pdf-ebookys Chapter 423 Visiting Relatives and Households
Chapter 423 Visiting Relatives and Households
On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Li Xiangyang got up early, afraid of waking up Li Xiaoyun, who was sleeping soundly beside him.
She stayed up very late last night to celebrate the New Year, and had only just fallen asleep.
Looking at his wife's pregnant belly and peaceful sleeping face, Li Xiangyang felt a surge of tenderness in his heart. He gently tucked her in and quietly left the house.
In the courtyard, Mother was already up and busy, lighting a fire and boiling water in front of the stove.
"Mother, why are you up so early?" Li Xiangyang asked in a low voice, taking the fire tongs from her hand.
Li's mother smiled and said, "Getting up early at the beginning of the new year brings good fortune!" She glanced behind Li Xiangyang and asked, "Is Xiaoyun still sleeping?"
"Yes, she went to bed late last night, let her sleep a little longer." Li Xiangyang said as he skillfully added firewood to the stove.
“You should get some more sleep; it’s not easy being pregnant,” Li’s mother nodded, then added, “When we’re doing the ancestral worship later, bring plenty of things. Our family is doing well this year, so we should properly thank our ancestors for their blessings.”
“Yes, Mother,” Li Xiangyang replied.
Before long, Li Xiaohua rubbed her eyes and got up, skipping and hopping into the yard.
"Brother, it's the first day of the Lunar New Year! Happy New Year!" she said excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
Li Xiangyang ruffled his younger sister's hair, handed her a red envelope he had prepared beforehand, and said with a smile, "Happy New Year, Xiaohua."
After Li Xiaoyun got up, the family had a simple breakfast and then prepared to pay respects to their ancestors.
Li Xiangyang took out the prepared offerings from the cabinet—pork, eggs, candy, and wine, as well as several stacks of carefully prepared paper money.
“Let’s go, let’s go pay respects to our ancestors,” Li Xiangyang said, slinging the basket containing the offerings over his shoulder.
Li Xiaoyun wanted to help, but was stopped by Li Xiangyang and his mother.
"Take it easy and don't lift anything heavy," Li's mother said lovingly.
The four of them went out and walked along the village path toward their ancestral graves.
The morning air was exceptionally fresh, and the soft sunlight shone on the snow, reflecting a crystalline brilliance.
In the distance, sporadic firecrackers could be heard, and occasionally wisps of smoke could be seen rising from the chimneys of a few houses.
The villagers he met along the way all greeted him with smiles: "Xiangyang, Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year! Happy New Year!" Li Xiangyang replied with a smile, his heart filled with joy.
Upon arriving at the ancestral graves, Li Xiangyang respectfully arranged the offerings, lit incense and candles, and the family members knelt down and kowtowed in turn.
"Dad, can you see?" Li Xiangyang said silently in his heart, "Our family is doing very well now, don't worry. Xiaohua is also well-behaved and sensible, I've married a virtuous wife, and we'll be having a grandson soon."
After the worship ceremony, Li Xiangyang lit the paper money and watched it turn to ashes in the wind. He felt both longing and anticipation for the future.
On the way back to the village, Li Xiaoyun walked a little slowly, so Li Xiangyang took her hand and carefully walked ahead to clear the way for her.
Back home, Li's mother had already prepared gifts for her relatives—homemade steamed buns, wild game hunted by Li Xiangyang, and some candy.
"Let's go to Uncle's house." Li Xiangyang slung the bundle of gifts over his shoulder.
As soon as I pushed open the gate to my uncle's house, I heard laughter and chatter coming from inside.
"Uncle, Aunt, Happy New Year!" Li Xiangyang called out.
Uncle Li Jianguo and Aunt Li came out upon hearing the noise, their faces beaming with smiles: "Oh, you're here, you're here! Come in and have a seat!"
After entering the house, Li Xiangyang placed the gifts he had brought on the table: "Uncle, this is a small token of our family's appreciation, please accept it."
The uncle looked at the bag full of gifts and nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, good, Xiangyang is such a thoughtful child."
Auntie held Li Xiaoyun's hand and asked with concern, "Xiaoyun, is your stomach upset?"
Li Xiaoyun shook her head and smiled, "No, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, Auntie."
……
After sitting at his eldest uncle's house for a while, drinking tea and eating snacks, Li Xiangyang and his family said goodbye and went to his second uncle's house.
My second uncle Li Jianbo's house was also bustling with activity, with red lanterns hanging in the courtyard and brand-new Spring Festival couplets pasted on the door.
"Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Happy New Year!" Li Xiangyang shouted as soon as he entered the courtyard.
Uncle Li Jianbo came out upon hearing the noise, greeting him with a smile: "You're here! Come in and warm up."
Li Daqiang chimed in, "Xiangyang, the fireworks in the village last night were so beautiful, did you see them?"
Li Xiangyang replied with a smile, "I saw it, it really is beautiful. By the way, how are things between you and Xiaofang?"
At the mention of Xiaofang, Li Daqiang's face flushed red: "She's alright, I guess. Her family likes me quite a bit."
"That's good. Let's try to get it done as soon as possible." Li Xiangyang patted him on the shoulder.
After entering the house, Li Xiangyang presented the prepared gifts, and his second uncle thanked him repeatedly.
Auntie looked at Li Xiaoyun's belly and asked with a smile, "Xiaoyun, sit down, are you tired? What would you like to eat?"
"It's no trouble at all, please don't bother," Li Xiaoyun replied softly.
"No way! We'll eat at home later, come and have some candy..." Auntie said with a smile.
……
Li Xiangyang and his family stayed at his second uncle's house for a while before politely declining the invitation to dinner.
It was noon when they got home, and Li's mother started preparing lunch, with Li Xiaohua helping out.
"Mom, I'm going to Wang Ergou's house. I bet they have a lot of relatives visiting today," Li Xiangyang said to his mother.
Li's mother nodded: "Go ahead, remember to come back for dinner early."
Li Xiaoyun originally wanted to go too, but Li Xiangyang advised her to stay home and rest: "You should stay home and rest. I'll be right back."
Li Xiaoyun thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Then hurry back."
Not far from his house, Li Xiangyang encountered Wang Ergou, who was rushing over, panting heavily.
"Brother Xiangyang!" Wang Ergou called out from afar, carrying a large bundle in his hand. "Happy New Year!"
Li Xiangyang smiled: "I was just on my way to your house, but I didn't expect you to arrive first."
Wang Ergou scratched his head and chuckled憨厚ly, "Hongxia said we're brothers, so I should be the one to offer my New Year's greetings first."
The two returned to Li Xiangyang's house together, and Wang Ergou handed the gifts he had brought to Li's mother: "Auntie, this is a small token of our appreciation from Hongxia and me. Happy New Year!"
Mother Li smiled and accepted the food: "Good, good, Er Gou, you're so thoughtful. Come, sit down and eat."
After finishing his meal at Li Xiangyang's house, Wang Ergou patted his belly contentedly and said with a smile, "Auntie, your cooking is absolutely superb! It's even better than what my Hongxia makes."
Mother Li smiled and shook her head: "What nonsense are you talking about? I've tasted Hongxia's cooking; it's much better than mine."
Li Xiangyang picked up his teacup, took a sip of hot tea, and said with a smile, "Ergou, are you going to my older sister's house to offer New Year's greetings later?"
Wang Ergou nodded quickly: "Yes, yes, let's go together."
Wang Ergou grinned and pulled a red envelope from his pocket: "Little Hua, come here, wish your brother Ergou a Happy New Year, say a few nice words, and this is yours."
Looking at the red envelope in Wang Ergou's hand, Li Xiangyang couldn't help but think of his previous life, when he didn't even have the chance to prepare New Year's money for his relatives.
Seeing how much Wang Ergou cares for his family, I feel both touched and gratified.