Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

Wang Yun sat next to Chang Gui, watching the commotion, and said with a smile:

"These two are so funny! They don't care about winning or losing at cards, but they really go all out when they argue."

Despite the argument, the game of cards still had to continue.

The two bickered non-stop all morning.

When they win, they take credit for each other's moves. Wang Dana says it's because he directed the game well, while Wang Musheng says it's because of his brilliant card playing. When they lose, they shift the blame to each other. The father complains that the son is stupid, and the son complains that the father has a bad memory.

The house was noisy and filled with laughter, while a cold wind whistled outside the window. Inside, it was bustling with activity – this is what the New Year should be like.

Around 2 p.m., all the dishes in the kitchen were ready, and a large table was piled high with hearty dishes.

Lin Chen carried the firecrackers to the yard, lit them, and they exploded with a series of crackling sounds, leaving red paper dust all over the ground, creating a festive red and white spectacle.

After the firecrackers were set off, everyone took their seats. Chang Gui was particularly polite, repeatedly urging Wang Dana to sit in the main seat. The two of them were so courteous to each other. Wang Musheng couldn't stand their behavior, so he plopped down in the main seat, only to be kicked to the side by Wang Dana and made to behave himself.

In the center of the table is braised fish, four-happiness meatballs, old-fashioned braised pork strips, stir-fried pork intestines, cold dishes like cold noodles, candied sweet potatoes... a complete meal of meat and vegetables, a whole table full of food that looks incredibly tempting.

Lin Chen poured the wine glass full, picked it up, and stood up. He was the one who offered the first glass of wine.

"Today is New Year's Eve, and we're all gathered together to celebrate. It's so lively and wonderful. I'd like to raise a glass. First, I wish my uncle good health and booming business. Second, I wish Uncle Changgui a year free of worries, a promotion, and wealth, and that he gets married soon. Third, I wish all of us a smooth and successful year ahead. May all of this be in this glass! Cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses to toast, downing their beer in one gulp and taking a big sip of baijiu (Chinese liquor).

Wang Dana put down his cup, picked up a bite of cold dish, and laughed heartily:

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Chang Gui chatted with Wang Dana about the start of construction on the mountain resort, and Wang Dana confidently said:

"Everything's been arranged perfectly. The construction team will start work right after the 15th of the month, so you can rest assured there won't be any problems!"

Wang Dana turned to look at Chen Yannan, knowing her relationship with Lin Chen, and casually asked:

"Little Chen, why didn't you come home for Chinese New Year this year? Don't your parents miss you?"

Chen Yannan replied with a smile:

"Grandpa, my home is in the south, it's too far away, and it's too much of a hassle to travel back and forth. I like the Northeast, it's especially lively here during the Spring Festival, and everyone takes good care of me, just like at home."

Xie Xiaomei held her hand and smiled:

"I'll just stay here and not leave again!"

"Do you eat dumplings during Chinese New Year where you're from?"

The group chatted about customs from all over the country, interesting stories from the village, and their struggles in their youth.

After drinking a glass of wine, Wang Musheng became very talkative, pulling Chang Gui aside to chatter on about business, calling him "Uncle Chang Gui" repeatedly.

Wang Dana noticed that his behavior annoyed everyone, and would occasionally say a few words to him:

"Stop bragging! Getting things done is far more important than anything else!"

Wang Musheng wasn't annoyed; he just ignored it, chuckled, and continued chatting, filling the room with laughter.

The food was reheated again and again, and sporadic firecrackers kept going off outside the window...

It was only a little past four o'clock after they finished eating. This time, instead of playing cards, they started playing mahjong, figuring that it would be fine if everyone played individually, otherwise the father and son would really be arguing.

At nine o'clock in the evening, all the red lanterns in the courtyard were lit up, making it bright and cheerful. Inside the house, the TV was playing the Spring Festival Gala, providing a lively background noise.

The New Year's Eve dinner had long been cleared away, and the women gathered around the sofa, eating melon seeds, munching on frozen pears, and chatting about everyday life.

By the way, frozen pears can be eaten directly after they've thawed; there's no need to cut them. I don't know who invented cutting frozen pears.

While playing mahjong, Lin Chen and his friends leisurely planned their spring activities, taking their time and focusing on their work without any worries or troubles.

Seeing that it was almost time, Xie Dajiao called the girls to prepare to make dumplings.

The dough had risen thoroughly, the sauerkraut and pork filling was seasoned to a perfect consistency, and a chive and egg filling was also prepared. Everything was ready, and everyone was just waiting to make dumplings for the New Year.

Wang Yun rolled up her sleeves, reached out and picked up the rolling pin. The rolling pin landed on the cutting board with a very even, rhythmic thud.

"You three just need to focus on wrapping the bags; don't worry about the leather, I'll take care of it."

Wang Yun chatted as she rolled out the dough:

"I make far more dumplings when I'm at home. In the past, during Chinese New Year, I would roll out enough dough for three people to wrap dumplings by myself, without any delay."

Xie Dajiao sat at the dining table, her hands moving quickly as she pinched the dough, scooped the filling, pleated the dumplings, and sealed them. The dumplings she made were all the same size, each one like a small gold ingot, and were neatly arranged on the bamboo mat.

A group of older women were joking around, and Chen Yannan laughed so hard that she almost dropped the dumpling wrapper in her hand.

Xie Xiaomei sat next to Chen Yannan. Looking down, she saw that the dumplings Chen Yannan had made were all limp and flat on the lid, unable to stand up. She reached out and helped to pinch the edges of the dumplings tightly.

"Yannan, when you're shaping them, wet the edges a little and seal them tightly, otherwise they'll easily leak out when you cook them. Do you people in the South not eat dumplings for Chinese New Year?"

Chen Yannan nodded slightly, her clothes covered in flour and her face smeared with white powder, but she was completely unaware of it.

"Yes, we eat tangyuan (sweet rice balls) during Chinese New Year, unlike in the north. This is the first time I've ever properly made dumplings, and they don't look very good."

Hearing this, Xie Dajiao smiled gently and handed her a small filling spoon:

"There's no such thing as good or bad looks. It's all about the sentiment during the New Year. Don't scoop out too much filling, or you won't be able to seal it properly. Try it after you cook it; our sauerkraut dumplings get better and better the more you eat them."

Wang Yun kept working while chatting about everyday village matters:

"Speaking of our village, the most interesting one lately is Liu Neng. Just a couple of days ago he was nagging Chang Gui, trying to get some of the New Year's subsidies. All he can think about is taking advantage of others. And then there's Xie Guangkun, he's been very well-behaved these past few days, not even leaving the house. He must feel like he's losing face."

Xie Dajiao continued, "..."

"He brought it on himself. Yongqiang is such an honest and hardworking boy, and Guiying is also a diligent person. They would be so happy if they got along well. But he just loves to cause trouble and doesn't like that other people have children. He can't blame anyone else."

As the group was chatting animatedly, Chang Gui's voice suddenly rang out from the living room:

"Wang Yun, could you get me some water when you have a moment?"

Upon hearing the sound, Wang Yun responded loudly, without stopping the rolling of the dough.

"Okay, okay, just wait! All you do is boss people around, don't you have any hands? You're thirsty, don't you know how to pour your own water?"

Despite grumbling, she sped up her work, quickly rolling out the last dough sheet, wiping the flour off her hands, and getting up to fetch a thermos to pour water.

Watching this scene, Chen Yannan whispered to Xie Xiaomei:

"Aunt Wang Yun only looks tough. Despite their constant bickering, they have a really good relationship."

Xie Xiaomei nodded and chuckled:

"That's how life is in the countryside. People don't care about formalities; they say what they mean and bicker all the time."

Wang Yun came over to pour water and refilled everyone's teacups with hot water.

Melon seeds and peanuts were laid out on the coffee table, and a Spring Festival Gala skit was playing on the TV. Laughter and lines mingled with the crisp sound of mahjong tiles, making the room lively and bustling.

Wang Dana felt anxious seeing Wang Musheng's leisurely pace.

"Why don't you play your cards already? Holding onto your cards like that, what's the point of playing? Playing mahjong with you is so tedious. Next time, let's not play together, or my blood pressure will easily go up."

Wang Musheng held the cards carefully, pondering them, and replied without looking up:

"Don't rush, you have to think things through slowly when playing cards. You can't just play blindly. What if you give away a winning hand? Two of circles? No way, you'll definitely win with that."

Wang Dana frowned, looked at the cards in his hand, and was waiting for a single two of circles... He was furious and cursed Wang Musheng for another five minutes.

Chang Gui sat to the side watching the two bicker, and helplessly smiled as he tried to smooth things over:

"Alright, alright, it's Chinese New Year, it's just a game of cards, don't take it so seriously. Xiao Chen, it's your turn to play."