"Don't just stand there, start eating,"
Your aunt's family didn't come, and while your father-in-law was a bit displeased, no one else paid much mind.
Tian Zhijun was never a likable person, and after publicly distancing himself from Chen Yang's family in front of so many people, such relatives were better off without.
It would only cause annoyance if they showed up.
Liu Chunmei, holding a large pot of chicken soup with a dishcloth, brought it to the table. With the last dish served, she quickly urged everyone to start eating.
"Aunt, the food today is really lavish."
Zhao Wufeng, seeing the table laden with delicious dishes, could barely contain his drool.
"This child, it's a good thing you're at your uncle's house, otherwise people would think you've never eaten anything since you were little."
Shen Xiaoxia glared at her younger son, but she couldn't entirely blame him. In those times, having half the dishes on the table be meat was something her younger son had never experienced since birth.
"Wukang, Wujing, Wufeng, don't be polite at home, eat your fill. If you're still hungry, Aunt will make more."
"Mei Yatou, Shen Wen, Shen Wu, quickly grab some food. If you're not full, your mother and I will stir-fry some more."
Liu Chunmei's call galvanized the atmosphere.
Except for Zhao Wukang, who was a young man on the verge of marriage, the rest were all youngsters, scrambling and grabbing for food, making the scene lively.
"It's a happy occasion today, let's have some drinks."
Seeing the children eating joyfully, Shen Futang felt even more pleased.
"Try this, it's wine I've been aging for half a year."
What Shen Futang was most proud of were the several vats of wine he had brewed last year. The taste was not inferior to the wine brewed by the master brewer in his youth, using the family's own cellar vats.
...
Two days passed in a flash. On the third day of the new year, Chen Yang also took his wife and children to his paternal aunt's house to pay respects. On the fourth day, he visited Wang Jianguo, Hu Dong, and Zou Chenguang.
Zhang Weiyang's father had undergone surgery in Jinling and had not yet been discharged. His family spent the new year in the hospital. Chen Yang also planned to visit them later.
Relationships are built through interaction. Visiting each other during festivals strengthens bonds. On the fifth day of the new year, the family obtained their introduction letters and finally boarded the train back to Jinling.
With Shen Rong and Shen Pandi at home, their father-in-law and mother-in-law wouldn't be too lonely. Besides, their eldest cousin, Zhao Wukang, was about to propose, so their father-in-law would have plenty to occupy him.
When they reached Feishi, the train station was deserted. Everyone was at home celebrating the new year, and there were hardly any passengers on the train.
There were only a few rusticated youths delayed in their return to the city. Chen Yang chatted with them, and soon they arrived in Jinling.
It wasn't the seventh day yet, and even the buses hadn't started running. Chen Yang had to pay for a rickshaw driver. The man was pulling coal at the train station, and his carriage was pitch black.
After laying down some snake-skin bags, Chen Yang couldn't sit down. He could only place the bag of clothes on the snake-skin bags, letting Shen Xue and the two little ones sit, while he half-crouched, protecting his wife and children.
In those days, cars were rare luxuries that ordinary people had no right to use. Even if you had money, you couldn't get a taxi. If it weren't for someone pulling coal with a rickshaw, their situation would have been even more difficult.
Chen Yang wasn't sure of the exact date of his arrival, so it was inconvenient to mention it in the letter. Without a mobile phone, if he had one, he could have called home upon arrival, and his parents could have picked them up by bicycle.
Fortunately, the rickshaw driver was an old Jinling native. He weaved through the alleys, finding shortcuts, and within half an hour, he had brought Chen Yang's family right to their doorstep.
"Grandpa, Grandma."
As soon as Chen Yang helped the two little ones down from the rickshaw, before he could even get the luggage, the two excited children, with their short legs, dashed towards their courtyard.
"Don't just watch them, they've run off!"
Shen Xue looked at the two little ones with concern. That's how mothers are; as soon as the children are out of sight, their minds can conjure up a hundred accidents and dangers.
"Isn't there still my big baby to take care of? Besides, we're already in our own courtyard. By the time they get to the door, their grandpa and grandma will probably be faster than me."
Chen Yang cradled Shen Xue like a princess as he helped her off the rickshaw. She was more than three months pregnant and was starting to show. Her body had indeed become more full, and she felt heavier in his arms.
He gently set his wife down, then paid the rickshaw driver one yuan for the fare, collecting his bags. The rickshaw driver, with a wide, white-toothed grin, wished Chen Yang a Happy New Year.
He had earned one yuan from just one trip in half an hour, which was equivalent to pulling coal for a whole day. He couldn't help but be happy.
Although he was covered in coal dust, his bright white teeth stood out, vividly displaying the simple joy of earning money.
"Master, thank you. Happy New Year, and I wish you more earnings this year."
Chen Yang returned the rickshaw driver's smile. The fact that he was still working during the new year showed his diligence in life, which was a microcosm of most ordinary Chinese people.
They lived their lives working hard, diligent, kind, and simple, earning meager incomes and striving to sustain their families.
"Oh, my good grandson, you've gotten so sturdy."
"Yan Yan is so good, Grandma will give you a kiss."
Before Chen Yang even entered the courtyard, he could hear his parents' joyful voices.
The two little ones were already being held in their arms. Ever since the new year began, they had been eagerly awaiting their son and daughter-in-law to bring the grandchildren home.
They had finally arrived.
"Dad, Mom, Happy New Year. I wish you both good health and success in the new year."
Chen Yang entered the house and first paid his respects to the elders. Only then did the old couple, holding the children, come to welcome them.
"Xiao Yu, quickly come and help your brother and sister-in-law with the luggage!" Su Dan Novel Network
"Xue'er, you must be tired from the journey. Come inside quickly, have some hot water to warm yourself up. You've worked hard carrying that belly all the way here."
Qin Lifen put down the baby and quickly went to take Shen Xue's hand.
Seeing Shen Xue's condition, her mother-in-law naturally had to take good care of her.
She had been through it before and knew how arduous pregnancy was for a woman. She was very understanding of her daughter-in-law.
"Mom, you're always taking advantage of me."
"Eldest sister went to Shanghai, and you made me carry the luggage. Sister-in-law is back, and you're still making me carry luggage. When will someone carry luggage for me?"
Chen Yu, this girl, bounced out.
Hearing her mumbling, Qin Lifen glared at her.
"Who told you you're the youngest in the family? Your sister and brother pampered you too much before. I think you're just lazy."
"Do you still want to eat roast duck? Hurry up, or there won't be any left for you."
These mother and daughter were a perfect match, each with a way to get the other to comply.
After her mother said a few words, Chen Yu had no choice but to obediently come to take Chen Yang's luggage.
Every time Chen Yang saw this girl getting put in her place by their mother, he found it amusing.
Going home, it felt so good!