Chapter 177

After Little New Year, Lunar New Year’s Eve arrived quickly, marking the end of another year. Early in the morning, distant sounds of firecrackers could be heard, signaling that some families were already offering sacrifices and praying to the gods.

Listening to the commotion outside, Grandma Wang could be heard instructing Madam Zhang on various tasks, presumably preparations for the upcoming rituals.

In previous years, Grandma Wang’s prayers and offerings on Lunar New Year’s Eve were always devout and grand. Wang Yuan’er knew she couldn’t afford to be lazy, so she got up and hurriedly dressed. Her awakening roused the other sisters as well.

“Little sister, sleep a bit more,” Wang Yuan’er said, patting Lan’er’s head.

Lan’er yawned and rubbed her eyes, replying, “No, if I keep sleeping, Fuduo will collect all the leftover firecrackers!”

During festive occasions, children often scavenged through piles of red paper for unlit firecrackers to ignite and play with. Wang’s family children were no exception. Fuduo and Lan’er, both still young, joined in this playful tradition. Wang Yuan’er cautioned, “Don’t go near others while they’re lighting firecrackers, okay? Be careful—you don’t want burnt hair or eyes, or you’ll turn into an ugly girl!”

Lan’er nodded eagerly; she certainly didn’t want to become an ugly girl!

After washing up, Wang Yuan’er went out first to greet Grandma Wang, who acknowledged her with a nod.

“Since it’s New Year’s, don’t bother starting your own stove today. Tonight, we’ll eat together in the main room,” Grandma Wang announced.

Wang Yuan’er paused for a moment before replying with a faint “Oh.”

Then Madam Zhang came closer with a cheerful grin, saying, “Yuan’er, the chickens in your coop are plump and oily now. Why not slaughter one for the New Year feast?”

Wang Yuan’er felt somewhat displeased—not because she was unwilling to part with the chicken, but because her second aunt always seized opportunities to take advantage, which she found hard to tolerate.

Before Wang Yuan’er could respond, Grandma Wang interjected, “Look at you! Acting as if you’ve never had chicken before. Isn’t there a chicken in the backyard?” Turning to Wang Yuan’er, she continued, “No need for your family to provide the meat dishes; just help with the cooking!”

Wang Yuan’er acknowledged with a soft “Okay.” Madam Zhang, however, was visibly resentful and pained, wanting to say more, but Grandma Wang silenced her with a sharp glare. Madam Zhang reluctantly closed her mouth, internally grumbling about how biased the old woman had become. She failed to reflect on the past when this “biased old woman” used to favor her side of the family.

The New Year’s Eve rituals were the same as ever—solemn and devout—led by Grandma Wang, who performed the incense offering and recited blessings.

The family shrine remained unchanged, with the same ancestral plaques. Yet, there were two new additions, and fewer people present. Last year’s rituals were marked by the absence of their father; this year, their mother was missing as well.

As Wang Yuan’er gazed at the row of plaques in the shrine, her nose tingled with emotion, and her eyes began to burn. Gradually, her vision blurred.

“Times have changed; things are no longer the same—that’s how it is!”

“Yuan’er, what are you daydreaming about? Offer the incense!” Grandma Wang gave her a push. Seeing her red eyes, she pursed her lips, unsure of what Yuan’er was thinking about.

Wang Yuan’er wiped the corners of her eyes and respectfully offered the incense.

After the ritual, there wasn’t much to do. The second branch of the family prepared the meat dishes, so all Wang Yuan’er and her siblings needed to do was eat. However, they still helped with some tasks.

Plucking chicken feathers, boiling water, and putting the chicken in the pot—it was all part of the work. Even the usually sharp-tongued Wang Qing’er remained quiet. No matter how unpleasant Madam Zhang’s words were, she didn’t respond and acted as though she didn’t hear them.

The short winter days gave way to long nights. In the evening, Wang Yuan’er used a large bowl to serve two portions of food and placed them before her parents’ ancestral plaques. She then lit incense again.

“Father, Mother, another year has passed—time to eat!” She murmured softly as she gazed at the two plaques. She stood in front of them and spoke about everything that had happened at home over the past year, chattering on for quite some time. It wasn’t until Wang Qing’er called her that she returned to the main room to sit down.

Since it was a reunion dinner, the head of the family had to say a few inspiring words. As expected, these revolved around being responsible, living honestly, and offering guidance to the younger generation. Grandma Wang concluded with the phrase: “Family harmony brings prosperity.”

With the aroma of wine and meat filling the air and laughter echoing around the table, the atmosphere was lively.

Madam Zhang watched as Wang Yuan’er and the others exchanged dishes enthusiastically, their faces beaming with smiles and warmth. Somehow, she found the scene particularly glaring, as if it were offensive. Her heart felt as sour as if she had just eaten hawthorn fruit. All the girls from the main household were present—but where was her Min’er? Her own family was gathered around the table, enjoying their meal. Poor Min’er, the Tang family wouldn’t even allow her to return to the main house for the New Year. She was left alone, isolated in the countryside with her belly swollen. How pitiable.

Madam Zhang’s eyes turned red, and tears began to fall. She slammed her chopsticks onto the table, startling everyone.

“Of all times—on New Year’s—you suddenly shed gold beans (crying tears). What is going on? Aren’t you bringing bad luck?” Grandma Wang was the first to pull a grim face. She was intolerant of anyone mourning or sulking during such festive occasions. Moreover, nobody had said anything to Madam Zhang—what was she crying about?

“What’s wrong with you?” Grandma Wang’s voice was as cold as the chilly winds outside, and her gaze cut toward Madam Zhang like sharp blades.

Wang Er was equally puzzled. Seeing his mother’s sullen expression, he pinched his wife. “What are you doing? Why are you crying for no reason?”

Madam Zhang burst into tears, sobbing loudly, “I… I just miss Min’er!”

And just like that, her cries turned into full-fledged wailing.

Wang Qing’er exchanged playful glances with Wang Yuan’er, clearly eager to witness the ensuing drama.

Grandma Wang was completely exasperated. “If you miss your daughter, then miss her. But is it necessary to cry like this? Wipe your tears already!”

Wang Er, similarly frustrated, said, “It’s New Year’s—don’t bring gloom upon us.”

Madam Zhang felt a pang in her heart, quickly glanced at Grandma Wang’s expression, wiped her tears, and replied with choked sobs, “I… I didn’t mean to. It’s just that, Mother, I can’t help myself. It’s New Year’s Eve, and while our family is gathered together, Min’er is all alone in the countryside, forbidden by the Tang family from returning to celebrate the holiday. It’s so pitiful!”

So, it turned out to be about this.

Wang Yuan’er quietly bit into a piece of chicken. She remembered Min’er’s letter from a few days earlier, in which Min’er had expressed her wish to return for New Year. However, the Tang family flatly refused, citing the cold weather and her advanced pregnancy, claiming it would be harmful to the child if she traveled unnecessarily.

What’s more, the Tang family wouldn’t even allow Tang Xiuping to go and keep Wang Min’er company, leaving her all alone at the countryside estate. It was indeed pitiful, but she chose this path herself. If you eat salted fish, you must bear the thirst—it was her decision, so she had to endure it!

Grandma Wang slammed her chopsticks down on the table and said, “A married daughter is like spilled water. She’s spending New Year alone, but that’s her own doing. Back then, if not for… Well, even if the Tang family doesn’t allow her to return, what could you possibly do? Go to the Tang family with a stick and start a fight? If she doesn’t come back, can’t you visit her in a few days?” She glanced at the grandchildren seated nearby but didn’t continue, her voice growing colder: “If you’re eating, eat. If you’re not, then leave. Stop crying here during New Year, making it all so unpeaceful.”

Madam Zhang was startled and didn’t dare to cry further. Still, her eyes were filled with dissatisfaction. But what could she do? She had no authority in this household.

“Mother, don’t mind this woman; she’s just overly sensitive. Come, let your son offer you a toast—wishing you a long life and a hundred years,” Wang Er said, raising his wine glass while giving Madam Zhang a sharp kick under the table and shooting her a few warning looks.

Madam Zhang winced from the pain but had no choice but to pick up her wine glass. “Mother, your daughter-in-law also toasts to you,” she said.

“If you don’t anger me, I might just live to a hundred!” Grandma Wang snorted, but she eventually picked up her wine glass and drank.

“Eat, eat. Yuan’er, you all should eat more,” called Grandpa Wang, trying to dispel the unpleasant atmosphere from earlier.

After the family reunion dinner, they prepared to stay up for the New Year’s vigil. Wang Yuan’er and her sisters first arranged for Baolai and the others to go to sleep.

“Who would’ve thought Second Aunt dared to cry like that? Seriously, everyone already knew Wang Min’er wouldn’t be able to come home for the New Year. Why choose this moment to cry? No wonder Grandma scolded her,” remarked Wang Qing’er. It was a time for joy, and crying at such a moment would upset anyone, especially Grandma, who was a devout Buddhist. Bringing bad luck like this was bound to anger her.

“She is her biological daughter, after all. How could she not feel heartache?” Wang Yuan’er sighed.

Madam Zhang truly loved Wang Min’er. She was the only daughter born from her womb. Now, with her daughter heavily pregnant and spending New Year’s Eve alone, how could she not feel distressed?

“The Tang family is quite heartless. What’s the harm in letting her come home for the New Year?” Wang Qing’er, who wasn’t inherently mean-spirited, felt a pang of injustice for Wang Min’er’s situation—especially considering she was carrying a child of the Tang family!

“Don’t forget, the Tang family is about to marry a new wife in the first lunar month. How could they allow Wang Min’er to come back? With so many people around, tongues would wag. Her pregnancy is already very obvious—if anything went wrong, who would take responsibility?” Wang Yuan’er explained. She felt that the Tang family’s refusal to let Wang Min’er return was justified. With a new wife arriving soon, how could they let a concubine linger nearby? Whether it was offending the new wife or creating risks for her pregnancy, neither outcome would be ideal.

Wang Qing’er sighed and said, “Getting married like this is just too humiliating!”

“That’s why we must live with dignity. When marrying, it should be done through proper channels with matchmakers and witnesses. A young lady must value her reputation and not act carelessly…” Wang Yuan’er took the opportunity to lecture.

Wang Qing’er screamed and hid behind Wang Chun’er. “Second Sister, save me! Elder Sister is lecturing me again!”

Wang Chun’er chuckled, tapped her on the forehead, and said, “Serves you right. Let’s see if this mischievous monkey dares to act out again.”

“Good sister, it’s New Year’s Eve. Please spare me!” Wang Qing’er pretended to bow and plead, making her two sisters laugh uncontrollably. They tickled her, causing Wang Qing’er to dart around the room, her laughter echoing far and wide.

After some playful banter, the sisters joined Grandma Wang and the others to celebrate New Year’s Eve. They ate dumplings, and as expected, everyone found the lucky dumpling with a coin inside.

At midnight, every household lit firecrackers to welcome the New Year. The Wang family also set off a firecracker for prosperity, ushering in the New Year.

Wang Yuan’er lay in bed, wrapped in her quilt, listening to the sound of firecrackers outside. Her eyes slowly closed in a daze. Scenes from her past life and present experiences flashed through her mind like a lantern show—pain, sorrow, joy—all finally settling into the present, bringing peace.

Time has passed, and another year has gone by!