Chapter Thirty-One: New Year's (Part Two)

  On New Year's Day, Fang Mo Nan got up early as usual, but she didn't go out for exercise. She was afraid that if she went missing, it would scare her parents.

  The sky was still dark, she put on her clothes, sat on the chair, and started meditating. She couldn't go out, but she also couldn't slack off. Although the spiritual energy outside was thin and almost non-existent, it didn't hinder her from meditating and circulating her internal energy. Of course, the effect wasn't as good as in a spatial realm.

  The old mother woke up, touched around, didn't find Fang Mo Nan, and shouted: "Ah! Nan Nan is gone, get up quickly!" She pushed the sleeping old father, turned on the light, but the old father rolled over and fell asleep again.

  "Mom, I'm here." Fang Mo Nan replied immediately after hearing it.

  Mom saw her daughter sitting on a chair, dressed neatly, "Why did you get up so early, what are you doing?"

  "I get up this early every day and exercise with Grandpa Lin and Little Aunt." Fang Monan put down his legs, blinking innocently.

  "Oh! It's New Year's! You're not even resting, aren't you tired?" Mom asked with concern. Fang Mengnan shook his head, indicating that he was fine.

  Mom took a look at the watch, it was six o'clock, and she couldn't sleep either, so she got up. Dad heard their noise and was also woken up, so he got up too. Prepare to boil water and cook dumplings.

  On the morning of Chinese New Year, cooked dumplings are arranged neatly, and the door is opened wide. Firecrackers are set off first, known as "opening the door with firecrackers". After the sound of firecrackers, red fragments fill the ground, shining like a cloud brocade, called "full hall red". At this time, auspicious air fills the streets, full of joy and festivity.

  After dinner, Old Mother helped Fang Mo and her sister put on their new clothes. They went out together to visit the neighbors in the residential compound, wishing them a happy New Year and saying auspicious words.

  One of the important activities during the Spring Festival is to visit new friends and neighbors to wish them a happy New Year, also known as "Bai Nian".

  Three stars in the south, every family pays New Year's greetings.

  The younger generation kowtows, and the older generation gives money.

  No money, turn around and leave.

  Although they didn't have any money to give when visiting their neighbors for the New Year, the neighbors still gave each of the sisters a handful of melon seeds and candies. They politely said thank you, and the neighbors praised them as lovely, sensible, and grown up.

  After moving the household goods, a family of four walked to grandfather's house. Grandfather's house was quite far from theirs, and they walked for nearly half an hour, getting warm all over.

  All along the way, families came out to pay their New Year's respects. The slightly older boys lit firecrackers and threw them at the pretty girls, scaring them so much that they jumped in fright and wailed loudly, while the boys laughed and jeered on the side.

  When a family sees them coming, they all hide and are afraid of being "blown up".

  All the way watching others' bustle, soon arrived at grandfather's house, also in a residential area, bigger than their courtyard, with nearly 200 households. His home is also a quadrangle courtyard with two and a half rooms. As I walked in, those who came to pay New Year's greetings were about to leave, saw the four of them coming in, said hello, and left in a hurry.

  A family of three walked in, and Fang Mo Nan and Mo Bei said in unison: "Grandpa and Grandma, Happy New Year." Although they didn't want to say it, the generation gap was there, and on the matter of etiquette, they couldn't let them say that their mom hadn't educated her children well.

  "Oh! Little Nan, Little Bei, it's been a few days since we last met, and you're getting more and more alike. Look! You look like twins!" Grandma smiled hypocritically, but no one minded, as they all knew the truth in their hearts. Looking at the two of them, dressed in bright red from head to toe, was enough to give one a headache."

  "Wow... this coat is great!" She smacked her lips, looking at the new coat her mother had made.

  "Yes! My mom bought it for me, new style." The old mother said with some childish pride, this set of clothes was painted by Nannan, ivory white wool, warmer and softer than the previous one, better looking, fitted cut, with a same-colored belt on the waist, and a bow tie on the back, making the waist look slender, the whole looks more youthful and beautiful.

  "Is that so!" Big Yan had never spoken to her like this before, it seemed like something was different today. People from humble origins just can't put on airs, thinking they have money now and daring to be arrogant with her, not giving her the respect she deserves. The old man is still around, this is New Year's, we shouldn't be uncomfortable.

  Fang Mo Nan seemed to hear her gritting her teeth, with disdain and contempt flashing in her eyes. However, she had her back turned on Grandfather, so Grandfather didn't say anything, smiling with narrowed eyes as he looked at the whole family.

  Grandpa and grandma sat down, paused for a while, said some polite words to the elderly, and asked later that Auntie and Uncle had gone out to pay New Year's visits and hadn't come back yet. Grandma took two new five-yuan bills and handed one each to Fang Mo Nan and Mo Bei.

  Fang Mo Nan handed it over to his mother, and Mo Bei also gave it to her. "Dad! I'll take them to the family courtyard for a walk." His father stood up, fearing another argument would break out, so he quickly pulled his mother along and hurried the children outside.

  A family of three, after circling the hospital courtyard, Father went in to bid farewell to Grandpa and then headed home. Not eating here saves them from having to pay for food. Father muttered to himself as he carried Fang Mengnan, "Let's go, head back home and have some delicious food."

  The family walked and chatted, soon arriving home. After lunch, they took the girls to the park for a stroll. The trees and flowers were all bare in the cold winter weather. They saw a few thin monkeys and two peacocks that had lost their feathers. Fang Mengnan still had to pretend to be happy, it was really tiring. When could she grow up? She didn't want this anymore.

  Finally, after a hard New Year's Day. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Fang Mo Nan and his family took the bus back to their maternal grandmother's house. It is an old tradition for many people to return to their maternal home on the second day of the Lunar New Year, where married daughters bring their husbands and children to visit their parents. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, there is also a custom of "welcoming daughters and inviting sons-in-law", which is also a day when young children wear new clothes and follow their parents back to their maternal grandmother's house.

  The car was crowded, the air was dirty, and it swayed back and forth. It was a difficult journey to Grandma's house. After Fang Mo Nan got out of the car, he let out a mouthful of foul air and finally survived.

  Fang Mo Nan and Mo Bei lay on the warm kang, comfortably closing their eyes.

  Grandma looked at their troubled appearance and asked in a low voice: "Why didn't you rest well at home, so tired?"

  "Hehe... Mom, you also know that I've been away from home for a long time, so it's a bit cold." The old mother said with embarrassment, and she also let out a yawn.

  "Alright, I know. You and Zhengping go to the north room to take a nap." Grandma urged them to let them rest for a while longer.

  After sleeping for more than an hour, it was eleven o'clock. Fang Mo Nan got up, stretched her waist and felt very comfortable after a good sleep. She put on her clothes and went out. Her grandmother was busy making lunch. "I'm back, let me do it!"

  "Alas! You've been back for two days and nothing tastes good to us, I really don't know what we'll do when you go off to school!" Grandma said with infinite emotion. With her granddaughter not at home, even the most delicious food didn't taste good.

  "That's easy, come with us to the city, I'll take you there." Fang Mo Nan said with a smile. "Besides, Grandma can open her business in the city!"

  "Ah, it's not that easy! This is where our roots are, how can we just leave?" She shook her head, reluctant to part with this home.

  Fang Mo Nan knew her thoughts and didn't break them, it was still early for her to go to school, and soft grinding would take her away. The county town was still too small, many things couldn't be played out, when could they grow up, don't think about it, now just enjoy this rare leisure time.

  Fang Mo Nan flashed into the kitchen, cooked some delicious food, and came out after a while.

  On the dinner table, Grandma gave Mò Nán and Mò Běi 10 yuan each as lucky money. As requested by Mò Nán, they exchanged all of it at the bank for one-mao coins with a crimson color.

  "Wah wah! Our mom is really generous, so much, getting rich!" Xiaoyi exclaimed loudly. Then she whispered to her mother's ear: "Yesterday on the first day of the new year, my brother brought the kids over, and mom gave each of them 5 yuan. I was so angry at that time, humph! Today seeing mom's actions, I feel a bit better."

  "What's the point of being so calculating?" her mother said with a nod.

  The lucky money given by grandma in the past was actually given to her by my mother, and then she gave it to us kids, just a formality. This time, it's truly grandma's lucky money, Fang Mengnan kept it carefully and didn't give it to mom.

  The old mother saw it and smiled, didn't say anything, but glanced at the old father with a profound meaning, the old father looked away in embarrassment.

  After dinner, Fang Mo Nan was taken away by Old Master Lin to ask if she had been lazy. Her mother looked on with a pained expression, "It's the New Year and you won't even let the child rest for a bit. I really don't know what's the hurry."

  "It doesn't matter anyway, besides eating and sleeping, I want to find something to do. Ah! Born to be a hard worker, can't sit still." Grandma said, "You shouldn't idle around either, Lin old man has all sorts of books there, go find one you like to read, just to pass the time."

  Dad found two books that interested him and handed one to Mom, "Don't be outdone by the kids. What if you're stumped by their questions in the future? How embarrassing would that be!"

  Mom thought about it and agreed, anyway nothing happened, never mind!

  Grandma went out to visit neighbors, chat gossip, and inquire about market trends.

  Fang Mo Nan arrived at Old Master Lin's residence, where he was thoroughly interrogated. He nodded his head to indicate that there had been no delay and taught some new things. Mo Bei caught up with the old master, gesturing as if playing a lute.

  Mr. Lin kept his promise, pulled out a lively world-famous tune, and it came out smoothly. After finishing one song, Mo Bei felt unsatisfied and asked him to play another one, so he played for two hours, until Mr. Lin's arm was sore and couldn't be lifted up.

  The old man had obviously practiced during their time on earth, and to her outsider's ears, it sounded smooth and pleasant.

  The courtyard was filled with pleasant piano sounds, and the house was filled with a strong book fragrance. The afternoon passed quickly.

  Fang Mo Nan looked at Old Man Lin's painful expression, grasped his pulse, and slowly channeled spiritual energy into his body, flowing along his arm to his shoulder, nourishing the old man's sore muscles. After a while, Old Man Lin's facial expression became comfortable and relaxed.

  "Nan Ya Tou, what kind of qigong is this? The slight discomfort I felt is all gone." Old Man Lin raised his arm and patted it a few times.

  "It's the Immortal Sect's, I don't know the name." She casually lied.

  The old man didn't mind either, who doesn't have a little secret, it's just that if you learn from it then it's fine.

  Fang Wen Nan saw that he was moved and taught him a set of Tai Chi boxing techniques to strengthen his body. If there is excessive exercise, you can also use qigong to repair yourself.

  Fang Mo Nan looked at Mo Bei and said with a serious face: "Do you know your mistake?"

  Mo Bei hid behind Old Master, peeked out his head, and then retreated back. "I was wrong."

  Children often acknowledge their mistakes bluntly, but still continue to repeat the same mistake.

  Fang Mo Nan thought for a moment, since she liked listening to Old Master Lin play the violin so much, she might as well say: "Master Lin, since Xiao Bei likes listening to you play the violin so much, why don't you just take her on as your apprentice?"

  Fang Mo Bei listened and happily came out from behind Lao Ye Zi, holding his hand and nodding with a smile: "Good, good."

  Mr. Lin looked at Xiaodou and thought that he was about to retire, with plenty of time on his hands. "Alright, but Xiao Bei, Grandpa is very strict, and playing the violin is hard work. Can you persevere? If not, then forget it."

  Fang Mo Bei blinked his bright big eyes, with a determined face, "I want to learn."

  "Want to learn, can, but no violin for kids!" Mr. Lin muttered to himself.

  Mo Beiyi was overjoyed and didn't hear the rest of the conversation, but Fang Mosheng heard it and said, "This is easy, I'll think of a way." Of course, it could be resolved with just one letter.

  Mr. Lin thought that after this year, he would be retired and could focus on teaching the two young children, living a carefree life, and also bully them a bit, without worrying about losing dignity as an elder.

  Dad and mom are very happy, Mr. Lin can teach his two children. The two of them don't know how to compare with other kids of the same age, but when they do, it's both comforting and proud, working harder to cultivate the two children.

  "Big Yan, Zhengping, go call your mom over, I have something to announce." Old Man Lin said.

  Dad saw the situation and went into the house to call Grandma over.

  Mr. Lin said, "You all know that I'm about to retire soon, and I don't have any relatives. As for the successor, I think Da Yan should take over."

  This kind of thing is too common, especially during this period. After some old comrades retire, they go to great lengths to send their children into the original unit to eat state grain and hold an iron rice bowl. Some people even haven't reached retirement age yet, but they've already arranged for internal retirement, letting their children take over, a hereditary system.

  In the country, it has always been a society of personal relationships, with extremely complex social relationships. Many obvious unreasonable phenomena have also been unstoppable. Mainly, leaders who are in charge are not saints and do not have high awareness. Everyone has relatives and friends, and seven or eight aunts and uncles who are connected by relationships. No one can really ignore them.

  "What's good about this?" Grandma said, somewhat bewildered. "Outsiders will speak ill words."

  "Big sister, don't be afraid of others gossiping." Old Master Lin glared with his tiger eyes, "Whoever has no one speaking behind their back, whoever doesn't speak ill of others behind their back, what's there to fear!"

  "Grandma thought for a moment, 'Starting to sell buns at the stall, haven't you heard enough gossip? You've already got a tough skin.'"

  Mr. Lin said, "The Education Bureau is just a clear water yamen, the salary and benefits are not high, but it's better than being a worker in a collectively owned factory in Da Yan. Once you enter, you become an official employee. You can really 'eat imperial rations', and if this quota isn't used, it will be wasted."

  "This Uncle Lin is letting you take over." Mother said in surprise, didn't expect a windfall. "I'm willing, after all it's better than being a collective worker." Mother respectfully said: "From now on, Uncle Lin will be our family member, and you are Nannan and Xiaobei's own grandfather."

  "I thought I had long been a member of your family." Old Man Lin said with a smile.

  "They said something wrong," Grandma said, "otherwise, recognizing Father would be fine."

  "Hehe...this proposal is good." Old Man Lin said with a smile.

  "That's settled then," Grandma said with a nod, "What do you think, Zhengping?"

  "I have no opinion, it's good that Da Yan is back. I'm always working on construction sites all year round, and I don't feel at ease leaving you alone at home. Going back to the county or entering an institution is a good thing, I have no opinion." Dad said.

  "Wow...that's great, I'll get to see Mom every day from now on." Fang Mo Nan said excitedly, bouncing up and down.

  "Alright! As for the formalities, I'll take care of them for you." Old Man Lin said.

  For dinner, it's millet porridge with pickled cucumber, after eating big fish and meat for several days, a light meal is more appetizing, they all ate a lot to clear their intestines.

  Afterwards, Grandma specially prepared a banquet and formally recognized Grandpa.

  Liangzi from Class 3 came especially to pay New Year's respects to his grandmother and wished her auspicious blessings for the new year.

  Fang Mo Nan also couldn't help but greet Grandma Liang and Liang Zi for the new year. "Grandma Liang and Brother Liang, Happy New Year! Congratulations on getting rich, bring out the red envelopes." She said cutely.

  Liang Zi jokingly smiled and said: "Nan Nan also happy new year, take this money to buy candies." And he deliberately took out five dollars.

  Fang Mengnan didn't show weakness either, and fiercely kicked him, not forgetting to take the five yuan, her cheapness wasn't for nothing.

  In the following days, grandma kept receiving relatives from the countryside, one after another. When they came, they brought some local products from their hometown, and when they left, they were full of food and took away a lot of things.