Nan Sheng wasn’t skilled at rolling out dumpling wrappers, nor did she particularly enjoy eating boiled dumplings. If she had to eat them, she’d only have steamed ones. But given the tradition, she had no choice but to make do these past couple of days.
By the time they finished wrapping the dumplings, it was already dark. Siqi was in charge of pressing the dough into small portions, while Sizhe tried his best to mimic his mother’s technique in wrapping them. Lin Han, on the other hand, was not only quick at rolling out the wrappers but also efficient at shaping the dumplings—his contribution was undeniable!
Nan Sheng said, "Everyone, clean up. Let’s head to the old house now."
Sizhe insisted on eating something first to tide him over, and Siqi scurried off to grab a piece of braised pork trotter to munch on. Lin Han picked up an empty plate, placed a steamed bun on it, and piled on some side dishes before handing it to Nan Sheng.
Nan Sheng smiled and accepted it, then only tore off a small piece of the bun to keep for herself. Lin Han wasn’t fussy either, squatting by the stove with the children to eat.
After the meal, the dumplings had frozen solid.
Nan Sheng packed about sixty of them into a cloth bag and added some untouched braised pork bones to take to the old house.
Their branch of the family was the last to arrive. Inside, Fan Shuting was busy instructing her daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law in dumpling-making. Only a small tray held wheat-flour dumplings, while the rest were made of cornmeal.
Lin Guozheng waved Siqi over to play but remained indifferent toward Lin Han. Sun Qian, too, barely acknowledged Nan Sheng.
When Fan Shuting noticed her daughter-in-law had brought dishes and dumplings, she quickly stored them in the kitchen. The eldest brother’s family had also brought food, while the third brother’s family showed up empty-handed—just their appetites in tow!
Nan Sheng washed her hands and pitched in to help. Zhou Wei, who had been in high spirits ever since her son got married, teased her sister-in-law.
"I know you’ve been busy since Second Brother returned, but did you really have to come this late?"
Nan Sheng shot her an exasperated glare, thinking to herself—as if they’d been busy from night till morning!
Putting on an act of annoyance, she retorted, "Eldest Sister-in-law, shut your mouth already! There are children everywhere here!"
Zhou Wei waggled her eyebrows. "What’s there to worry about? They wouldn’t understand anyway."
As if they didn’t understand! The new bride’s face had already flushed red.
On the men’s side, Lin Han and Eldest Brother Lin sat together chatting, while Third Brother Lin sprawled lazily on the heated bed, dozing off. Lin Guozheng had his hands full too, entertaining his two little granddaughters.
As for Sizhong and his two brothers, the restless young men had already run off to play elsewhere.
Siqi glanced at her younger cousin but didn’t approach her, quietly settling in a corner to play cat’s cradle by herself. Siyu, being much younger, soon toddled over to her sister, eager to join in.
Siqi, holding no grudges, patiently taught her how to play. Unfortunately, the little one was hopeless at it, only managing to tangle the string around her fingers until it hurt, bursting into loud, pitiful sobs.
Lin Guozheng found it amusing and went to fetch scissors from another room. Before he returned, Sun Qian stormed over.
She first glared at Siqi, then frantically tried to untangle the string from her daughter’s fingers—only to tighten the knots further.
Hearing her daughter’s cries, Sun Qian lost her temper and lashed out at her niece.
"Lin Siqi! Look what you’ve done to your sister’s hand! How could you be so mean?"
Siqi, having been spoiled rotten lately, refused to take the blame. "She’s just clumsy! It’s not my fault! I won’t play with her anymore—Auntie is so unfair!"
"Ugh, what a badly behaved child!"
The lively New Year’s Eve atmosphere instantly soured as the room fell silent under Sun Qian’s outburst.
Third Brother Lin, jolted awake, blinked in confusion.
Nan Sheng strode over, yanking Sun Qian aside just as Lin Guozheng returned with the scissors, swiftly freeing Siyu’s fingers.
Though the little girl stopped crying, the matter was far from settled.
Lin Guozheng chastised Sun Qian, "Why are you yelling at Siqi? Siyu was the one who insisted on playing. You’re a grown woman—why pick on a child?"
Sun Qian had been at odds with Nan Sheng ever since their last fight and had been shooting her disdainful looks all evening.
Nan Sheng’s patience had only emboldened her—now she was targeting her daughter.
"Sun Qian, it’s New Year’s Eve. I didn’t want to make a scene, but you just won’t stop. Apologize to my daughter right now!"
Third Brother Lin, grasping the situation, quickly stepped in. "Second Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. Don’t take it out on my wife—she’s in the wrong."
Recently, his father-in-law had come asking for grain, and he’d only lent a hundred catties. Sun Qian had been resentful ever since—this was just her venting.
But Sun Qian had a stubborn streak. Just like when she’d hit Siqi before, she acted as if her husband’s apology absolved her of responsibility.
Nan Sheng hesitated for two seconds—who starts fights on New Year’s Eve? Wouldn’t that scare away all the good fortune?
By the third second, her palm had already found its mark, striking Sun Qian’s face. Her child was counting on her to stand up for her!
Sure enough, Siqi’s pout vanished the moment she saw her aunt get slapped, her eyes lighting up with vindication.
Nan Sheng said coolly, "It’s fine, Third Brother. I’m not holding it against her. But I won’t let my child be wronged. You understand, right?"
Calling someone ill-mannered? She was worse—showing up on New Year’s Eve asking for a beating.
Sun Qian, recovering from the shock, tried to retaliate, but Third Brother Lin held her back. Lin Han stepped forward too, his protective stance toward his wife unmistakably threatening.
Sun Qian wailed even louder than her daughter. "Let me go! Let’s see if they dare kill me! You useless man, can’t even protect your own wife—you might as well die!"
Wang Yuting, frightened into silence, glanced at her mother-in-law, wondering if she should intervene. Zhou Wei shook her head, signaling her to keep wrapping dumplings.
Hadn’t she noticed even the matriarch was hiding in the kitchen?
Lin Guozheng scowled at Sun Qian. Crying and talking about death on New Year’s Eve—even the most patient person would lose their temper.
"Third Daughter-in-law, if you keep this up, go home right now. Can’t you let me have some peace on New Year’s?"
He wanted to scold Nan Sheng for hitting someone, but one look at her mocking smirk made him swallow his words.
If this daughter-in-law decided to make a scene, she could tear the house down...
With no one taking her side, Sun Qian finally stopped crying and turned to leave with her child. Third Brother Lin refused. "Go alone if you want. The kids and I are staying to celebrate with Mom and Dad!"
Sun Qian often sent money back to her family, and he’d turned a blind eye—after all, it wasn’t much, and they had enough to eat.
But now? Throwing tantrums over every little grievance, even on New Year’s Eve—he’d had enough.
Lin Han didn’t bother with the aftermath, leading his wife to another room to rest. The dumplings were nearly done anyway.
Similar dramas unfolded in many households. The Lin family was better off—most wives here supported their birth families. In other homes, wives forbade their husbands from sharing food with parents or siblings.
They say on New Year’s, one must avoid ominous words—no talk of death or ruin.
Yet today’s quarrels seemed to foreshadow a year of discord for every family.
