Chapter 159: May Every Year Feels Like Today, Let Every Age be Like the Present
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
There was a moment of silence.
Old Woman Heng and Old Man Heng wished they could faint.
Or just die.
How did they give birth to such a heartless boy?
Old Woman Heng opened her mouth to say something, but before she could,
Old Man Heng pulled her back, “Let’s go.”
Old man…” Old Woman Heng called out softly, then looked at her husband who had a dark expression on his face.
Her eyes reddened.
It wasn’t like this in the beginning.
In the early days, her children and grandchildren were filial and the family listened to her arrangements.
But ever since they were separated, each of their wings had hardened.
What disappointed Old Woman Heng even more was that she and the old man were not escorted back to Heng Family Village, but directly to Ninghe Town instead.
“Dalang, Erlang, today is the 30th day, it’s the Lunar New Year-”
“Father, Mother, our house is only so big. It can’t fit you at all.
For a moment, Old Woman Heng felt that she might as well die.
She looked at the empty space next door.
“Get lost, all of you get lost!” Old Man Heng shouted angrily.
Heng Dalang and Heng Erlang glanced at the things in the basket. They wanted to take some home, but they didn’t dare to.
With their dry throats, they could only say, “Father, Mother, I’ll be leaving first.”
I’m leaving too.”
The two brothers walked very quickly.
Old Woman Heng looked at her two boys and couldn’t help but wipe her tears.
What sin had she committed?
“Alright, quickly move the things in and start a fire to cook,” Old Man Heng said in a deep voice.
Old Woman Heng looked at the wicker basket and bent down to pick it up.
“Aiyo, old man, they’ve prepared quite a lot. There’s everything.”
Meat, salt, sugar, wine, and a bowl of hoof soup.
Old Man Heng said nothing.
He slowly entered his house.
This illness made him understand a lot of things, and he regretted what he had done back then.
However, it had already happened and it was useless to brood now. The best thing they could do was to move forward. Fortunately, they still had some silver in their hands.
As long as they lived frugally, their future days would not be too difficult.
However, they had forgotten that they were not alone in their house.
They had long been surrounded by people with ulterior motives.
Old Man Heng and Old Woman Heng wanted to have a good dinner, just the two of them, but they never expected that the three brothers, Heng Dalang, Heng Erlang, and Heng Sanlang, would bring their families to Ninghe Town.
In the name of “accompanying the two elders for the new year”, the three brothers came to eat and drink.
The three daughters-in-law were very nimble as they cooked everything Han Qiao had prepared and served it to the table.
Their grandsons and granddaughters even asked Old Woman Heng and Old Man Heng for New Year’s money.
Old Woman Heng cursed as she went to prepare their red envelopes.
It was still early in the evening back in Puyi County, but everyone in the Heng Manor had already prepared their dinner. There were nearly 20 dishes on a large table. The meat and vegetables were well-matched according to their color, fragrance, and taste. Just looking at them made one’s fingers itch to move.
“It’s time for New Year’s Eve dinner.”
The whole family sat together. He Cheng had to eat by himself today. Fortunately, the house was warm. The child took off his clothes and wore very little, so his hands and feet could move nimbly in the house.
In addition, he had his brother and sisters to take care of him, so his stomach was full in just a short time.
Han Chi raised his wine glass and first offered a toast to his great-grandfather and great-grandmother, then to his parents.
He kowtowed to Han Qiao and Heng Yi seriously.
“Father, Mother, this son will toast you. Thank you for giving this son a home…”
He began nicely, but Han Chi’s tears started to flow as he spoke.
Anyone could tell that this child was a tough nut to crack.
He was smart and quick-witted. He had been a beggar for many years, and his mind was more scheming than a sieve.
Han Qiao took out a handkerchief to wipe his tears, “You’re already a man. Why are you still crying? Get up quickly. It’s the new year today, so we have to have a happy New Year’s Eve dinner. Mother has even prepared red envelopes for later. You still have to light firecrackers and stay up for the New Year. There are many fun things to do, so no room for tears.”
Perhaps it was because she was pregnant, Han Qiao could not help but feel touched by his words. There were tears in her eyes.
“Yes!”
Han Chi nodded vigorously.
Then, he toasted his three sisters, “If you have any troubles in the future, feel free to ask your brother to do it. I can even run errands for you.”
The three sisters were all kind people. Although they were surprised by Han Chi’s sudden appearance, they also had a lot of respect for him.
“Big Brother, you’re too kind,” Sun Xiu hurriedly said.
After reading and being literate, one would know etiquette, reason, harmony, kindness, tolerance, generosity, and above all, love and respect.
Self-respect and self-love.
Sun Yi also stood up and returned the greeting.
Sun Ke followed suit and was respectful to him too.
Lady Lin had taught the three children very well.
Han Chi toasted Bai Cha. “Uncle Bai, my martial arts skills will depend on you in the future.”
“Alright, as long as you don’t find it hard or tiring.”
“No, Uncle Bai just needs to whip me to motivate me. 1 can take it.” Han Chi patted his chest.
Bai Cha patted his shoulder.
This child was not only smart but also hard-working. Most importantly, he knew what kind of person he was, what he wanted to do, what he wanted to get, and what he had to give. As long as he was taught well, his future would be limitless.
The Madam of the house had good taste and knew how to choose people.
Sun Xiu, Sun Yi, and Sun Ke also toasted and returned to their seats.
Han Qiao and Heng Yi also toasted their grandparents and everyone else, wishing them a better year. The New Year’s Eve dinner had officially begun.
This New Year’s Eve dinner was very important to everyone at the table.
This was the first time that Grandmother and Grandfather did not celebrate it with their children and grandsons but at their granddaughter and grandson-in-law’s house.
Han Qiao and Heng Yi got married and had their own home. Soon, they had their own children. Han Qiao had never thought of starting her own family so soon.
From the beginning, she thought Heng Yi was good, but as life went on, everything seemed to flow smoothly.
She and Heng Yi learned more about each other and loved each other.
For Heng Yi, this was the happiest and warmest year in his twenty-four years. He didn’t have two dishes, and he didn’t have any annoying requests to do. He only had his wife’s gentle smile, and from time to time, she would give him some of his favorite dishes.
It had not been easy for him to get to this point.
For the children, they could eat sumptuous food around the table in a warm room. They did not have to be afraid of their drunk father who could beat them up upon one wrong move, nor did they have to warily glance at their grandparents. Nor do they need to worry about their cousins secretly bullying them, or rolling their eyes at their aunt.
This New Year’s Eve dinner was to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.
After today, all the bad things would be over, and the new year would be a new beginning.
It was the same for Bai Cha.
From that moment on, he was Heng Yi’s most loyal servant and most reliable brother.
After the New Year’s Eve dinner, Han Qiao began to give out red pocket money.
She gave one, and Heng Yi gave one.
The children were all given one tael of silver, so they received two taels in total.
They gave Grandpa and Grandma two taels each, which added up to four taels of silver.
Bai Cha received ten taels of silver
Bai Cha looked at Heng Yi and Han Qiao handing him the red packet. He was stunned for a moment before he smiled and took it from them, “Thank you, Big Brother, sister-in-law.”
With the address change, their identities were naturally different.
Heng Yi patted Bai Cha’s shoulder.
There were no words that needed to be said. If they were family, they wouldn’t say anything.
The children received their New Year’s money and happily put it in their pockets.
Han Qiao also gave the other children fifty coins each.
She watched as a group of children played with firecrackers in the courtyard, making popping sounds. The adults sat in the hall and warmed the fire, drinking tea and eating snacks, dried and candied fruits.
Han Qiao drank the white fungus soup. There was no sugar at all, and it was very light. However, Han Qiao loved it very much.
Heng Yi was afraid that he wouldn’t like it, so he peeled a walnut and handed it to her.
Han Qiao smiled as she fed Heng Yi the rest of the white fungus soup.
Heng Yi looked left and right. Seeing that no one was looking at him, he quickly opened his mouth and took the cup. While he was happily tasting it, Grandma let out a soft chuckle.
Heng Yi blushed.
When firecrackers started to be set off on a large scale in the city, even the gate of the Heng Manor was filled with crackling sounds.
Han Qiao leaned on Heng Yi’s shoulder, her eyes full of stars, “Happy New Year, my husband.”
“May everything go according to our wishes in the new year. May all our wishes come true, let us be safe and happy, and may the new year be like today every year. 1’11 hold your hand and grow old with you. May our love never change in this life.”
Heng Yi didn’t entirely understand these words, but he knew they were good.
A very, very good wish.
He hugged Han Qiao tightly and replied softly and carefully, “Yes,”