At the beginning, he took his seven younger siblings to join Yi Zhonghai.

"Come on, Dingya, your sister-in-law won't let you drink alcohol, so you can drink Beibingyang soda. Zhuzi and I will drink together."

Yi Zhonghai opened a bottle of Beibingyang soda and placed it in front of him, saying with a cheerful smile.

"You should drink less too, so as not to affect the children. After you finish eating, let them rest for a while, then we still need to give them a bath."

Tan Xiulian said with a smile.

"I'm fine with anything, but if my sister-in-law doesn't allow me to drink, then I won't drink."

Yi Zhongding took the Arctic Ocean soda and said with a smile.

"Hey, how about we drink Shaoxing rice wine? My family has Shaoxing rice wine that's been aged for ten years."

He Yuzhu suggested.

"Sure, sister-in-law, don't we still have a jar of Zhuangyuanhong wine?"

Yi Zhonghai nodded and then asked.

"Yes, let's drink yellow wine then, it's perfect for the old lady to have a drink too."

Tan Xiulian thought for a moment and then said.

"Alright, Dingya, go to the cabinet and get a few small wine bottles to warm the wine. Zhuzi, go to the kitchen and chop some ginger."

"You have to have plums or shredded ginger with your rice wine, otherwise it's tasteless."

Yi Zhonghai had no objection; he wasn't a big drinker to begin with, he was just trying to liven things up.

He Yuzhu nodded, first went home to fetch a jar of Shaoxing wine, then went to the kitchen to cut a small plate of shredded ginger.

Yi Zhongding also poured the wine and put it in a basin of hot water to warm it up.

Now you can add a little ginger shreds to each pot.

The wine is at the right temperature.

All the dishes were served.

"Come on, everyone, let's raise a glass and have a happy new year!"

Yi Zhonghai picked up his cup, stood up, and said loudly.

"Happy New Year."

Yi Zhongding and others naturally stood up and happily offered their congratulations.

The little kids at the small table also stood up, holding bowls of Arctic Ocean soda, and shouted along with the adults.

The strong, resonant voice was interspersed with a few childish, babyish voices.

This adds to the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

The next day.

New Year's Day.

Early in the morning.

Firecrackers were going off outside early in the morning.

Even Zhong Ren and Zhong Min, who love to sleep in, got up early.

Yi Zhongding and Yi Zhonghai quickly dressed all six dolls in new clothes and put on new hats.

Several children were each holding a red envelope and fiddling with it.

These are what Yi Zhonghai and his partner placed on each child's pillow last night.

There's a dollar in each one.

Yi Zhongding's is quite unique; it contains ten yuan.

Yi Zhonghai and his companion were incredibly generous.

The little ones saw it as soon as they woke up this morning.

Everyone cheered.

Zhongxin and Zhongyan were unaware of the significance of the red envelope.

But seeing my older brothers and sisters happy.

They were happy too.

Tan Xiulian then brought in a bowl of steaming dumplings.

Yi Zhonghua was busy setting out the bowls and chopsticks.

"All dressed up, the kids look so cute! Time to eat dumplings, meat dumplings!"

Tan Xiulian walked into the room and looked at the neatly dressed little dumplings. Her smile was as beautiful as a blooming night-blooming cereus.

"Sister-in-law, give me a hug."

Zhongyao stretched out his hands, his voice still carrying the drowsiness of someone who hadn't fully woken up.

"Okay, okay, sister-in-law, hug me. Oh my, my darling, are you still asleep? Did the firecrackers wake you up?"

Tan Xiulian quickly walked to the kang (a heated brick bed), hugged her in her arms, and caressed her.

Zhong Miao then snuggled into her brother Yi Zhongding's arms, curling up as if she were dozing off.

Zhongren and Zhongmin had already run out when they heard they were going to eat meat dumplings; they had no time to whine or act cute anymore.

Yi Zhonghai also carried Zhong Xin and Zhong Yan, the two little dumplings, out.

"Let's go brush our teeth and wash our faces, then we'll eat dumplings. After that, we're going to the temple fair."

Tan Xiulian tied up the two girls' hair, kissed each of them, and said happily.

"Sister-in-law, what's a temple fair? Is the food delicious?"

Zhong Miao, with her finger in her mouth, opened her squinting eyes and asked curiously.

"It's delicious! There's so much delicious food there, and so many fun things too. I'll buy it all for you in a little while."

Tan Xiulian smiled kindly.

"I need to brush my teeth and wash my face; I want to go to the temple fair."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Miao's eyes lit up immediately, and he hurriedly urged.

"Alright, alright, let's go."

Tan Xiulian nodded hurriedly.

A flurry of activity.

Only then did the babies sit down quietly to eat dumplings.

"You watch them eat, I'll go and send a portion to the old lady. It's the New Year, we don't want people gossiping."

Seeing that the children had all started eating, Tan Xiulian said...

Normally

She always went to take care of the old lady first.

She doesn't have time to deal with that now.

"Alright, while you're at it, check on Zhu Zi and the other guy. If they haven't eaten yet, invite them to eat with us. It's the first day of the Lunar New Year, they shouldn't have anything to do, so we can go to the temple fair together."

"There are many people today, and the children cannot afford to get hurt. It's better to have more people to take care of them."

Yi Zhonghai nodded and said.

"Okay, I'll go take a look."

Tan Xiulian nodded and went out.

Yi Zhonghai continued to patiently feed dumplings to Zhongxin and Zhongyan.

A short while later.

He Yuzhu, staring at the chicken coop, knocked on the door and came in with his sister.

The two of them were also holding dumplings in their hands.

This is what they brought back from the Yi family after having their New Year's Eve dinner last night.

"Uncle Yi, we just finished cooking dumplings, so we've come to join in the fun."

He Yuzhu said casually.

"It's good to have a lively atmosphere, but it's even more lively with you two siblings here. Why did you bring dumplings? There are plenty more here."

Yi Zhonghai turned his head and glanced at it, then said with a smile.

"It's all cooked now."

He Yuzhu sat down at the table and expertly poured himself chili peppers and vinegar.

He Yushui first approached a few children and teased them, saying, "Call me 'sister' and I'll give you candy."

Unfortunately, their mouths were all stuffed with dumplings.

Nobody had the time or inclination to pay attention to her.

Zhongxin, on the other hand, reached out his chubby little hand to grab the candy.

It's like they're saying, "I don't need the person's name, but I still need the candy."

"Rain, go eat your dumplings while they're hot, then you can play with them later, otherwise they won't eat them."

Yi Zhongding knew the nature of these children and said with a smile.

"Kids are like that. When they grow up, they'll want everything they need to eat and play with. Yu Shui was like that when he was little too."

He Yuzhu chimed in from the side.

He was raised by Yushui from a young age.

His unreliable father hardly ever took care of the children even when he was still at home.

I've had breakfast.

The whole family was ready to set off.

"His older brother hasn't visited everyone to offer New Year's greetings yet. Why don't you let the children go and pay their respects first, so they don't lose their manners?"

Tan Xiulian suddenly remembered this matter.

"We have a lot of children. If we go to pay New Year's visits, they will have to give us red envelopes. These days, no family has it easy. I think we should organize a New Year's gathering in the courtyard when we come back."

"If all the children in the courtyard come together to wish their elders a Happy New Year, then no one has to give red envelopes, which is easier. What do you think?"

Yi Zhonghai thought for a moment and then said.

"No, Uncle Yi, you've given out so many red envelopes in previous years, now is the time to get them back."

He Yuzhu started shouting from the side.

"That's not how it works, brother. I don't think it's appropriate. The kids don't receive red envelopes for money during the Lunar New Year; they just want to celebrate. They can't be without them."

"I think a New Year's gathering is fine, but we should discuss it with each household and agree that the red envelopes should all be one cent. That way, the children will be happy, and we won't be impolite."

"During the New Year's gathering, the head of each household would give red envelopes to the children one by one, and everyone was happy."

Tan Xiulian first shook her head, and then expressed her thoughts.

"Okay, then, I'll go and tell everyone first, and see if they're willing."

"Prepare some water for the children, and take a few water bottles with you when you go out, so they can drink when they get tired of playing."

Yi Zhonghai nodded and said.

He then went out.