Chapter 69: New Year, New Atmosphere in the Mountain Village—Everywhere You Turn There's a Friendly Face!

The next day was the first day of the New Year.

Before the sky was fully bright, Shanwan Village was fully roused by successive bursts of firecrackers.

Occasionally interspersed were a few dog barks and the early‑morning chatter of children.

Every household's courtyard gate bore fresh bright red Spring Festival couplets, adding a strong festive cheer to the village wrapped in silver and white.

The red lanterns under the eaves swayed gently in the morning breeze.

Lu Qingshan and his family of three changed into new clothes.

They were hastily made by Lin Yue'e over several nights; the fabric was procured on the last trip to the county, and the cotton was newly spun.

Xiao Xue looked especially sprightly, wearing a brand‑new red‑grounded floral cotton jacket, its cuffs and collar edged with fine blue trim, which made her little face appear even more pink and cute.

Two little sky‑reaching braids tied with red cords adorned her head, the tips dangling tiny red pom‑poms that swayed, exuding boundless vigor.

"Dad! Mom! Happy New Year!"

Xiao Xue woke early, hopping on the heated brick bed, her little hand clutching Lu Qingshan's hem, her big eyes sparkling with wonder.

Jin Hu also seemed especially excited, wagging its tail vigorously, circling the three people's feet, occasionally nudging their calves with its head, emitting a soft whimpering coo.

"Good girl, Happy New Year."

Lu Qingshan laughed, lifted his daughter into his arms, and planted a kiss on her chubby cheek.

The little girl giggled nonstop.

He turned and took out the New Year provisions he had prepared long ago from the cupboard.

There were several strips of Wild Boar meat, smoked to a crisp golden hue and glistening with oil, carefully smoked over pine branches by Lin Yue'e.

There were also a few packets of pastries and candies exchanged from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, neatly wrapped in oil paper.

He packed these items one by one into a large basket, intending to take them to Lin Yue'e's Maternal Home.

Lin Yue'e watched from beside, a faint smile at the corner of her mouth, her gaze gentle.

Then Lu Qingshan reached into his chest and produced two small packets wrapped in red paper.

He first slipped one into the pocket of Xiao Xue's cotton jacket.

"Take it, this is the New Year's money from dad."

Xiao Xue's little hand felt the bulging red envelope in the pocket, her eyes squinting into a narrow slit with a smile.

The other, Lu Qingshan handed to Lin Yue'e.

Lin Yue'e held the red envelope, her fingers trembling slightly, and instinctively tried to decline.

"This… Lu Qingshan, I'm already an adult, no need…"

"Take it."

Lu Qingshan's tone was gentle, yet carried an unrefusable insistence.

"This is New Year's money, for Xue Er, and a share for you as well. From now on, we'll have it every year."

He looked at his wife's slightly reddened eyes, feeling a soft spot in his heart.

This was the first truly meaningful Spring Festival he had spent in this family since his rebirth.

He intended to repay, bit by bit, the debts he owed to mother and daughter.

Lin Yue'e pressed her lips together, lowered her head to accept the red envelope, her fingertips gently grazing the edge of the red paper.

Just as the tidying was done and they were about to leave for Lin Yue'e's Maternal Home to pay New Year calls, voices of Liu Fugui and Zhao Tiezhu came from outside the courtyard.

"Lu Qingshan! Are you home? We're here to wish you a Happy New Year!"

The voices arrived before the people.

Lu Qingshan opened the courtyard gate and saw Liu Fugui and Zhao Tiezhu, both dressed in clean clothes; though the fabric was still old, they looked quite spirited.

Zhao Tiezhu was still holding two palm‑sized frozen fish, their bodies shimmering with a blue glow, clearly just hauled from an ice hole.

He grinned foolishly: "Lu Qingshan, sister‑in‑law, Happy New Year! My mother sent me to bring these, fished yesterday evening from Xitou He, fresh!"

Liu Fugui also pulled a small cloth bag from his chest; the bag was washed white but kept very tidy.

"Lu Qingshan, sister‑in‑law, Xiao Xue, Happy New Year! These are our home‑roasted sunflower seeds and peanuts, not many, if you don't mind, have a taste."

Lu Qingshan smiled and invited them in: "Come inside quickly, it's cold out there."

Lin Yue'e also came out from the house, smiling: "Come in and warm up."

Xiao Xue poked her little head out from behind Lu Qingshan and cheerfully shouted: "Uncle Zhao Tiezhu, Uncle Liu Fugui, Happy New Year!"

"Hey! Xiao Xue, Happy New Year!" Zhao Tiezhu, seeing Xiao Xue, smiled even wider, pulling two sugar pieces wrapped in oil paper from his pocket, "Here, uncle's New Year's candy."

Liu Fugui hurriedly fumbled, a bit embarrassed: "I... I didn't prepare anything, I'll make it up next time."

Lu Qingshan waved his hand: "We're all brothers, no need for formalities."

"Lu Qingshan, on the fifth day, is it true that the county brings in carts of meat?" Liu Fugui asked, unable to hold back.

"Yes, Director Zhang personally promised it."

Zhao Tiezhu slapped his thigh: "That's great! We can exchange it for money again!"

Liu Fugui's eyes also sparkled: "Lu Qingshan, will you still take us hunting in the future? We'll definitely work hard!"

Lu Qingshan nodded: "As long as you're willing, I'll definitely take you."

Having gotten the answer, the two were in high spirits, exchanged a few more words, then rose to take their leave, heading to another household to pay New Year calls.

After seeing the two off, Lu Qingshan's family of three also stepped out.

On the village path, villagers walked in small groups; upon meeting, they clasped hands in a bow and exchanged "Happy New Year".

"Lu Qingshan, Happy New Year!"

"Brother Lu Qingshan, may you prosper in the New Year!"

"Lu Qingshan's wife, you look radiant, and Xiao Xue is growing more handsome each day!"

People kept approaching Lu Qingshan's family with greetings, their enthusiasm tinged with obvious respect.

Lin Yue'e was still not quite used to this kind of scene, she lowered her head slightly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help turning up, and she tightened her grip on Xiao Xue's hand.

Xiao Xue, with her little face raised, curiously watched everyone who greeted her parents, and from time to time she also imitated the adults, saying in a childish voice, "Happy New Year."

"Yo, this isn't Lu Zhiqing, huh? Really, a person depends on clothes, a horse on its saddle—once you get rich, you're just different!"

A sharp, thin voice came from nearby, and Qian Guapu twisted her waist as she walked out of the doorway of a neighboring house.

She had deliberately dressed up today; the powder on her face was a bit thick, her lips painted bright red, and she wore a semi-new red cotton jacket that clung tightly to her body, the buttons on her chest straining as if they might burst open.

Her eyes darted around Lu Qingshan's body, her tone tinged with sourness: "I heard your family got a lot of meat—those bear gall and bear paws are really good stuff."

Lu Qingshan's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, his expression flat: "Thanks to everyone's blessings, we've all shared in the good fortune."

Qian Guapu stepped closer, and a whiff of cheap snow-flower cream hit her face.

She lowered her voice, her eyes hooking: "Qing Shan bro, you're now a capable person in the village; it's not easy for a sister-in-law to get by alone, so from now on… you'd better look after her more."

She said this while deliberately thrusting out her chest.

Lin Yue'e's expression changed slightly; she unconsciously gripped Xiao Xue's hand a little tighter, and her lips pressed together.

Lu Qingshan suddenly stepped back half a pace, shielding Lin Yue'e and Xiao Xue behind him, and increased the distance between himself and Qian Guapu.

His voice suddenly turned cold, carrying an undeniable air of authority: "Elder Sister-in-law Qian, you've mistaken the person. My Lu Qingshan's household has a wife and daughter, we live in harmony, and I don't extend my care to outsiders."

"If you really are having a hard time, then live an honest life, stop harboring crooked thoughts. During the New Year, don't make yourself unhappy, and don't dirty everyone's eyes."

Having said that, he no longer looked at Qian Guapu's face, which instantly turned ashen, took Lin Yue'e and Xiao Xue's hands, and turned away without looking back.

"Ah... you..."

Qian Guapu still wanted to say something, but all she saw was the Lu family's retreating backs, straight and unyielding, exuding an air that brooked no intrusion.

She stomped her foot, gazing at Lu Qingshan's straight back and Lin Yue'e leaning against him beside him.

A flash of jealousy and resentment crossed her eyes, and she spat lowly: "Hmph, burnt firewood, yet you actually think you're some treasure!"