Return to 1983 Hunting Xing'an Mountains

Chapter 764 A series of schemes on the first day of the Lunar New Year still require money!
The first day of the first lunar month in the Year of the Ox (Yi Chou year).

Suitable for: meeting relatives and friends, receiving money, settling accounts...

Taboo: Getting married, moving...

Last night, everyone was having a blast at Old Xu's house until after 2 a.m. The middle-aged and elderly people couldn't take it anymore and urged each other to go back to their rooms to rest. Otherwise, they definitely wouldn't be able to get up on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year. If people came to visit and blocked them, the middle-aged and elderly people, on the kang (a heated brick bed), it would be a disgrace to the elderly!
The village experienced two power outages during this period, but they did not affect the Xu and Wang families. This was because the two families had their own separate power lines and transformers, which cost Xu Ning a little more money. At first, Xu Laonian was a little unhappy. Everyone in the village used the same transformer. If you were to be different and not fit in, wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?

After several power outages, Xu Laonian stopped complaining about spending money to install a transformer. Instead, he admitted his mistake to Xu Ning and managed to extort five yuan from him.

From midnight last night until dawn this morning, firecrackers went off intermittently, scaring the dogs and livestock in the village so much that they shrank their necks. These people were just trying to have some fun. You can't say they were making noise day and night; you can only say they had been busy all year and had finally made it through another year.

Red paper lanterns were hung at the front door of every household, even the old houses of the Xu and Wang families. After all, Yang Jun lived in the old house of the Wang family, and Ma Liu, Lao Zhao, and Lao Yang lived in the old house of the Xu family. Since there was life there, they had to share in the joy.

In the morning, Xu Ning rubbed his sleepy eyes and got up. He had only slept for three hours the night before. He got up with one hand on the mattress, and Meng Ziyan threw his new clothes, socks and other things onto the pillow.

"Hurry up and change, Tiger and Lei have gone to pick up Grandpa."

Why are you up so early?

"I'm not sleepy. I dozed off for a bit while you guys were drinking yesterday."

Xu Ning nodded and began to change his clothes. Just as he was putting on his thermal underwear, Xu Feng rudely rushed in and laughed loudly, "Second Brother! Oh my god, this bright red thermal underwear is so nice! Happy New Year, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law! Quickly stuff a red envelope into my pocket!"

Xu Ning waved his hand to shoo him away: "Go find your sister-in-law."

"Sister-in-law!"

Meng Ziyan took out a red envelope wrapped in red paper from her pocket and said with a smile, "Why don't you wait for Jin Yumantang and the others to come and wish us a Happy New Year together?"

"Oh dear, how can I, as the eldest aunt, go with them? At the very least, I have to go with Brother Biao."

Xu Ning pulled up his pants, put on his shoes, and got out of bed, saying, "Get on the kang and fold the quilt. Has Uncle come over yet?"

"No, it's only 6 o'clock. We can't get in until 6:30. Besides, you guys drank too much last night. Uncle threw up as soon as he stepped out."

Xu Ning went out to wish his mother, second aunt, and uncle a Happy New Year. Just as his uncle and second aunt took out their red envelopes, Xu Ning quickly darted outside, turned back, and shouted, "Put them in my wife's pocket. It's too embarrassing for a grown man like me to take red envelopes."

"Oh my god, he's too embarrassed to go on."

Liu Lizhen smiled and pouted. Xu Laonian stepped out of the house and interjected, "How could I be so shameless? Just stuff it into my pocket."

"Get the hell out of here."

Xu Long, Wang Shujuan, Xu Ning, and Meng Ziyan all received the same treatment. Although they were married and had children, in the eyes of the elders who had watched them grow up, they were still children. So every year during the Spring Festival, they would receive some lucky money. In the past, when the conditions were not good, they would receive two cents, and now that the conditions are better, they would receive 10 or 5 yuan. However, the red envelopes given to Xu Feng and the other children were less, usually only 1 or 2 yuan. If they received more, they wouldn't be able to put it in their pockets, and their parents would take it all away.

Yang Yusheng, Li Fuqiang, and Yang Shuhua led Jin Yumantang through the door. Once inside, they exchanged New Year's greetings. Even though they hadn't parted ways until 2 a.m. the night before, the custom couldn't be broken up. They just said it casually for good luck.

"Hey, Uncle! Happy New Year! Do you see my pockets are a bit empty?"

As soon as Xu Ning entered, he saw Yang Yusheng giving Xu Feng a red envelope. He leaned over and opened his pants pocket. Yang Yusheng laughed loudly when he saw this: "Hahaha, you're not being polite at all, you've got everything!"

Xu Laonian watched with great envy, and he imitated him, grinning as he said, "Third Brother, look at my loincloth..."

Yang Yusheng was dumbfounded when he saw what he was doing. Even though he knew that Xu Laonian was shameless, he didn't expect him to do something like this.

"Damn it... Dalin, you're really shameless."

"Hahaha! Look at your third brother, I was just thinking of creating a festive atmosphere on the first day of the Lunar New Year."

Xu Ning said, "Dad, you're not trying to lighten the mood, you're trying to provoke Mom. Look at how Mom is looking at you."

"Oh dear, Jane, I was just kidding, just kidding! You'd better go back and prepare the food..."

"Hahaha……"

Everyone laughed heartily.

Then, Yang Jun, Ma Liu and others entered the house, and everyone exchanged New Year's greetings again. The elders gave out red envelopes, and the younger generation made a few witty remarks.

Early in the morning, the Xu family home was filled with joy and the fragrance of birdsong. They sat in groups in the living room or the east room chatting. The children put down the table, picked up the bowls and arranged the chairs. The old women brought dumplings and leftovers from last night to the table. After everyone was seated, no one got up to speak; they simply picked up their chopsticks and started eating.

Xu Laonian won't be going out today. He has to stay home with Yang Yusheng, Ma Liu, and others. In previous years, he would take Xu Long, Wang Hu, Xu Ning, and others to visit other people's homes. It's not that he's become more agile this year, but there are people at home. If Liu Lizhen were to stay home and take care of things, he's afraid she wouldn't be able to handle it.

After the meal, Xu Ning and the others went out as a group. They could only visit a few households in the village: the father-in-law's house, the Du family, the Chang family, the Yu family, and the Hu family in Taiping Village to offer New Year's greetings...

Meanwhile, Xu Laonian, who stayed at home, welcomed in relatives and friends from the village, mainly younger relatives with whom he had good relationships...

After a busy morning, Xu Ning and his group finally returned home. As soon as they entered, they saw Xu Laonian's two apprentices and their wives.

The topics they talked about were all mundane family matters, such as when Er Ning's wife was going to give birth, and how Feng'er was doing in school in the city, etc.

Before noon, the people who had come out to visit each other all headed home, and there were hardly any people to be seen on the streets.

Xu Ning slumped onto the bearskin-covered sofa and said, "There shouldn't be anything else to do this afternoon, right?"

"Where are you going?" Xu Long asked.

"I'm not going to do anything. I'm thinking of taking a nap. I only slept for three hours last night, and now my upper and lower eyelids are fighting each other."

Yang Yusheng nodded: "Let's all cuddle and sleep together. I'm so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open."

"No, Third Brother, aren't we going to play mahjong this afternoon?"

"Forget it, I'm not going to argue with you anymore."

Wang Erli laughed and said, "Let's take a nap first. Playing in the evening is fine too."

"Alright, it seems my fighting spirit is too strong today, and I've scared you all."

"Tsk tsk tsk, you're so stubborn! We'll get right to it after dinner, do you think I'm afraid of you?"

Xu Laonian laughed loudly: "Haha, that's right, Third Brother, you get 20 yuan ready, watch how I beat you."

Xu Ning interjected, "Can I come along?"

Xu Feng raised her hand at the dining table and shouted, "I want to play too! Dad, let's play cards. What's the point of playing mahjong if there are only four people?"

"Absolutely, Uncle, it's so much more fun when we all play together."

"Yeah, grandpa, I think it's more fun to play with more than ten people."

Li Fuqiang clapped his hands excitedly and said, "What else is there to say! My uncle isn't a spoilsport, he'll definitely agree. Third Uncle, my uncle has already agreed, what do you say?" Yang Yusheng looked at how enthusiastic these people were and felt a little strange. He smiled and said, "Let's have fun, otherwise we'll sleep during the day and not be able to sleep at night."

"It's all set! Uncle, my third uncle has already given his approval, what do you say?"

Upon hearing the crowd's words, Xu Laonian's heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Get out of the way! Are you setting me up? A series of schemes, or a feint?"

"Hahaha……"

At this moment, Liu Lizhen waved and shouted, "Hurry up and pick up the bowls and chopsticks!"

"Here we go!"

After lunch, it was already past 12 o'clock, a time when everyone was tired and sleepy. However, Xu Laonian stared wide-eyed and hurriedly sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed) in the west room, urging the others to get on the kang as soon as possible.

"Have you prepared the money?"

"Absolutely! This is the New Year's money my aunt gave me this morning."

Xu Laonian glanced at Li Fuqiang as he pulled out four or five red envelopes and frowned, saying, "Those are for a prosperous and wealthy family. Why are you putting them in your pocket? How can you be so shameless?"

"Haha, isn't this what I learned from you? Besides, it's a gift from my daughter and son, so there's nothing wrong with me keeping it, right, brother?"

Xu Ning nodded with a smile: "That's right, absolutely true. Dad, if you were so capable, why don't you have your daughter and son take care of you?"

Everyone burst into laughter again upon hearing this, which infuriated Old Xu, who glared at them and slapped his thigh in anger: "I raised three wicked children! I was so foolish!"

"Hahaha……"

Old Xu glared and looked around, then said fiercely, "Look how I've emptied your pockets today! I'll show you what's what!"

About two hours later, Xu Laonian looked listless and staring at his empty legs. He pointed at Xu Ning with regret and said, "You little bastard, did you set me up?"

Xu Ning hurriedly gathered the stack of money in front of him and stuffed it into his pocket, saying, "Oh my god, I swear to God, I didn't even participate in shuffling the cards. I just placed my bets randomly on the side. If you don't believe me, ask my third uncle!"

"Hmm, Erning didn't touch the racket at all. Dalin, are you not in good form today? How about we play again tomorrow?"

Old Xu got off the field in a huff, turned around and said, "No way! Let me get the money, then we'll keep going!"

"You still have money? Dad, stop arguing, calm down and have some tea."

"None of your business! Do you think I'm short of money? You think I'm just pretending because I'm frugal..."

After saying that, Xu Laonian shook his head and went into the east room. He pulled out a piece of wood from the bottom of the cabinet and took out a small box wrapped in cloth from the hidden compartment inside.

Inside the small box was 186.5 yuan, which Xu Laonian had saved up over the past year!

Just as Xu Laonian turned around to continue fighting, he suddenly noticed an old woman standing at the door.

"Zhen, Zhen, weren't you playing with Fengjiao and the others...?"

Liu Lizhen stepped forward and snatched a stack of money, gritting her teeth as she said, "I could hear you from next door! Is it really necessary to make such a fuss over playing cards with a child?"

"No way, no way! Oh my god, are you really playing a series of tricks on me? One after another..."

Xu Ning, Xu Feng, Wang Biao, and others stood behind Liu Lizhen and suddenly looked up and burst into laughter.

Upon hearing this, Xu Laonian's expression immediately changed. He pointed at Xu Ning and said, "It must have been you who organized this! You little bastard, you're the worst kind of person!"

"Haha, what does this have to do with me? I'm just here to watch the fun. Let's go back to our rooms and take a nap."

Xu Feng was even more infuriating. After turning around, she said in a sarcastic tone, "Hehe, Dad, don't be too sad. It's just a little over 100 yuan. You can start saving again from tomorrow."

Old Xu slumped on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), staring blankly out the window, muttering, "It's all gone, all destroyed, my 186 yuan and 5 cents..."

Liu Lizhen ignored him, turned around and went to the dining table. She counted out 30 yuan from the 186.5 yuan and distributed it to Xu Ning, Xu Feng, Wang Biao and others according to their work.

Xu Ning also shared some of the money he won with Xu Feng and the others, basically everyone got a share. However, the elders, such as Yang Yusheng and Liu Daming, didn't like to get involved and gave their spare change to the children as well.

Xu Feng, like a little money-grubber, lay on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), clutching money in her hand and grinning as she looked up, saying, "Second brother, we're going to be rich this time! Including the New Year's money I received today, I have more than 60 yuan in my hand. Oh my god, how should I spend this money?"

Xu Ning laughed and said, "You can spend it however you like, and Mom won't ask you for it."

Xu Feng scratched her head and said, "Mom won't ask me for it, but I can't refuse to give it to her... I'll give the money to Mom!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she got up and rushed to the second room on the east side. As soon as she entered the room, she called out, "Mom!"

Liu Lizhen was chopping cabbage for filling when she turned around and asked, "What are you doing?"

“My New Year’s money and the money I won from my dad are all here, a total of more than 60 yuan. Can you keep it for me?”

Liu Lizhen stared at her eldest daughter and laughed, "Are you trying to mess with me? Give me a break, just keep it for your school fees, it's perfect for paying your tuition."

"Oh dear, Mom, I'm not that kind of person..."

“Take it. Now that you’ve been to the city and seen the world, you should know what money you can and can’t spend. I trust you to spend money.”

Xu Feng was a little puzzled: "Really? You trust me quite a bit?"

"Stop torturing me like this, I still need to make dumpling filling."

"Alright, then I'll go and curry favor with my dad, hehe..."

There was no one else in the second room on the east side. After Xu Feng left, only Liu Lizhen remained. She looked down at the dumpling filling on the cutting board and muttered, "You really have to be rich. When you're rich, the kids in the family have a lot of nerve!"

After catching up on his sleep, Xu Ning sat up refreshed. He looked out the window at Li Fuqiang, Wang Hu, Guan Lei, and the others gathered under the eaves, then got up, put on his shoes, and went to the yard. Just as he entered, he heard Xu Feng sitting on a wooden stool saying, "Don't even mention it! The Chang brothers are such a disgrace! They were just let out of the fence, and their father-in-law immediately put them back in..."

Xu Ning was taken aback: "What happened? Why were they sent back in again?"

Xu Feng got up and grabbed his arm, chattering, "Second brother, you don't know, the Chang brothers came out on New Year's Eve. They had nowhere to go, so they went to their father-in-law's house to freeload. Then, after drinking a bit, they beat up Gao Yanhong's third aunt's husband. Their father-in-law got furious and tied them to a donkey cart that night and took them to the police station in town..."

Xu Ning was a little stunned. He knew the Chang brothers were a bit slow-witted, but he never expected them to be such beasts!
Beating your own family during the Lunar New Year?

Just then, a loudspeaker burst out from behind the house and said, "Wake up, bro."

"Yeah, you're listening to the news?"

"for sure!"

(End of this chapter)