On the 28th of December, Aunt One went to Pigeon City with Aunt Three and a few other women.
Although the government did not allow the sale of goods, it was impossible to make everyone give up on the tradition of many years just because one was willing to buy and the other was willing to sell. Many police officers even went to Pigeon City, so as long as they did not go too far, no one was willing to interfere.
After buying melon seeds and peanuts for the New Year, they went to the market to buy some vegetables.
It was a vegetable that must be used during the New Year's worship.
When she was buying vegetables, Aunt Yi noticed that Aunt San had bought a lot of snacks this year. For example, in the past, Aunt San would only buy roasted seeds and nuts for 20 cents at most. However, this time, Aunt San actually bought snacks that cost almost 3 yuan at once.
Aunt One and Aunt Two laughed at Aunt Three. It seemed that their family had made a fortune this year.
After the women finished shopping, they returned to prepare for the new year.
Yi Zhonghai came back early today. When Aunt Yi came back, Yi Zhonghai was already sitting at home.
Today was the last day of the maintenance. They only went to take attendance in the morning. In the words of the old man in the maintenance class, they were just going to get paid. After the attendance, they would let everyone have a holiday. As for the attendance sheet in the afternoon, Old Qian naturally helped to write it. They had been busy for so many days before the new year, so they still had a little privilege.
Moreover, the leaders of the rolling mill had gone home early for the New Year. As long as they didn't say anything, no one would know that they had left work early. As for the guard, buying him a box of cigarettes would be enough to shut his mouth.
Yi Zhonghai took the things from Aunt Yi's hands and went to talk to the old lady about the new year.
Silly Zhu happened to be there as well. When she heard what Yi Zhonghai said, she quickly suggested if they could go to Qin Huairu's house for the New Year. That way, it would be more lively with more people.
"I think it's better to forget it. You know your Aunt One. She doesn't like crowds. I'll just bring the old lady over when the time comes.”
Yi Zhonghai rejected Silly Zhu's suggestion.
How could he not know what Silly Zhu was thinking? When the New Year came, their families would definitely have to pay for the food. This would definitely be paid according to each family. However, the Jia family had the most people, so they would definitely take advantage of it. Moreover, those leftovers would definitely stay with the Jia family. By then, the Jia family would be able to eat for a few days.
Since Yi Zhonghai had already said so, Silly Zhu naturally could not say anything more. He originally wanted to ask the old lady to help say a few words, but the old lady was not stupid. Ever since the previous incident, she also knew that compared to Silly Zhu, Yi Zhonghai was the one who guaranteed her retirement. Therefore, when she saw that Yi Zhonghai was unwilling, she did not dare to say anything.
After settling this matter, Yi Zhonghai went back.
After returning, he started to work with an auntie. They chopped the fillings and fried the meat in preparation for the new year.
Although most of the New Year goods that Yan Jiecheng had sent over were sent back by Aunt Yi, there was still pork that had been sent over. Therefore, Yi Zhonghai had to work for an entire day to finish it.
There was a big bowl of meat fillings, which was used to make meatballs, and a big bowl of pork and chives fillings, which He Yushui liked to eat. Then, he stir-fried a big bowl of shredded pork, which was prepared to be used to stir-fry vegetables during the new year.
After they were done with the meat stuffing, Yi Zhonghai and Aunt Yi started to work on the cabbage the next day.
As for Yi Xuexi, he wanted to help, but he was pushed back by Aunt Yi as soon as he washed his hands. In Aunt Yi's words, Yi Xuexi's most important task now was to study. As for cooking, that was the adult's job.
Looking at Yi Xuexi, who was studying hard, Aunt Yi and Yi Zhonghai were willing no matter how tired they were.
Early in the morning on the 31st of the New Year, Yi Xuexi was stopped by Aunt Yi when he got up to put on his clothes.
"Learning, today is the New Year. Don't wear old clothes. It just so happens that you've worn them all winter and have to take them apart and wash them. Come, put on this new one.”
As they were busy celebrating the new year, Aunt Yi and Yi Zhonghai woke up early in the morning.
Seeing that his parents had changed into new clothes, Yi Xuexue also obediently changed into his clothes. This cotton-padded jacket was navy blue on the outside and blue on the inside. Children's clothes were all dark-colored. After all, they had to run around. If they wore light-colored clothes, they would have to change and wash them for a few days.
After changing into the cotton-padded jacket, Yi Xuexue changed into new cotton pants and new shoes. These clothes and shoes were handmade by Aunt Yi. When she was making them, she would measure them from time to time, so they were not too big.
Looking at Yi Xuexi, who had put on his clothes, Aunt Yi smiled proudly. Although Yi Xuexi was still young and couldn't tell what he looked like, she felt that Yi Xuexi looked even better after putting on his new clothes. What was the word? Yes, it was handsome.
After praising Yi Xuexi, Grandpa One helped the old lady over and began to prepare for the new year.
Yi Zhonghai and a middle-aged woman were making dumplings, while the old lady sat on the edge of the Kang and watched the family of three busy themselves.
The old lady also had a new set of clothes on her, and she even had a dark yellow vest. Naturally, it was also made by an auntie.
Looking at Yi Zhonghai and a middle-aged woman who were busy making dumplings, and then looking at Yi Xuexi who was reading seriously, the old lady could not help but sigh in her heart. The old couple of the Yi family had hope in the future. With Yi Xuexi around, they no longer needed to rely on Silly Zhu to support them in their old age.
It was also because of this confidence that Yi Zhonghai had been distancing himself from Shazhu recently. Now, if it was not in front of her, Yi Zhonghai rarely talked to Shazhu.
Speaking of which, Yi Xuexi was the one who had done well. It was said that Yi Xuexi's test paper was hung on the school's bulletin board because of his good results in the exam this year. In the past, this would have been the ability of a scholar. Moreover, Yi Xuexi was still so young. In the future, he would be able to do well for Yi Zhonghai.
With this son, Yi Zhonghai naturally ignored Silly Zhu.
If Yi Zhonghai was not so good at studying, he might even have to smile at Shazhu in order to get her to teach him how to cook.
After all, it was such a difficult time now. Being a chef was a dream job for many people. This could be seen from the Yan family's eldest son. Ever since the Yan family's eldest son entered the canteen, Third Aunt and Yan Bugui had the confidence to talk in the courtyard.
Just as she was letting her imagination run wild, it was time for lunch. Yi Xuexi took the initiative to help the old lady down to the dining table to eat dumplings.
After eating the dumplings, it was time to prepare for the kowtow and couplet in the afternoon. Yi Zhonghai knew that Yi Xuexi's calligraphy was not any worse than Yan Bugui's, so he did not ask Yan Bugui to write for him this year. Instead, he gave Yi Xuexi the red paper.
After putting the red paper on the table, the remaining three people looked at Yi Xuexi with anticipation. They really wanted to know what kind of couplet Yi Xuexi could write.
Under the gazes of the three people, Yi Xuexue moved his wrists and wrote a few lucky characters to practice.
After writing more than a dozen words, Yi Xuexi felt his wrist move and began to write on a piece of red paper.
The old year added a few more blessings, and the new year was even higher.
Resign the old and welcome the new.
Looking at the couplet, Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but exclaim. This year, He Yushui got married, and Yi Xuexi received a certificate. It was really a few more happy things in the old year. The new year was even better, naturally, meaning that there were more happy things this year than last year.
Although this couplet was definitely not very good, it was the most suitable couplet for their family. This must have been thought of by Yi Xuexue.
Such literary talent, coupled with such beautiful handwriting, even Yi Zhonghai somewhat believed that Yi Xuexi was the reincarnation of the literary star.
After writing the couplet in front of his house, Yi Xuexi wrote a few more couplets to hang in the yard. There were not many, only three.
He still remembered that Yan Bugui had cheated him of his bag of milk candy when He Yushui got married. Since this Yan Bugui was so calculative, he would steal his work and make sure he couldn't earn any extra money this year. In the past, when others asked Yan Bugui to write couplets, it wasn't for nothing.
Even if he didn't bring anything good, he still had to bring some melon seeds and peanuts. However, it was easy to learn this year, so Yan Bugui could forget about getting these things.
Although Yan Jiecheng had come to their house a few times before, Yan Jiecheng had come to see Yi Zhonghai, not to see Yi Xuexi. Moreover, the one who had offended Yi Xuexi was Yan Bugui, so this matter naturally could not be let go.
Seeing that his son had written three more couplets, Yi Zhonghai knew that his son had also written the couplet for the courtyard gate. He wiped his son's head and smiled as he went to paste the couplet.
Yan Bugui was already waiting at the entrance of the courtyard. When he saw Yi Zhonghai, he asked him to help paste the couplet.
"Third Uncle, we have time to study at home, so I asked him to write two more paintings. I don't understand these cultural things, so I'll have to trouble you to take a look at them.”
Hearing Yi Zhonghai's words, Yan Bugui was obviously unhappy. The couplet at the entrance of the courtyard was his signature. When the people in the courtyard saw his calligraphy, they would naturally come to him to write a couplet. Now that Yi Xuexi had also written one, wasn't this a blow to his reputation?
However, after reading the couplet written by Yi Xuexi, Yan Bugui stopped talking.
The reason was very simple. What he wrote was nothing more than an old phrase like 'smooth sailing and everything goes well.' However, what Yi Xuexue wrote was 'a hundred years of heaven and earth returning vitality, unifying the world and peace.' It was also 'the country is prosperous and the people are peaceful'.
Such a couplet, regardless of how it was phrased, just in terms of momentum, it was not something that his couplet could compare to.
After thinking for a long time, Yan Bugui couldn't think of a reason not to paste this couplet. In the end, he could only ask in disbelief.
"Did your family really learn to write this couplet?”
He definitely couldn't write such a couplet. Although he taught mathematics in school, losing to a first-grade child in a couplet would be a joke to others.
"Hai, a child is just playing around. He was originally unwilling to write it when he was studying. If I didn't let him try, he probably wouldn't have been willing to write it.”
Although he asked that, Yi Zhonghai was not slow. He had already pasted the couplet on the door of the courtyard.
After he pasted the couplet, Yi Zhonghai came down and nodded in satisfaction. This couplet should be placed on the door. After it was pasted on the door, the already imposing couplet became even more imposing. It made people unable to help but take a closer look.
Nodding his head in satisfaction, Yi Zhonghai went to stick the door of the middle court. As for Yan Bugui, he had already left in embarrassment.
After returning home, Yan Bugui threw the bowl of paste on the floor with a displeased expression, then sulked on the sofa.
"Old man, what's wrong with you? Did you eat gunpowder? Who are you throwing things for during the new year?”
Before the others could say anything, Third Aunt, who was making dumplings with Yu Li, was unhappy.
Since Yan Jiecheng's salary had been given to her recently, Third Aunt had started to make comparisons in her heart. Yan Bugui's monthly salary was thirty-one yuan, but Yan Jiecheng's monthly salary was thirty-seven yuan. Now, in Third Aunt's heart, Yan Bugui was not as important as Yan Jiecheng.
"Let me see if it's okay."
Yan Bugui's heart still hadn't calmed down.
He had been very enthusiastic about writing couplets for others before. Other than bringing him extra money, it also gave him some confidence when he spoke in the quad. But now, this matter was actually snatched away by Yi Xuexi.
"Dad, what's wrong with you? Weren't you happy when you went out? Why are you like this when you came back?”
Yan Jiecheng, who was listening to the radio, said unhappily.
Ever since he gave his salary to his mother, the radio in the house became his. Of course, Yan Bugui said a few words, but with Third Aunt and Yu Li around, Yan Bugui could only listen to him obediently.
"What's wrong with me? Do you know what kind of good thing your Grandpa Yi did? He actually asked Yi Xuexi to write two couplets to paste on the courtyard door.”
Yan Bugui couldn't help but get angry at the mention of this matter.
"Oh, there's also this matter. How's the couplet you learned to write?”
Regardless of Yan Bugui's mood, Yan Jiecheng first asked about the couplet that was easy to learn.
"So what if his couplets are good? They're like dogs crawling. Your dad can write better than him even with one finger, but the lyrics are okay.”
In any case, it all depended on the individual's subjective judgment whether the calligraphy was good or not. Therefore, Yan Bugui naturally would not admit that Yi Xuexue's calligraphy was similar to his.
Fortunately, Yan Jiecheng understood his father. If Yi Xuexi's writing was really bad, Yan Bugui would not be so unhappy.
After thinking for a while, Yan Jiecheng called out to Yu Li.
"Yu Li, I think you have to go to the back. Please learn to write two couplets for our family. Oh right, I just brought some pork that I braised two days ago. We can't let our efforts in learning go to waste.”
When Yan Jiecheng said this, Yu Li also thought of it. After responding, she started looking for braised meat.
If it was in the past, Third Aunt would have been unwilling. It was just two couplets. Why did she have to exchange pork for them? Moreover, it was braised pork. Two handful of melon seeds would have been enough. Moreover, it was not like Yan Bugui could not write them.
However, because of the previous agreement, Third Aunt did not say anything.
Aunt San didn't say anything, but it didn't mean that Yan Bugui wouldn't say anything. Hearing Yan Jiecheng's words, he immediately became angry. His face flushed red as he pointed at Yan Jiecheng's nose.
"Are you angry with me? Didn't I write the couplet for our family long ago? Don't use the excuse to send things to the back.”
Looking at the angry Yan Bugui, Yan Jiecheng was no longer afraid.
"Sigh, Dad, you're right. I'm just using a pretense to send things to the back. I'm willing, but if you're not, don't drink the Maotai tonight.”
Yan Bugui was no longer angry when he heard Yan Jiecheng mention the bottle of Maotai.
Although he was the one holding the bottle of Maotai, Yan Jiecheng had already said that it was New Year's Eve tonight, so he had to take it out and drink it. It was a good time to celebrate his promotion to the head chef in the canteen this year.
Yan Bugui didn't want to take it out, but after Yan Jiecheng said that the leftovers from the canteen wouldn't be taken home even if they were fed to the dogs, Yan Bugui became obedient.
Thinking of the Maotai that he had been thinking about for days and nights, Yan Bugui could only watch helplessly as Yu Li walked back with a bowl full of braised meat.
He regretted it. If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have let Third Aunt take Yan Jiecheng's salary.
Even if they received their salaries, after they left, wouldn't the savings still belong to Yan Jiecheng? Therefore, it didn't make much difference whether it was in the hands of Yu Li or Third Aunt.
However, after receiving his salary, Yu Li and Yan Jiecheng's words became much louder at home. On the contrary, he, as a father, no longer had the heroic spirit he had before.
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