locked him out with the door bolt.

With Jiang Honghai gone, they could finally eat in peace.

Feng Qiufeng smiled again. “The dishes are good today, Fenlan, Anshu; eat more.”

Jiang Fenlan and Jiang Anshu nodded repeatedly. “Mum, the fish you made is really delicious!”

“The fish bones are crispy; there is no need to spit them out!”

“Mum, I’ll go catch more tomorrow!”

“Mum, this meat is not as tasty as the braised pork you make for us!”

…

What could Jiang Honghai’s parents say? They could only smile apologetically at Feng Qiufeng.”

“Feng, you’ve worked hard at work; eat more.”

As for their son locked outside the door… They naturally felt sorry for him.

But if they offended Feng Qiufeng, there would be no one to support their old age!

Jiang Honghai, locked outside, was furious, knocking on the door and cursing.

Their neighbour was Jiang Honghai’s cousin. When he came out, he frowned at Jiang Honghai and asked, “What are you yelling outside on New Year’s Day?”

Jiang Honghai replied, “That stinky woman of mine locked me outside!”

Jiang Honghai’s cousin asked loudly, “Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Xiaofeng, are you all okay?”

Feng Qiufeng said, “I’m fine.”

Jiang Honghai’s parents also said, “We’re fine.”

“As long as you’re okay.” The cousin then glared at Jiang Honghai and said, “Stop yelling! Your voice is so unpleasant, you almost scared my grandson!”

After saying that, he went back home with his hands behind his back.

Jiang Honghai was dumbfounded.

Feng Qiufeng, who was carrying a heavy heart, finally felt relieved.

She thought that the cousin would stand up for Jiang Honghai, but apparently not.

That was expected. Drinking and abusing his wife, the villagers disapproved of Jiang Honghai.

Now he was just locked out; Jiang Honghai’s parents didn’t care, and the neighbours wouldn’t either.

After finishing the New Year’s Eve dinner, Feng Qiufeng took her two children back to their room to sleep.

After a busy day, she was already tired.

It wasn’t until she fell asleep that Jiang Honghai’s parents let him in.

Jiang Honghai, in a fit of rage, wanted to go and hit Feng Qiufeng. His mother advised him, “What are you going to do? Be careful not to be beaten by her!”

“We’re two against one!” Jiang Honghai said.

Jiang Honghai’s parents smiled awkwardly, avoiding their son’s gaze.

In his anger, Jiang Honghai even thought about laying hands on his own parents.

But his parents were two against one.

Although they were old, they had been working in the fields tirelessly.

Each of them grabbed one of Jiang Honghai’s arms, and he couldn’t move.

The next day was New Year’s Day.

Early in the morning, Jiang Liyun saw Wu Xiaochun cooking rice cakes. After softening the rice cakes, she added the leftover rice from last night and made “rice cake porridge.”

There were still a lot of dishes left from last night, so she had a bowl of rice cake porridge with the leftover dishes, and breakfast was done.

Jiang Liyun really liked rice cakes; they were a solid source of carbohydrates, something those who had experienced hunger in their childhood appreciated.

But directly boiled rice cakes weren’t as tasty as fried ones.

A mixture of sugar and oil was truly irresistible.

After finishing breakfast, Jiang Liyun saw Feng Qiufeng bringing her two children.

Feng Qiufeng had come home for the New Year yesterday, and at that time, Jiang Liyun had been worried that she might get beaten.

Now, looking at it… Feng Qiufeng clearly hadn’t been beaten.

“Liyun, I’m here to wish you a Happy New Year.” Feng Qiufeng took out some items she had bought from the village store and said to Jiang Liyun, “For your parents and Liyu to eat.”

Here, when they wish someone a happy New Year, they usually buy some food for the elders and children.

“Thank you!” Jiang Liyun smiled and accepted them, then invited Jiang Fenlan and Jiang Anshu to watch TV. She asked Feng Qiufeng, “Is everything okay last night?”

Feng Qiufeng smiled and said, “It was fine.”

She slept well last night, and waking up this morning, she felt the sky was bluer, the water was clearer, and the whole world had become more beautiful.

What does Jiang Honghai have to fear? He’s nothing.

She earns eighty yuan a month, and from now on, she won’t spend a penny on Jiang Honghai; all the money will go towards raising the children!

Feng Qiufeng didn’t stay in the Jiang family for too long. After a while, she called Jiang Fenlan and Jiang Anshu to go to the town to have some fun.

On the first day of the lunar new year, everyone has free time, and there are usually stalls in the town.

In the first few days of the new year, there are fewer people selling meat and vegetables in the town. Firstly, because the villagers are celebrating the new year, and secondly, on New Year’s Eve, almost every household prepares some delicious dishes, enough for the next couple of days, so there are fewer people buying vegetables during this time.

But there will be more people selling various small items in the town.

Children have received lucky money, and they are eager to spend it on fireworks and other toys.

Even Jiang Liyu bought several boxes of firecrackers, and they were the kind that needed matches to ignite.

Seeing her playing with firecrackers over there, Jiang Liyun couldn’t help but marvel—kids these days are so daring!

Jiang Liyun had a comfortable New Year, but by the fourth day of the lunar New Year, she became busy again.

Apart from running the Liyun Dumpling Shop, the chicken-raising initiative in the village also started to take shape.

Raising chickens in winter requires providing warmth, so Jiang Liyun, along with the village veterinarian, visited the local poultry farmers to inspect their heating methods and provide some improvement suggestions.

Some households would casually use an iron bucket to burn wood for heating the chickens at home, and a slight negligence could lead to a fire.

However, most households had reasonable heating methods, as they had experience keeping silkworms warm during low temperatures.

“Be sure to pay attention; don’t let the children get too close; burns can be troublesome,” Jiang Liyun reminded them while updating the data in her notebook.

After being busy for half a month, it was time for Jiang Liping and Sun Jinshan’s wedding.

Getting married at this time wasn’t as complicated as in the future, and since it was Jiang Liping’s second marriage, their family kept it relatively simple.

On the Sun family’s side, they arranged everything more formally, but that was Sun’s parents’ doing, and it had nothing to do with her.

Sun Jinshan was very happy to marry Jiang Liping.

He arranged several tractors, dressed up, and had the bride sit in one of them. The dowry was also placed on the tractor.

Normally, they would use a boat for the bridal procession, but the younger generation found it less lively. They thought tractors were better!

The noise of the tractor convoy was particularly loud. Along the way, Sun Jinshan’s friends even lit a few firecrackers and threw them to the roadside where no one was, making it even more noisy.

Jiang Liyun felt it wasn’t a good thing to do, but people nowadays do it this way… Actually, it’s relatively mild now; people didn’t have much money to spend on too many firecrackers.

Later, when everyone had more money, there were a few years when, during holidays or weddings, every household would set off a lot of fireworks and firecrackers.

Fortunately, the government later implemented policies, and in many places, they prohibited fireworks.

But people still competed in some strange ways. Jiang Liyun remembered that when she was reborn, during the New Year, people in the village set extremely long incense sticks, some even taller than her.

Sitting on the tractor, sending Jiang Liping off to her wedding, Jiang Liyun passed by the Xie family.

The Xie family’s house was built exceptionally well, and the roof tiles were not the common black ones but large red tiles.

She also saw Xie Zugen sitting at the doorstep, looking dejected.

Xie Zugen’s gambling wasn’t a big deal; it was the amount of money he lost that was the big issue.

Before borrowing money from Zhou Laoda, he had already lost nearly twenty thousand yuan, money he took from his family.

They were also building a house and buying a colour TV at home. Where did the Xie family get so much money?

It was said that someone reported Xie’s father. If things went bad, both Xie’s father and Xie Zugen might lose their jobs at the brick factory!