1979: Reopening Wenhao Road from the Village

Unable to refuse, Chen Weidong could only write a couplet for Fu Xiao and Lin Xi with a flourish of his pen.

As for Liang Xiao, he fell silent instantly after seeing the words written by Chen Weidong.

"Comrade Liang Xiao, do you need me to write yours too?"

Chen Weidong asked Liang Xiao, he didn't quite understand why the other party was showing off his peacock tail to him, a married man.

"No need, thank you, Comrade Weidong, I can write it myself."

Liang Xiao glanced at Fu Xiao out of the corner of his eye and murmured, "I remembered I have some things to take care of at home, so I'll head back first."

Watching Liang Xiao leave in a hurry, Fu Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Xi and Su Man, who were standing to the side, exchanged a glance and laughed in unison.

This prompted Fu Xiao to shove the two of them.

"You all sit down first. I'll go get some paste for Brother Yan and help him put up the couplets."

Chen Weidong didn't stay any longer; after all, three women make a drama, and it wasn't appropriate for a grown man like him to get involved.

"Brother Yan, I still have a lot of paste left, so you don't need to make any more."

"That's perfect, I was just about to make some."

"Let's go, I'll go with you, it'll save us trouble once we're done."

The two of them worked together and finished sticking it on in no time.

"I saw Liang Xiao leave your house just now. What was he doing looking for you?"

He Yan casually remarked with some curiosity that there were only three men at the Yangjiatun educated youth settlement, but Liang Xiao was usually a bit arrogant and couldn't get along with him and Chen Weidong.

"Come to my house, let me help you write some couplets. Not only Liang Xiao, but Fu Xiao and Lin Xi are also sitting at my house now."

"Write couplets?! Liang Xiao will let you write them?"

He Yan knew that this was the only time of year that Liang Xiao could show off his superiority, so how could the latter possibly give up such a good opportunity to Chen Weidong?

Sure enough, Liang Xiao's image has been deeply ingrained in people's minds!

"He didn't ask me to write, so I wrote two for Fu Xiao and Lin Xi."

hahaha~

He Yan instantly understood why Liang Xiao had left in such a hurry, and burst out laughing.

"Brother Yan, you're still laughing? If it weren't for you, none of this would have happened today."

Chen Weidong said irritably, and he knew without guessing that the problem lay with He Yan, since only He Yan, Su Man, and Chen Weidong knew that he could write couplets.

Despite He Yan's usual warm hospitality, he actually has a bit of a cunning side, and Chen Weidong knows this about his old friend from his past life all too well.

"Well, you had just finished writing the couplet for me when I ran into Lin Xi, so I praised you a bit. I didn't expect Lin Xi to tell Fu Xiao and Liang Xiao about it."

He Yan smiled awkwardly, somewhat embarrassed.

"Lin Xi! You two seem to have a pretty good relationship?"

Chen Weidong looked at He Yan with amusement, wondering if this guy had really fallen for Lin Xi right now.

Following the course of events in the previous life, not long after, all the educated youth from Yangjiatun returned to the city. He Yan went back to Yanjing, and Lin Xi went back to Sichuan Province. The two were able to get together later when Lin Xi came to Yanjing on official business and met He Yan. Only then did they realize their feelings for each other and get together.

"It's alright, don't get the wrong idea. Our friendship is purely platonic, just like our relationship."

He Yan hurriedly explained that he was really afraid that Chen Weidong would go out and talk nonsense. Although the latter's behavior had indeed been different from before, Chen Weidong's previous carefree personality still made him a little uneasy, so he gave him another word of advice.

"Wei Dong, don't spread rumors. Comrade Lin Xi is, after all, a girl."

It's important to know that nowadays, using vulgar language is just as punishable as gang fighting or disturbing public order.

Once someone is identified as spreading hooliganism or spreading pornographic rumors, they will be imprisoned for a few years at best, and their head will be lost at worst. Even if it is just ordinary "spreading gossip" and no serious consequences are caused, they will be criticized and educated within the village or community and required to submit a written self-criticism.

"I see."

Chen Weidong nodded, not probing further about their progress. This was a time of overall transformation, a period of trial and error in all aspects; therefore, managing matters that could affect unity was particularly crucial.

Without chatting with He Yan for long, Chen Weidong quickly painted the wall after Fu Xiaolinxi left. After all, it's a new year, so at least some cleaning of the cracks and crevices is necessary.

Chen Weidong first removed the topsoil, then mixed the already prepared yellow mud, wheat chaff, and chopped grass stalks into a thick paste, and applied a new layer of mud to the house from top to bottom.

While the wall was still wet, he used a broom dipped in water to gently brush it again, pressing out a smooth surface, which would both protect it from the wind and make it look nice.

This "yellow mud coating" has zero cost and is the most common way to paint the mud walls of adobe houses in rural areas. Everyone in the village, young and old, can do it.

"Stop playing around, you're so dirty."

Chen Weidong looked at Chen Xiaosui, whose face was covered in mud. Ever since he brought the mud into the house, it had become Chen Xiaosui's favorite toy. She hadn't cried or made a fuss all morning, and had been happily kneading the mud.

"No, I want to play!"

"Look how dirty you are, your clothes are covered in dirt. If you don't behave, your mother is going to beat you up later."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaosui paused, recalling the time Su Man had spanked her. The memory of that feeling was still fresh in her mind, and she secretly glanced at Su Man.

Su Man rolled her eyes at Chen Weidong speechlessly. He always knew how to be a good guy!

However, he still kept a straight face and looked at Chen Xiaohui.

"Stop playing, be good, I'm a...good boy!"

Chen Xiaosui immediately clapped her hands, slowly stood up, and after speaking, she grinned at Su Man, revealing two small baby teeth.

Chen Weidong smiled knowingly, "Come on, let Dad give you a wash."

Chen Weidong took out a wooden basin, poured in some hot water to neutralize the water, and gave Chen Xiaosui a bath. Otherwise, after New Year's Eve, she wouldn't be able to take a bath, wash her hair, or do laundry.

Nowadays, people believe that "water represents wealth, and washing anything on the first day of the Lunar New Year will wash away your fortune."

Even the water in the washbasin had to be saved and poured out in the afternoon; this was called "accumulating wealth."

There are many sayings at this time. In addition to not being able to wash your hair or clothes, you also can't sweep the floor or take out the trash, because "the jinx hasn't left yet, and any movement will sweep away your wealth."

If you really have to sweep, you should sweep from the doorway into the house, symbolizing "bringing wealth into the home".

You can't use knives or scissors, or chop firewood, otherwise, "If you use a knife on the first day of the lunar new year, you'll have gossip all year; if you chop firewood on the first day, your path to wealth will be cut off."

Therefore, cooking and chopping vegetables are all prepared on the 30th of the twelfth lunar month, and only dumplings need to be heated in the pot on the first day of the new year.

There are also those who refuse to lend money, refuse to collect debts, and refuse to return to their married daughters. Chen Weidong clearly remembers that one of his neighbors' daughters wanted to visit her mother on the first day of the Lunar New Year, but was not allowed to enter the house until after midnight.

However, these customs will basically disappear in a few decades. People will be able to eat and drink whatever they want, and they can wash their hair and take a bath whenever they want. Moreover, young people are unaware of these old customs.

The custom of immediately "making peace" after breaking something involves saying "May you have peace and safety every year" three times and deliberately laughing twice to suppress any bad luck. This custom is still practiced by some people.

These customs traditionally do not officially end until the fifth day of the first lunar month, known as "Po Wu".

Once the fifth day of the Lunar New Year is over, the "New Year" is over and the God of Wealth has been welcomed. All the restrictions previously set up to "accumulate wealth and retain blessings" can be lifted, and life can return to normal.

……