Chapter 1299 - 1171: Before the New Year 5

Chapter 1299: Chapter 1171: Before the New Year 5

In the snowy landscape, the whole village is adorned with tall red lanterns at each family’s doorstep, and at night, the sound of firecrackers crackles intermittently.

Celebrating the New Year doesn’t just make the children happy; Zhang Guoqing is also delighted.

As the children grow up and start working, the chance to have the whole family of five return home for the New Year becomes scarce, so he vowed to make this New Year’s Eve a lively affair.

After Zhou Jiao finished giving out red packets to the little ones, Zhang Guoqing, oblivious to whether any nieces-in-law were present, grabbed his wife and called his sons to run home.

As he left, he didn’t forget to shout, "Mom, wait a moment and come out with my dad; your elder son is going to set off fireworks for you."

Mother Zhang couldn’t stop smiling as she watched her eldest son and his wife run off, laughing with a tone of disdain, "This child is unbelievable; he’s almost a grandfather but still loves to play."

She glanced at her grandsons carrying their children out the door and said to the daughters-in-law in the room, "You all go play too; when you come back, we can tidy up together."

Zhang Guoqing couldn’t be bothered with them; at the moment, he ran home with his sons and, along with Xiao Zhu and Xiao Liu, started carrying out the firecrackers and fireworks onto the open space outside the yard.

After they finished, Zhang Guoqing lit some incense and handed it to Zhou Jiao, holding her hand and saying, "Don’t be afraid; light that string, and I’ll carry you back."

Zhou Jiao wanted to say she wasn’t that timid, but seeing his smiling face, she nodded with a smile. If her husband thought she was fragile, then she was weak!

May 1st chimed in quickly, "Dad, you’re getting old; let me carry Mom back."

Ping’an and Liu Yi brothers burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"You little rascal!" Zhang Guoqing joked as he fake-kicked his leg, "Getting to be thick-skinned!"

"Gentlemen use their words, not their fists," May 1st dodged to the side and ran over to his brothers, "Dad, do you want your sons to cheer you on?"

Ping’an tapped him on the head, "Alright. Lots of people are coming over."

Liu Yi shook his head with a smile, handing the camera in his hand to his younger brother, "Take more pictures to bring back to Grandpa."

"No problem." May 1st took the camera, "Do you think Grandma and Grandpa are celebrating the New Year abroad? Would they possibly be thinking of us too?"

"They must be thinking of us."

"That’s why I don’t like studying abroad; it’s a pity..."

Liu Yi slightly shook his head, "Let’s focus on celebrating the New Year with Mom and Dad first." Future plans can be made later, without needing to mention it while at the home village.

The three brothers shared a smile and then glanced over at their parents.

On the morning of the first day of the New Year, after watching the fireworks last night, the kids ran en masse as soon as dawn broke, knocking on Zhang Guoqing’s yard door.

They knew at Uncle Zhang/Mr. Zhang’s home, the big snowball pile in the yard had bright red candied fruits stuck on top for them.

After their morning exercises, Ping’an Brothers handed out one candied fruit for each kid greeting them with "Happy New Year" and other festive salutations.

In the living room, Zhou Jiao, according to village tradition, placed several baskets of snacks and candies, dried fruits, seeds, and "mixed nuts" on the kang.

Naturally, not absent was a large plate of frozen pears and persimmons laid on the ground.

Xi Zi’s eldest daughter Nannan leaned comfortably on the kang, watching her little friends carry off gifts, "Third Grandma, will you come back next year?"

Zhou Jiao tugged on the little girl’s braid, "Even if we don’t come back for New Year’s, we’ll send you delicious treats."

"I’m already nine; I’m not a little child, and not picky about food. If you and Third Grandpa don’t come back for the New Year, can my Uncle Ping’an come back?"

"You’ll have to ask them. They make their own decisions."

"Third Grandma, you’re so nice. I want to make my own decisions, but my mom disagrees. My dad says I need to grow up more to be in charge."

Zhou Jiao chuckled and pinched her cute little face; how adorable!

Years later, on New Year’s night, the bonfire burned brightly, and the Zhang Family Village’s sunning grounds were once again filled with the rich scent of meat and continuous laughter.

Gathered together, Zhang Guofu, Zhang the Second, and Zhang Guoqing gazed at the younger generations of Old Zhang’s family, reminiscing about the past.

In those days, the three brothers lived together in the old courtyard...

In those days, Ping’an had just been born...

In those days, they were in their youth...

Luckily, changes have occurred; twenty years on, the bond between the three brothers remains constant, with their parents still laughing incessantly from afar.

Leisurely passing New Year’s Day, the second day was time for greetings. Early in the morning, the family of five accompanied the elderly Zhang parents to visit two old uncles to pay respects.

After celebrating the feast of Old Zhang’s aunt returning to her mother’s house, the five members of the family again packed and headed to the provincial city to pay respects to Zhao Chuan Guang’s family.

After so many years without chatting properly with Huang Hui Min, Zhou Jiao naturally wanted to stay for a few more days, yet she still couldn’t avoid visiting all the elders’ homes to pay respects.

Mr. Zhao and his wife’s age has taken a toll, their health worsening daily, compared to his spouse, who was confused and couldn’t recognize younger generations, the old man was still very happy with their visit.

But whether they would meet again or be separated by life and death seemed uncertain.

Seeing the sorrowful Zhao Chuan Guang, Zhou Jiao could only comfort her godfather with a few words; she didn’t know what else to say, certainly not something like she’s doing better than his wife.

At least his paternal grandfather Mr. Huang passed years ago, couldn’t he?

She guessed that if she said this, her godfather would punish her!

The next day when paying respects to Zhao Dashan, after so many years, seeing him again, Zhou Jiao was filled with emotions.

Compared to Zhao Chuan Guang, who had been a soldier all along, sixty-year-old Zhao Dashan showed signs of old age. No longer the handsome uncle in her memory.

His personality hadn’t changed.

Moreover, with a fulfilling career and family, a carefree life couldn’t take away his cheerful character—only the passage of time couldn’t prevent aging.

Similarly, Cheng Hongli also sported white hair, saying she had dyed it to avoid being all white and looking ugly next to her husband.

Hearing this, Zhou Jiao was secretly thankful her mother, Miao Lishan, growing increasingly youthful under her meticulous care over the years, was at least free from white hair.

Otherwise, standing next to her handsome father would have been quite troubling!

Time truly spares none.

Gathered together, sharing laughter and cheer, couldn’t dispel Zhou Jiao’s melancholy. Her mother wasn’t yet sixty, but her father had passed sixty, with days spent together growing fewer.

Zhang Guoqing knew her mind was burdened, so he took her out to the streets the day before returning to Zhang Family Village.

Northeast in the New Year, there’s no shortage of a festive atmosphere.

It seems everyone wants to borrow the holiday to drive away the cold, indulging in joyous revelry, like big yangko, stilt-walking, and the two-person dance, embracing whatever brings joy.