Chapter 95: Chapter 95: New Year’s Day
Early in the morning on New Year’s Day, Gu Ruhai woke up, startled by the sound of firecrackers.
His head was still a bit dizzy, but he didn’t have a headache from the hangover. Seeing him awake, Li Xuemei asked with concern, "How is it, does it still hurt?"
It was probably the first time in Gu Ruhai’s life that he got drunk.
In the past, the family barely had enough to eat, let alone spare money to buy alcohol. During the festive season, the little bit of liquor at Mr. Gu’s New Year’s Eve dinner was all claimed by Gu Rushan, Gu Ruhe, and Mr. Gu; there was none for Gu Ruhai.
Gu Ruhai, embarrassed, lifted the quilt, "It’s fine, have we set off our firecrackers yet? I drank too much yesterday, the kids must have laughed at me, right?"
On New Year’s Eve at midnight, one must drive away poverty. Since he was passed out drunk, the family surely hadn’t set off the firecrackers yet. Gu Ruhai hastily got up, tidied up, and prepared to set them off.
People really believe in this all year long.
Li Xuemei laughed and pulled Gu Ruhai, "Last night, Xiaoqing led Xiao Jie and Xiao Ying to set them off already, waiting for you, our family must...
It’s not good to say anything further, it’s New Year’s Day; it’s not customary to speak words that spoil the fun or are inauspicious.
Gu Ruhai chuckled happily.
Our kids have all grown up.
The couple got ready while Gu Xiaojie was still nestled under the covers. After the midnight fireworks, he remained too excited to fall asleep. Gu Xiaojie finally fell asleep at dawn, but now, even the sound of thunder by his ear couldn’t wake him.
Outside, the voices of Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaoying came: "Mom and Dad, we’re here to wish you a Happy New Year."
Gu Ruhai called out, "Come in quickly."
The two daughters were tidily dressed; their padded jackets were newly made this year. Because girls cherish them, they still looked brand new. Their hair was braided into two plaits, tied with red ribbons into bows. Gu Xiaoying and Gu Xiaoqing looked as pretty as two fresh flowers.
Originally, Gu Xiaoqing didn’t want to dress like this; it was too old-fashioned. But she couldn’t resist the trend from the past two years, and Gu Xiaoying was fond of it, so she reluctantly let Gu Xiaoying have her way for a while.
"Mom and Dad, Happy New Year. May our family’s business boom, may fortune flow in abundantly, and we wish you good health and happiness."
Gu Xiaoqing spoke auspicious words.
Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai were both filled with joy. The child’s ability to speak such flowing blessings warmed their hearts immensely.
Gu Ruhai reached into his pocket and pulled out three crisp one-yuan notes, exchanged specifically at the market before the holidays to give as New Year’s money to the children.
He handed out one to each child.
Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaoying happily put them away.
At this time, New Year’s money in the village was usually just twenty or thirty cents; fifty cents to one yuan was considered a significant amount, and no household was so generous with their children unless they were wealthy and did it for appearances.
A drowsy voice came from behind Gu Ruhai: "Mom and Dad, what about mine? You can’t show favoritism."
Even the sleep-loving Gu Xiaojie was stirred by the strong allure of New Year’s money, and he jumped right up, wrapping the quilt around his body like a plump bear.
The four standing in the room laughed heartily.
His eyes weren’t even fully open, crust still perched at the corners, yet he was already fixated on the New Year’s money.
Gu Ruhai teased, "You haven’t wished me a Happy New Year; where’s the New Year’s money for you?"
Gu Xiaojie immediately wished his parents a Happy New Year from the bed.
Then, he extended his chubby little hands, his eyes glued to the one-yuan note in Gu Ruhai’s hand.
He was eagerly waiting for it.
Gu Ruhai, amused, handed over the money.
"You’re starting school this coming year, so you can’t be so mischievous anymore. You need to follow your second sister’s example, make your father proud, and aim for college yourself, understand, boy?"
Gu Xiaojie nodded repeatedly, barely paying attention to what Gu Ruhai was saying.
Even Li Xuemei pulled out three one-yuan notes.
The three children were all overjoyed.
Usually, in families that weren’t wealthy, it was already a joint effort for Gu Ruhai and his wife to give New Year’s money to the children.
This year marked the first time such a good thing happened.
The three, two standing on the ground, one standing on the bed, then wished Li Xuemei auspicious words: "Mom, Happy New Year!"
Li Xuemei couldn’t stop smiling. The three children were the apple of her eye.
Isn’t this day meant for the children?
She happily handed out a note to each child.
"You’ve all grown up now. In the future, you need to look after one another, be filial to your parents, love your family, study hard, did you hear?"
The three nodded and tucked the money into their pockets.
Each had two yuan now.
Li Xuemei spent the early morning cooking a pot of dumplings, made the night before.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t be right to just gnaw on mantou in the morning.
The family warmly ate dumplings together.
Gu Xiaoqing took a bite and suddenly heard a crunch — she had bitten into a coin. This year, Li Xuemei filled the dumplings with two-cent coins, all washed clean, a total of three.
She took it out and placed it on the table, stirring Gu Xiaojie to lose his calm, and he started taking big bites of dumplings, hoping desperately to find a coin immediately.
Li Xuemei had to laugh and say, "Xiao Jie, you can’t eat like that, your stomach won’t handle it well."
Meanwhile, Gu Ruhai took a bite and also spat out a coin, which increased Gu Xiaojie’s anxiety.
Only one was left. What if he didn’t find it?
Despite the cold weather, Gu Xiaojie was breaking out in a cold sweat from the rush.
He was on the verge of tears.
Gu Xiaoqing patted Gu Xiaojie, saying, "Come on, you’re going to be six years old after the New Year, aren’t you worried that Zhang Zijie will laugh at you? It’s just a bit of good luck, that’s all. Let me get a dumpling for you, I guarantee you’ll find a coin."
Gu Xiaojie rubbed his eyes sheepishly and grinned, "Second sister, I’m a little man, I’m just in a hurry. When I grow up, I’ll protect you and big sister, and mom and dad too."
His grand proclamation made Li Xuemei and the others laugh.
Not even very tall yet, claiming he could protect them, truly made them chuckle.
Gu Xiaoqing took a dumpling from the plate for Gu Xiaojie, who shyly took a bite, crunch, his little teeth clicked.
Gu Xiaojie jumped high in excitement.
From his mouth, he took out a coin, beaming at Li Xuemei, "Mom, I found my luck too!"
Li Xuemei smiled kindly, saying, "Alright, you’re lucky too. Sit down and enjoy your meal."
"I’m full, I’ll go find Zhang Zijie and wish Grandma Zhang a Happy New Year."
Gu Xiaojie had already filled his belly with dumplings, all for the sake of the coin.
Now he couldn’t eat any more.
"Come back soon, you still need to visit your grandparents and give New Year’s wishes."
Li Xuemei reminded him.