Previously, I was still worrying, only missing Manxiu's family who were far away in the south and hadn't returned.
Unexpectedly, in just a moment, I heard good news: Manxiu and her family were also coming to celebrate the New Year.
Although it was in the county town, it was much better than being thousands of miles away in the south. At least they could see each other.
The smiles on the faces of the family members grew even brighter, especially Grandma Su's face, which was about to bloom.
"Indeed, I went to Manxiu's house today to tidy up and lit the stove. When they return, the room will be a bit warm," said Qi Liangying.
"We are all outside. You sisters-in-law have worked hard!" Grandma Su said emotionally, "When we get back, I'll buy each of you a silver bracelet to wear."
Hearing Grandma Su's words, Wang Xianghua and Qi Liangying quickly refused.
How could this be?
"Mom, we don't want silver bracelets. Besides, those things are flashy."
"Exactly. If we wear them out, we might attract unwanted attention and cause trouble."
"You don't know, but in the capital, there are quite a few people wearing gold and silver now. It's estimated that by next year, it will be the same here."
The Su family had always been poor. In the past, when they could afford to wear gold and silver, the women in the family didn't have many such things.
But now it was different. After Grandma Su reviewed their income, she felt that buying some jewelry for her daughters-in-law was acceptable.
"Later, let's have Big Aunt, Second Aunt, and Mom all wear big gold bracelets. That would look good!" Su Xiaotian chimed in to amuse the elders.
As expected, everyone burst into laughter again, and the atmosphere became incredibly joyful. Those who passed by heard it and sighed that the old Su family was living a good life.
"Grandma, why don't we go to the county town on the second day of the new year!" Su Xiaotian said, hugging her quilt after the laughter.
"Alright, we'll go to the county town and stay for a few days on the second day of the new year," Grandma Su agreed readily.
She also missed her daughter and wanted to see her daughter and grandson.
Afterward, the family chatted about Manager Li's transfer and other gossip.
Anyway, it was all idle talk, and the conversation jumped around quite a bit.
Su Xiaotian looked at Qi Liangying. From her words, she deduced that the chicken cake factory was probably no longer a stable place.
She felt that Qi Liangying should withdraw from it as soon as possible.
However, these words couldn't be spoken by a child like her; they had to come from an adult.
Therefore, Su Xiaotian decided to find time to tell her grandmother about it that evening.
After dinner, the family sat and talked. Grandpa Su took his sons and grandsons to make spirit money.
"For many years, we could only do it secretly. I don't know if our ancestors are having a hard time underground," Grandpa Su muttered while preparing the spirit money.
"Our family is doing well this year, so I thought I'd burn a bit more for our ancestors, so they can have an easier time underground!"
Su Laoda said, sitting on the kang, his hands working diligently.
"You're right, our family's life is truly much better now. Not only should we burn spirit money for our ancestors, but we should also offer incense and sacrifices to the Dragon King."
After Grandma Su finished speaking, everyone in the family was stunned. They weren't talking about visiting ancestral graves, so why did it turn to offering incense to the Dragon King?
Even Su Xiaotian momentarily forgot the lie she had told earlier.
"For years, without the Dragon King's blessings, we wouldn't have had such good days."
Grandma Su glanced disdainfully at the people in the house, thinking they were all foolish!
The Su brothers also remembered this matter.
Indeed, it was precisely because of the Dragon King's blessings that their precious Xiaotian could return home safely and bring great fortune to the family.
In recent years, the situation had been tense, and superstitious practices were not allowed, so they dared not offer incense to the Dragon King.
This year, the situation was not as tense, but they had to keep this matter in mind.
"Alright, Mom. I'll remember this," Su Laoda quickly agreed.
He even turned back and instructed Su Lao San, emphasizing that this matter must be kept in mind.
Su Xiaotian didn't want them to continue discussing this matter, so she took out the new clothes she had bought for the elders of the family from her bag.
As she took out the clothes one by one, the elders in the family smiled.
This child had really bought clothes for all of them.
Holding the new clothes given by Su Xiaotian, they couldn't put them down.
In their hearts, they couldn't help but blame their own sons, who were not as thoughtful as a daughter. After being away for so long, they had only just returned, and they didn't even think to bring something for their parents.
However, such thoughts were fleeting. After all, they hadn't seen their child for so long, and caring for them was the right way to approach it!
"This child Xiaotian is so thoughtful!" Qi Liangying couldn't help but praise.
Although she hadn't given birth to a daughter, having a niece felt quite good.
Su Ciliang and his brothers felt like they were being subtly criticized.
But they really hadn't considered buying gifts for their family!
Currently, besides buying small trinkets for Su Xiaotian, they were saving money to buy houses. Each of them wished they could split their money in half.
As Grandma said, a man eventually needed his own house. They couldn't all live in their sister's house, could they?
Wang Xianghua and Qi Liangying, the two sisters-in-law, were unaware of their sons' thoughts. They happily held the clothes, unable to let go, and liked them more and more.
Regardless of anything else, these clothes came from the capital, which was very presentable if word got out.
The most exaggerated was Su Laoda, who had been busy making spirit money but directly dropped his work.
Ignoring Grandpa Su's displeased look, he hugged the clothes and happily sat aside, stroking them repeatedly.
He also repeatedly said that this was the first time he had received clothes as a filial gift.
Grandma Su felt that her son was truly unpromising and couldn't bear to watch.
Grandma Su ignored her foolish son and, with her daughters-in-law, briefly distributed the items they had brought back.
"We came for a visit, and the things we brought seem like a lot, but when divided, it's not much. It's just the thought that counts."
Grandma Su divided the various pastries and dried fruits she had brought back into small portions, planning to give them to families with whom they had good relationships.
According to the order of kinship, after Grandma Su had sorted everything out, she assigned her grandsons to deliver them.
The Su brothers busied themselves and, taking advantage of the darkening sky, went to deliver the gifts.
The gifts were not lavish, just a token of appreciation.
However, the families who received the gifts expressed their gratitude.
Some families even reciprocated.
This is how human relationships work. When you think of me, and I think of you, the relationship gradually improves.
Grandma Su, having lived in Hongxin Brigade her entire life, understood this principle well.
After finishing these tasks, it was already time for bed.
Most of the family members had returned from outside and were tired, so they each returned to their rooms.
Lying on the kang, Grandma Su tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Grandpa Su asked, "What's wrong? You can't sleep on the earthen kang now that you're used to living in the city?"
Grandpa Su's words were naturally teasing.
Grandma Su sighed, "Your father, I was just thinking about Manxiang."