Inside the house, a fire was burning in the hearth. While it wasn't as effective as the stove at Si Nian's home, it was still quite warm.
Closing the door shut out the wind, making it extremely comfortable.
The lightbulb in the Lin household wasn't very bright, casting a dim, yellowish glow.
It was a bit hard on the eyes.
Every household was only willing to use electricity these few days around the New Year. Plus, with it being winter, the sky started getting dark around five or six, making it impossible to see inside without some light, otherwise they'd have to resort to candles.
No one sat down to eat right away. First, they made offerings at the family altar.
This was a long-standing custom in the village.
During festivals and holidays, the ancestors had to be honored first.
They even had to kneel, light incense, and pray for the ancestors' blessings.
Only after this ritual was complete did everyone take their seats at the table.
Lin's mother didn't actually cook very often; Lin's father did most of it.
Today, being a happy occasion, she had exceptionally prepared a table full of dishes. Si Nian took off her gloves, changed into a pair of slippers knitted for her by Lin's mother, and went to sit down next to Zhou Yueshen.
Lin's mother immediately ladled a bowl of soup for each of them and placed it in front of them. "Xiao Zhou, Nian Nian, try this and see if my cooking has improved a bit?"
Si Nian took a sip of the soup and said, "It has."
Zhou Yueshen nodded in agreement.
Lin's mother immediately beamed, her smile stretching from ear to ear, and urged them to try the other dishes quickly. Both of them obliged, sampling each one.
Lin's mother didn't have much natural talent for cooking. Usually, she just aimed for "edible." Truth be told, she didn't enjoy being in the kitchen much and only cooked occasionally. So, the flavor couldn't be called terrible—it was passable—but it couldn't be considered delicious either.
After watching them taste the food, Lin's mother asked, "Is it good?"
Si Nian braced herself and nodded. "Not bad."
Zhou Yueshen said with a straight face, "Delicious."
Lin's mother was overjoyed. She tried a few bites herself, then spat out, "Pah! Still the same, tasteless. You two are just trying to make me feel better."
Si Nian blinked.
She really didn't understand how Lin's mother managed to put in all the usual seasonings yet still end up with food that had no distinct flavor.
Lin's father offered an ingratiating smile, picked up some shredded potatoes with his chopsticks, and put them in his mouth. "I think it's delicious, just right for my taste. Besides, you don't like being in the kitchen anyway."
He picked up some meat for the children. "Here, Xiao Dong, Little Han, eat more meat. You're growing."
"Just you and your smooth talk," Lin's mother retorted, remembering how her husband had complained behind her back to others about her terrible cooking. She shot him a withering glare. "Give Yaoyao to me. You reek of alcohol, you'll stink up our precious grandchild."
Having said that, her expression changed as fast as flipping a page. She looked at Yaoyao's pink, tender little face and stretched out her arms lovingly. "Come here, Yaoyao, let Grandma hold you."
Si Nian said, "Mom, Yaoyao can eat by herself. Don't worry about her, you eat. The food will get cold."
Lin's mother responded with a smile and found a seat. Noticing the two brothers, one tall and one short, squeezed in next to Si Nian, she found them utterly adorable no matter how she looked.
Then she glanced at her own two younger sons, sitting what felt like a hundred miles away from her, and her face darkened.
Heartbroken, utterly heartbroken!
There was no television, no Spring Festival Gala, no special programs. Celebrating the New Year essentially meant the family gathering around the table for a meal and handing out red envelopes.
Lin's mother gave red envelopes to the whole big family.
Lin Yu, who had just received red envelopes from his sister and brother-in-law, looked over.
His face was full of envy.
So nice, they got so much lucky money.
He turned to look at his own Second Brother and saw him doing something with his back turned. Curious, he leaned over only to see him wrapping red envelopes. Delighted, he asked, "Second Brother, are you going to give me lucky money too?"
Lin Feng didn't even turn his head. "No."
He turned around and looked at Zhou Zedong and Zhou Zehan. "I'm preparing these for them."
"Ah? Why?" Lin Yu was stunned. "Do we have to give some too?" He was only nine!
"We're their uncles. And they gave us gifts."
Mention of gifts made Lin Yu furious. "He gave me a winter vacation homework book!"
He had almost finished his own homework, and now, not only did he happily receive a brand new winter vacation assignment, but he also had to give them lucky money.
Pain, such pain!
Lin Feng: "..."
He sighed and said with a grave tone, "We are the elders. We can't fuss over such things with them."
Lin Yu, who was still a year younger than Zhou Zedong: "..."
......
