Second Aunt came over, and now that Dad was back, Panpan and Tiantian were overjoyed, practically jumping for joy!

Lu Ping, Lu An, and the others were equally excited, running out to welcome their third uncle home.

Lin Shu saw that the kids had surrounded Lu Shaotang, so she offered to take the bag from him.

However, Lu Shaotang refused, saying, “You can’t carry it.”

With both kids hanging off his long legs, and after greeting his nieces and nephews, he dragged the kids along while holding the bag and headed into the house.

He placed the yellow-green canvas bag on the heated bed and said to Lin Shu, “These are gifts from Chen Yanming and the others.”

Lin Shu asked casually, “Where is Chen Yanming from?”

“He’s from the capital. Why?” Lu Shaotang replied.

“Isn’t he going home for the New Year?” she asked.

“No, he’s off with others to the provincial capital,” he explained.

Lin Shu suggested, “If he’s not too busy, invite him over. I’m sure he’s helped you out quite a bit since you’re always away.”

In the original story, Chen Yanming was an important support for Panpan.

Though in that version, Chen Yanming lost a leg while taking over a mission from Lu Shaotang, who had passed away.

But now, since Lu Shaotang was fine, Chen Yanming should be too.

He didn’t need to be Panpan’s protector anymore, but he could certainly be a good uncle.

After all, you can never have too many benefactors for the kids.

Lu Shaotang chuckled at how warmly she invited him, saying, “Sure, I’ll let him know.”

But inwardly, he thought, Chen Yanming sure is lucky. My wife’s actually inviting him over to our home.

While Lu Shaotang took the kids to talk with Old Man Lu, Lin Shu began sorting through his bag.

During these times, there wasn’t much luxury, so items like malted milk, canned fruit, candies, and biscuits were considered treasures.

Chen Yanming had provided all of that, along with a bag of hawthorn fruit.

Lin Shu thought she could make hawthorn sugar skewers or hawthorn balls for the kids.

But first, she needed to help with preparing dumplings.

Meanwhile, after Old Lu finished writing the Spring Festival couplets, Lu Shaotang led Lu Ping and the others to paste them up.

Lu Shaotang worked quickly and precisely.

Where others might struggle to paste couplets neatly, often getting them crooked or folded, he had no such trouble.

With a quick eye for proportion between the couplet and the doorframe, he dipped a broom in paste, swiped it across the surface in smooth motions, and pressed the couplet into place.

He then used a straw broom to smooth it out until it was perfectly aligned.

Lu An was left dumbfounded. Just earlier, their neighbor, Lu Shaocai, had been grumbling about messing up his own couplet-pasting job.

After the couplets were up, they went to pay respects at the family graves.

They were busy making dumplings at home.

Because it was the New Year, everyone was in high spirits.

Lu Er called out, “Xiu’er, come over and make dumplings. Stop fiddling with clothes.”

Making clothes is something you earn money from, but making dumplings is a family task.

Fang Dihua was in the main room chopping meat, getting ready to cook a few dishes for the offering that evening.

During the “Four Olds” movement, there was a ban on celebrating the New Year, so for a while, people didn’t observe it.

But once the harvests improved, they returned to the old customs.

How could anyone celebrate the New Year with dumplings and meat without honoring their ancestors?

Of course, they had to visit graves, perform rituals, and make offerings to the family genealogy.

Fang Dihua had everything well-prepared this year.

She planned to make a sausage dish for her in-laws, showing them that their protection over their third son hadn’t been in vain.

She hoped they would continue to bless him, ensuring that each year the family could offer even more delicious foods.

After the dumplings were nearly finished, Lin Shu joined Fang Dihua to help prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner.

The family had earned more money this year, and the New Year goods were abundant, especially since Lu Shaotang was back.

They were determined to have a feast!

Over the past few days, Lin Shu had been busy braising meat and chicken.

She had already prepared braised pork shank, chestnut chicken stew, braised carp, tofu with pork, cabbage and vermicelli stew with bones, spinach salad with glass noodles, pan-fried ribbonfish, shrimp with chives, and scrambled eggs with chives and steamed eggs with shrimp.

All the meat dishes were served in big bowls.

The family could eat to their heart’s content during this meal.

Although many families in the village had slaughtered pigs and cooked meat, the aroma from Lin Shu’s house was so overpowering that it drowned out the scent of their neighbors’ cooking.

Everyone wondered why their meat smelled so much better.

Lu Dage would proudly say, “Seriously, ours smells better! My third sister-in-law’s cooking skills are on another level. She outdoes herself every time. It must be because my third brother is home—she’s extra motivated!”

The table was overflowing with meat dishes.

In the past, when the family had meat, everyone’s chopsticks would fly around like windmill blades.

But today, there was so much meat that no one needed to rush.

They ate leisurely, savoring the meal, drinking a bit of wine, and chatting about happy things—like the commune finally getting electricity, the awards they won this year, and how the whole family could attend the city’s Labor Day celebration next year.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, they suddenly heard crying from Old Chang’s house nearby.

It sounded like the kids were fighting over meat, leading to a brawl.

The eldest child had hit the second child, the second wife got upset and hit the eldest child, and then the old lady of the Chang family hit the second wife…

Lu Dage commented, “Our family better not end up like that—it’s too shameful!”

Fang Dihua: “The family is counting on you; you better hold it together!”

Sister Lu Er was busy helping Big Brother Lu Erge with some meat and even managed to sneak in a couple of pieces for herself.

The third sister-in-law’s stewed meat smells so good!

Lin Shu said to Big Brother Lu Dage: “Big Brother, when our brigade gets electricity, you should apply to have the brigade buy an electric flour mill. Then the surrounding villages can come to grind their flour, and it will surely bring in money for the brigade.”

Big Brother Lu Dage thought the third sister-in-law was really clever.

They hadn’t even gotten electricity yet, and she was already thinking about ways to make money.

She’s really impressive.

But Second Sister-in-law Lu Er thought Lin Shu was just lazy.

You stay at home all day, don’t even go out to work in the fields, and you’re complaining about grinding flour?

Why don’t you just fly to heaven while you’re at it?

Lu Shaotang was eating while managing all the questions from their two kids and nephew, while also making sure to give his wife her favorite dishes.

She had cooked the entire meal, but her appetite was small.

In Lu Shaotang’s eyes, she ate too little!

He always wanted to feed her more, so she could eat more.

If she ate little, she’d have little energy, get sick easily, and wouldn’t be able to handle things.

After everyone had eaten their fill, there was still some food left on the table.

Lin Shu had already put down her chopsticks and was now cracking sunflower seeds.

Lu Shaotang was peeling seeds for her while chatting with his father and brothers, mostly listening to them talk.

Tian Tian and Pan Pan had already changed into new clothes and were coming over to kowtow to the elders, asking for New Year’s money.

Seeing this, Lu An and Lu Cui Cui quickly joined in to ensure they wouldn’t miss out on the red envelopes.

This year, they had made good money, and there were large deposits in the bank.

Fang Dihua felt confident.

Fang Dihua gave three cents, and Old Man Lu gave two.

The children cheered, even Lu Ping, who was usually steady, was overjoyed.

Lu An was the happiest, shouting with joy.

The New Year’s money he got wouldn’t be taken away by his parents.

His father used to want to take his kids’ New Year’s money to buy alcohol, but his grandmother scolded him for it.

Grandma had said, “Don’t steal the children’s New Year’s money. Have some self-respect!”

After receiving the money from their grandparents, Lu An turned to look at his parents and uncles.

Big Brother Lu Dage: “I’ve already given all my money to the household.”

In reality, Fang Dihua hadn’t taken much; most of it was left with him. He said it was for his wife, but in truth, both his and his wife’s earnings were in his hands.

Sister-in-law Lu Er fumbled around, finally giving one cent to each child.

Second Brother Lu Erge looked at Second Sister-in-law Lu.

All the money he made weaving mats, about three yuan, had been given to her.

But Second Sister-in-law Lu Er was still angry.

She only had one child, while the eldest and third households each had three kids…

The grandparents gave a lot of money to their kids, which was seen as favoritism.

Now, they’re even asking her to give some?

No way!

She wasn’t going to comply.

The children watched Second brother Lu Erge and Sister-in-law Lu Er expectantly, but they didn’t give any money, leaving the kids disappointed.

Lu Erge had no money to his name.

His earnings were pooled into the communal fund, and Fang Dihua distributed the money to each household, but his wife Lu Er controlled whatever extra money he made.

He glanced at his wife and said, “Give the kids some New Year’s money.” But she pretended not to hear.

Lu Shaotang chuckled and said, “I’ve turned in all my money, my pockets are even emptier than yours.”

He didn’t want his second brother to feel embarrassed, so he tried to ease the situation.

Panpan, feeling sorry for her father, immediately stuffed her own New Year money into his pocket, saying, “A grown man shouldn’t be without money!”

Tiantian followed, putting her money into his other pocket. “It’s okay, Dad, use mine.”

She turned to Lin Shu and added, “Mom, you should give Dad some spending money. Auntie said men shouldn’t be without cash when they’re out and about.”

Lin Shu lightly pinched Lu Shaotang’s arm, silently asking if she hadn’t already given him money.

Lu Shaotang took her hand and held it in his.

Lin Shu glanced at the second sister-in-law—was she really not planning to give the kids any money?

Not wanting to overstep, Lin Shu gave only five cents to each child, so as not to upset the Second sister-in-law.

Sister Lu Er scoffed, “Third sister-in-law, you make money sewing clothes, and that’s all you give the kids?”

She had overheard that Lin Shu didn’t have to hand over her earnings to their mother-in-law!

Lu Cuicui also chimed in, asking Lu Xiuxiu, “Big sister, you also earn money making clothes, are you going to give us any New Year money?”

Lu Xiuxiu helped Lin Shu sew clothes, and Lin Shu paid her seven or eight cents per outfit.

This was Lu Xiuxiu’s first time earning money. Although she was reluctant to part with it, she was willing to share when her sister asked.

Fang Dihua interjected, “Your sister is still young; she doesn’t need to give out New Year’s money.”

Lu Cuicui looked disappointed.

Even just five cents would have been nice—it could buy several pieces of candy.