Chapter 656: Visiting the Family for New Year
Translator: Endlessæantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After chatting with her husband, she finally felt sleepy and yawned. Luo Jin’an asked, “Are you sleepy?”
Su Binglan nodded. Usually, the Su family would all be asleep at this time. However, it was the New Year, and everyone was excited to gather. They had even eaten a lot today.
“All right, go to sleep.” Luo Jin’an felt sorry for her. “You still have to wake up early later.”
He knew the village traditions. Every household would open their doors, and the villagers would wish each other a happy Chinese New Year. Luo Jin’an believed most people would visit the Su family’s house, so the family had to wake up early.
Su Binglan nodded and lay comfortably on the bed. However, she knew she had to wake up in four hours to wish the villagers. After all, it was a tradition that had formed long ago.
Luo Jin’an tucked her in as she said, “Although I’m a little sleepy, I’m still pretty excited.”
Su Binglan liked the festive atmosphere because it was warm and beautiful whenever the whole family gathered.
Luo Jin’an gently said, “Yes, as long as you’re happy.”
He would be delighted if his wife were in a good mood. Su Binglan asked, “Did you eat well tonight?”
Although she was busy, she still cared about Luo Jin’an.
“Yes, I did. Don’t worry,” Luo Jin’an replied. Even so, he focused on Su Binglan. He knew she would not be hungry because he saw her eating her fill. He felt relieved.
Luo Jin’an seldom expressed his concern with words but was always observant and used his actions to express them.
Su Binglan looked at him and said, “You look tired too. Sleep for a while, okay? Everyone will gather for the New Year’s greetings in the morning. Since we don’t have much to do in the afternoon, we can catch up on sleep.”
“All right.”
The young couple fell asleep soon after.
Snap! Crackle! Pop!
Su Binglan felt she had just fallen asleep when she heard firecrackers outside. She immediately woke up and yawned but was still in a daze. She wanted to sleep more and did not want to wake up early.
Luo Jinan also woke up when he heard the firecrackers. He looked at his wife
and asked, “Are you awake too?”
Su Binglan nodded. “But 1 still want to sleep.”
“Then you should sleep a little longer,” Luo Jin’an gently replied. He had to get up and prepare some things first. Many children in the village wanted to visit Su Binglan, and she had prepared red packets for them.
She was in a daze, and the firecrackers rang in her ears. It was so loud that it forced her to get up. Su Binglan looked outside and said, “It looks like Father and brothers are awake. They must be setting off firecrackers outside.”
After getting out of bed, washing up, and changing her clothes, she and Luo Jin’an took their things to the hall. Liu Yinyin and her two sons were there.
Liu Yinyin helped her mother-in-law arrange the plates and placed a small square table on the brick platform. There were a few plates on the table with snacks and candy. The family had prepared them for the visitors because it was a tradition.
Su Binglan looked at Shen Qiuhua and said, “Happy New Year, Mother and
Sister-in-law.”
Shen Qiuhua smiled. “Happy New Year, dear. Are you hungry after waking up?
Come and have something to eat.”
“Good morning, Binglan,” Liu Yinyin greeted.
Even Su Xuexuan and Su Xuehai said, “Good morning, Aunt Binglan.”
Su Binglan gave them a red packet each, and Liu Yinyin said, “I’ve already given them red packets.”
“It’s okay, as long as they’re happy.” Su Binglan noticed her mother’s energetic demeanor and said, “Mother, did you sleep well?”
Shen Qiuhua responded, “l only slept for a while,”
She could not sleep well. Even if she slept, she would still be in a daze. However, she was happy and excited because this New Year was livelier than ever. Moreover, the family was wealthy and could prepare more things for the celebration.
Shen Qiuhua felt a sense of satisfaction in her heart.
Shen Mohen came in and smiled, saying, “h.e.l.lo, everyone.”
He placed his hands near the furnace to warm himself as he spoke. He still felt a little cold after coming in from outside. There was even a thick layer of snow on the ground.
Shen Qiuhua looked at him and asked, “Are you used to living here?”
“Yes, I am,” Shen Mohen replied, “It’s so lively here.”
Shen Qiuhua prepared some desserts and handed them to Shen Mohen.
“Here’s something to fill your stomach after just waking up.”
Shen Mohen ate the food and said, “l ate plenty of food last night, but 1 don’t even feel full.”
Liu Yinyin told her children, “Go and greet your uncle.”
“h.e.l.lo, Uncle Mohen!”
“Happy New Year, Uncle Mohen.” Su Xuexuan and Su Xuehai’s voices were pleasant. Shen Mohen was happy to hear them.
He said, “All right, come here.”
Shen Mohen took two red packets and gave them to the boys, but Liu Yinyin was embarra.s.sed. Shen Mohen said, “Don’t worry. They’re my nephews, after all.
Liu Yinyin knew it would be rude if her children refused Shen Mohen’s red packets. She knew her mother-in-law was thrilled that Shen Mohen was here for the New Year.
She told her children, “Quick, thank your Uncle Mohen.”
The two kids thanked him politely, and he said, “Don’t worry about it. We’re family.”
He did not consider himself an outsider and felt comfortable staying at his aunt’s house. He enjoyed experiencing the liveliness of the New Year, especially since he could eat good food.
Shen Mohen calculated the time and knew his father would have received his letter by now. He wondered if his father would hurry to Su Teng Village during the first lunar month.
Su Wenzhe entered as the others spoke, He patted Shen Mohen’s shoulder and said, “l knew you wouldn’t fall asleep. I almost considered waking you up just now.”
Shen Mohen replied, “l got up when I heard the firecrackers. There are more firecrackers here than in the capital.”
Although the capital was bustling, Shen Mohen felt it was never as lively as Su Teng Village.
“That’s because everyone’s lives have improved,” Su Wenzhe said, “People are more willing to buy firecrackers and set them off.”
The sound of firecrackers sounded again.
“That sound shows that everyone is up and ready to pay their New Year’s greetings,” Su Fengmao said, “Most will come and visit us.”
“All right,” Su Wenzhe said, “I’ll call Wenxian, Wenlin, and Wenchi over later..”