Born in the 1980s, she was remarried and became a stepmother; a cold, rough man doted on her, pinchi

Chapter 54 Chinese New Year
On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the day before the Lunar New Year, Jiang Man got up early and started working.

The kitchen was steaming hot as she was boiling sweet maltose, preparing it to make offerings for the Kitchen God.

Shi Ning and Shi An followed closely behind their mother like two little tails, their eyes fixed on the thickening, golden-yellow sugar syrup in the pot, their little noses constantly sniffing the sweet aroma.

"Mom, when will this candy be ready?"

Shi Ning couldn't help but ask, her voice full of anticipation. Jiang Man smiled and gently patted her head: "Soon, you little glutton. After we worship the Kitchen God, we'll have something to eat."

Qin Yishen was busy cleaning the yard. He swept the snow and debris away and cleaned the doors and windows of the house until they were sparkling clean.

He hummed a little tune as he worked, and although the sound wasn't loud, it added a festive atmosphere to the courtyard.

After washing his hands, Jiang Man placed offerings such as maltose and fruit on the stove.

With a devout expression, she lit incense and candles, and bowed with Shi Ning and Shi An, chanting prayers for the Kitchen God to speak well of her in heaven, bring good fortune back to the palace, and bless the family with a smooth and disaster-free year ahead, and for the fire to burn ever brightly.

Then, Jiang Man carefully placed the offerings on the stove and waited until the incense and candles burned out before removing them.

After the Kitchen God Festival, the family sat together and began preparing the ingredients for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Jiang Man took out the pork, cabbage, radish, and other ingredients she had prepared in advance and began chopping the filling to make dumplings.

Shi Ning and Shi An were not to be outdone and insisted on helping. Jiang Man gave each of them a small piece of dough and asked them to learn how to roll out dumpling wrappers.

"I want the one with the little goldfish!"

"I want a box with lace trim!"

Shi Ning learned quite well, rolling the dumpling wrappers with her little hands. Although the dumpling wrappers she rolled out were not very regular in shape, they were still somewhat similar.

Shi An playfully shaped the dough into various small animal shapes, making everyone laugh.

Qin Yishen watched the children play, a happy smile spreading across his face.

He turned around and took out a pair of Spring Festival couplets and the character "福" (good fortune) from the house, and called to Shi Ning and Shi An: "Come on, Shi An and Shi Ning, let's put up the Spring Festival couplets together."

The two children ran over excitedly to help Qin Yishen carry the paste and hand over the Spring Festival couplets.

Qin Yishen stood on a stool and carefully pasted the Spring Festival couplets on both sides of the door. The first line read "Red plum blossoms welcome spring with smiles," the second line read "Jade rabbit treads the spring," and the horizontal scroll read "Good fortune and happiness."

The bright red paper and the vigorous calligraphy looked especially festive against the backdrop of white snow.

On New Year's Eve, the whole village was immersed in a strong festive atmosphere.

The enticing aroma of food wafted from Jiang Man's kitchen. Jiang Man fried lotus root and meatballs, stewed braised pork, and stir-fried several kinds of vegetables.

Shi Ning helped set the table, taking out the best porcelain bowl in the house, wiping it carefully, and placing it on the table.

Shi An was setting off small firecrackers in the yard, and the crackling sound excited him.

As night fell, the family sat around the table laden with a sumptuous meal.

In the center of the table was a large plate of steaming dumplings, surrounded by various delicious dishes.

Qin Yishen took out a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor), poured himself a glass, and poured Jiang Man a small glass of red wine.

He raised his glass and said with emotion, "This year has been tough, but seeing our family so happy and harmonious, and the children growing up healthy, makes it all worthwhile. Come on, let's toast to the new year!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, it was time for the children to receive their lucky money. Qin Yishen took out the red envelopes he had prepared and handed them to Shi Ning and Shi An respectively.

Shi Ning accepted the red envelope and said sweetly, "Thank you, Dad. I wish you a successful year at work and lots of money."

Shi An also shouted, "I also wish Dad good health and that he buys me lots and lots of firecrackers."

Everyone laughed again. Afterwards, the family sat around the warm fireplace, cracking sunflower seeds and watching the Spring Festival Gala on TV.

Jiang Man was somewhat dazed. Although the television was still black and white at that time, and the programs were not as diverse as they would be later, the warmth of the family sitting together was indescribable.

Shi Ning and Shi An watched with great interest, frequently bursting into laughter at the humorous parts of the skit.

Jiang Man and Qin Yishen watched TV while chatting quietly, reminiscing about the past year and looking forward to the new year.

At midnight, the New Year's bells rang, and the whole village erupted in celebration.

The sound of firecrackers was deafening, and fireworks burst into brilliant colors in the night sky.

Qin Yishen led Shi An into the courtyard, lit a long string of firecrackers, and amidst the sound of the firecrackers, they cheered together: "Happy New Year!"

Jiang Man and Shi Ning looked out the window at the lively scene outside, their faces beaming with happiness.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Jiang Man's family got up early, put on new clothes, and prepared to visit their elders to wish them a Happy New Year.

Shi Ning put on her red cotton-padded jacket, looking like a little lucky charm. Shi An, on the other hand, wore a new blue outfit and excitedly ran around the room.

Just then, a burst of laughter and cheerful voices came from outside the door. It turned out that Wang Xiu and Xu Laosan had come to wish them a Happy New Year.

Wang Xiu was wearing a brand-new floral cotton-padded jacket, her hair was neatly combed, and her face was beaming with a bright smile.

Xu Laosan, dressed in a dark blue cloth shirt, looked energetic and carried several bags of carefully prepared snacks in his hand.

"Brother! Sister-in-law! We've come to wish you a Happy New Year! We've come to wish you a Happy New Year!"

Wang Xiu greeted them warmly, her voice filled with joy.

Jiang Man hurriedly went up to greet them, took Wang Xiu's hand and said, "Oh, you've come at the right time, come inside and warm up."

Qin Yishen also smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Xu Laosan, wishing each other a Happy New Year.

Shi Ning and Shi An looked at the two guests curiously. Shi Ning obediently greeted them, "Third Uncle and Third Aunt, Happy New Year."

Wang Xiu smiled and patted Shi Ning's head, then took out two red envelopes from her pocket and handed them to the children: "Happy New Year! This is your lucky money. I wish you healthy growth and academic progress."

As noon approached, Jiang Man stood up and said, "Let's have a good time eating here today."

Wang Xiu quickly waved her hand: "I can't accept this. It's the first day of the Lunar New Year. Don't go to so much trouble."

Jiang Man smiled and said, "It's no trouble at all, we're all family."

With that, she went into the kitchen and got busy. Wang Xiu followed her into the kitchen to help, and the two chatted and laughed, working together seamlessly.

Soon, the kitchen was filled with the enticing aroma of food. Jiang Man had prepared her signature sweet and sour pork ribs, braised fish, and various fresh vegetables.

Wang Xiu helped set out the bowls and chopsticks and brought the steaming hot food to the table.

Everyone sat around the table. Qin Yishen took out a bottle of wine, poured a glass for Xu Laosan and himself, and said, "Let's have a drink together on the first day of the Lunar New Year and wish each other a smooth and successful new year."