Chapter 627 Chinese New Year
On the 29th of the year, New Year’s Eve comes, and this year is another year with one day missing.
"Zhang An, wake up, there are a lot of things going on today."
As soon as the rooster crowed for the last time in the morning, the sky was still gray, Su Ying put the sleeping Zhang An next to her. Ann shouted.
"What time is it? It's still early."
Zhang An rubbed his sleepy eyes and looked out the window.
"It's getting late, it's almost seven o'clock. Didn't we agree to let mom have a rest this year? Hurry up."
Su Ying didn't care about him and just threw her clothes and pants at him. Go to bed.
Seeing that his wife was already up, Zhang An had no intention of continuing to sleep.
Otherwise, I will definitely be nagged by my mother for a while. This year is the end of the year. In order to keep the family quiet, you should be more conscious.
"Mom, let me do it."
After going downstairs, the stove has been put away and will be lit in a moment. Wang Fang is still putting away the stove in the kitchen. Zhang An goes up and puts out the tongs. Take it over.
Today is no different than in the past. The demand for fire is very great. Not only the stove must be burned, but also the stove must be kept.
Wang Fang did not insist, gave the poker to Zhang An, and then went to wash up himself.
This is her daily habit. When she wakes up, she puts away the stove first, and when she comes back from washing, she can use it directly.
Zhang An took the fire tongs and stabbed the heart of the stove a few times. Although the coal balls used at night had turned off the fire, the burning speed was very slow.
But it has been a long night, and the coals in the stove have long been burned to ashes.
The coal fire in the stove will not be ignited until all the soot is removed.
After doing this, Zhang An took the small bucket of coal at home to the coal pit outside, knocked a bucket full of coal, took it back, and filled the stove.
"Are you done? When you are done, go and wash your face. The water on the stove is boiled."
At this time, Su Ying handed over the basin. Water heaters in winter are not so reliable, so you still have to boil the hot water you need.
While Zhang An was pouring water to wash up, Su Ying was already cleaning the house with a broom.
Someone from the village will definitely come to the house later to gather stones and make rice cakes, so the floor should be swept clean as soon as possible.
After washing up, Zhang An quickly burned incense, which was the top priority during the New Year.
When the fire on the stove was blazing, Zhang An put the big iron pot on the stand, poured water in and put the steamer on it.
Then he took out the glutinous rice that had been soaked in the basin for a day and washed it again.
After a while, the steamer on the fire began to steam, and it was time to put rice in it.
Because I went to Zhang Xinmin’s house to make some rice cakes this year, I don’t have to make much more this year, but there is still about ten kilograms left.
Ten pounds of glutinous rice is not a lot to soak, but it also contains half a steamer, which is half less than in previous years.
After doing this, Zhang Ancai carried Shi Lei from the main room to the outside of the yard.
Although the space in the main room is not small, when others come soon, it will not be able to use it, so it is better to use it in the courtyard.
"Xiao An, the glutinous rice in the steamer has been steamed and can be carried."
Wang Fang in the kitchen used a pair of long chopsticks to scoop up the glutinous rice in the steamer. , according to her experience over the years, she knows that this glutinous rice has been steamed into glutinous rice.
Today's stove was quite impressive, but I was very impressed by Zhang An's hand. After just cleaning it up, it started to burn very violently.
In less than twenty minutes, half a steamer of glutinous rice has been steamed.
Hearing this, Zhang An walked into the kitchen, opened the lid of the steamer, took the steamer to the yard, and poured it into the stone pestle.
Then the father and son swung the sticks used to beat rice cakes. You hit me and I hit them, and rushed back and forth towards the stone pile.
"Mom, you have soaked our glutinous rice very well this year. It takes no effort at all to make it."
Zhang An just swung the stick a few times and it was ready. It feels like it's a lot less troublesome than in previous years.
“I used to use cold water. The cold boiled water I used this year must be better, otherwise I would be sorry for boiling so much boiled water.”
Wang Fang was also happy. She was holding a small dustpan in her hand and spreading a layer of flour on it, which she would use to catch the rice cakes later.
“Dad, I want to eat.”
The little guy wearing new clothes was already waiting next to Shi Lei.
Smelling the fragrant smell of the stone, the saliva in his mouth almost flowed out.
"It's coming, it's coming, wait a little longer, don't just think about eating, watch and study hard, you will have to come with me for grandpa in the future."
When Zhang An was a child , Zhang Jianguo would tell him this every time when he was making rice cakes at home and Zhang An was squatting next to him watching.
So now, he has passed these words to his son intact, which can be regarded as a kind of inheritance.
But the little guy still stared at Shi Deili, not sure whether he understood or not.
"Brother Xiao An, your family is moving so fast. They have already rushed. Uncle, let me come with Brother Xiao An. You have a rest."
At this time, Huang Mingcong Walking in from the door, he found that Zhang An's family was already taking action and said.
"No need, Da Mingzi, we are almost finished here. Have you steamed it at home? Bring it over directly after steaming, so as not to wait for a while."
Zhang Jianguo did not hold the stick in his hand. Give it to him. In the next second, he and Zhang An pried out the soft and glutinous rice cakes beaten in the stone bucket and placed them in the small dustpan that Wang Fang had prepared long ago.
When Huang Ming heard this, he immediately turned around and ran back home.
Wang Fang returned to the main room carrying hot, freshly baked rice cakes, and the little guy followed her closely.
After twisting a few balls and putting them in a bowl, Wang Fang pinched a small one and handed it to him.
Those in the bowl are used to honor Bodhisattvas and ancestors, so they cannot be eaten first.
Then Wang Fang fried some meat fillings and tofu fillings, and made some rice cake pies with Su Ying.
Zhang An originally wanted to go, so he could make and eat at the same time, but Huang Ming's family had already come over with a steaming pot of sticky rice, and he wanted to help.
At noon, the task of making rice cakes was completed.
Then Su Ying picked up the keys and drove into the city to pick up the little guy's grandparents.
Zhang An took a breath and continued to catch chickens and ducks.
In fact, preparations for foods that are more time-consuming and laborious to process, such as braised pork, bacon, sausages, and pig trotters and pig heads, were already started yesterday.
But killing the chicken cannot be done in advance, it has to be done today.
Zhang An’s chicken-killing skills are average. He will pounce on the chicken a few times after killing it. Unlike some skilled chickens, the chicken cannot even move after using the knife.
After getting the chicken, we have to get the duck, and then there are rabbits and fish waiting in line.
In the past Chinese New Year, their family has always been dominated by Wang Fang and Zhang Jianguo.
When he took over this year, he found that there were so many things to do in a day. After one thing was done, there was another, and it was extremely compact.
By the time Su Ying brought Wu Qiuping and Su Shaowen back, everything that needed to be prepared was almost ready and they could start chopping vegetables.
When Wu Qiuping arrived, she immediately found an apron to wear, and then started to help.
The three of them started working together, and the speed was much faster than before. In less than an hour, all the vegetables that needed to be cut had been cut.
Just as the time was coming for the stew in the pot, Chef Zhang officially started to perform.
But in order to rush for time, Wang Fang also picked up another pot and started working together on the stove.
In the afternoon, a large table of New Year's Eve dinner was finished. Zhang An looked at the table full of dishes and felt full of success.
After dinner, Zhang and his party hurried back to the temple as usual.
The rest of the family gathered around the stove and watched TV. This year's Spring Festival Gala was more exciting, probably because it was the beginning of the century. Even Zhang An, who was not very interested in it before, also watched it with gusto.
After watching the New Year's Eve, Zhang An checked the circle room before going back to his room to sleep.
When Zhang An got up early the next morning, he found that his son had already gotten up.
"Qi Qi, why did you get up so early today."
It is not appropriate to wake people up on New Year's Day, so Zhang An originally planned to let him sleep until any time.
Unexpectedly, the little guy got up earlier than him, and now he has dressed and washed his face.
"Stop talking. When I woke up this morning, he was already awake. I don't know why he was so light asleep."
Wang Fang didn't understand either. The child slept until noon, but my grandson woke up earlier than the adults in the family.
"Children can't sleep in."
When the little guy heard this, he opened his eyes and said seriously in an adult tone.
In one word, everyone in the room was very happy.
On the morning of the first day of junior high school, Wang Fang cooked some rice noodles for breakfast. The toppings were made from vegetables and had no meat, but were made from vegetables and used rapeseed oil.
As we all know, rapeseed oil is not fishy, and many monks in temples eat rapeseed oil.
"Qi Qi, come on, come on, we are waiting for you."
While eating, Zhang Tie and others were already calling at the door.
The little guy was still eating rice noodles obediently, but when he heard someone calling him, he stopped eating the rest in the bowl, slid off the chair and ran outside.
Zhang An followed him out and found Zhang Tie, Yanzi, Zhang Xing, and Zhang Bin, all of them there.
“Brother, let’s go together to celebrate the New Year.”
Seeing Zhang An, Zhang Bin said with a smile.
"Okay, let's go."
Zhang An then realized that his son had gotten up early and was waiting for them to come and call him New Year greetings.
Immediately smiled and shook his head, but this was good, as it saved him a trip.
"Where are Tiewazi and the others? Ask them to come for dinner."
Watching Zhang An return to the house alone, Wang Fang asked.
“Forget it, these boys have already gone to pay New Year greetings after calling them all.”
Zhang An estimated that it would be impossible to call them back now, because they would get lucky money for New Year greetings.
"Here, here is half a bowl, you can eat together."
After Su Ying finished eating, she poured the remaining half bowl of rice into Zhang An's bowl.
"Why don't you eat? I still have more than half a bowl here."
Zhang An looked at the increasing amount of rice noodles in his bowl and said helplessly.
"I can't eat it. Besides, this is your son's leftovers. If you don't eat it, who will eat it."
Su Ying ignored him and took care of herself. Take the empty bowls back to the kitchen.
My son is my debt. Zhang An sighed and continued to use his chopsticks.
When it was almost noon, Zhang An’s family sent away all the relatives who came to pay New Year greetings. At this time, Xiao Siqi, who ran out to pay New Year greetings, finally came back.
“Dad, look, there are so many lucky money.”
As soon as the little guy came back, he threw himself into Zhang An's arms with a bright smile on his face.
Then he put his little hand into his pocket and saw a pile of money falling out.
There are basically no ones worth one dollar and fifty cents. They are all five yuan and ten dollars. There are even a few fifty and one hundred pieces.
Originally Zhang An thought there was only one pocket, but it turned out that he was too naive. After taking out one pocket, the little guy did not stop, but moved towards the other side.
Just like that, after taking out my clothes and putting on my trousers, I finished taking out the front and the back, and there were piles of money on the ground.
When Su Ying saw it, she quickly came over and sorted it out one by one. The little guy looked at his lucky money and smiled from ear to ear.
It took a long time for Su Ying to sort out all the money and count it. It all added up to more than 800.
"Zhang An, is this too much? How about we give it back to others."
Su Ying looked at the money in her hand and said in disbelief.
It is appropriate for a son to go out to pay New Year greetings to his elders, and it is also appropriate for his son to receive New Year's money.
But it’s a bit exaggerated to charge so much money after just walking around.
She originally thought that a few hundred dollars would be a lot, but when her son came back, he actually brought her two months' salary.
“What else can I give back? Don’t mention these unlucky things, but no one has said anything about paying back the new year’s money. Besides, this is what you should get. Isn’t that why I gave birth to my son?”
Unlike Su Ying's worries, Zhang An looked happy.
When he had no children a few years ago, he used to give out lucky money every year. Now that he has a son, he feels as if the debt he has given out can be recovered.
Besides, those who can give so much are usually close relatives.
Even if there are other people who want to sell the adults' face, if the adults don't follow, they can't give too much. After all, if the children don't say anything, it will be in vain.
So what others can give is sincere. It would be a bit hurtful to say that you return the favor.
“Don’t worry, I took a look and the ones who gave more are just our second and third uncle’s homes. Other homes are normal. It’s just that your son has too many people to pay New Year’s greetings, so A little adds up to a lot.”
Zhang An took the money and looked at it, and he roughly understood.
According to the little guy's current status in the village, it is estimated that if he meets my family on the road, he will be able to get lucky money.
"Mom, money, money."
The little guy saw the New Year's money returned to his mother's hand, pointed at it quickly and said.
"Okay, don't argue. You can't bear the amount of money. I'll keep it for you first and then give it to you when you grow up."
Su Ying didn't even think about it. , he put the little guy's New Year's money into his pocket, and then took a dollar from himself and gave it to the little guy.
“Don’t leave it alone, or let him go.”
When Zhang An heard his wife’s words, he felt a little familiar.
Then he remembered that this was what his mother often said to him before.
It’s just that his New Year’s money was not much in those years, but it disappeared without a trace.
“I want you to talk more.”
Su Ying glared, took the money and went upstairs to the room.
After getting married, Su Ying was no longer as gentle as before.
Especially after giving birth to little Siqi, he became even more fierce. With just such a glare, he forced Zhang An back.
"Let's go, son, daddy will take you out to play."
Zhang An shook his head and looked at his son pitifully. This small treasury is probably gone.
I don’t know how many years it will take before I can control my own lucky money.
(End of this chapter)