Chapter 1013

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Protagonist:

Li Xiulan

Wang Xiaohua rode the family's old motorcycle, carrying Li Jianjia, heading toward the Town.

Although the sunshine was bright along the way, it was deep winter, so it was still a bit cold.

Li Jianjia hugged Wang Xiaohua tightly from behind.

The motorcycle moved slowly forward along the Township highway.

The scenery along the way was very beautiful.

Li Jianjia watched, entranced; this Township scenery gave her a feeling of healing her soul.

She had not had her soul this quiet and comfortable in a very long time.

Arriving at the Town, they parked the motorcycle properly by the Side of the Road, and the two walked hand in hand into the Market.

With the Spring Festival approaching, the Market finally had some New Year Flavor, unlike the Village which was cold and deserted.

On the Street there were stalls selling Spring Couplets, selling Fireworks, selling children's toys.

The songs playing at the shop entrances were all festive songs welcoming the New Year.

"One of my favorite things to do when I was little was follow my mom to the Market."

Wang Xiaohua told Li Jianjia about his childhood:

"Back then there were so many people on the Street, especially on the Mid-Autumn Festival, holidays like Spring Festival, people pressed against people, just like the Subway morning rush hour."

Li Jianjia smiled in reply:

"Was it really that exaggerated? Were there really that many people on the Township Street back then?"

Wang Xiaohua stated categorically:

"Not exaggerated at all! There wasn't even a place to set your foot down, my mom held my hand tight, terrified I'd get lost! This Street hasn't changed much in all these years, come on, let's go take a look at Uncle Chunsheng's old shop!"

Wang Xiaohua pulled Li Jianjia toward the Convenience Store Niu Chunsheng once ran.

All these years later, that Convenience Store was still a Convenience Store.

Only the Boss had long since been replaced.

"Boss, how do you sell these Fireworks?"

The Boss was a woman in her fifties; she replied with a smile:

"This one 20, this one 30, this one's louder, bigger, 100."

"How about this little one?"

"This one, ten yuan for three packs!"

Wang Xiaohua then said:

"Give me three packs of the little Fireworks! Two packs of the thirty ones, one of the hundred!"

Additionally he bought some Zuan Tianhou, some electric spark flowers.

Electric spark flowers are also called fairy wands, a type of Fireworks, suitable for girls to play with.

Held in hand and lit, they produce beautiful silver sparks.

This kind of Fireworks has the lowest Danger; as long as you don't directly touch the burning part with your hand, you won't get burned.

Unlike other Fireworks, which might have the Danger of exploding.

"Alright, I'll get them for you right away!"

The Boss took out a Plastic bag, packed all the Fireworks and Zuan Tianhou together, and handed it to Wang Xiaohua.

Wang Xiaohua paid, then he and Li Jianjia strolled around the Street for a long while, and only then rode the motorcycle Home.

Back at the Hometown, Li Xiulan saw Wang Xiaohua and Li Jianjia return, having bought only Fireworks and nothing else, and couldn't help slapping her Thigh:

"Aiya, I forgot to tell you, I should have had you buy some Spring Couplets to bring back!"

Hearing this, Wang Xiaohua could only smile wryly:

"I thought you'd already bought them, I should have asked!"

Li Xiulan smiled:

"Forget it, tomorrow I'll have your eldest brother drive over to buy them."

Wang Zhanggen, however, said:

"Why buy them? Just have Xiaohua and Jianjia write them, they're both cultured people!"

Wang Zhanggen's suggestion immediately won Li Xiulan's agreement.

Bought Spring Couplets have no character; handwritten ones are different, especially when written by your own son and Daughter-in-law!

Wang Xiaohua couldn't help a wry smile:

"Dad, I haven't really practiced brush calligraphy, what I write probably won't look too good."

Li Jianjia, however, volunteered:

"I can give it a try!"

At this moment Li Xiulan said:

"But we don't have brushes, ink, or Spring Couplet paper at Home!"

Wang Zhanggen said:

"We'll go buy them tomorrow!"

At this time, Wang Erhai and Zhang Yueran walked out:

"No need to wait until tomorrow, Yueran and I will go buy them in a bit! We have to make a trip to the county town in a bit, and won't be back until evening!"

In the blink of an eye, night fell.

Wang Erhai and Zhang Yueran returned from the county town.

They bought brushes, ink, and a large stack of spring couplet paper.

Under the gaze of the whole family, Li Jianjia began to dip the brush in ink and write the couplets.

At first she was still a bit nervous, but after writing two sheets, the whole family praised her for writing beautifully, and she became confident, writing even more smoothly and effortlessly.

Du Xiaojuan also said:

"Jianjia, write me two couplets too. When I return to Guangzhou, I'll paste one on the villa gate and one on the company gate. Your calligraphy is too beautiful — even great calligraphers don't write as nicely as you! Pasting these couplets on my villa will definitely give me a lot of face!"

Li Jianjia was praised until she felt a bit embarrassed.

Actually, she had only practiced brush calligraphy for a few years in middle school.

Compared to those truly skilled calligraphers, she was still far, far behind!

"Eldest Sister-in-law, if you want them, then I'll write a few more!"

Li Jianjia wrote a couplet reading "One family harmonious, one family blessed; four seasons peaceful, four seasons spring." and pasted it on the living room gate; the horizontal banner bore the four large characters "Harmonious Peace and Health."

Then she wrote another couplet "Dragon-horse spirit opens grand fortune; spring breeze pride starts a new journey." and pasted it on the courtyard gate outside; the horizontal banner bore the four large characters "Auspicious as Desired."

As for the one written for Du Xiaojuan, it read "Horse treads auspicious clouds to welcome honored guests; gate greets morning sun to receive thousand gold." for the company gate; the horizontal banner bore the four large characters "Attract Wealth and Treasure."

As for the one written for the villa, it read "Fortune arrives at the family gate adding a hundred joys; spring comes to the courtyard receiving money and auspiciousness." The horizontal banner bore the four characters "Fortune Fills the World."

Du Xiaojuan took the couplets Li Jianjia wrote and immediately couldn't put them down.

She kept praising nonstop:

"Cultured people are just different! These couplets are not only written beautifully, but the content is also great! So festive!"

Once the ink on the finished couplets dried, the several brothers began to divide the labor and cooperate, pasting the couplets up together.

Wang Changgen stood to the side, hands clasped behind his back, directing — this one is crooked, needs to be straightened a bit; that one is too low, needs to be moved up a bit.

His eyes could not tolerate the slightest flaw.

Under his direction, the three brothers fussed for a good while, and finally got all the couplets pasted properly.

After pasting the couplets, Mother Li Xiulan had also finished cooking dinner.

Although it wasn't yet Lunar New Year's Eve, Li Xiulan still cooked a table full of rich dishes.

Everyone ate in a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

This New Year could be said to be the most harmonious and joyful one this family had spent in so many years.

During the meal, Wang Changgen couldn't help but ask Wang Erhai and Zhang Yueran:

"Erhai, Yueran, when will you two's matter be settled?"

He asked this question rather directly.

Li Xiulan also looked at Wang Erhai and Zhang Yueran with an expectant gaze.

Because among the three sons, only Wang Erhai's marriage — this major matter — had not yet been finalized.

Wang Erhai was just about to speak when Zhang Yueran hurriedly cut in:

"Uncle, Auntie, I plan to bring Erhai back to my home tomorrow on the twenty-ninth of the lunar month. After meeting my parents, we'll discuss the wedding date. What do you think?"

This afternoon they went to the county town together precisely to buy gifts for meeting the parents tomorrow.

Li Xiulan said with a beaming smile:

"Fine, you two decide for yourselves."

Wang Changgen, however, urged:

"No matter what, it must be hurried. You two aren't young anymore!"