Era: Winning since educated youth went to the countryside

Before we know it, another New Year’s Eve is approaching.

In the factory, everyone is immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the upcoming New Year, but work is still proceeding in an orderly manner.

Zhou Ziwen was busy shuttling between various workshops in the factory, checking the operation of the equipment to ensure that all equipment was functioning normally before the holiday and to prepare for production after the New Year.

He had a cordial conversation with the workers, asked about their work progress and living conditions, expressed his gratitude for everyone's hard work over the past year, and specially prepared generous year-end benefits for the workers so that everyone could go home happily for the New Year.

After returning home, Chen Qiaoyi, Chen Shiying and Shen Zhaodi had already started preparing for the New Year.

The living room is hung with festive red lanterns, the windows are decorated with auspicious window grilles, and the air is filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

Xiao Yueyue and Xiao Xuanxuan ran around the house excitedly, helping the adults with things within their ability. Sometimes they helped to pass things, and sometimes they gathered at the kitchen door, staring at the delicious food being made in the pot.

Little Richie was not to be outdone. She staggered behind her brother and sister, mumbling "help" incoherently. Although she wasn't quite sure what to do, her adorable appearance made everyone laugh.

Zhou Ziwen looked at this lively and warm scene, his heart filled with happiness.

He joined the family and prepared ingredients for the New Year's Eve dinner with Chen Qiaoyi, discussed with Chen Shiying how to decorate the house, and accompanied Shen Zhaodi to tease little Ruiqi. The family worked together to make full preparations for the New Year.

On New Year's Eve, Zhou Ziwen took his children to the street to buy New Year's goods early in the morning.

The streets are decorated with lights and people are coming and going, making it very lively.

The various stalls are filled with a wide variety of goods, including fresh fruits, delicious candies, a variety of firecrackers, and all kinds of auspicious spring couplets and New Year pictures.

Xiao Yueyue and Xiao Xuanxuan looked at everything around them excitedly, with curiosity and joy sparkling in their eyes.

They moved among the crowd, picking out what they liked, clamoring for this toy and that snack.

Zhou Ziwen looked at the happy faces of the children and started laughing too. He patiently fulfilled the children's little wishes and took the opportunity to tell them some traditional customs about the Chinese New Year, allowing the children to feel the charm of traditional culture in joy.

After returning home, the family sat together and started to put up Spring Festival couplets.

Zhou Ziwen was responsible for pasting the upper couplet of the Spring Festival couplets, Chen Qiaoyi helped to pass the couplets and glue, Xiao Yueyue and Xiao Xuanxuan competed to paste the lower couplet. They carefully imitated the adults and pasted the couplets on the door carefully. Although they were not so neat, everyone enjoyed it.

After pasting the Spring Festival couplets, the whole family came to Zhou's house, ready to celebrate the New Year together with everyone.

My eldest and second brothers, my eldest and second sisters-in-law, and my nephews and nieces came over.

When the whole family gets together, the house instantly becomes more lively.

The children gathered together chattering, sharing each other's interesting stories and new toys, while the adults watched from the side with happy smiles on their faces.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhou looked at the house full of their children and grandchildren, and smiled so hard that their eyes narrowed into slits.

Dad Zhou said with emotion: "Time flies. Another year has passed. Seeing our family living in harmony and happiness makes your mother and I feel at ease."

Zhou's mother also nodded and agreed: "Yes, Ziwen has been busy with his career outside this year, and the family is also thanks to Qiaoyi, Shiying and Zhaodi for taking care of us. Thank you for your hard work."

Chen Qiaoyi quickly responded with a smile: "Mom and Dad, please don't say that. This is what we should do. We are one family and we should keep our differences separate."

At this time, the eldest sister-in-law Lin Xiaomei and the second sister-in-law Liu Huifang walked into the kitchen and took the initiative to help prepare the reunion dinner. Lin Xiaomei smiled and said to Chen Qiaoyi: "Qiaoyi, I heard that you have been helping with marketing in the factory recently, and the results are very good. You are really amazing!"

Liu Huifang also praised: "Yes, we have all heard that Ziwen's career will surely flourish with your help."

Chen Qiaoyi said somewhat embarrassedly: "It's all the result of everyone's joint efforts. I just did what I could."

Several people were chatting while cutting and cooking vegetables skillfully, and the kitchen was filled with laughter.

In the living room, Zhou Ziwen chatted about work and life with his elder brother Zhou Jianhua and second brother Zhou Guohua.

Zhou Jianhua said: "Ziwen, I have heard about your research achievements in the field of intelligent machinery. I am so proud of you. You are the most promising one in our family."

Zhou Guohua also nodded in agreement: "Yes, you have managed the factory so well. You must teach us more in the future."

Zhou Ziwen said modestly: "Brother, brother, please stop praising me. We are all working hard in our respective positions. Let's learn from each other. Now the policies are getting better and better. As long as we are willing to work hard, our lives will definitely get better and better."

After the children had been playing for a while, they felt a little bored. Little Yueyue suggested, "Let's play a game, guess lantern riddles. Those who guess correctly will get a reward!"

Everyone thought this was a good idea and responded one after another.

Xiao Xuanxuan volunteered to be the question setter. He thought for a moment and said, "Bite off the ox's tail in one bite and give a word!"

The nephews and nieces all frowned and thought about it. Little Yueyue's eyes lit up and she said loudly: "I know, it's the word 'tell'!"

Everyone applauded and little Yueyue jumped up happily.

Then, everyone took turns asking questions, and the living room was filled with a thinking atmosphere and cheers after guessing the correct answers.

Amid everyone's laughter and joy, the reunion dinner was almost ready.

The eldest and second sisters-in-law brought one dish after another with delicious looks, aroma and flavor to the table, including braised pork, sweet and sour spare ribs, steamed fish, etc. Every dish was everyone's favorite.

The whole family sat around the table, looking at the table full of delicious food, and they couldn't wait to eat.

Zhou Ziwen raised his glass and said, "In the new year, I hope that our family will be healthy, safe and happy, that our children will make progress in their studies, and that our adults will have successful careers. I also hope that our big family will always be so harmonious!"

Everyone raised their glasses, and the sounds of clinking glasses and blessings mixed together and echoed in the room.

After the family reunion dinner, it was gradually getting dark.

The sound of firecrackers outside became more and more frequent, and fireworks began to bloom in the night sky.

Zhou Ziwen brought the children to the yard to set off fireworks. The children excitedly took the firework sticks and waved them in the yard, drawing brilliant lines of light and shadows.

The adults stood aside, watching the children play and enjoying this warm moment.

The light of the fireworks shone on everyone's face, and everyone's smile looked particularly bright.

This year's New Year's Eve became particularly warm and memorable because of the family reunion, and it also made everyone look forward to the new year. (End of this chapter)