Reborn in '77, I have a job panel!

The thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, Lunar New Year's Eve.

The village was bustling with activity early in the morning.

Every household puts up couplets and sets off firecrackers, and children run around in their new clothes.

The aroma of stewed meat filled the air, making one feel as if it were Chinese New Year.

Qian Cheng's family was no exception.

Hou Yufen got up before dawn to busy herself with kneading dough, chopping filling, and making dumplings. The filling was pork and cabbage. The pork was half a pork carcass that Zhang Changtian had sent a couple of days ago. It was a good mix of lean and fat, chopped up and mixed into the cabbage. It smelled so good it could make your mouth water.

Qian Cheng also got up early. His leg was almost fully recovered, and he could walk without limping. However, he was still a little weak and dared not exert too much force. He helped Hou Yufen put up couplets, paste the character "福" (fortune), and sweep the yard.

"Chengzi, don't move." Hou Yufen saw him carrying the bucket of water and quickly called out, "Put it there and let your brother do it."

"It's alright, Mom. Just a little light exercise won't hurt."

Hou Yufen was still worried, so she grabbed the bucket and carried it away herself.

Qian Lu and his sister-in-law also came. His sister-in-law was heavily pregnant, almost five months along, and her pregnancy was already showing when she walked. Qian Lu didn't let her do any work and made her sit down, but she couldn't stay still, so she helped pick vegetables and peel garlic.

The family worked until noon, making two large trays of dumplings, and preparing all the necessary New Year's goods.

While we were having lunch, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Zhang Mingxi came in carrying a basket.

"Auntie, my mom asked me to bring you some things." She put down the basket, lifted the cover, and inside was a piece of pork, a piece of tofu, and a small bag of vermicelli.

Hou Yufen quickly accepted it: "Oh, your mother is too kind. We already have everything at home, why bother giving me anything?"

"My mom said, since it's Chinese New Year, let's add some dishes," Zhang Mingxi said, glancing into the house.

Qian Cheng was sitting inside when he saw her and smiled, "Come in and sit down."

Zhang Mingxi blushed and went inside to sit down.

Qian Lu and his sister-in-law exchanged a glance and smiled.

Hou Yufen called from the outer room, "Mingxi, why don't you stay for lunch? The dumplings are just cooked."

"No, Auntie, my mom is waiting for me to go back. I just came to deliver something and will be leaving in a little while."

"Have some dumplings before you go." Hou Yufen brought in a plate of dumplings. "Try them, they're pork and cabbage."

Unable to refuse, Zhang Mingxi ate a few dumplings and praised them several times.

After finishing her meal, she stood up to leave. Qian Cheng said, "I'll see you home."

"Your leg isn't fully healed yet."

"That's about enough." Qian Cheng stood up and put on his cotton-padded coat.

The two went out the door and slowly walked towards the Zhang family's house.

On the way, Zhang Mingxi said, "Tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Are you coming to my house to wish me a Happy New Year?"

"Come."

"Then I'll wait for you." Zhang Mingxi smiled.

When they reached the Zhang family's door, Zhang Mingxi stopped and turned to look at him: "Go back inside, it's cold outside."

"Hmm," Qian Cheng replied, but didn't move.

Zhang Mingxi looked at him, then suddenly stood on tiptoe and quickly kissed him on the cheek. She then turned and ran into the yard, closing the gate behind her.

Qian Cheng stood there, touching the spot where he had been kissed, stunned for a long time, then smiled.

On his way back, he felt a warm glow in his heart.

This year was wonderful.

In the afternoon, the village became even more lively.

Firecrackers went off one after another, and children’s laughter echoed from one end of the village to the other. The snow in Qian Cheng’s yard was swept clean, and red couplets were pasted on the door with the character “福” (fortune) upside down, meaning “fortune has arrived.”

Hou Yufen was busy in the kitchen, stewing meat, frying meatballs, and steaming buns. The aroma wafted from the kitchen and filled the entire courtyard.

Such a lot of meat is only available during the Chinese New Year.

Qian Lu and his sister-in-law were talking inside the house, discussing their plans to visit his mother-in-law's house for the New Year the next day.

Qian Cheng leaned against the kang (a heated brick bed), opened the book, read a few pages, and then put it down.

He recalled last year's Lunar New Year's Eve.

At that time, the original owner was still alive. He had a meal at Zhang Changtian's house, and when he came back, he lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed) and slept. He did nothing, while Hou Yufen was busy with everything. He didn't even lend a hand.

This year is different.

He stood up and went to the kitchen: "Mom, I'll help you start the fire."

"No need, no need, you should rest." Hou Yufen quickly refused and told Qian Cheng to go back and rest.

"I'm just idling around anyway." Qian Cheng sat down in front of the stove and added a few pieces of firewood to the firebox.

The firelight shone on his face, making it feel warm.

Hou Yufen looked at the sensible Qian Cheng, and her eyes welled up with tears.

This child has really grown up.

In the evening, the dumplings were cooked.

Steaming hot dumplings were scooped out and placed on two large plates. Hou Yufen then served stewed meat, fried meatballs, and cabbage with vermicelli, filling half the table.

"Dinner's ready!" Hou Yufen called out.

The family sat together, picking up their bowls.

Qian Lu poured himself a glass of wine and toasted Hou Yufen: "Mom, Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year, Happy New Year." Hou Yufen picked up her bowl and took a sip.

The eldest sister-in-law also offered a toast, and Qian Cheng also offered a toast.

Looking at her three children, Hou Yufen felt all the bitterness in her heart was overshadowed by sweetness.

"Eat, everyone eat," Hou Yufen urged everyone to eat.

The chopsticks moved, and steam rose.

Outside, firecrackers went off one after another.

Inside the room, laughter erupted in waves.

This year, I had a peaceful and fulfilling New Year.

By the time we finished eating, it was completely dark.

Qian Lu and his sister-in-law went back, saying they would come to pay their respects again early tomorrow morning. Hou Yufen cleared the dishes, and Qian Cheng helped wipe the table.

After tidying up, Hou Yufen said, "Chengzi, why don't you go out for a walk? It's the New Year, don't stay cooped up in the house all the time."

"OK."

He put on his cotton-padded coat and went out the door.

The village roads were swept clean, lights were on in every household, and shadows were reflected in the windows. Some people were playing drinking games and drinking inside, some were setting off firecrackers in the yard, and some were talking to their neighbors at the door.

Qian Cheng walked slowly until he reached Zhang Changtian's door.

The lights were on in the courtyard, and he could hear voices coming from inside the house. He stood there for a while, but didn't go in. He turned around and walked back.

Halfway there, they ran into Li Jianguo and Liu Tiedan.

"Brother Cheng!" Liu Tiedan shouted, "Happy New Year!"

Happy Chinese New Year.

Qian Cheng took out two cents from his pocket and gave one cent to each of them as a New Year's red envelope.

Li Jianguo asked with concern, "Brother Cheng, is your leg better?"

"That's about it."

"Are you still going fishing after the New Year?"

"Fishing".

"Then let's go together."

"OK."

The three men stood by the roadside and talked for a while. Li Jianguo and Liu Tiedan then left to visit other people's homes for the New Year.

Qian Cheng continued walking back.

As he reached his front door, he looked back.

The village was brightly lit, and the sound of firecrackers rose and fell.

Tomorrow is the new year.

He recalled the day he first transmigrated, lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at the wall covered with newspaper, feeling completely lost.

Now, in just over a month, he already has a home, someone he loves, a skill, and something to look forward to.

That's how life goes.

He pushed open the door and went inside.

Hou Yufen was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), sewing something. Seeing him return, she asked, "Is it cold outside?"

"It's alright." Qian Cheng took off his cotton-padded coat and sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Hou Yufen sewed for a while, then suddenly said, "Chengzi, Mom has something to tell you."

"What's up?"

"Let's not dwell on your uncle's matter. It's the New Year, it's not worth it."

Qian Cheng looked at her without saying anything.