Chapter 726 - 374: Banli’s Thoughts (Part 2)

Chapter 726: Chapter 374: Banli’s Thoughts (Part 2)

Yun Ying was stunned for a moment, then she broke into a charming laugh.

Juhua said, "Don’t laugh. I’m serious, I think that’s what it is. I honestly can’t think of any other reason."

Yun Ying said teasingly, "Maybe Banli likes him because Hulu is so cute and sweet?"

Just then, Aunt Liu came in and said, "Is Banli awake? I can feed him now."

Yun Ying laughed. "Banli has his friend with him, so he’s completely forgotten he’s hungry!" She handed the little one to Aunt Liu, who carried him back to her own room to nurse him.

Juhua also took Cong into her room to nurse her.

After a flurry of activity, they finally had the twin brother and sister settled. Juhua and Yun Ying each held one of the babies, playing with them. Along with little Jing’er in Pu Pao’s arms, the three infants giggled and squealed as if in a contest. Hulu happily joined in the fun from the side.

In the courtyard, Zhang Dashuan, Zhang Huai, and Liu Heizi carried load after load of carrots home on shoulder poles. They had all been washed sparkling clean in the river, intended as extra feed for the pigs. This way, they wouldn’t have to go out and dig up more until after the third day of the New Year, allowing them to celebrate without worry.

Seeing them so busy, Zhang Yang went to the shed by the pigpen in the backyard to help stack the carrots.

After a lively dinner and a night of rest, the next day—New Year’s Eve—turned out to be beautifully sunny. Although the damp, shady spots were still covered in hard, cold ice, the bright sun made everyone feel warm inside and gave them extra energy for their tasks.

From morning onward, the kitchen fire was never extinguished, and the pots were constantly simmering with all sorts of food. While the women bustled about in the kitchen, the men were busy outside, visiting ancestral graves, pasting up fresh door gods, welcoming the God of Wealth, and taking care of the firewood and other miscellaneous chores.

’People really are the strangest creatures.’ This year, the Zhang family had not only grown in number, but Zhang Yang had also become a Scholar. The New Year was naturally different from those of the past; the festive, lively atmosphere was tinged with a sense of burgeoning prosperity. Yet, as happy as Juhua was, she found her heart still yearned for the first New Year’s Eve she had spent in this world.

Back then, their family of four had just managed to escape poverty, and their New Year’s Eve dinner hadn’t been particularly lavish. But Juhua, her parents, and her brother had gathered around the oil lamp, eating, drinking, and laughing while listening to her parents tell old tales. To this day, she could never forget that warm atmosphere, or how delicious the food had tasted.

It wasn’t that the food now wasn’t delicious—if anything, it tasted even better—it was just that the memory of that particular New Year’s Eve was especially unforgettable.

She looked at the excited He and thought, ’Perhaps my mother-in-law doesn’t see it that way. For her and my father-in-law, this must be a truly momentous year. This scene of a thriving, prosperous family, with Liu Heizi’s family on hand to help out... could anything be more gratifying?’

Liu Heizi had brought his mother over, so his family was temporarily squeezed into the west wing that had been added on later. Huai Zi planned to build them a separate house next year, wanting to wait until the new farmland was cleared so they could pick a location that would be convenient for everyone to manage.

When evening came, the Liu Family, despite having helped for the entire day, declined to join the Zhang family at the table for New Year’s Eve dinner. Worried they would feel awkward, Zhang Dashuan and his wife gave them a share of all the prepared dishes and let them eat in their own room.

Qin Feng and Yun Ying were meant to be celebrating the New Year with the Zhang family, but how could those two ever sit still? Starting in the afternoon, people from all over the village came to invite them out. As a result, Qin Feng, much like Mr. Zhou, ended up eating a "hundred-family feast," making rounds at various homes. Yun Ying, however, limited her visits to the Zhao family—Zhao Qing was her apprentice, after all—and Li Changyu’s home, where she went to join the festivities for a bit after repeated invitations from Wan’er.

’Becoming a mother really changes things,’ Juhua thought. In the past, the adults could chat, laugh, and relax freely. Now, they had to make sure their two little masters were taken care of before they had the energy for anything else. Where was the time for her to have a moment’s peace?

Fortunately, there was Hulu. Juhua had made a special arrangement with his parents to bring him over early to keep Banli company, so there were no scenes of a baby crying his lungs out and spoiling the festive mood. When the firecrackers began popping ceaselessly outside, Banli and Cong’s eyes went wide. Far from being frightened into tears, they seemed incredibly excited.

The New Year’s Eve dinner was, of course, a lively affair of its own, with neighbors inviting one another over for a drink and so on—no need to describe it all in detail. After the meal, Zhang Huai and Zhang Yang took the twins, freeing up Juhua and He to clear the table. Once that was done, they would start making dumplings for breakfast on New Year’s Day.

A short while later, Aunt Liu and Pu Pao came over to help as well.

The dumpling filling had been prepared in advance, and Zhang Dashuan himself took charge of rolling out the wrappers. To make for a livelier conversation, He had moved the entire operation into the main hall. As she folded dumplings, she asked Juhua worriedly, "Why are these two still so full of energy? Aren’t they usually asleep by now? What if they get too worked up and refuse to sleep?"

She glanced over at Huai Zi and Zhang Yang, who were joking around with Hulu, which in turn made Banli squeal and gurgle with delight, letting out constant, bright peals of laughter. He was so full of life.

Juhua smiled. "It’s alright. They’ll fall asleep as soon as Hulu leaves. They’re just having a good time right now."

Aunt Liu laughed. "It’s so lively tonight, it’s no wonder the little ones don’t want to sleep. My Jing’er is still awake, too, playing with his grandma."

Just as she said that, they heard Huai Zi call out, "Grandma Liu, Happy New Year!"

Everyone turned to see Grandma Liu entering from outside. Her hair was pure silver, and she clutched a small bundle in her hand. She walked with a slight tremble, her smile kind and benevolent.

He hurried to greet her. "Grandma Liu, it’s so good of you to come. Huai Zi, quick, get a stool for Grandma Liu."

The others all greeted her as well. After Grandma Liu sat down, she scanned the room and smiled. "It’s so much livelier with so many people. My Jing’er fell asleep, so I thought I’d come over and join the fun, and wish the family an early Happy New Year. I also brought a little needlework for young master Banli and young miss Cong. I made them myself. My eyesight is failing, so they’re not much to look at. I do hope you won’t find them too crude."

As she spoke, she opened the small cloth bundle on her lap, revealing two pairs of red tiger-head shoes and two red hats. She took out one of the hats and had Huai Zi help Banli try it on.