Chapter 155: Chapter 155: After Laba, It’s Almost New Year

“Children, children, don’t be greedy, after Laba, it’s almost New Year.

On the 23rd, the sticky candy sticks, on the 24th… On New Year’s Eve, we stay up all night, and on the first and second day, we roam the streets.”

It only takes a few minutes to sing this nursery rhyme.

But after experiencing it herself, Yu Nuannuan realized that things were not as simple as they seemed.

As the New Year approached, the village was filled with a festive atmosphere. Every household was busy preparing food and supplies, giving their homes a thorough cleaning, and joyfully welcoming the New Year.

The Yu family had made quite a bit of money this year, and Xu Shuhua was determined to make sure everyone had a good New Year, so she didn’t skimp on food, drinks, clothes, or anything else.

In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, the whole village was filled with the delicious aroma of food.

Watching every family bustling about, stocking up for the New Year, Yu Nuannuan found everything incredibly novel.

In her previous life, Yu Nuannuan had lived in a big city, where the lively New Year atmosphere was never this strong.

So now, everything she saw felt fresh and exciting.

Of course, the most important thing was the mouthwatering aroma of food that lingered from morning till night.

Yu Nuannuan was also glad that she was about to turn one year old, and her teeth had grown from four to eight. With more teeth, she could eat a wider variety of food.

When the four sisters-in-law, including Chen Qiaoqin, were busy frying things in the kitchen, they didn’t forget about the children. They would scoop some into bowls and bring them to the main room for the kids to share.

Yu Nuannuan got a fried meatball too—a radish and vermicelli ball, crispy on the outside and tender inside, glistening with oil and smelling delicious.

As the weather turned colder, Yu Nuannuan’s clothes got thicker. At the moment, she was wearing a cotton-padded jacket Xu Shuhua had made for her, stuffed with soft, white cotton—warm and cozy, but a bit bulky, making her limbs less nimble.

She had to use extra effort to bring the meatball to her mouth.

By the time she finished eating the meatball, ten minutes had passed.

Seeing Yu Nuannuan’s mouth covered in oil, Xu Shuhua couldn’t help but laugh. She brought over a wet towel to wipe her hands and face.

After wiping her clean, she dabbed on some snow cream, then nodded in satisfaction. “Our little Nuannuan is so pretty!”

Yu Nuannuan heard this every day. She just smiled at Xu Shuhua in response.

On New Year’s Eve, after breakfast, Xu Shuhua started directing Yu Hai and the others to put up Spring Festival couplets.

They pasted couplets, made dumplings, and prepared the New Year’s Eve dinner.

As dusk fell, the sound of firecrackers rang out in the village.

At the Yu house, the New Year’s Eve dinner was ready. They were just waiting to light the firecrackers before they could start eating.

Although Xu Shuhua covered Yu Nuannuan’s ears, she could still hear the deafening explosions.

The firecrackers were loud and rapid, but soon finished.

Xu Shuhua lowered her hands and looked at Yu Hai with satisfaction. “Old Fourth, you did well buying the firecrackers this year!”

Yu Hai lifted his chin proudly. “Of course! I picked them out carefully!”

Xu Shuhua was about to retort, but remembering it was New Year’s Eve, she swallowed her words and said instead, “Alright, alright, let’s eat before the food gets cold!”

The New Year’s Eve dinner was lavish, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat—all kinds of dishes.

There was plenty for everyone, and even with so many people in the Yu family, there was still a lot left over.

On New Year’s Eve, it was tradition to stay up late. After dinner and cleaning up, the family sat together, chatting and telling stories.

By this time, the sound of firecrackers had mostly faded, but as midnight approached, another round of even louder explosions filled the air."

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