After Sun Qian left, the Lin household remained quiet for a long time. It wasn’t until the older grandchildren returned that the house became lively again.
Third Brother Lin was in low spirits, sitting on the kang with his daughter in his arms, lost in thought. Siyu had been frightened by Sun Qian earlier and took a long time to calm down.
In the west room, Lin Han sat close with his wife and child. He asked, "Does Third Brother’s wife often bully you and the kids?"
Nan Sheng shook her head. "We haven’t spoken or interacted since the last fight. Besides, I’m not someone who lets others take advantage of me."
Lin Han had witnessed that firsthand. He had worried that his father might take his anger out on his wife, but one glance from her had left the old man too intimidated to speak.
Lin Han was pleased with his wife’s temperament. If she had been meek and easily bullied, he wouldn’t have been able to rest easy while away from home.
Still, he decided he needed to teach Third Brother another lesson. If Sun Qian dared to stir up trouble while he was around, who knew how much his wife and children had suffered in his absence?
Fan Shuting cooked all the dumplings Nan Sheng had brought. This year, everyone got to taste the luxury of dumplings made with white flour.
With the eldest grandson’s wedding, the elderly couple had to contribute, leaving them with little savings. As a result, they had bought fewer New Year goods than usual.
Fortunately, they still had two chickens at home, and the second son had not only sent pork but also brought large bones today. This year’s New Year’s Eve dinner was more abundant than in previous years.
Around ten o’clock, households eager to eat began setting off firecrackers to welcome the deities. Soon, the sound of firecrackers echoed throughout the village.
The Lin family always welcomed the New Year at half past ten, and this year was no exception. Everyone gathered in the courtyard, waiting until all the firecrackers had been set off before going inside to eat.
During the meal, the adults sat at one table and the children at another. Though Sizhong and his wife were now married and counted as adults, he preferred to eat with his younger siblings.
Sizhe and Siqi had already eaten at home, so they weren’t as eager for meat, sticking to dumplings and bean sprouts. There were no pig’s trotters on the table.
The dumplings Nan Sheng had brought were generously stuffed with meat. Every time someone bit into one, they exclaimed how delicious it was. Soon, the children were scrambling for them, and the dumplings were gone in no time!
The atmosphere at the adults’ table was somewhat subdued. The elderly couple wore no smiles, and the brothers remained silent. Zhou Wei was the only one eating heartily.
Lin Han placed a few white-flour dumplings in Nan Sheng’s bowl. She only ate one—finding it mediocre—and gave the rest back to him.
She stuck to bean sprouts and a little chicken, afraid that eating too much would keep her awake at night.
After the meal, Eldest Brother Lin’s family stayed with their parents to keep vigil for the New Year, while Lin Han took his wife and children home. Before midnight, he even managed to give Third Brother Lin a beating on the way back.
Truly a soldier’s style—never leave this year’s business for next year!
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, every household opened their doors early to welcome villagers coming to exchange New Year’s greetings.
Lin Han first took his family to kowtow to Father Lin and Mother Lin. Nan Sheng simply bowed, while the two children each received a ten-cent New Year’s gift.
The family then went to Eldest Brother Lin’s house to pay their respects. Since it was the new daughter-in-law’s first year, uncles and aunts were expected to give her a gift. Nan Sheng took out fifty cents and tucked it into Wang Yuting’s pocket.
After making the rounds, the children returned home with an extra thirty cents in their pockets, which they happily handed over to Nan Sheng.
In this era, there were no village shops, so pocket money for children was practically useless.
Though Third Brother Lin had been beaten the night before, he still brought his daughter to pay a New Year’s visit. Nan Sheng smiled and tucked ten cents into Siyu’s pocket.
After he left, Nan Sheng scolded her husband, "Why did you have to hit his face? Now he’ll be the laughingstock of the village while making his rounds!"
Lin Han scratched his head awkwardly. Who could’ve guessed his younger brother would slip? He had aimed for the shoulder.
On the second day of the New Year, married women returned to their parents’ homes for a reunion.
Nan’s Father and Nan’s Mother had stayed home for their daughter’s family, skipping their usual visit to Xiaoling Village.
Nan Sheng brought her parents some pears and apples, along with four large bones and two pounds of meat—more than enough.
Since everyone was out visiting today, Lin Han didn’t bother borrowing a bicycle. He first rode with Nan Sheng and their daughter for a stretch, then returned to fetch their son.
Halfway there, Nan Mingli came riding over. Zhong Yanyan had grown impatient waiting at home and insisted her son come to meet them.
Mingli called out to Sizhe, "Big Kid, run faster! Your little uncle’s here to take you home!"
The black market had been closed from New Year’s Eve until the second day, and this was his last day off.
Sizhe first gave his little uncle New Year’s greetings, then hopped onto the back of the bicycle. Soon, the group arrived in Wangshan Village.
At the Nan household, Lin Han and Nan Sheng first bowed to their grandfather and parents, followed by the children. Nan’s Father and Nan’s Mother each gave the children a generous one-yuan red envelope, and Mingli added another two yuan.
The lavish gifts even stunned Lin Han.
As the saying goes, one must not refuse the gifts of elders—especially New Year’s red envelopes. He could only take note of their kindness and vow to support his in-laws more in the future.
Nan Sheng sniffed the air and asked, "Mom, do I smell chicken soup?"
"Your nose is too sharp! It’s simmering in the clay pot!"
Zhong Yanyan declared, "My son-in-law has been studying hard away from home. I made this specially to nourish him—it’s got ginseng and goji berries! No one else is allowed to touch it!"
She said it with such fierceness!
Having been away from home for years, Lin Han felt a certain distance from his parents. Even if he wanted to be closer, he struggled to show it. Fortunately, Zhong Yanyan treated him like her own son, fulfilling his longing for familial warmth.
Before the meal, Mingli mysteriously pulled Nan Sheng aside.
"Sis, there’s some happy news in our village. Guess who’s getting married?"
If it concerned her and had caught Mingli’s attention, it had to involve either Yu Sheng or Su Jinyan. Nan Sheng immediately guessed the former.
"Yu Sheng’s getting married?"
Who’s the unlucky one this time?
Mingli grinned. "See? I told you he’s a male fox spirit! He’s charmed the village chief’s daughter—she’s dead set on marrying him. The wedding’s on the twelfth. Now I can finally relax."
Nan Sheng punched her brother in frustration. "I’ve had nothing to do with him for ages! Why are you still worried?"
Then she added, "Oh, make sure to drop a hint to the village chief. Tell him Yu Sheng’s only marrying his daughter to help Su Jinyan return to the city. He’ll know what to do."
Those two really never changed. Having failed to deceive her, they’d now set their sights on the village chief’s daughter. Even if the chief couldn’t stop the wedding, he’d at least ensure they never got their city return permits.
Mingli was about to say more when he spotted his brother-in-law standing not far away—giving him a start!
"Sis, brother-in-law… need something?"
Lin Han shook his head. He’d only followed because he thought Mingli had something private to discuss with his wife. Who knew they were just sharing gossip?
Truthfully, he’d heard the name Yu Sheng even before their marriage…
Mingli shot his sister a "good luck" look before slipping away—utterly abandoning her.
"Something wrong?"
When Nan Sheng asked the same question, Lin Han answered obediently, "I thought Mingli needed to talk to you, so I came to listen."
After a pause, he added, "I heard what you said."
Quietly, he waited for his wife’s explanation…
