CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69: NEW YEAR’S VISIT TURMOIL

In the anticipation of the little ones, the new year finally arrived. No one slept that night; as soon as it passed midnight, they started setting the table and bringing out the dishes.

Zhang Yuan didn’t go back. He stayed at the house, playing and chatting with everyone.

At this moment, he was helping Bai Ruxue serve the dishes.

Bai Ruxue, the head chef, prepared eight main dishes, symbolizing prosperity.

There was a full spread of chicken, duck, fish, meat, ribs, and sausages, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, with three vegetable dishes added.

Because everyone had been eating too much greasy food all day and she couldn’t handle it anymore, she added a cold dish of mixed shredded vegetables.

Shredded radish, shredded cabbage, and some soaked and sliced black fungus from the supermarket, mixed with mashed garlic, chili oil, soy sauce, and some dressing she secretly took from the supermarket—a sour and spicy mix that was especially refreshing and well-received by everyone.

"Quick, quick, quick! It’s ready! Time to give red envelopes!" Bai Ruxue brought all the dishes to the table, including the cabbage and pork steamed dumplings, inviting everyone to the table.

"Big sister, there are red envelopes too?" Bai Ruyun asked with shining eyes.

"Of course! We didn’t have the means before, but now we do. During the New Year celebration, we must give children red envelopes, symbolizing protection from evil, ensuring safety, and warding off evil spirits. Children receiving them can safely pass through the year," Bai Ruxue said seriously as she took out six red envelopes she had prepared long ago from her pocket.

The red envelopes were taken from the supermarket, from the wedding supplies section, with golden embossed characters of fortune, exquisitely beautiful, even more so for this era.

She placed one yuan in each envelope. Though she was a ten-thousand-yuan household, a little rich woman, she had a hard time finding six one-yuan bills after searching for a long time.

She intended to put ten yuan in each, but that was too much; they were kids and shouldn’t be spoiled. Ten yuan was almost a month’s income for a strong laborer. So she put one yuan in each, which was already quite a lot.

"Here! Everyone gets one!" Bai Ruxue handed them out one by one.

"This is for Xiao Cai! This is for Xiao Feng!" Even Bai Rucai and Bai Rufeng got theirs, placed into their arms.

"Thank you, Big Sister! Wishing you a new look for the new year, eternal youth, and everlasting smiles!" Each of them was busy opening their red envelopes, while Bai Rushan set out his blessings one after another with his red envelope in hand.

"Good boy!" Bai Ruxue patted her brother’s head.

"Xiao Xue... Mom and Dad never gave out red envelopes and didn’t know their meaning, so..." Wang Cuihua looked at the kids happily jumping around. This was something parents should have prepared, but instead, their eldest daughter took care of everything.

"Xiao Xue, come! Here’s your red envelope from Dad! I won’t give the others since you gave them theirs!" Bai Daliang took ten yuan out, handing it to Bai Ruxue as Wang Cuihua spoke.

"Thanks, Dad! I won’t be polite then!" Bai Ruxue took the money, smiling happily.

In fact, this was part of the hundred yuan she gave before, which Bai Daliang kept without spending a penny.

"No need to be polite! Why be polite with Dad? I just hope my daughter stays safe and healthy in the new year!" Bai Daliang said, taking another ten yuan and giving it to Zhang Yuan, "Xiao Yuan! Here’s your red envelope! You can’t go back to celebrate with your parents, but that’s okay; a son-in-law is half a son; consider this your family!"

"Thank you, Uncle!" Zhang Yuan was pleasantly surprised but quickly smiled and took the money. This was a symbol of recognition from his father-in-law, implying he was already part of the family. How could he not be happy?

The little ones were not envious of the bigger red envelopes their big sister and brother-in-law received, as they felt one yuan was already quite a lot.

"Alright, alright! Put the money away; let’s eat! The dumplings are getting cold!" Wang Cuihua laughed, urging everyone to sit down and eat.

The two babies were sleeping on the side, very well-behaved.

Newborns do nothing but sleep, very easy to care for after they’re fed.

The reunion meal continued until everyone was full to the brim.

After eating so much, no one could sleep. They continued chatting and playing through the night, calling it staying up for the New Year.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, before daylight, groups of children were already out and about, visiting for New Year greetings.

During this time, the kids were especially happy; they could eat sweets and sunflower seeds they normally couldn’t get. No house in the village was spared as they went door to door, just for a handful of sunflower seeds or popcorn.

Bai Daliang’s house was no exception. The four little ones went out to visit, leaving Bai Ruxue at home with their parents. Having not slept all night, she wanted to nap, but Wang Cuihua wouldn’t let her, saying that sleeping during the day on the first day of the Lunar New Year would lead to a lack of spirit all year round.

Soon, the three children from second uncle’s house, Bai Rumei, Bai Ruyang, and Bai Ruyue, came over to give New Year greetings.

"Happy New Year to Uncle and Aunt!" Bai Rumei led by saying while they knelt to kowtow, the sound of their heads hitting the ground resounded.

"Good kids, get up quickly! Get up!" Wang Cuihua laughed, getting down to help them up, stuffing each with a handful of candy and peanuts!

"Thank you, Aunt!" Bai Ruyue, more lively than her siblings, quickly thanked, showing her cute little tiger teeth while smiling.

"We’re leaving now! We still have other houses to visit!" Bai Rumei happily grabbed her candy and peanuts, things she never got before. She felt lucky for being the first to visit Uncle’s house.

"Okay! Take it slow, don’t fall!" Wang Cuihua was very fond of her second brother’s three kids, well-behaved and polite, unlike the third brother’s three kids who were unruly and mischievous.

"Xiao Mei, Xiao Yang, Xiao Yue! Put the candy and peanuts in your pockets! Big Sister has something good for you!" Bai Ruxue came in smiling, carrying three big red apples and three big oranges.

"Wow, are those apples, Big Sister?" Bai Ruyue’s eyes shone brightly at the sight of apples, squinting happily.

"Yes! Hurry and put away the candy in your hands!" Bai Ruxue urged them.

Once they put the peanuts and candy in their pockets, she gave each a big apple and a big orange.

The three were delighted, thanking repeatedly and hopping away.

Bai Daliang sat on the kang, smiling. Life was truly wonderful! With a full belly, not only did he have wine, but his daughter also made tea for him, which was indeed delightful.

After sending off the three little ones, soon a few more village children arrived, including some from the east courtyard. As usual, Wang Cuihua gave each a handful of peanuts, but only two pieces of candy each.

Who knows who spread the word that visiting Bai Daliang’s house for New Year would earn candy, as the stream of children was endless all morning, one batch after another. They came, kneeling and kowtowing, sweetly wishing a happy new year and all sorts of blessings.

Bai Daliang and his wife were delighted but also a little distressed! So many candies handed out; keeping them for their own kids could have lasted them a long time.