The New Year's Eve in 1987 was half a month earlier than in previous years.
By the end of January, Beijing was already filled with the festive atmosphere. Every household was preparing for the Spring Festival, and the children were on winter vacation. Their laughter could be heard everywhere.
In recent years, thanks to the economic opening up, everyone's living conditions are much better than in previous years.
Everyone is preparing to set off firecrackers and fireworks to have fun on New Year's Eve.
In addition to taking care of hotel affairs these days, Wen Nuan also worked with Commander Lu to prepare things for the Spring Festival at home.
Today I had been planning to go out shopping for New Year's goods with Lele, Zhengyang and Zhengqi, and buy them some new clothes and shoes, but it just so happened that Sister Guihua and Sister Juxiang came.
Zhang Guihua looked at Wen Nuan and sighed, "Little Sister Nuan, it's been ten years, and you've become more and more beautiful!"
She had always thought Wen Nuan was handsome.
But ten years have passed, and now she hasn't changed at all, instead she has become more fashionable.
Her warm hair was curled at the ends and spread out on her back. She had red lips and willow-shaped eyebrows. Her skin was fair and delicate, without any signs of aging on her face.
She is simply God's favorite.
Deng Juxiang looked at Wen Nuan and couldn't help but exclaimed, "That's right, Xiao Nuan looks younger and prettier than when she was in Beicheng. How do you maintain your looks?"
Zhang Guihua said with a smile: "Our little sister Nuan is a natural beauty!"
"That's right."
Wen Nuan: "You two sisters-in-law are too kind. You are the ones who have taken good care of yourself. You are as young as before."
After asking about each other's well-being.
Wen Nuan looked at her old friend whom she had not seen for many years, and with red eyes, she invited them into the courtyard first: "Sisters-in-law, please come in quickly. You must be tired. Did Sister Juxiang come here from her hometown? How about you, Sister Guihua?"
A few years ago, Zhao Yongfu, the man from Juxiang's family, retired and returned to his hometown in Northeast China. He now works in the Ministry of Transport.
Sister-in-law Juxiang also opened a small shop of her own. I heard that the business is very good, and she plans to open two more branches in the next district next year.
Sister Guihua and her family have remained at the Beicheng Air Force Base, and Zhou Jianshe has been promoted to brigade commander, and he will probably continue to serve at the Air Force Base.
Deng Juxiang looked at Wen Nuan and said, "Xiao Dong's boyfriend is from Beijing. Now they are talking about getting married, so I came to see him. I haven't seen you, Xiao Nuan, for so many years, so I might as well come along to see you."
Zhang Guihua: "My old Zhou happened to be here for a meeting, and a few of my kids also wanted to visit the capital, so I asked Juxiang to come along, and I'm going to give you a big surprise!"
After so many years, Wen Nuan wanted to go back to North City many times.
However, she was busy with her studies in the early years, and Gu Qinghan was in a critical period of promotion in the past two years. He was very busy at work and could not find a suitable opportunity.
Although they haven't met in these years, they have always kept in touch and still feel like old friends.
Wen Nuan looked at her two sisters-in-law and was so moved that she said, "It's really a surprise. I'm so happy to see you. Thank you, sisters-in-law!"
"Sisters-in-law, children, please come in. It's so cold. Let's go inside and have some hot tea and chat slowly."
After Wen Nuan finished speaking, she turned around and called out, "Zhengyang, Zhengqi, come out and take your brothers out to play for a while."
Sister Juxiang's youngest son Guoqing also came. He seemed to still remember Lele and kept looking at her quietly.
Sister Guihua later gave birth to a daughter, but the child is now seven years old. When she saw Wen Nuan just now, she greeted her. She is a very polite little girl.
Zhuzi is two years older than Lu Zhengyang and Lu Zhengqi. He is about to go to high school. He is probably in the period of growth now, so he is tall and thin.
Looks very much like Zhou Jianshe.
Zhang Guihua said to the children, "Go and play with your aunt's children. We will chat with your aunt Wen Nuan."
The children were a little restrained when they first met, but Lu Zhengyang and Lu Zhengqi had a lot of toys that boys liked, so they started playing soon and made an appointment to go to the backyard to play football.
Wen Nuan then took Sister Juxiang and Sister Guihua home, introducing them, "Sisters-in-law, follow me this way."
After Zhang Guihua followed Wen Nuan into the yard, she couldn't help laughing: "Little Sister Nuan, your yard is really big, there must be at least seven or eight houses, right?"
Zhang Guihua had heard of the Siheyuan in Beijing before, but this was her first time in Beijing and her first time visiting this kind of Siheyuan.
She thought that a siheyuan was four square houses surrounding a house.
However, the courtyard of Wen Nuan's home looks like it has more than four houses. You can also see a stone road leading to the backyard, so there must be more houses in the backyard.
Sister Juxiang looked around and said, "It's really big. The garden in the middle is as big as the family housing we used to have in North City!"
This is the capital, how valuable it must be!
Wen Nuan smiled and said, "This is my grandfather's old house. Now that he has retired, he has been living here with us. This courtyard is connected to the kitchen and dining room and has a total of 3 houses, but several changes have been made. A garage was built in the front, and a bathroom was made in the west..."
Wen Nuan chattered on and on about their courtyard house, because it was a three-story house, and if counted by rooms, there were more than twenty rooms at the beginning.
However, Wen Nuan felt that the previous room was a bit small, so she changed a few rooms when she moved in, but now there are still ten or eight rooms that are unused and used to store miscellaneous items.
As for the back house in front, Wen Nuan converted it into a garage that could accommodate two cars before buying the car, making it convenient for her and Gu Qinghan to park.
But overall, it's still very big.
Deng Juxiang looked around the yard, and her eyes widened when she heard Wen Nuan's words: "This house is much bigger than the one in our hometown. After Lao Zhao returned, he was given a three-bedroom house, but it's on the third floor. It seems better to have a separate house with its own door, which is quieter."
Wen Nuan led them into the living room of the main house and said with a smile, "You can buy another one for yourself and live wherever you like. Maybe the government will stop distributing houses in the future, and the value of the house will increase if you keep it."
Houses were not expensive in the 1980s, because there is still a policy of distributing houses. Everyone believes that the country has gained points, and they are not willing to spend their own money to buy houses.
Only some families, who have too many people to accommodate their existing family, will grit their teeth and buy another house.
However, sister-in-law Juxiang should have made some money from running the convenience store in the past few years, so it would be worthwhile to buy it now.
In recent years, there has been a trend of studying abroad, and many people in Beijing want to sell their houses. Last year, she bought three smaller courtyard houses.
She planned to keep it until it appreciated in value, and also to give one room to each of her children.
When they grow up, they can live there if they like, or rent it out to others if they don’t like it.
Anyway, it's just a bargain now, and the money will depreciate if it's just left there, so it's better to spend it on something useful.
After hearing what Wen Nuan said, Deng Juxiang quickly responded, "Okay, our little sister Nuan has said so. When we go back, I'll get her a room."
In recent years, Wen Nuan has suggested to them that those who want to start a business should do it quickly. After she followed her husband back to his hometown after retiring from the job, she opened a small store. Now the business is getting bigger and bigger, and she is preparing to open two more branches.
Since Wen Nuan said we can buy a house, we must buy one or two.
Zhang Guihua sat down next to Deng Juxiang and said, "Then I'll go back to my mother's house and get a room by the sea. I'll go back and play when I have time. The kids at home love the seaside so much that they don't want to go back to North City after going there once."
Since Wen Nuan asked her parents to contract the tidal flats as breeders, Zhang Guihua has returned to her hometown several times, but there was no room at her mother's house.
Now that Wen Nuan said so, it seems that buying a house is not impossible.
Wen Nuan nodded: "If the price is right, then buy it."
Wen Nuan remembered that Sister Guihua's hometown was a coastal city in Shandong Province, which would be a tourist coastal city in the future, so it would be great if she could buy it.
After everyone was seated, Wen Nuan called Le Le and said, "Wan Yue, pour a cup of tea for Auntie."
After hearing this, Gu Wanyue made tea obediently and served it to them: "Auntie, have some tea."
Zhang Guihua took the tea from Lele and said with a smile: "Our Lele is so tall and big now? She looks so pretty."
In my memory, Lele was still a hungry baby, but in the blink of an eye, he has become a college student.
He looks warm and handsome, making people unable to take their eyes away.
Gu Wanyue smiled, revealing the dimples on her lips, "Thank you, Aunt Guihua, you look very young, just like I remember you."
Zhang Guihua touched her face and said with a smile: "This child is really good at talking. Auntie loves to listen."
I thought Lele had forgotten me, but I didn't expect that Lele still remembered me. I couldn't help but feel overjoyed.
Deng Juxiang also took Lele's hot tea and smiled: "Our Lele was pretty when she was little, and now she is even more beautiful now that she has grown up. By the way, Lele, have you been admitted to university?"
Gu Wanyue nodded, "Yes, I went to college last September. Yi"
Deng Juxiang smiled and said, "There must be a lot of male classmates who like our Lele, right? Is Lele dating someone?"
Gu Wanyue smiled and said, "Not yet. My dad said he would break my legs if I started dating."
Then she stuck out her tongue: "I don't dare, and I don't have any plans to do so for the time being!"
Right now, I'm just enjoying eating and drinking with Cai Siling and the others, and school has just started, so I don't really have the mindset to find a partner.
Wen Nuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and couldn't help but talk to her husband: "Nonsense, your father said that when you were in middle school. He just didn't want you to fall in love too early."
Lele's university is only a few kilometers away from here. She comes back two or three times a week, and it seems like she doesn't have a boyfriend.
But Lele skipped a grade and is only sixteen years old now, so there is no need to rush into finding a partner.
Gu Wanyue smiled at the elders and said, "Aunt, I'm going to watch TV with Xiaodong and Xiaomei. You guys can chat slowly."
"Okay, okay, go and have fun."
As soon as Gu Wanyue left, Wen Nuan chatted with her two sisters-in-law for a while, talking about the changes over the years.
However, they have been in contact over the years and know almost everything. They talk most about gossip in North City, such as whose family got divorced or whose child failed to get into college after taking the exam several times...
I heard that in recent years many people have retired and returned home, and many military wives have started small businesses, especially in the south where they are developing very well.
The chat lasted until noon. Wen Nuan looked at the time and said, "Sisters-in-law, it's a rare opportunity for you to come here. You can spend the New Year here this year. I'll take you around for a walk."
Sister Guihua glanced at Wen Nuan and said with a smile, "Of course we have to. We have to get together before we go back. I hope you don't mind us getting in the way."
Deng Juxiang said with a smile: "It's a rare trip, so I must go to the Great Wall and the Forbidden City!"
Sister-in-law Guihua: "Also, go visit the restaurant and hotel owned by our sister Xiao Nuan. I heard that your hotel was even on TV. It's so impressive!"
Originally, they came here to get together with Wen Nuan, and they had already decided to spend the New Year here.
"No problem, thank you for giving me the opportunity to play the role of a good host." Wen Nuan smiled and said, "By the way, Lao Zhong has been here before. I'll ask Qinghan to call him and see if he's free to come over."
Zhang Guihua said, "There is also the quartermaster. He said he would come here on New Year's Eve. He should be here by then."
Wen Nuan was overjoyed: "That's great, we can get together again then."
*
Wen Nuan originally wanted to arrange for her two sisters-in-law to stay in a hotel, which was not too far from home and had a good environment.
However, the two sisters-in-law said that there would be many guests during the Spring Festival, and in order to avoid wasting rooms, they stayed in several empty rooms in the courtyard.
The children have been playing together these two days. They have good energy, so they first made an appointment to climb the Great Wall together, and then went ice skating at Shichahai.
Wen Nuan took her two sisters-in-law to the nearby Forbidden City, and visited her restaurant and hotel.
Zhang Guihua and Deng Juxiang also thought that the warm hotel was only slightly better than the guesthouse, but they didn't expect it to be much better than they imagined.
I heard from Wen Nuan that this was originally a state-owned factory, but because it was not in line with urban development, it was moved to Tongzhou.
The state-owned factory left behind a building and a large yard, and the location here is very advantageous, less than two kilometers away from the city center.
Now the eight-story building has a brand new look. If you don’t know, you might think it was newly built.
The yard is also decorated with various flower beds and green plants, as well as entertainment facilities for children, which is refreshing to look at.
Not only is the exterior of the hotel magnificent, but a lot of effort has also been put into the lobby on the first floor of the hotel. There are not only Chinese and Western restaurants, a coffee shop, and a dessert shop, but there is also a piano and a large chandelier in the middle of the lobby. It looks very Western and clean, which subverted their perception of the accommodation environment.
After all, the conditions in those state-owned guesthouses are not that good.
No wonder Wen Nuanjia Hotel attracts so many foreign friends.
Wen Nuan introduced: "We are currently cooperating with three travel agencies, so the passenger flow is good, and the hotel is basically fully booked during holidays."
Especially during the Spring Festival, not only are some of the guest rooms contracted by the organizers of the Spring Festival Gala, but travel agencies also have a lot of orders coming in. The next half month will be the busiest and most tourist-filled period of the whole year.
Zhang Guihua: "Such a comfortable environment, I also want to live here."
"Then next time you come, come and stay for a while. You are always welcome." Wen Nuan said, and pointed to the piano, saying, "Sometimes Lele will bring her friends to play. They are in a music group."
When the theater first opened, Lele didn't want to come, but Belle was a child who loved new things and always wanted to come and perform.
After trying it once, the response from customers was pretty good. Several children would come over to play when they were free, just to liven up the fun for everyone.
Zhang Guihua: "It's really fashionable. I didn't expect that there are so many novel things in the city now. I can't even see these things in the north city."
Deng Juxiang: "And it's very clean. I just asked Liu Chunyan, and it turns out that Xiao Nuan and her friends have to change the bed sheets in their hotel every day. Isn't that too much work?"
Wen Nuan smiled and said, "No, we have a special laundry room and disinfection cabinet, so we don't need to wash it manually."
Zhang Guihua couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "It's high-end, no wonder it can do so well."
After Wen Nuan took the two sisters-in-law for a stroll around the hotel, she also took them to experience her usual work for half a day.
In fact, there is not much warm work, most of which are decision-making issues.
Normally, Liu Chunyan and Xu Huilan are the ones who handle most of the small issues in the hotel, so not many people come to her.
Moreover, Wen Nuan Hotel also has a finance department, which usually looks at the profit situation.
However, the profits in the past few years have been good. Since there are few high-end hotels these days, theirs is considered one of the more luxurious ones in the city.
After leaving the hotel, Wen Nuan took them to a department store, where they did some shopping, and then they could prepare for the Spring Festival.
When they were resting at night, Gu Qinghan asked Wen Nuan, "Are you going to accompany Sister Guihua and the others tomorrow? Do you want me to go to the hotel and look after them for you?"
Wen Nuan shook her head: "No need, Xu Huilan won't be returning home this year, she said she can just come and look after us."
It was not necessary for her to be present at the hotel, and the hotel had been open for so long that the staff could already handle all kinds of situations.
Even if she is not here, it will not affect the operation.
Gu Qinghan glanced at his tired wife and said, "I've called Lao Zhong and the quartermaster, but they're both busy. I'll just ask you to get together with your two sisters-in-law."
Wen Nuan buried her head in her husband's broad chest and said "Oh" in disappointment, "Okay, then I'll take a vacation and have some fun with my two sisters-in-law."
But Wen Nuan had already prepared herself mentally. After all, it was New Year's Day, who would go out
Many people only have time to rest during the Chinese New Year, and they definitely stay at home with their families.
Gu Qinghan caressed her soft hair lovingly and said, "Okay, it's been a while since you had a holiday, have some fun for a few days."
Since the hotel opened, Wen Nuan has been busy between the restaurant and the hotel. Sometimes the couple have to call in advance to meet each other.
Fortunately, Wen Nuan now has a car, and she would bring him food and visit him whenever she passed by the General Aircraft Institute. If it happened to be after get off work, they would come back to the courtyard together.
Wen Nuan looked up at him and asked, "Commander, what about you? How many days off do you have this year?"
Gu Qinghan: “Three days.”
Wen Nuan raised her eyebrows: "So many?"
Since Gu Qinghan was promoted again last year, he has become increasingly busy and even has to visit air force bases in various places to comfort his subordinates during the Chinese New Year.
Last year, I only stayed for half a day on New Year's Eve, and left for the air force base in the south in the second half of the night.
It was quite unexpected to have three days of vacation all of a sudden.
Gu Qinghan hugged his wife's waist and said with a smile: "Well, I stayed specially to accompany you."
Wen Nuan kissed the man on the lips and said with a smile: "My Qinghan is so nice. I love you so much."
Gu Qinghan was delighted, his dark eyes were filled with smiles, and he said, "You are fine too, anywhere is fine."
Just as he was saying this, the sound of a door opening was heard outside the window. It was Commander Lu who had returned from a night fishing trip.
Wen Nuan couldn't help but say, "It's all your fault. Why did you buy fishing rods for Grandpa and Uncle Li in the middle of winter? Since they got the new fishing rods, he and Uncle Li have been fishing until the evening every day these days."
As she spoke, Wen Nuan was about to get up and prepare something to eat for Commander Lu.
Gu Qinghan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said, "Grandpa and Uncle Li both like it, but they just can't bear to buy it. I guess they won't be so crazy about it after a while."
Wen Nuan muttered, "That's hard to say. It's hard for ordinary people to understand fishermen."
Gu Qinghan laughed after hearing what his wife said, then held her down as she was about to get up and said, "I'll go, you go get some rest, we'll get up early tomorrow to make dumplings."
Wen Nuan had just warmed up the bed and really didn't want to go out, so she nodded: "Then get dressed and make some egg noodles for grandpa later, with some vegetables and some braised beef."
"Yes, Chief. I'll go right away." After saying that, Gu Qinghan put on his coat and went out. Soon the sound of his conversation with Commander Lu could be heard.
After listening for a while, Wen Nuan fell asleep in a daze.
When I woke up, it was already the morning of New Year's Eve.
*
On the day of New Year's Eve, some people got up early to set off firecrackers. The crackling sound woke up many people who were getting up early to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.
Sisters Guihua and Juxiang got up early in the morning to work, and Zhao Yongfu and Zhou Jianshe also finished their work and came to the courtyard early in the morning.
Because several families were celebrating the New Year together this time, they prepared a lot of dishes two days before, filling up the entire kitchen.
Gu Qinghan and Commander Lu also went out with a few boys early in the morning, saying that they were going to slaughter a sheep. They planned to have mutton hotpot tonight. Roasted lamb is hot and convenient.
Gu Wanyue, Huahua, Xiaodong, Xiaomei and a few other girls also followed Gu Qinghan to join in the fun.
However, at eleven o'clock, the four girls came back carrying two large buckets of coagulated pig blood. Gu Wanyue said disdainfully, "Dad is so mean. He said he would not let us watch the sheep being slaughtered and asked us to carry pig blood instead."
Several girls were covered in blood, their clothes were a little dirty, and their hair was a little messy due to the winter northwest wind. But although Lele complained, she still had a happy look on her face, as if she had returned to the New Year's Day when she was a child.
Wen Nuan pointed to the kitchen and said, "Put the things in the kitchen first, I'll take care of them later."
Sister Guihua looked at the two large buckets of pig blood and said, "So much? How long will it take us to finish it?"
Although there were many people eating together this time, a lot of ingredients had already been prepared, including beef, pork, several fish weighing more than ten pounds, and some seafood.
Gu Qinghan and Commander Lu said they wanted to slaughter two more sheep. How could they finish eating them
Just as he finished speaking, several boys came back carrying a freshly slaughtered sheep, and Gu Qinghan, who followed behind, carried another one himself.
This was not the end yet. Commander Lu and Uncle Li followed behind, carrying another load of unchopped ribs.
Wen Nuan and Ju Xiang went to help: "Why did you buy so much meat?"
Although there were so many of them, the originally agreed upon sheep plus the various dishes prepared by the kitchen were already more than enough.
I've prepared some dumplings for later, how can I finish them
Gu Qinghan said, "It's not much, we can definitely finish it. Besides, everyone will be here for the next few days, so we can eat slowly."
Zhang Guihua and Deng Juxiang looked at each other. They planned to go back on the third day of the New Year. They might go out to play the next day or the day after tomorrow, and they would probably eat out.
Who eats these
Wen Nuan smiled and said, "It's okay. There are so many of us. Qinglan and Daxiang and their families will be here soon. Everyone, just eat as much as you can. Especially you kids, you are all growing up, so eat as much as you can."
As soon as he finished speaking, a tall and burly figure walked in from the door and shouted proudly, "I'm here too. I promise to eat as much as I can!"
Then, another familiar figure walked in at the same time and said with a smile: "Since there are so many dishes, why not give me an extra pair of chopsticks."
"Another pair of chopsticks, is that okay?"
Wen Nuan looked at the figures who suddenly walked in at the door, and subconsciously looked at Gu Qinghan, her eyes full of disbelief—
Didn't they say that Lao Zhong and the quartermaster Xiao Zhu were not available? !
Gu Qinghan smiled gently: "Everyone said they would give you a surprise and asked me not to tell you, because it would be meaningless if I told you."
Wen Nuan looked at her old comrades and was deeply moved. "You are really—"
Wen Nuan didn't know what to say for a moment. She was very excited to see her old comrade.
At the same time, we are also very happy that we are finally together after many years.
The quartermaster smiled and said, "Comrade Wen Nuan, please don't mind me bringing my family with me to bother you. I'm just taking my family on a trip to the capital."
Lao Zhong laughed: "That's right, our family is here for a trip, so please don't mind us eating and drinking for free."
After all, their round-trip air tickets were reimbursed by their leader Gu, and they were able to get together with their old comrades, so it was a good deal no matter how they calculated it!
Wen Nuan quickly invited them in and said, "Please come in, you are most welcome!"
Afterwards, Wen Nuan asked her two sons to clean up their rooms, and Gu Qinghan whispered, "I have already arranged a place for them to stay, so you can rest assured."
Wen Nuan glanced at Gu Qinghan, and then gave him a look that only husband and wife could understand.
Gu Qinghan gently squeezed her palm, signaling her to greet the guests first.
When they walked in, the first thing they did was to salute Commander Lu: "Hello, Commander."
Commander Lu waved his hand, pointed at Gu Qinghan over there and smiled: "Your leader is over there, just call me Uncle Lu from now on, there's no need to be so serious."
Lao Zhong said: "You will always be the leader who leads us forward."
Commander Lu smiled amiably, "You don't have to be so reserved at home. I'm an old man and no longer a leader. Everyone, relax and treat it like your own home. Eat, drink, and have fun."
Everyone saluted in unison and responded in a resounding voice: "Yes, Chief."
Wen Nuan saw that they had finished greeting each other, so she said, "Come on, come on, everyone, please come in first. I have already made tea for you."
This time, Lao Zhong and the quartermaster brought their entire family with them. Everyone exchanged greetings and the huge courtyard instantly became lively.
It was the first time that their home was so lively, as if they had celebrated the New Year and other festivals in the staff quarters in the past.
After Wen Nuan greeted them, she said, "We are preparing to make dumplings. You came at the right time. I was worried about how long it would take to prepare so many things for today's New Year's Eve dinner. Now that our squad leader Zhong and the quartermaster are here, I feel relieved."
Old Zhong and the quartermaster looked at each other and said cheerfully, "Okay, let's let our comrades from the kitchen team show off their skills today and ensure that we have a New Year's Eve dinner early."
Wen Nuan looked at the two cleanly slaughtered sheep and said, "Today we will roast a whole sheep and cook the remaining sheep in a hot pot. As for the fish that Grandpa caught, we can make steamed fish and pickled fish..."
There are also various auspicious dishes left, even the chickens, ducks and geese are all ready, and they just need to be cooked.
Wen Nuan had already thought of the dishes for tonight's New Year's Eve dinner. She thought it was a bit too much before, but she didn't expect that everyone would come and they would all be useful.
Commander Lu pointed to a large pile of pork ribs that he and Uncle Li had brought back, and asked Wen Nuan: "Xiao Nuan, what about these ribs? How do you make them?"
Lu Zhengyang shouted, "Mom, I want to eat sweet and sour pork ribs."
Lu Zhengqi: "But I want to eat braised spareribs."
Gu Wanyue frowned: "I think salt and pepper spareribs are more fragrant."
When Uncle Li heard this, he said, "Okay, okay, I'll arrange everything for you later. Let Xiao Feifei and I make this slab of pork ribs. Anyway, there's not enough space in the kitchen here, so we'll go to the restaurant and make it first and then bring it back."
Commander Lu nodded: "Alright, let's make the ribs after we make the dumplings."
Zhang Guihua and Deng Juxiang looked at each other and asked, "So Commander Lu's name is Xiao Feifei?"
Commander Lu: “…?”
After receiving the angry look from his old friend, Uncle Li happily walked into the main room and prepared to make dumplings.
Commander Lu in the yard was so angry that he laughed.
After greeting the guests, Gu Qinghan took a few children to post couplets. All the couplets were handwritten by Commander Lu and Uncle Li.
Both elders had practiced calligraphy and their handwriting was vigorous and powerful. After they finished writing, Lele and Zhengyang Zhengqi were responsible for applying the paste. Gu Qinghan was taller, so he didn't need to move a ladder and could just stand on a stool to paste it.
Wen Nuan and others were making dumplings in the main room. Thinking about the large number of people at home, she suggested going to a restaurant to eat.
After all, there were too many people and there were not enough tables and chairs at home.
But everyone felt that it would be better to spend the New Year at home in a more open manner, so they said, "If there is not enough room in the house, let's sit in the yard, there is more space here."
Everyone had no objection to hearing this, and they all wanted to stay home and have a meal together. Moreover, the weather seemed to have improved. Although it was cold, it felt a lot warmer because there were more people crowded together.
So several men began to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.
*
After working for a long time, at around three o'clock in the afternoon, the dark clouds in Beijing dissipated and the weather cleared up.
Wen Nuan made some meatballs and various New Year snacks for the children to try, and also sent them to several nearby neighbors.
Wen Nuan has lived here for several years and has interacted with many neighbors. They all know each other well.
However, Wen Nuan didn't have time to go in person, so she asked Gu Wanyue, Lu Zhengyang, and Lu Zhengqi to go.
When they came back, they brought back a lot of gifts from others, including braised fried tofu, donkey rolls, Guandong candy, etc.
Returning with them were Gu Qinglan, Li Daxiang's family, Doctor Li Yunhua, and Mr. Zhao.
Both masters have retired, but were rehired as professors at the school. They go back to teach a few classes a week and their lives are very fulfilling.
Wen Nuan went forward to greet them and invited them into the main room.
After exchanging pleasantries, Doctor Li and Mr. Zhao said they were going to roast spare ribs with Commander Lu and walked towards Uncle Li.
Gu Qinglan has now graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree. She started working at the military hospital where Li Yunhua previously worked two years ago. She is very busy now and has hired nannies to take care of her children at home.
Sometimes during holidays, she would be sent over to play with Lele and her siblings. Wen Nuan hadn't seen her for more than half a month.
When Gu Qinglan entered the room, she almost thought she had entered the wrong house. She was surprised and said, "Isn't this Sister Guihua and Sister Juxiang? Oh my god, I missed you so much!"
Gu Qinglan excitedly went forward, hugged the two sisters-in-law, and said excitedly: "Sisters-in-law, long time no see!"
The two sisters-in-law were coaxed into laughing by Gu Qinglan's enthusiasm. They also hugged Gu Qinglan and said, "Sister-in-law misses you too. Oh, our Qinglan is getting more and more beautiful now!"
Gu Qinglan smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you are still so young!"
After Gu Qinglan chatted with her sisters-in-law about their well-being, she smelled the delicious food and touched her stomach, "I'm so hungry, let me see if there's anything delicious!"
Wen Nuan saw Gu Qinglan coming into the kitchen and preparing to eat secretly, so she said, "Doctor Gu, wash your hands before eating!"
Gu Qinglan stuck out her tongue: "Oh, I forgot."
While Gu Qinglan was washing her hands, Sister Juxiang had already prepared a bowl of mutton soup for her to warm her stomach. "Not only us, but also Lao Zhong and the quartermaster are here too. They are roasting a whole lamb with Commander Lu and his men in the backyard."
Gu Qinglan took a sip of the mutton soup, ate some of the tripe and intestines, and said, "No wonder the house is so lively. I can hear everyone laughing outside the alley. I'll go say hello to everyone after I finish my soup."
Wen Nuan: "Give me a bite. I'm hungry too."
Gu Qinglan handed the bowl to Wen Nuan and said, "Let me help with the rest. Sister-in-law, you two can take a rest first."
Zhang Guihua flipped the lotus root meat pie in the pot and said to Wen Nuan, "Xiao Nuan, drink slowly. It's so hot and you're drinking so much."
Deng Juxiang also laughed and said, "That's right, you're still like a child, you're always hungry and you didn't tell me earlier."
Wen Nuan smiled. She didn't expect that she was already in her thirties, but was still treated like a child by her two sisters-in-law.
"Got it. I'll drink slowly."
This New Year's Eve dinner had eighteen dishes. The restaurant sent three large round tables, each of which was filled with food. There was also a hot pot stove in the middle of the table, which was still steaming.
We sat together talking and laughing, the air became warmer, looking at the familiar faces from the past, the warmth seemed unreal for a moment, but their faces were full of smiles.
It's different when so many people celebrate the New Year together, and the huge courtyard becomes lively.
Commander Lu, as the head of the family and an old leader, raised his glass first: "Thank you all for your love for my little Nuan. It's not easy for us to get together today. Here, I wish you all a happy New Year, a smooth life, and better days."
Everyone stood up and raised their cups: "Thank you, old leader, and I wish you good fortune!"'
Wen Nuan smiled and said, "It's been a long time since our family has been so lively. The last time we celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival in North City, we also had a gathering like this in the birch forest. Today, we finally got together. I would like to toast everyone. Thank you all my old comrades and friends. I wish our friendship will last forever and our days will be prosperous."
After saying this, Wen Nuan drank first as a sign of respect.
Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them again: "Long live the friendship!"
"Life is getting better and better, prosperous and prosperous!"
"Happy New Year, good health and all the best!"
The meal was extremely lively.
It's not easy for us to get together. We were still chatting while eating, talking about our current situation and future plans.
The meal lasted from around 4:00 p.m. until the Spring Festival Gala began in the evening. A group of adults moved to the main room, while the young people and children gathered around the TV to watch the Gala. After watching, they strolled out to set off fireworks and firecrackers, and then went to Shichahai to skate and watch the lantern festival.
When it was almost twelve o'clock, the children came back, and everyone sat in front of the TV, counting down with the host, preparing to welcome the arrival of the new year.
"Ten, nine, eight... three, two, one!"
"Happy New Year!"
"May you be happy and prosperous!"
Everyone wished a happy new year to Commander Lu, and Commander Lu smiled and gave everyone a red envelope, including those who were married, those who were not, and those who had children.
After Commander Lu distributed red envelopes to everyone, he said, "I, an old man, will not make trouble with you anymore. Just have fun."
"Okay, thank you, old chief."
Old Zhong and the quartermaster were so excited that they almost cried. "I didn't expect that I would get lucky money even though I'm almost 50 years old. It feels so good."
The people here have all experienced the war years, and many of their relatives are no longer with us.
Now that I'm holding the red envelope, I'm really excited.
Sister Juxiang smiled and said, "Let's talk about it later. I'll pack one for you two later."
The quartermaster carefully put the red envelope into his pocket and said with satisfaction: "That's different. This is given by our old leader. It means a lot."
Lao Zhong: "That's right, this is our treasure!"
Wen Nuan smiled and said, "I'll ask Grandpa to give you another one tomorrow."
"No, no, no, we are not greedy, one is enough."
"Besides, maybe we will come over to pay New Year's greetings next year or the year after next!"
Wen Nuan looked at everyone and smiled: "That would be great."
Then, Wen Nuan sat with everyone for a while, until the children couldn't stand it anymore and shouted to go back to bed, and everyone reluctantly left.
*
On New Year's Eve, even though it was late at night, you could still hear the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks coming from afar.
Wen Nuan pressed against Gu Qinghan's chest, too excited to sleep at all, "I really can't believe that everyone is here."
Gu Qinghan smiled: "Are you happy?"
Wen Nuan nodded: "Happy, so happy, so happy that I want to-"
Before she could even say the word "die", Gu Qinghan pressed his lips against hers and said in a deep voice, "It's New Year's Day, you are not allowed to say that word."
Wen Nuan chuckled, "As you wish, Chief. I won't say any more."
Gu Qinghan hugged her and held her tight in his arms: "Go to sleep, my wife, it's already past three o'clock."
Wen Nuan murmured, "I'm not sleepy."
Gu Qinghan directly hugged the person to himself, put his arms under his head, and smiled: "Then let's exercise."
Then he put his ear close to Wen Nuan's ear and said in a hoarse voice: "Let's start the new year..."
Wen Nuan immediately covered his mouth, "Are you ashamed? How old are you? And you still say such... such shameless words!"
Gu Qinghan quickly turned over and said with a smile: "Who made me love you so much?"
After saying this, he sealed his wife's beautiful red lips.
*
In the following days, Wen Nuan followed everyone to visit the famous attractions in Xiajing City.
On the third day of the New Year, Sister Guihua had to go back to the Air Force Base in the north city.
Wen Nuan and Ju Xiang stood beside the car and said to her, "We look forward to meeting again next time."
Zhang Guihua held their hands that were lying on the car window and nodded: "There will definitely be a day when we will meet again. You all need to take good care of yourself and remember to call me often. I will treat you as my lifelong friends."
"Okay, good friends for life!"
"Osmanthus, I wish you a safe journey. I will miss you."
"I will miss you too!"
After seeing off Sister Guihua, Wen Nuan drove Sister Juxiang and her family to the train station. She stood on the platform, hugged Sister Juxiang, and then watched them go away on the train.
It is the peak travel season in Beijing, and the train station is bustling with people coming and going.
Just like that New Year's Eve.
In just a few days, several old comrades returned to their respective posts, and the courtyard became peaceful again.
When winter came to Beijing again, Chen Meijiao came back from Guangzhou and brought back a piece of news: "I heard that the land can be transferred. A piece of land has been auctioned off in Shenzhen."