Siheyuan Back to the 1950s

Time passed quickly and it was the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month. Early in the morning, after breakfast, Sun Zhengguo and his wife prepared to return to the courtyard.

The steel mill was closed today, so Sun Zhengdong didn't rush to work.

"Zhengdong, your sister-in-law and I will leave first. Don't forget what I told you. We will go to the Siheyuan for dinner tonight. Your cousin and his family will also be there."

"Okay! Brother, I got it. Aifang and I will go there this afternoon."

After explaining this, Sun Zhengguo took his wife and returned to the courtyard.

In the courtyard, every household is busy at this time. No matter they are rich or poor, they have accumulated tickets for a long time, just waiting for the lively time during the New Year.

When Sun Zhengguo rushed back to the yard, he happened to meet Yan Bugui, who was directing his son to move a table.

"Uncle, what are you doing?"

As soon as Yan Bugui saw Sun Zhengguo, he immediately felt a little unhappy.

Anyone with a discerning eye would know what he is trying to do.

It’s nothing more than writing a couplet and earning some peanuts and melon seeds.

But he is the richest man in this compound, and after so many years, he hasn't earned a single dollar. Do you think he can be happy?

"Oh! Zhengguo is back. I am going to serve the people of the compound and help them write couplets."

Seeing Yan Bugui's serious tone, Sun Zhengguo did not expose him, but just gave him a thumbs up against his will.

"Third uncle, you are just like this. Living in the same courtyard with you is a blessing for these people."

After Sun Zhengguo finished speaking, he took Ning Xiaowei home.

Yan Bugui was left alone, standing there stupidly. He knew there was something wrong with this statement, but he didn't know how to refute it.

When they got home, Sun Dajiang and his wife were busy killing chickens. The young couple greeted them and came into the main room.

"Zhengguo, is there anything wrong with Uncle San helping the masses write couplets? Why do I feel like you have something else in your words?"

"Hehehe!"

"Sister-in-law, do you have any misunderstanding about the help? Can the Third Master be so kind? He charges a fee! Peanuts, melon seeds, steamed bread, or money is fine. He calls it a fee for writing."

Sun Zhengguo didn't even need to explain. Sun Zhenghong, who had just entered the room, smiled and explained everything to his sister-in-law.

"Then do you also want Third Uncle to help write our couplets?"

Ning Xiaowei continued to ask.

"There are so many people in our family who can write. Any one of them can write. Why do we need his help? You might as well eat what you have."

Sun Zhenghong said proudly.

When Ning Xiaowei celebrated the New Year in the past, there were only three people at home. Sometimes her eldest brother didn’t even come back to celebrate the New Year, so it was not so lively at all.

After hearing what her younger sister said, her curiosity was aroused and she kept asking questions.

It just so happened that Sun Zhenghong had nothing to do at the moment, so the two aunts and their sister-in-law started chatting.

Seeing that the aunt and sister-in-law were chatting so happily, Sun Zhengguo did not disturb them and went to help his parents kill chickens and fish.

At noon, after everyone finished lunch, they began to get really busy.

Sun Dajiang and his wife were responsible for the kitchen, the Sun Zhengguo brothers were responsible for making couplets, Sun Zhenghong was cutting window flowers, and Ning Xiaowei also followed behind to learn.

What a happy scene!

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the cooking in the kitchen was almost finished. The couplets on the door and the window grilles on the windows were all brand new, and the house was cleaned tidy.

The families of Lin Jiguo and Sun Zhengdong also came with food rations. This was actually just for show, as none of their families needed this little food ration now.

"Cousin, Brother Zhengdong, you guys came at the perfect time. We've already finished our work, and you just arrived. Don't you want to come and help?"

"Hahaha……!"

Sun Zhenghong's words caused everyone to laugh, and then Lin Jiguo explained.

"How is that possible? We also have to put up Spring Festival couplets and window decorations in our house, and we also have to clean up, so we are late."

"Don't listen to this girl's nonsense, everyone go inside and have some tea and melon seeds."

"Come, Kangri, come to my place. I have some candy here. Do you want some?"

When the young Lin Kangri heard what Lin Wencui said, he quickly let go of his mother's hand and ran over happily.

"I want some candy, and my aunt has some candy."

"Hahaha……!"

The funny appearance of the little anti-Japanese made everyone laugh again.

Lin Wencui was so happy that she picked up the little Kangri, took out a few pieces of White Rabbit milk candy from her pocket, stuffed them into the little Kangri's pocket, then peeled another piece for him and put it in his mouth.

"My aunt is the best! This candy is so fragrant and sweet, so delicious."

"Hahaha……!"

Since the arrival of Xiao Kangri, there has been constant laughter in the house. Everyone played until about five o'clock and then started preparing for dinner.

Today is New Year's Eve. Even the most frugal families will buy some meat. Therefore, the Sun family had no scruples today and put a large table full of dishes.

At the dinner table, Sun Dajiang first gave a speech summarizing the gains and losses of the past year, and then everyone raised their glasses to celebrate this wonderful moment together.

"cheers!"

The little anti-Japanese who had been waiting for a long time, seeing everyone clinking glasses, secretly reached out and took a meatball and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Kangri, do you know the rules? My uncle and aunt haven't even started eating yet, so how can you sneak in and eat?"

Huang Hua beside him blamed.

"It's okay. Children are greedy. Didn't you see Zhengguo and his friends stealing food in the kitchen before the food was served when they were young? I still remember one year, ..."

"Hahaha……."

Lin Wencui talked about Sun Zhengguo's glorious childhood deeds, which caused everyone to laugh, and made him feel a little embarrassed.

"Mom, this is such an old story, why are you still bringing it up? I remember it was my sister who did it, right?"

"Okay! I stole the meatballs from the kitchen, and you two brothers ate a lot of them, right? Now you're blaming me for it. You really have no conscience."

Of course Sun Zhenghong didn't want to take the blame and immediately hit back.

When talking about food, everyone was deeply moved and started discussing it.

"..."

What kind of life have people lived outside in the past year? Everyone knows it well. Who is the one who made them live such a good life today? Everyone also knows it well.

Lin Jiguo raised his glass and toasted Sun Dajiang and his wife first, thanking them for taking care of him over the years.

Of course, he wanted to toast this second glass of wine to Sun Zhengguo. If it weren't for this cousin, his family would never have lived such a comfortable life.

After Lin Jiguo finished toasting, Sun Zhengdong followed with the same reason.

Everyone happily drank wine, ate delicious food and talked about the bright future.

After the New Year’s Eve dinner was over, everyone helped to clean up and then set off firecrackers.

After happily setting off firecrackers, everyone began to wish Sun Dajiang and his wife a happy new year.

They visited each family one by one in turn. Sun Dajiang and his wife were so happy that they couldn't stop smiling. They kept giving red envelopes to the children.

After paying New Year’s greetings, those who wanted to play cards went to play cards, while the rest drank tea, chatted, and ate melon seeds.

They played until after 9 o'clock. Lin Jiguo was the first to say goodbye and leave, holding the sleeping little Kangri.

Sun Zhengguo and Sun Zhengdong cannot stay here to keep watch because their wives are pregnant.

The two men greeted each other and took their wives back to the courtyard.