After the entire family's group photo was taken, it was followed by individual family photos of smaller units. Chen Lan took the dragon and phoenix twins to take photos with both her mother and mother-in-law.
The simple camera was easy to learn. Chen Lan taught Ming Wei, Cui Qiao, and Ru Yi how to use it and then let them take photos as they pleased. Her own face was so stiff from smiling that she felt numb, unable to close her mouth, and might have even developed a few more smile lines.
However, a rather unexpected and amusing incident occurred during this family photo session. Jia Hui, a little girl who loved to show off, was so fond of taking pictures that she had to join in whenever anyone else was taking photos. She would pinch her small skirt and say in her baby voice to everyone who came to tease her, "Pretty! Pretty!"
Only when someone praised her, "Yes, our Hui is so beautiful! So pretty! Such a little fairy!" would she happily grin, revealing her eight tiny teeth, and let them go.
Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to leave easily. She would keep pinching her small skirt and shaking it, saying to you, "Pretty! Pretty!..."
As if she were afraid people wouldn't know how beautiful she was!
This amused everyone, and Chen Lan couldn't help but laugh and cry at her vanity and childish chatter.
After more than an hour of lively picture-taking, with group shots and individual portraits all done, the photography session finally concluded. Jia Hui and Jia Yao were already asleep on the sofa, exhausted!
Chen Lan quickly took off the twins' jackets and thin cotton coats and placed them together in the cradle to sleep soundly. Looking back, she saw Xiao Douzi nestled in his mother's arms, looking sleepy. She quietly called out, "Sister Chun Cao, could you please hold Xiao Douzi and let him sleep in the cradle? That way, he'll be more comfortable."
After taking care of Xiao Douzi, Chen Lan looked back and saw that the lively living room was now empty, with only herself and Chun Cao remaining. She didn't even know where her own mother had gone.
Chun Cao, seeing Chen Lan looking around, knew she was looking for someone and immediately asked softly, "Xiao Lan, do you need me to do anything? Just say the word, and I'll do it."
Chen Lan knew Chun Cao had misunderstood her. She quickly replied, "Sister Chun Cao, I don't need anything. I was just wondering where my mother and everyone else have gone from the living room."
Chun Cao smiled and whispered, "Isn't today the Little New Year? They've all gone to the kitchen to help. There's a lot to do in the kitchen today! We need to prepare the dough for steaming buns, knead dough for dumplings, and make baked flatbreads, among many other things."
After speaking, Chun Cao saw that Chen Lan was silent and asked, "Xiao Lan, if you really don't need anything, I'll go help in the kitchen."
Chen Lan nodded and said, "Sister Chun Cao, go ahead and be busy. I truly don't need anything."
Seeing that Chen Lan had no other tasks, Chun Cao quickly walked into the kitchen.
A moment later, her mother came out of the kitchen. Her mother smiled and chided, "Lan'er, there are too many people in the kitchen. You don't need to go in either. Let's continue being the 'kid leaders' and just wait for the meal."
Chen Lan playfully smiled and said to her mother, "Mom, did they kick you out?"
Her mother smiled and replied, "Indeed. Your mother-in-law thinks I'm in the way and says the kitchen work isn't for me. So, she sent me out to look after her precious grandson and granddaughter."
Chen Lan chuckled and joked, "Alright! Today, Mom and I will be a pair of idlers, just waiting for the meal!"
So the mother and daughter began chatting in the living room. Chen Lan curiously asked her mother, "Mom, it's already busy on the Little New Year, why are they steaming buns, baking flatbreads, and also making dumplings? Wouldn't it be easier to just make dumplings today? Can't the buns be steamed another day?"
Her mother smiled and patted Chen Lan's hand, saying, "Lan'er, you're already a mother of two. Don't say such silly things next time. If your mother-in-law hears you, she'll be unhappy!"
Chen Lan nonchalantly replied, "Mom, is it that serious? I just don't see the need. We're eating dumplings today anyway, and the buns aren't needed urgently. Steaming them another day is all the same!"
Her mother's expression became serious. "Lan'er, no more nonsense. This is a custom passed down from the elders, do you understand?"
Chen Lan looked utterly bewildered. Steaming buns had become a custom? Did they need to consult a calendar for steaming buns from now on?
Seeing Chen Lan's expression, her mother knew she genuinely didn't know. So, she gently explained to Chen Lan, "Lan'er, Mom will tell you all about the custom of steaming buns on the Little New Year today. Remember it, and don't ask again next time, okay?"
Chen Lan quickly nodded, indicating she understood.
Her mother then began to explain to Chen Lan, "Lan'er, there's a special meaning to preparing dough and steaming buns on the Little New Year. (发面, Fāmiàn, meaning to prepare dough) symbolizes making a fortune and prospering. (蒸馒头, Zhēng mántou, meaning to steam buns) symbolizes the family's life improving day by day. Now tell me, should we steam buns today?"
After hearing her mother's explanation, Chen Lan was speechless for a moment. She just nodded foolishly.
Life truly is full of philosophy. One shouldn't underestimate the simple act of "steaming buns." It represents people's yearning and hope for a better life.
Since the mother and daughter had nothing else to do, her mother proceeded to educate Chen Lan about other customs of the Little New Year.
For instance, the kitchen god sacrifice begins after dark. The folk custom of sacrificing to the kitchen god is: "Men do not worship the moon, and women do not sacrifice to the kitchen god. Therefore, everyone believes sacrificing to the kitchen god is a man's job."
"Actually, this is just a manifestation of feudal thinking, and we shouldn't take it too seriously. In recent years, with your father and elder brother gone from home in the capital, I, a woman, have been sacrificing to the kitchen god every year. I've experienced the worst things, so I'm not afraid of such superstitions!"
Her mother saw that Chen Lan was listening intently and continued, "Lan'er, some things we can just listen to and not take too seriously. However, we should adhere to good customs.
For example, we should strictly observe the custom of eating sugar cakes on the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month. (On the twenty-third, sugar cakes stick) has its significance. It's to sweeten the Kitchen God's mouth, praying that he will speak more kindly of us to Heaven after eating the sugar cakes! This is to ask Heaven to bless our family. It's also people's wishes and expectations for a better life, hoping the Kitchen God will '(ascend to heaven to speak good things, and descend to the earth to protect peace).' "
As she spoke, her mother paused. Chen Lan immediately understood and quickly ran into the kitchen to get a thermos and teacups, making a cup of linden flower tea for her mother and herself.
Her mother took a gentle sip and continued, "Actually, there are many subtleties to sending off the Kitchen God. For example, folding seven paper bags from fire paper is to allow the Kitchen God to carry good things like gold, silver, peace, and happiness back home."
The mother and daughter chatted softly. Her mother shared with Chen Lan the ways for women to survive in this world, creating a warm and happy atmosphere.