Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 302

Zhou Chunhong scratched her head sheepishly, "Don't...don't look at me...I'm just...hungry."

Zhao Da'e burst into laughter, "Second cousin, your stomach is making unusually loud noises."

Zhou Chunhong's face flushed instantly. She patted Zhao Da'e on the shoulder, "You...you shouldn't make fun of me!"

When she gets nervous, Zhou Chunhong stutters.

Zhou Chunhong and Zhao Da'e's words made everyone laugh, and the somewhat awkward atmosphere immediately eased. Cheng Jinxi couldn't help but smile as well, "Eat quickly, don't go hungry."

Everyone sat down, and Cheng Rongguo took out his homemade wine, poured a large bowl full, and drank it down.

Even when his wife said he wasn't feeling well and couldn't drink too much, he didn't care. He just said he was happy because it was Chinese New Year.

Cheng Jinxiao sat next to Wang Shi, occasionally putting food on her plate. Wang Shi smiled with satisfaction, "You, it's only today that you've learned to put food on my plate. Before you got married, you were always the one who ate the most at the table. I still remember how tiny you were when you were born, but in the blink of an eye you've grown up so much. Time really flies. I don't even know how many years ago it was when we had New Year's Eve dinner together. It's good that you came back this year, but it's a pity that my good daughter has married such a bad man."

Cheng Jinxiao's eyes welled up with tears. She took Wang's hand and said, "Mom, let's not talk about these things. Let's talk about something happy. Today is New Year's Eve, so we should have a happy time."

Mrs. Wang nodded with satisfaction, "Yes, today is New Year's Eve, a day for family reunion, and we should celebrate it happily."

Zhao Da'e picked up a piece of duck meat, and the aroma filled her mouth. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, and couldn't help but pick up a few more pieces of duck meat. After picking up this, she picked up some San Di Xian (a type of seafood dish), which was also delicious.

Zhou Chunwen thought that now was the time to say something that would make everyone happy. Coincidentally, she had overheard Cheng Jinxiao and the others talking about taking a family photo that afternoon, and immediately said excitedly, "Grandma, I have some good news to tell you! Mom and the others are in the kitchen talking about pooling their money to take a family photo for our whole family!"

Upon hearing this, the men were stunned; they had never heard of such a thing before.

Cheng Jinxiang was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Wang Shi. Wang Shi felt warm inside when she heard the news and smiled happily.

Cheng Jinxi couldn't help but scold Zhou Chunwen, "Why do you talk so much?"

Wang said dismissively, "Jinxi, don't talk about the child, the child meant well."

Seeing her grandmother on her side, Zhou Chunwen was happy. She continued, "Grandma, I heard it from the kitchen doorway. Mom and the others said they're going to invite a photographer over to take pictures in the spring."

Wang's smile suddenly froze, and the movement of her holding the spoon stopped in mid-air.

She asked uncertainly, "You mean the beginning of spring?..."

Seeing this, Cheng Jinxiang knew things were going to end badly. She guessed her mother was about to throw a tantrum, so she quickly said, "Mom, my sister-in-law and I have discussed it. It's snowing heavily now, so we might not be able to invite a photographer. Besides, it's Chinese New Year now, so even if we ask someone to come, they probably won't want to. It would be better to invite them in the spring."

At this time of year, it's actually quite difficult to frantically find someone to take photos.

Zhu Yufeng forced a smile. "Yes, Mom, let's hire a photographer in the spring so we can have our New Year's Eve dinner. It'll get cold if we don't eat now."

Wang suddenly lost her appetite. Looking at the dishes on the table, she gave a bitter smile and said, "Is it so hard for me to take a family photo in the next few days? It all comes down to money. The cost of hiring a photographer during the New Year is too high, and you just can't afford it."

Feeling desolate, Wang Shi couldn't help but cover her mouth and cough violently. Seeing this, Cheng Jinxiao quickly patted Wang Shi's back to comfort her, saying, "Mom, it's the same whether you pat her sooner or later. Your current goal is to take good care of your health."

Wang was both pitiful and helpless. She didn't know if her body could hold out until spring. The reason she asked to take a family photo in the next few days was because she wanted to take the photo while she could still move and had the strength to get out. Otherwise, she was afraid that she would be bedridden and unable to take any family photos, which would become a regret.

"Forget it, forget it. You're the ones in charge of this household now. This old woman has no say. I wanted to film during the New Year holidays, but you're telling me to film in the spring. Do whatever you want," Wang said with a bitter smile.

Then he picked up his chopsticks again and said, "Eat up, this New Year's Eve dinner will get cold if we don't eat it soon."

Seeing Wang Shi like this, Cheng Jinxi felt guilty. Ultimately, it was because she didn't have any money that she was thinking of hiring a photographer in the spring, when she should have some money. But now she couldn't even come up with twenty yuan. Hiring a photographer to take a family photo would cost several tens of yuan, and she didn't have any money to spare.

Zhao Da'e could understand her grandmother's feelings. In her previous life, her grandmother had also brought up the idea of ​​taking a family photo at the New Year's Eve dinner this year, and she wanted to take it during the New Year. However, in her previous life, without Zhao Da'e's help, her aunt and her own mother did not have much money, so they naturally refused her grandmother's request. By the time spring came, her grandmother's health had deteriorated, and she could no longer get out of bed. It was no longer possible to take a family photo then, and her grandmother eventually passed away with regret.

The mother blamed herself for a long time because of this. Money, money, money, it's all because of money. In this world, you can't do anything without money.

Fortunately, Zhao Da'e has money now. The few hundred yuan for hiring a photographer to take a family photo is no problem for her. After all, she has several thousand yuan in savings, and after a month, she might earn tens of thousands more from selling water.

"Grandma, don't worry, I'll figure out how to hire a photographer to take a family photo," Zhao Da'e said to Wang Shi. She planned to go to Cai Xiaofeng tomorrow and ask her to go to town and invite a photographer to take a family photo.

Wang smiled helplessly at Zhao Da'e. She took it as a joke, since Zhao Da'e was only seven years old and children usually make jokes.

Zhao Da'e could also see that Wang Shi didn't believe her, but she didn't say anything. She knew that things were done, not talked about, and that she would be happy as long as she invited the photographer over.

Afterwards, everyone started eating the New Year's Eve dinner, but everyone had their own thoughts, so the dinner wasn't very enjoyable, except for a few men who were drinking and chatting happily.

Cheng Jinxiao and Zhu Yufeng were both upset because of their argument earlier that day, while Cheng Jinxi was feeling a bit heartbroken about having to spend money on a family photo.

Cheng Jinxiang also wanted a family photo, but unlike Cheng Jinxi, she felt a little guilty towards Wang Shi. After all, Wang Shi had mentioned to her several times that she wanted to take a family photo during the Chinese New Year, but in the end, the group decided to take it in the spring.

During the New Year's Eve dinner, Wang Shi only ate a few bites before stopping. Cheng Jinxiang felt a little sorry for her and said, "Mom, won't you eat some more?"

Wang shook her head with some discomfort, "I'm getting old, I can't eat anything anymore. The food today is delicious, so please eat more."

Looking at the children happily eating at the table, a look of affection flashed in Wang's eyes. In these children, she could see the image of her own daughters when they were young. Now, in the blink of an eye, all her children have started their own families.

Thinking of this, Madam Wang turned to look at Cheng Jinxiao beside her and sighed helplessly. Only her youngest daughter was still causing her worry. She wondered if she would live to see her youngest daughter get married.

During the New Year's Eve dinner, several men got drunk, leaving the women to clean up the dishes. Zhao Da'e was also called to get the dishes and put them in a basin to wash.

During this time, Zhou Chunwen secretly pulled Zhao Dage aside to talk.

"Big Goose, I feel like I made a mistake," Zhou Chunwen said, somewhat conflicted.

Zhao Da'e didn't understand. "Big Cousin, what do you mean by saying you made a mistake? I don't understand."

Zhou Chunwen sighed and replied, "I feel like I shouldn't have brought up taking a family photo at the dinner table. After I did, everyone acted strangely. I thought Grandma would feel better, but it only got worse."

Hearing Zhou Chunwen say this, Zhao Da'e comforted her, "Big Cousin, don't think like that. Even if you don't say it now, Aunt and the others will say it anyway. It's just that you said it earlier."

But Zhou Chunwen was still upset. She had something on her mind, and she couldn't bear to keep it to herself. Finally, she chose to be honest with Zhao Da'e and said, "Let me tell you this, Da'e. This afternoon, I overheard my second aunt and the others talking at the kitchen door. Actually, my second aunt initially said that my grandmother wanted to take a family photo during the Spring Festival, but my mother and aunt objected. My aunt didn't want to pay and wanted my second aunt, my youngest aunt, and my mother to pay together. My mother, on the other hand, was thinking of paying in the spring."

"But my aunt disagreed. She thought my other aunt should also go out, and then they started arguing. My other aunt said some harsh words, which made my aunt leave in anger. Then, during the New Year's Eve dinner, I felt that the atmosphere was not right, so I thought about bringing up the idea of ​​taking a family photo. I thought that this would make my grandmother happy, and if my grandmother was happy, my mother and the others might feel better. But I didn't expect that I would make things worse and the atmosphere at the dinner table would become even stranger."

Zhou Chunwen was annoyed. She scratched her hair in frustration. "Tell me, is this all my fault? I wish I hadn't brought this up so much. My mom was just telling me that I shouldn't have said anything at the dinner table. Grandma only ate a little bit today."

After listening to Zhou Chunwen's words, Zhao Da'e finally understood what had happened that afternoon. "I was wondering why the atmosphere was so strange during the New Year's Eve dinner this afternoon. So that's what happened. It's all because of taking a family photo. It would have been fine if we had just paid for it, but it turned into such an unpleasant situation."

For Zhao Da'e, she could afford to pay for a family photo, and she was already planning to ask someone to come over tomorrow. However, she didn't want to see everyone have such an unpleasant argument over the family photo.

Judging from what Zhou Chunwen just said, it seems that his aunt and his younger aunt had a fight.

Zhao Da'e scratched her head, feeling a bit helpless. For now, she planned to invite the photographer over tomorrow first. Once the family photo issue was resolved, everything would be easier to handle.

"Big cousin, don't overthink it. This isn't your fault. Let the adults handle their own affairs. We kids shouldn't get involved. Besides, your intentions were good. You just wanted to make Grandma happy, and you didn't do anything wrong. Aunt and my other aunt also had a fight this afternoon. It's normal that their relationship isn't good and the meal was awkward. But maybe they'll make up in a few days."

After listening to Zhao Dage's words, Zhou Chunwen felt somewhat comforted. "What you said makes a lot of sense, Dage. You are so much younger than me, but you can make up a lot of points. You are even more capable than my mother."

Zhao Da'e was a little embarrassed, "No, not at all, Big Cousin, I'm not as amazing as you say."

Zhou Chunwen chuckled softly, thinking of his younger sister Zhou Chunhong. He thought of Chunhong's stuttering speech and her single-minded focus on food, and felt a little helpless. "If only Chunhong were as clever as you. Right now, I think Chunhong looks a bit silly."

Zhao Da'e comforted her, "Big Cousin, don't think like that. Fools are sometimes lucky."

Zhou Chunhong, who was silently washing dishes nearby, looked at Zhao Da'e and Zhou Chunwen's backs with a wronged expression. She really wanted to say that she could hear them even though she was washing dishes nearby, and that they could talk in a little quieter, especially when they called her stupid...

Even after dusk, Cheng Jinxi and the others were still busy. They needed to prepare to make dumplings, which had to be done before the first day of the Lunar New Year, meaning before midnight tonight.

These wrapped dumplings can be kept until after midnight on New Year's Eve, which is when we eat them as a midnight snack on the first day of the new year. At that time, all the lights in the house will be on, and everyone will gather together to eat sunflower seeds and peanuts, chat, or play games.

In the kitchen, Cheng Jinxi mixed a pound of flour with cold water until it reached a suitable consistency, kneaded it into a smooth dough, and then covered it with gauze to let it rest for half an hour.

During this time, Cheng Jinxi would take out frozen pears to try.

There were only her and Cheng Jinxiao in the kitchen. As for Cheng Jinxiang and Zhu Yufeng, they went to take a shower first. Anyway, everyone had to take turns showering and finish before midnight. They had to wash their hair as well as their bodies, and they had to be clean.

Washing your hair and taking a bath on New Year's Eve means washing away the bad luck of the past year and then comfortably celebrating the first day of the Lunar New Year. It represents welcoming new good fortune in the new year. The older generation believes that if you are not clean on New Year's Eve, it will easily affect your good fortune in the new year. Therefore, everyone takes turns taking a bath on New Year's Eve, and everyone must wash themselves, including their hair.