Chapter 42: A Lively New Year (Part 2)

There were too many people earlier, and she had been busy talking to her mom, so she hadn’t paid attention to where everyone went.

Shi Xiaolian’s hat was knocked askew from all the jostling, and she still looked a bit shaken. “She went to the grain station to buy flour.”

Mu Mian didn’t ask further. Even with an extra person in tow, it didn’t slow her down at all. Weaving through the gaps between the adults like a little fish, she successfully brought Shi Xiaolian to the front.

Behind the counter, two shop assistants were so busy that they barely had time to breathe.

Mu Mian looked up at the goods on the shelves. Seizing a moment when one of the shop assistants wasn’t overwhelmed, she quickly said, “Hello, comrade. I want three pounds of hard candy, two pounds of brown sugar, two strings of firecrackers, and five boxes of snap pops…”

After listing her order, she glanced at the shelf and saw only three boxes of clam oil left. Remembering that she hadn’t seen Nie Sihui yet, she added, “And three boxes of clam oil, please.”

The shop assistant, already exhausted from dealing with the chaotic crowd, was about to snap at what she assumed was a mischievous child causing trouble.

But then, she saw the little girl holding a thick stack of ration tickets in one hand and a wad of cash in the other, smiling sweetly up at her. Her small face was especially adorable, and her voice was as sugary as honey. “Big sister, I have money. My mom asked me to buy these. Thank you, big sister~”

Just a second ago, Mu Mian had called her “comrade,” and now she was calling her “big sister.” She sure knew how to charm people.

The shop assistant, who was almost thirty years old: “…………”

Faced with that bright, cheerful smile, the irritation in her chest deflated. After a two-second pause, she said, “Wait a moment. Let me weigh this lady’s sugar first, and then I’ll get your things.”

Mu Mian nodded. “No rush, no rush. Big sister, take your time.”

She then nudged Shi Xiaolian with her elbow. Shi Xiaolian instantly understood, though her smile was a little stiff. “B-Big sister, I’d like two strings of firecrackers and one pound of brown sugar…”

After finishing her order, she added, “Thank you, big sister.”

To prove she was also a real customer, she lifted her hands, showing her own money and ration tickets.

The shop assistant: “…………”

Two seconds later, the shop assistant spoke again. “Alright, wait a moment.”

While the shop assistant was busy, Mu Mian tilted her head slightly and grinned. “Not bad. You’re improving. From now on, talk less like those aunties and more like me.”

See? This was how you used your skill to get the shop assistant to serve you first.

Shi Xiaolian looked serious. “But you talk so much every day. Which parts am I supposed to learn?”

Mu Mian: “…………”

She didn’t talk that much, did she?

She was definitely quieter than Lele, right?

Before she could argue back, she saw the shop assistant was finally free. Mu Mian stood on tiptoe again and quickly repeated her order, calling the woman “big sister” every other sentence and flashing a few bright smiles for good measure.

About ten minutes later, the two little girls squeezed their way out of the crowd, carrying large and small bags.

Shi Xiaozhu was still at the grain station, but Liu Shuangcui had finished buying soy sauce and was just about to go inside when she spotted her daughter.

Liu Shuangcui looked surprised. “You’re done already?”

Mu Mian nodded. “Yes, I’ve bought everything and spent all the money.”

She had gone in with over forty yuan and came out with just twenty cents left.

Shopping was truly satisfying, but money really didn’t last long.

Liu Shuangcui wasn’t surprised that her daughter had spent it all. She simply sighed. “You two sure were quick.”

Mu Mian grinned. “The sister inside was really nice and helped me and Shi Xiaolian get our things first.”

Liu Shuangcui frowned slightly. “Sister? Is there a new one?”

Mu Mian shook her head. “No, it was still the same two from before.”

Having been to the supply store many times, Liu Shuangcui knew the shop assistants by name. Her eye twitched slightly.

Now she understood why her daughter had finished shopping so quickly—it was all thanks to her sweet talk.

Those two shop assistants were even older than her youngest sister-in-law, and their kids were already quite grown.

Mu Mian glanced around. “Where’s Sister Sihui?”

Liu Shuangcui pointed her chin toward the crowd. “She’s still stuck in the middle.”

Since she was too short to see anything inside, Mu Mian simply responded with an “Oh.” “I got her a tin of clam oil. There were only three left on the shelf, so I bought them all.”

Now it seemed like that was a smart decision. By the time Sister Sihui got to the counter, they might have already sold out.

Liu Shuangcui rummaged through her pockets. “Alright, I’ll give it to her when she comes out. They’re probably going to buy more things anyway.”

Since they were all going to take the ox cart back together later, Mu Mian didn’t wait for them to come out.

She and her mother still had to send a package to her eldest brother, so they headed to the post office first.

This time, the package was particularly large. Since her brother couldn’t come home for the New Year, they had to prepare more things for him.

By the time Mu Mian and her mother returned from the post office and got back on the ox cart, they realized they were the last ones to arrive.

It was freezing outside, so most people would head straight home after shopping instead of lingering around.

Old Wang turned his head and asked, “Are you seated properly? If you’re all set, we’re heading off.”

Mu Mian raised her voice cheerfully. “We’re ready! Sitting tight and steady~”

Whenever she was in a good mood, her voice carried a playful lilt, making it particularly pleasant to hear.

Old Wang chuckled, giving the ox a light whip while humming a tune.

Mu Mian dug through her bag of New Year’s goods and pulled out a tin of clam oil. “Sister Sihui, this is for you. There were only three tins in total, and I bought them all!”

Nie Sihui had already heard about it from Shi Xiaolian, so she didn’t bother with unnecessary politeness. She simply took out some money and tickets, handing them to Mu Mian. “Thank you, Xiao Mian. If I had gone myself, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get one.”

Mu Mian accepted it with a grin. “No need to be polite~”

A woman sitting beside Liu Shuangcui laughed. “You know, she’s got a point. Sending the younger ones into the crowd is actually much faster. I should bring my second daughter next time too.”

Another woman had a different opinion. “It depends. If you don’t have the strength, you still won’t get through. Didn’t Lian girl almost get shoved around by an old lady just now? She nearly crashed into someone’s basket.”

Shi Xiaozhu hadn’t heard about this yet. Alarmed, he quickly checked on his younger sister. “Did you get hurt anywhere?”

Shi Xiaolian shook her head. “No, Mu Mian held onto me.”

Mu Mian nodded in confirmation. “I can vouch for that. Not a single scratch on her. But if you insist on saying there was a loss…”

Shi Xiaozhu immediately grew anxious. “What happened?”

Mu Mian narrowed her eyes and took a deep breath before dramatically announcing, “She lost two strands of hair.”

She had lost two strands herself. She had clearly felt the sting on her scalp when she was being pushed.

Everyone on the ox cart: “………”

The woman beside Liu Shuangcui laughed so hard she slapped her thigh. “Oh my, this little girl is such a character!”

Liu Shuangcui tapped her daughter’s head. “You’re always up to something.”

Mu Mian giggled and dodged her mother’s hand.

With the cart filled with laughter and chatter, they soon arrived back at the village.

—

Once the New Year’s goods were prepared, the days leading up to the festival flew by.

As the children eagerly anticipated the celebrations, the long-awaited New Year’s Eve finally arrived.

Early in the morning, Mu Mian got up to write the Spring Festival couplets. The red paper had been purchased earlier from the supply and marketing cooperative.

Standing nearby, Mu Fugui held the paper for her while he showered her with praise. From the look on his face, anyone would think his daughter had just written a literary masterpiece.

Mu Mian blushed from all the compliments.

When it came to sweet-talking, she still couldn’t match her father.

Once the couplets were pasted, Mu Xingwang and Mu Xinglong arrived with their families.

Although the three households had already separated, they still celebrated New Year’s Eve together every year.

With so many people, the once-spacious courtyard suddenly felt crowded.

Shiyi, the family dog, was so excited that it scurried around, sniffing at one person’s feet and then another’s. After getting stepped on twice, it finally behaved and went back to its nest.

Although the house was bustling, Mu Mian had no business in the kitchen.

Mu Wan, on the other hand, had rushed in, determined to showcase her cooking skills.

Wearing her brand-new red jacket, Mu Mian didn’t join the kitchen commotion. Eating was much more enjoyable than cooking!

She stayed with Mu Qiu, looking after Xiao Mai and Xiao Miao. The nine-month-old twins were particularly active, crawling everywhere and refusing to stay on the heated brick bed.

Xiao Miao seemed to have inherited her father’s mischievous nature and wouldn’t stop babbling. Even though she couldn’t talk yet, she kept waving her arms and pointing outside, clearly unwilling to stay indoors.

Xiao Mai, on the other hand, was much calmer. As long as she had something to play with, she could entertain herself for ages, displaying a level of patience fitting for an older sister.

Seeing that Xiao Miao was determined to go out, Mu Mian gave in. She put a hat on the little one, wrapped herself up warmly, and carried Xiao Miao outside.

Outside, Gutou and Xiao Chengzi were playing with firecrackers.

The “bang bang” sounds rang out continuously.

Xiao Miao wasn’t scared at all. In fact, she was so excited that she kept waving her little hands.

Her eager expression made it clear—she would have loved to throw some firecrackers herself.

Xiao Chengzi ran over. “My little sister sure is brave! Sister, do you want to play too?”

Mu Mian reached out. “Give me a box!”

Xiao Chengzi hesitated. “This is my last box, Sister. You have to use them sparingly~”

Mu Mian responded grandly. “I have four more boxes at home. I’ll give you two later.”

Xiao Chengzi’s eyes lit up, and he jumped in excitement. “Really?! Did Uncle buy you that many? My dad only gave me two boxes.”

Mu Mian glanced at him. “I bought them myself.”

Rich and willful!

She wasn’t some little kid who had to ask the adults for money.

It took Xiao Chengzi a moment to recall that his cousin had published articles before. Instantly, he beamed at her. “My cousin is amazing!”

Gutou also joined in, showering her with praise.

A few compliments later, Mu Mian had unknowingly handed out all her firecrackers without keeping a single one for herself.

As the sound of firecrackers echoed in the yard, the New Year’s Eve dinner was finally ready.

There was rabbit, chicken, fish, and pork—a feast more lavish than any other meal of the year. The aroma alone was enough to make the children stop in their tracks.

The twin sister, like Shiyi, was drooling at the sight of the food.

While everyone was gathered around the dishes, Mu Mian successfully grabbed the task of setting off the firecrackers.

As soon as she touched the fuse with a burning twig, a string of crackling sounds echoed throughout the courtyard.

Another lively and festive New Year had arrived.

Mu Fugui called out to the children, “Alright, alright, the firecrackers are done. It’s time to eat. Everyone, sit down. The old lady will say a few words first, and then we’ll start the meal!”

Zhao Meihua, seated at the head of the table, smiled so widely that the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes bunched together. “I say something every year. What else is there to say? Just eat, eat, but don’t let your drool drip into the dishes.”

Mu Fugui pointed out, “I’m talking about you, Xiao Miao. Your drool is about to drip into your mom’s bowl.”

Xiao Miao: “Ah ba, ah ba…”

Mu Xinglong chuckled. “Are you picking on my daughter just because she can’t talk yet? Her drool isn’t in the bowl. It’s still hanging by her mouth!”

Mu Mian reminded her father, “If you keep talking, all the meat will be gone.”

As she spoke, she quickly grabbed two pieces and placed them in his bowl.

Mu Fugui laughed heartily. “My daughter is the most thoughtful!”

Not wanting to be outdone, Xiao Chengzi, determined to prove he was also a considerate boy, picked up his chopsticks and served some food to his parents.

Outside, firecrackers from other households occasionally sounded, while inside, the noise and laughter were so lively that it felt as if they could blow the roof off at any moment.

Mu Mian sat among the children, her eyes squinting with joy. The smile on her face hadn’t faded all day. However, every now and then, when her gaze landed on Mu Qing, she would instinctively think of Mu Zhuo.

This was already the second New Year her eldest brother hadn’t been home for.

In just over a month, it will be exactly two years since he left. She wondered when he would return.

At that time, she still held onto hope—maybe by next New Year, her eldest brother would finally be back.

But in reality, she ended up waiting for more than three years.