Travel back to the 80s to farm

On New Year's Eve, before dawn, Shen Jing got up early and cleaned the house, yard, and yard. Teacher Zhang and Lin Longping also got up early and were making breakfast in the kitchen.

While cleaning, Shen Jing said to Teacher Zhang, "Mom and Dad, good morning! Today is New Year's Eve. I have cleaned the house and the yard."

Teacher Zhang smiled and replied, "Jingjing, you got up really early! You've worked hard. Our custom here is to have the New Year's Eve dinner at noon, so we'll just have a simple breakfast."

Lin Longping shouted from the kitchen: "Breakfast is ready! Come and eat!"

Teacher Zhang came into the room and called Lin Yunlei to eat.

Teacher Zhang patted Lin Yunlei who was sleeping soundly and said, "Little Yunlei, hurry up and get up, wash your face, brush your teeth and eat!"

Lin Yunlei said sleepily: "Mom, why are you here so early?"

Teacher Zhang smiled and said, "Silly child, today is New Year's Eve. We have to wait a long time for the New Year's Eve dinner. Eat some breakfast first to fill your stomach!"

Then, everyone sat together and had a simple breakfast. Shen Jing said, "Today's New Year's Eve dinner must be very sumptuous!"

Teacher Zhang said: "Yes, according to the customs of our Qingshui Town, there will be a lot of delicious food for the New Year's Eve dinner. Let's look forward to it together!"

After breakfast, they began to prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner at noon, and the house was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Lin Longping boiled water, Teacher Zhang picked and washed vegetables, and Shen Jing and Lin Yunlei were responsible for washing the dishes.

Shen Jing said in surprise: "Wow, I didn't expect to prepare so many dishes on New Year's Eve!"

Teacher Zhang smiled and responded: "It's New Year's Eve, we have to have a big meal, with fish, meat, chicken, beef, dog meat... It will take a lot of plates!"

Shen Jing continued to ask: "Mom, with so many dishes, won't we be able to finish them? It's such a waste?"

Teacher Zhang answered patiently: "No, it's fine to keep it for a few more days because the weather is cold now!"

Lin Yunlei put down his bowl and chopsticks: "Mom, I'm going out to play!"

Teacher Zhang instructed: "Okay, play for a while and come back to eat! Don't play too long!"

Lin Longping also boiled water and came out of the kitchen: "Dear Teacher Zhang, I have boiled water and added some cold water, just right for washing vegetables!"

He turned around and said to Shen Jing: "Jingjing, scoop some more hot water. It's too cold now. Don't catch a cold!"

Shen Jing stood up slowly: "Well, good father!" He took the enamel basin and went to the kitchen to scoop water.

Teacher Zhang felt sorry for Shen Jing and said, "Jingjing, you've been busy all morning, take a break first!"

The corners of Shen Jing's mouth rose slightly, revealing a smile as sweet as a blooming spring flower: "Well, thank you, Mom!" Gratitude flashed in her clear eyes.

Then, there were noises coming from the kitchen. It turned out that Teacher Zhang and Lin Longping were busy preparing lunch. Lin Longping lit the fire skillfully, and Teacher Zhang poured the fresh ingredients into the pot.

Oil, salt, sauce and vinegar were flying in the pot, giving off an alluring aroma. Teacher Zhang skillfully stir-fried the food, and every move seemed so easy. While Lin Longping was lighting the fire, he also assisted by passing seasonings and cutting side dishes. The two worked very well together. After a while, dishes with good color, aroma and taste were served on the table one after another.

Teacher Zhang shouted into the room, "Jingjing, go call Yunlei to come home for dinner!"

A quiet voice came from the room: "Okay, mom!"

After a while, Shen Jing called Lin Yunlei back.

Teacher Zhang smiled and said, "You two should go wash your hands. Your father left some hot water!"

Shen Jing and Lin Yunlei said in unison: "Okay!"

At this time, Lin Longping took a small string of firecrackers and said, "I'm going to set them off!"

Lin Yunlei was very excited: "Yeah, okay, okay!"

After setting off the fireworks, the family started to have lunch together. At the dinner table, Teacher Zhang and Lin Longping looked at the well-behaved and sensible Shen Jing and Lin Yunlei, and their hearts were full of happiness.

"Jingjing, you've worked so hard this year and helped us a lot." Teacher Zhang picked up a piece of meat and put it in Shen Jing's bowl.

"Mom, don't say that. This is what I should do." Shen Jing smiled and picked up some of Lin Yunlei's favorite dishes.

"Yunlei, you will go to school next year. You must study hard and have a bright future," Lin Longping advised.

"I understand, Dad." Lin Yunlei nodded seriously.

After dinner, the family sat in the yard to bask in the sun and chat. Teacher Zhang told interesting stories about the New Year in the past, which made everyone laugh.

Teacher Zhang suddenly shouted, "Oh, by the way, Yunlei's father, go and prepare some Yuanbao sticks and block the gate!"

Lin Yunlei asked with a smile: "Mom, what is the Yuanbao stick?" Shen Jing was also very curious and stared at Teacher Zhang.

Teacher Zhang explained with a smile: "The Yuanbao stick is used to prevent the wealth in the house from running away. It means that money will come in and never go out!"

Shen Jing smiled and said, "Xiao Yunlei, you have to watch closely, don't let your fortune leak out!" Everyone laughed.

Shen Jing: "I suggest that we stay up together tonight to welcome the New Year."

Lin Yunlei jumped up and down happily like a little rabbit: "Great!"

As night falls and the stars twinkle in the sky, the whole family sits around the stove, making dumplings together, feeling warm and happy.

Teacher Zhang: "Jingjing, this is your first time celebrating the New Year at our house. I have some taboos to explain to you!"

Shen Jing said seriously: "Mom, you talk, and I'll listen!"

Lin Yunlei was very positive: "Mom, there's me too! I'll listen too!"

Teacher Zhang said slowly, "Ah, actually these customs are nothing special! For example, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, you must not splash water, otherwise you will splash out the wealth in your home! Also, you must not touch scissors, because 'cut' and 'reduce' have the same pronunciation, which has a bad meaning. Oh, girls should also pay attention, it is best not to comb your hair on this day, otherwise it will affect your fortune for the whole year!"

Before they knew it, Shen Jing and Lin Yunlei fell asleep. Teacher Zhang quietly put a "red envelope" wrapped in red paper under each of their pillows.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Shen Jing was still in a sweet dream when she was awakened by bursts of firecrackers.

Teacher Zhang gently patted Shen Jing's quilt: "Jing Jing, it's time to get up!"

Shen Jing looked at the sky outside, it was still dark: "Mom?"

Teacher Zhang smiled and said, "Jingjing, today is the first day of the new year, but you have to get up early!"

After saying that, Teacher Zhang turned around and went to the next room to call Lin Yunlei. Shen Jing also got up and put on her new clothes.

Teacher Zhang reminded with a smile: "Go wash up, your father has already boiled hot water! Don't forget, you have to spit the water into the tub today! Don't throw it out..."

Shen Jing smiled and responded: "I know, Mom!"

Lin Longping brought out a large bowl of dumplings from the kitchen: "The dumplings are ready!"

Teacher Zhang asked, "Dad Yunlei, did you save the first bowl?"

Lin Longping smiled and replied: "Keep it. You said you want to respect God, so how can I not keep it!"

Teacher Zhang continued, "Dad Yunlei, bring out the small altar table at home!"

Lin Longping responded readily: "Okay!" Then he moved the table that he had washed yesterday to the yard.

Teacher Zhang has already prepared incense, fire paper and gold ingots made of tin foil!

Teacher Zhang shouted to Lin Yunlei, "Yunlei, go to the granary and get a bowl of rice!" Then he looked at the ground and shouted, "Bring the sack as well!"

"Oh, okay!" Lin Yunlei quickly picked up the bowl and ran to the granary to fill a bowl and brought back a sack in his hand.

"Everything is ready!" Teacher Zhang prepared everything. Lin Longping picked up the matchbox, lit the incense and inserted it into the bowl full of rice. Then Teacher Zhang spread out the sack, knelt on the ground, and muttered something!

Shen Jing felt very strange, but did not interrupt Teacher Zhang.

Teacher Zhang finished reciting silently, then kowtowed three times, and then Lin Longping also kowtowed a few times.

Teacher Zhang waved to Shen Jing: "Jingjing, Yunlei, come and kowtow!"

Then Shen Jing and Lin Yunlei quickly finished their kowtows, and Teacher Zhang broke the offerings, then said with a smile: "It's over, bring them in, and let's eat dumplings!"

Later, Shen Jing discovered that all Teacher Zhang did was to pray for good wishes for the new year!