Chapter 39: New Year Greetings at Uncle’s House

Jiang Piyu dashed back to her room as soon as she got home. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she opened the box again and carefully took out the bullet-shell airplane model to admire it closely.

It was about 15 to 16 centimeters long, 7 to 8 centimeters wide, and roughly 3 to 4 centimeters tall. Each bullet shell had been polished to a bright shine, and the welded joints were meticulously smoothed—there wasn’t a single visible seam.

Jiang Piyu gently cupped the model in her hands and placed it on the lid of the box, then set it on her desk. Sunlight poured softly through the window, casting a faint halo over the model. At that moment, it looked as if the tiny plane were a real aircraft soaring freely through the vastness of space.

She stared at it quietly, already thinking about where to get a clear glass cover to keep it from collecting dust.

Just then, little Jiang Qiyang came bouncing in, pushing the door open as he hopped on his short little legs.
“Xiao Gu! Cousin’s here to visit for New Year! Grandma said to tell you to come out quickly…”

“Wow, Xiao Gu, what’s that? That plane looks so cool!”

The little guy ran straight to her desk. Since he wasn’t tall enough to see over it, he stood on tiptoe, his chubby hands gripping the edge while his big round eyes stared unblinking at the model.

“Well, Yangyang, isn’t it beautiful?” Jiang Piyu asked with a smile.
“So pretty! Xiao Gu, where did you get it? I really want one too…”

Jiang Piyu softly patted his little head.
“This? Your future Xiao Gu-fu made it for me by hand. One of a kind… hehe.”
“Then later on, can you ask him to make one for me too?”

“Sure. I’ll ask your Xiao Gu-fu to make an even cooler airplane just for you.”

Hearing her promise, Jiang Qiyang grinned and looked up at her.
“Xiao Gu, you really have to tell him! I really, really want one of those!”
“Okay.”

“Come on, let’s go out.”

Jiang Piyu knew how much Qiyang liked the model, but since it was a special gift from Lu Huaijin, she couldn’t bear to give it away.

She held Qiyang’s little hand and led him out of the room.

In the main hall, her cousin Li Junhao was sitting with her older brothers, chatting away. In previous years, her uncle would always personally come to their house on the afternoon of the first day of the Lunar New Year. He’d stay overnight and then take her parents back with him to visit their family the next day, on the second day of the New Year.

But after her uncle’s health declined, this duty naturally fell to cousin Junhao.

Every year now, on New Year’s Day, Li Junhao came in his father’s place. He’d also spend the night and escort Jiang Piyu’s parents to her mother’s family the next day.

In the past, when the family was poor, New Year gifts would usually consist of some eggs, preserved meat, or sausages.

But now that Jiang Piyu was earning money and helping support the household, things had gotten better.

Junhao was generous, too. This year, in addition to homemade goods, he also brought two bottles of liquor and a carton of cigarettes for Jiang’s father.

On the morning of the second day of the New Year, after breakfast, Li Shuzhen and Jiang Fugui set off to her maiden home with Jiang Yanwen and Jiang Piyu.

Meanwhile, eldest brother Jiang Yanshu took his wife and Qiyang to his mother-in-law’s house.

Jiang Piyu’s group loaded gifts onto a bull cart and set off. After an hour’s ride, they arrived at the neighboring Chang’an Village.

At the gate, the cart stopped. Her uncle was already outside waiting for them. Seeing the whole family finally arrive, he greeted them warmly.
“Fugui, Shuzhen, kids—come in, come in, come in… Your aunt has already made lunch and was just waiting for you all.”

As he spoke, Uncle Li Hongzhou walked into the house, carrying the gifts from the Jiang family.
He turned back and called to his son, “Junhao, don’t rush inside yet—take the bull cart around and tie it up properly in the yard.”

Hearing her husband shout, Aunt Li Chunlan—busy in the kitchen—quickly put down what she was doing and came out in a hurry.

“Oh my, I’ve been waiting forever for you all to come. You must be exhausted from the trip, huh?”

“Come, don’t just stand there—gather around the table. The food’s ready, and it’s best eaten while hot!”

“Aiya, Shuzhen, you’re too much. Why do you always bring so many things when you come over?”

“No need to be so polite with family—really now!”

Though Aunt Li grumbled, the smile on her face only grew brighter.

Jiang Piyu looked around the Li family courtyard. It wasn’t very big—you could take in the whole place at a glance. Compared to the neighboring homes, it was clearly quite poor. The walls were made of mud and branches, and the roof wasn’t tiled but thatched with straw. It looked fragile—like a strong wind might blow it down.

With conditions like this, Jiang Piyu thought, it’s no wonder cousin Junhao is already 26 and still unmarried. Any girl who married into this family probably wouldn’t even have a proper place to live.

Even so, it was clear that the two families had a deep and close bond. With no surviving elders, they visited each other on holidays and looked out for one another.

Looking at the hearty dishes on the table, Li Shuzhen felt a warm glow in her heart. After all these years, her family had finally turned things around.

At the table, her uncle drank with Jiang’s father. Auntie chatted about daily life with her sister.

Cousin Junhao and second brother were also talking and laughing on the side.

The meal was warm and heartwarming.

After eating, the whole family sat together in the main hall, chatting and enjoying each other’s company. Inside, Auntie was busy clearing the table, then poured a cup of tea for everyone.

She then quickly brought out a variety of New Year treats from the cabinet, laying them out on the table one by one, enthusiastically urging everyone to help themselves.

Only after everything was arranged did she finally sit down beside Jiang’s mother.

“Our family really owes so much to Piyu,” Auntie said with a heartfelt sigh. “If it weren’t for her, I can’t even imagine how difficult this year might’ve been.”

Uncle Li Hongzhou nodded in agreement when he heard this.
“Yes, it’s all thanks to Piyu—such a capable girl. Now Junhao is earning a salary too. If he works another half-year and we save up a bit…”

“We’ll finally be able to properly renovate this run-down old house… By the end of next year, we should have some extra money left over…”

“By then, it’ll be time to start thinking about finding a good match for our Junhao…”

At this point, Uncle’s face was full of guilt.
“It’s all my fault as a father—I haven’t been capable enough. Not only have I failed to provide a good life for my children, I’ve even become a burden to them…”

Hearing that, Li Junhao quickly stepped in to comfort him.
“Dad, don’t say that. You’ve already done so much for this family over the years. Things will definitely get better from now on!”
“We have to look forward.”

“That’s right. We need to keep looking ahead.”

“Junhao,” Uncle said solemnly, “I’m entrusting this family to you now.”

“Dad, I’ll do my best to give you and Mom a good life,” Junhao replied with determination.