Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The family stayed at the Li familyâs house until five in the afternoon before they went home.
He stayed at home until the 28th of the twelfth lunar month before returning to Zhang Kunâs hometown.
This year, the 29th of the twelfth lunar month was New Yearâs Eve.
Because Zhang Yao had returned, Zhang Kunâs family had to stay at Zhang Junâs house.
On the morning of the 29th of the twelve lunar months, the two families went to the old residence.
Those who killed chickens killed chickens, those who killed fish killed fish, those who posted couplets put up couplets, and they began to prepare for the New Yearâs Eve dinner.
After tonight, the year of 2000 would officially begin.
The New Yearâs Eve dinner was the most important meal of the year.
For this meal, the whole family worked from morning to night.
Although they were busy, they were very happy.
At around five oâclock, the main causes were already in the pot, and Zhang Kun was in charge of the cooking.
There were a few simple dishes that were left to be stir-fried.
Zhang Kun was in charge of the cooking, and Zhang Jun was in charge of the fire. The two brothers cooperated very well.
Wang Yuechu was sitting on the brick bed, watching TV with the children.
Zhang Yao was kneading the dough, while Li Xu and Hao Melting were preparing the dumpling filling.
It was a tradition of s city to make dumplings after the New Yearâs Eve dinner.
Zhang Dali was the only one who had nothing to do. He looked around.
âYaoyaoâ¦â Wang Yuechu suddenly called out to Zhang Yao.
Zhang Yao looked over in surprise, âWhatâs wrong?â
Wang Yuechu hesitated, âI donât knowâ¦â
She didnât seem to know whether to say it or not. After a moment, she said, âDo you think Wei Zhenghao will be spending New Yearâs alone tonight?â
After Wang Yuechu finished, Zhang Yao became silent.
Li Xu and Hao Melting were originally talking but stopped when they heard this.
When Wenwen heard Wei Zhenghaoâs name, she secretly glanced at Zhang Yao.
âHow would 1 know if heâs spending the new year alone? Besides, what does it have to do with you?â after a while, Zhang Yao said impatiently.
Wang Yuechu sighed, âLast time in front of our house, Wei Zhenghao and his mother were in a deadlock. Besides, heâs been helping you in the fields for the past few months. He didnât ask for a single cent, did he?â
Zhang Dali heard the noise and came in from outside.
â1 think youâre old and muddled. Do you only remember one good thing, not the bad things? Why donât you remember all the bad things he did in the past?â
Wang Yuechu saw that her old man and Zhang Yao were a little agitated at the mention of Wei Zhenghao, so she didnât dare to say anything more. She just whispered, âI was thinking that giving him a bowl of dumplings was just something I did in passing.â
Zhang Yao didnât say anything and just continued kneading the dough.
Seeing this, Wang Yuechu sighed, âOkay, okay, I wonât say anymore. Do what you have to do!â
The room returned to its lively state, but Zhang Yaoâs expression didnât return to normal for a long time.
At around seven oâclock, the hard dishes were all out.
Zhang Dali set the table, and Zhang Jun placed the hard dishes on the table. Zhang Kun was already washing the pot and preparing to cook the next dish.
It was almost eight oâclock. The children turned the TV program to Central TV station 1, waiting to watch the Spring Festival Gala.
At around 8:10 am, all the dishes were served. The family sat around the table and watched the Spring Festival Gala while eating.
Outside, the crackling of firecrackers was already heard.
During the day, Zhang Dali had already gone to buy a whole box of fireworks and firecrackers for the children.
The children couldnât hold it in anymore when they heard the noise outside.
After quickly finishing their meal, Zhang Jun and Hao Melting brought the children to the courtyard.
Soon, the yard was filled with the sounds of children shouting.
The rest of the people also finished eating very quickly.
Wang Yuechu took Zhang Yao and Li Xu to move their positions. They moved the panel, noodles, and dumpling filling to the heated brick bed. The three of them started to make dumplings for tonight.
After Zhang Kun finished eating, he was about to clear the table when Ji Ziâang suddenly ran in from outside.
He looked around and finally fixed his eyes on Zhang Yao. âAunt, Wenwenâs father is here.â
He knew that Zhang Yao and Wei Zhenghao were divorced, so he shouldnât be calling him âuncleâ now.
Therefore, he called Wei Zhenghao âWenwenâs fatherâ.
Hearing this, Zhang Yaoâs brows suddenly furrowed. She put down the bowl of noodles in her hand and walked out.
Zhang Kun asked Ji Ziâang, âDid he come alone? Or did you bring someone else?â
âHeâs coming alone,â Ji Ziâang replied.
Hearing this, Zhang Kun was relieved and did not go out with Zhang Yao.
In the yard, the children had stopped setting off fireworks. They looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
Ji Zixuan called out to them. âLetâs go. Letâs go in and watch the Spring Festival Gala. Weâll come out later.â
The children rushed into the house and filled it up.
Zhang Dali stood in the courtyard, his expression a little ugly.
After a while, he sighed and followed her back to the house.
At the door, Wei Zhenghao was holding a few red packets in his hand.
He handed it to Zhang Yao and said in a low voice, âThese are red packets for the children. I donât have much money on hand, so I put 50 yuan in each red packet. Remember to place the red packet under Wen Wenâs pillow before you go to bed tonight.â
Looking at the red packet in front of her, Zhang Yaoâs brows furrowed.
âWei Zhenghao, you donât have to put on an act in front of me. I can tell you very clearly that I wonât remarry you.â Zhang Yao said after a long while.
Hearing Zhang Yaoâs words, Wei Zhenghao smiled bitterly, â1 didnât think about remarrying. 1 know 1 hurt you too deeply in the past. I donât want to think about anything else right now. 1 just want to raise Wenwen with you.â
This sentence could still be considered reasonable.
Zhang Yao reached out and took out a red packet, âYouâre Wenwenâs father. This red packet is something you should give her. As for the other children, they have nothing to do with you, so you donât need to worry about them. I will return them to you.â
With that, she turned around to go back.
Wei Zhenghao didnât care so much. He grabbed Zhang Yaoâs arm and took the opportunity to put all the red packets on the ground, then turned and ran.
âHey, youâ¦â Zhang Yao shouted at him, but Wei Zhenghao had already run a few meters.
Zhang Yao picked up the red packet on the ground and wanted to chase after him, but Wei Zhenghao had already run far away.
She sighed and entered the house with Wei Zhenghaoâs red packet.
Who would have a grudge against money?
After entering the house, she placed the red packets on the brick bed. âIâm going to wash my hands!â
Zhang Kun and Zhang Jun looked at each other.
âWhere did the red packet come from? did Wei Zhenghao give it to you?â when Zhang Yao came back, Zhang Jun asked in disbelief.
Zhang Yao nodded, her expression calm. âYes, he gave it to me. One for each child!â
âDid he really give it to you?â Zhang Junâs eyes widened.
He was too embarrassed to finish his sentence in front of Wenwen.
What was wrong with Wei Zhenghao, who had always been extremely stingy? The iron tree bloomed?
Could it be that there was only one yuan in it?
Jun Zhang took the red packets and opened them one by one. He was even more surprised.
âAll fifty Yuan.â
âPut it down quickly.â Hao Melting gave him a sidelong glance.
It made it seem like he was greedy for money..