Arty Records

The He family's New Year's Eve dinner was a brand new experience for Fang Sishen.

There are five mahogany Eight Immortals tables in the middle of the lobby, and the top one is not only the dishes, but also the ancestral tablet.There is only one tablet, and it is written "the spiritual tablet of the ancestors of the He family".

He Shenwei explained to Fang Sishen in a low voice: "When I came out of the mainland, I didn't care about the ancestral tablet in the ancestral hall. This was written by your great-grandfather after I came here." Looking at the set of tin sacrificial vessels on the altar table, she smiled, "That candle stick incense burner was brought over from my hometown in Dongping. Seeing what your great-grandfather means, I wish I could make it a family heirloom. It's a pity that one is not gold and the other is not jade. None of the juniors will appreciate it."

All the dishes and offerings were served, He Weisi took the lead and stood in front of the tablet.All the descendants of the He family, including married daughters-in-law and married daughters, in short, all those surnamed He, consciously and automatically stand up according to their seniority.Those not surnamed He have already retreated to the side and stood to observe the ceremony.In the blink of an eye, Fang Sishen was left alone without belonging.Just as he was hesitating, he heard the old man instructing: "Zhirou, stand on the edge of Zhiyuan."

Not able to think too much, he hurriedly replied: "Yes." He quickly stood over.

But he heard a loud and long chant: "Bai—" Qi Shushu, a filial son and grandson, fell to his knees and kowtowed.After Fang Sishen kowtowed, he realized that the speaker was He Shenxing, the head of the family.

The first glass of wine was spilled on the ground, and He Shenxing began to read his congratulations.

Fang Sishen has grown up so much, he has read countless clan sacrificial ceremonies in historical records, but he has never really experienced it himself.Since the founding of the new dynasty, Xia Kingdom has broken old traditions and old morals and established new culture and new fashions. At Fang Sishen's age, he was born just at the end of the Great Reform Movement. Few people have experienced such activities, let alone he was still growing up wooded area.The forest area is originally no man's land.Workers and young people from all over the world come together for the common purpose of forestry.Manggan Road is a place with only new traditions and no old traditions.

Tears welled up in his eyes for being in the middle of the ceremony.Originally, because he couldn't get off the tiger, he felt very uneasy. He thought that he was here to have a New Year's Eve dinner, and at most it was just to meet the members of the He family.Participating in ancestor worship as a descendant of the He family was quite unexpected and not what he wanted.From the beginning to the end, he had no intention of coming here to recognize his ancestors.At this time, he thought about it, and thought it was a little filial piety for his adoptive father He Shensi.The soul of the dead is indistinct, but have you ever thought of going home?For He Weiwo and He Shensi, which side is the hometown?

While flying thousands of miles, he casually listened to He Shenxing's prayers, to the effect that he would report to his ancestors the family events of the year, which company made money, whose child went to school, and so on.After worshiping again, offer a second glass of wine, this time to pray for the blessing of the ancestors, peace and longevity, wealth and descendants.Kowtow to the third head, toast the third glass of wine, the speaker was changed to He Weisi.In a hoarse and intermittent voice, the old man reported to his ancestors the experience of returning to visit his hometown after an absence of more than 60 years.

Fang Sishen heard the last few sentences clearly.He was sobbing with a local accent, but he was able to distinguish every word: "Father, today I bowed in front of the hall, and there is He Zhirou, the adopted son of the He family who is living outside. It's a pity that your unworthy third son is only me, unworthy Sun Shensi, There is also the unfilial daughter-in-law, He Zhang's Miaojia, who followed you to the underground. Father... Poor third brother in a bag... There are no bones left, no souls to support... You old man knows underground, guide them..."

Fang Sishen mourned greatly, tears streaming down his face.At that moment, he almost said: at least one, at least one more, so that there will be no bones or souls... He dared not say it, covered his mouth with his fist, and burst into tears.

After three rounds of drinking and the ceremony, He Zhiyuan next to him pulled Fang Sishen up.He Shenwei came over and gave him a hug, and wiped away the tears on his face: "Go home, don't be sad."

Next, it was time for the descendants of He's head deacon to offer incense to the ancestral tablet.Anyone who has made contributions to the family business, regardless of gender, is eligible, and they are ranked according to the size of their contributions in the year, and they will offer incense to their ancestors one by one.The queue also includes several children who He Shenwei brought back to her natal family after her divorce and changed their mother's surname.

Although the material rewards at the end of each year are very generous, the arrangement of offering incense in front of the ancestors is undoubtedly a great spiritual honor.He Shenxing was the first to pay his respects, and began to roll names in order.Fang Sishen calmed down at this moment, and after listening to He Shenwei's explanation, he stood by and watched silently.One after another, young people stepped forward and stepped back. Those who were ahead were full of spirits, while those who were behind were full of ambition.I thought to myself that it is not unreasonable for an ancient family like the He family to survive the wind and rain, travel across the ocean and come to a foreign country, and still make a fortune.

Seeing that there are fewer and fewer people waiting to offer incense, the children can't help but put on a posture and are ready to grab a seat.Waiting for more than an hour for a table full of delicacies, even with heat lamps burning under the plates, is too much a test of patience.

He Shenxing called the last one, and was about to end when He Weisi suddenly interrupted: "Zhirou, you go too, and offer a stick of incense to the ancestors."

Except for the youngest child, everyone present was suddenly silent because of this sentence.

He Shenxing glanced at his old father, with obvious disapproval in his expression.Let Fang Sishen participate in the joint sacrifice, and no one in the family has any objections.But incense is different.Those who are eligible to be offered incense are all the He family's unique roles.And the sign of adult children entering the family business to take charge of affairs is also the incense stick during the New Year's ancestor worship.During the previous discussions, no one mentioned the matter of making Fang Sishen incense.He Shenxing shook his head secretly, because the father was getting older and more self-willed, he thought about it and made troubles, looking for trouble when nothing happened.He called softly, "Dad."

He Weisi expressed displeasure: "Your third uncle's branch can inherit the incense, what's wrong?"

Fang Sishen didn't move.Although he didn't know what it was, he could tell that offering incense must have some meaning.Hearing Chengsi Xianghuo's words at this time, he couldn't keep silent anymore.He stood up and bowed to He Weisi: "Grandpa, Zhirou is a junior, and you speak recklessly, please forgive me. Although my surname was He before the age of 15, I changed my surname to Fang after the age of 15. The kindness of upbringing is as important as Mount Tai. I will never forget it for the rest of my life. As for the rest, I think... let nature take its course? Today's stick of incense, I think it is my adoptive father, He Shensi, and pay homage to the ancestors of the He family. Let it be... that he came back Let's take a trip..."

After speaking, he walked forward slowly, took the incense stick from the hand of the old butler who was serving the incense candles, and inserted it into the incense burner in front of the memorial tablet.He did not bow like other incense burners, but knelt down again and kowtowed three times respectfully.

He Weisi stood up tremblingly, and his grandson He Zhigao hurriedly supported his grandfather.Pointing at Fang Sishen, the old man said to his son He Shenxing, who is also the head of the family: "See? This is a good boy. If you don't like it, he doesn't care about it!"

The New Year's Eve dinner finally started, and the children rushed to their low table with an "ow".After the solemn ancestor worship ceremony, it is the carnival time of eating, drinking and having fun.The hall is full of hosts and guests, and the side hall has prepared a few tables for family helpers.All the relatives who could come came, including many blond and blue-eyed faces, such as the second and third generations of the Cook family.Not only because Chinese New Year is delicious, delicious, and fun, but also because the lucky red envelopes distributed by He’s elders are quite generous, and anyone who is not married or has a job can get them.

At the table with Fang Sishen are He Zhigao and his wife, He Zhiyuan and his wife, He Zhijun, and He Shenwei's eldest daughter and second son.Brothers and sisters sitting together, it is inevitable to have a detailed sequence of age.The first time I heard about Fang Sishen's age, they all exclaimed in unison: "How is it possible!"

Fang Sishen was made shy by them: "Really, after the Chinese New Year, I'm officially 30 years old."

He Zhijun said: "Brother Zhirou is a doctor, and he is a lecturer in Prius! There are only a few doctors in our family? I didn't expect to have one more."

Everyone asked about Fang Sishen's career one after another, and he briefly mentioned it, but it attracted a lot of admiration again.Now I feel more embarrassed, and the pressure of eating food is doubled.But I don't want the happy atmosphere of the New Year's Eve dinner to gradually grow stronger. The more people in the room eat, the more relaxed they become. The table is all young and more relaxed, shouting and fighting for wine.Fang Sishen tried his best to hide from the alcohol, he was exhausted, exhausted and embarrassed.In the end, everyone reluctantly let him go because he was a newcomer.

When it was time to get a child, the juniors clamored to wish the elders New Year greetings, and the old housekeeper next to He Weisi was holding a large tray, and the red silk sprinkled with golden blessings set off a large stack of gold-stamped red envelopes.He Shenxing and He Shenwei also prepared enough red envelopes, slightly smaller than the old man's.After paying New Year's greetings to the three elders, Fang Sishen looked at the three red envelopes and shook his head with a smile: "Thank you grandpa, uncle and aunt, Zhirou has already married and established a business, so I am sorry to take the lucky money."

He Weisi was surprised: "When did you get married?"

Fang Sishen exposed the ring: "It was decided before Jiu Yue came here."

He Weisi squinted his eyes and nodded.The secret path monster had no choice but to accept incense for the He family.I also want to let nature take its course, and have a few more children in the future, each with the surname He.

Then ask, "When will you do the work?"

It is a matter of conscience to lie to the elderly.Fang Sishen had no choice but to say vaguely, "We'll talk about it when I return to China."

Inadvertently raised his head, saw He Shenwei looking at him meaningfully, and smiled awkwardly with a blushing face.

Fang Sishen didn't take the New Year's money, but Xiao Liu couldn't shirk it, holding the red envelope and quietly denouncing his idea: "Young Master Fang, this won't work, Young Master Hong will scold me if he knows about it."

Fang Sishen comforted him: "You brought the New Year greeting all the way, so take it, it's okay."

After the New Year's money was distributed, the all-night show began.Except for He Weisi who left the stage to take a break, even He Shenxing and He Shenwei set up a mahjong table, accompanied by juniors, and they couldn't stop until dawn.Fang Sishen was used to cleanliness by nature, and he stayed there until the middle of the night, only to feel his head was as big as a bucket.Seeing Xiao Liu and He Zhiyuan leading a group of children to set off fireworks in front of the house and having fun, they retreated quietly in peace of mind, went back to the room to wash and sleep.

The He family is very good, but Fang Sishen can't force himself to adapt to a lifestyle he is completely unaccustomed to.And he also felt that since the incense stick, many people's attitudes have subtly changed, and there seems to be a little more weighing and scrutiny in their speech.

If you know it, you know it, he doesn't care.A wish was fulfilled today, and I slept soundly.

On the first day of the new year, when Fang Sishen woke up, it was almost noon.After washing up and walking outside, Xiao Liu was still sleeping, and he didn't know what time he came back in the morning.When I went downstairs to the front hall, there was a "crash" mahjong sound, and several tables were not vacated.A servant greeted him and said, "Sir, if you're hungry, the restaurant has some snacks, which can be used at any time."

Fang Sishen thanked him and turned to the restaurant.I can't help but think, maybe 100 years ago, the He family in Dongping, the New Year's scene is not much different from what I see now, but the western-style building has to be replaced with a traditional Xiaguo mansion.

Because the time is uncertain, the restaurant has basically become a 24-hour buffet.The glutinous rice balls with various fillings, steamed, fried and boiled rice cakes on the dining table fully reflect the customs of the Spring Festival in the south of the Yangtze River.

Fang Sishen ordered a bowl of glutinous rice balls and some side dishes, and ate them leisurely.Almost finished eating, He Shenxing came in, sat opposite, and asked for a bowl of glutinous rice balls.

The head of this family already knew what he should know from He Weisi and He Shenwei.At this moment, I leisurely ask some trivial matters about Fang Sishen himself.

Fang Sishen looked at his appearance, probably because he hadn't slept all night, so he admired him very much.After talking for a while, someone came to urge Mr. to go to rest.Before He Shenxing left, he introduced the people standing beside him to Fang Sishen: "This is Uncle Jing, tell him what you need or want to play with. Don't be restrained at home." He then urged, "Jing Sheng, take Zhi Rou Young master, go around and make arrangements for these two days."

Fang Sishen hurriedly said: "I can do whatever I want. But uncle, can I... see where my father lived back then, and take a few photos of the house as a souvenir."

"Of course. Ah Si lived in Xiao Min's current room. Ask Jing Sheng to take you there." Xiao Min is the son of He Zhiyuan and the youngest of the fourth generation of the He family.

He Shenxing showed a look of melancholy, and said in a low voice: "The balcony of the room is connected to the garden, which is the most popular among children. Ah Si and Ah Wei are fighting for a place to live, and they fought for a long time because of this." Sentimentally Smiling, "The second uncle left early, the third uncle and the third aunt were busy, and the children followed the grandfather, that is, your great-grandfather. The old man used to prepare for the examination of scholars, but before he took the examination, the imperial examination was abolished, and he regarded himself as a Confucian for the rest of his life. Shang, all went to Citigroup, and forced the younger generation to read ancient books. Asi is the best at memorizing books, so he is the most favored, but he is also the most naughty behind the scenes. I was already in middle school at that time, and I had a headache when I saw him, and it was so annoying Yes. Later, the third uncle and the third aunt wanted to take Ah Si back to China, and I was very happy for a long time. I didn't expect..."

He Shenxing walked out while talking: "Maybe there are some old photos at home, ask them to look for them later, and if you find them, I will reprint a copy for you."

This is exactly what Fang Sishen wanted, and he stood up and sent him off: "Thank you, Uncle." He Jingsheng who was waiting beside him said, "Uncle Lao Jing, I wonder if it's convenient, take me to Xiao Min's room to have a look. If the child is sleeping, Just another time."

He Jingsheng shook his head: "It's okay. The young master played too late and slept with the second young lady, and the room happened to be empty."

When Fang Sishen heard the young master and young mistress, the illusion of time stagnation reappeared.Seeing that he still wanted to talk, he hurriedly said, "Uncle Jing, please call me by my name, please don't call me anything...Master Zhirou, I'm really not used to it."

Seeing his seriousness, He Jingsheng paused, and simply omitted the address: "Please go this way."

Fang Sishen didn't stay in the room for too long, because it was obvious that the layout was completely different from the past.Pushing open the door of the terrace, I found that there are not only steps leading to the garden, but also a stone slide. I immediately understood why this room is the most popular with children.Back then, He Shensi must have slipped down this slide and ran wild in the garden.

He took out his mobile phone and took a few photos, walked down the steps, speculated on the possible route He Shensi might take, and took pictures all the way.There was the laughter of young people in front of them, and they didn't know what they were playing.Indoor visits must be accompanied by someone, which is a courtesy, and it is not necessary to go to the garden.Fang Sishen was embarrassed to drag He Jingsheng, so he advised him to go about his own business.He Jingsheng saw that he was at ease, so he left.

"What are you doing here?" a female voice asked in Spanish.Before Fang Sishen could answer, he thought to himself, "Ah, you are taking pictures."

Fang Sishen turned around, she was a young girl with white skin and black hair, obviously of mixed race.A little familiar, but can't recognize who it is.Nodded: "Hello."

"Did you take a photo and bring it back? I heard that the environment in your country is very poor. Have you never seen such a beautiful house and garden?"

Fang Sishen has been here for so long, this is the first time he has encountered such rude treatment.I was a little angry in my heart, but it was inconvenient to offend rashly.Before he could figure out how to reply, the other party spoke again: "They said that you are not a child of the He family at all, and you came here to share their money, right?"

There was no need to think about it now, Fang Sishen directly turned cold: "I'm sorry, I don't like being disturbed." Turning around to leave.

Unexpectedly, the other party shouted: "Hey, wait a minute!"

Can't help but stop.

As soon as the girl jumped in front of her, she reached out and took the phone away from his palm: "Your phone looks good, let me take a look." She slid her finger, "Wow, the photo looks really good, what brand is it?" she turned her head and shouted to the other side , "Mike, look what I found!"

A boy came out from behind the tree, caught the cell phone thrown by the girl, and dialed it a few times: "Wow! Jinweiao! Wow! The latest model! It was only launched last summer, and the upgraded version will come out next month. Only accept To make a reservation, I asked my dad to make it for me, but it didn't work out!"

This phone was replaced by Hong Xinyao for Fang Sishen before he came to Citigroup, and it is better than the original one.Fang Sishen was really angry now, and walked over in two steps: "I'm sorry, no one taught you not to touch other people's private property casually, and do you still respect other people's privacy? This is my mobile phone, please return it to me."

The boy sighed in admiration, reluctant to part, Fang Sishen took it back directly, raised his legs and walked away, ignoring the questioning behind him.

"How did you order it? How much?"

"I seem to be angry..."

Fearing that the two ignorant children would continue to entangle, Fang Sishen walked towards crowded places.When I got closer, I saw clearly that it was a group of children and young people, surrounded by Xiao Liu.But seeing him roll up one sleeve, stand with one palm on his chest, holding his breath and concentrating.On the high platform in front of him, there is a brick.As he slowly raised his hand, there was an uproar at first, but it suddenly fell silent.

Fang Sishen understood that Liu Huohan and Liu Daxia were performing Daxia Kungfu live: breaking bricks with bare hands.

There was a sound of broken drink like spring thunder, and the bricks cracked in response.

Immediately there were thunderous cheers and applause.Xiao Liu caught a glimpse of Fang Sishen and said hello to withdraw, but the others would not let him go.A young man suggested that it depends on the iron head skills.This is great, the clamor and yelling is louder and louder, and no one considers the thoughts of the parties at all.Xiao Liu declined in embarrassment.Don't say he doesn't know how to do it, he just knows how to do it. He is wearing the most expensive out-of-the-way clothes, his head and face covered in brick crumbs, how handsome he is.Seeing that he is resolutely unwilling, the older onlookers are fine.Some people were not happy when they didn't get what they wanted, and even picked up a brick and gestured at Xiao Liu's head.This was beyond everyone's expectation, thanks to his real kung fu, he raised his hand to catch it, without any danger.

Fang Sishen could see clearly, put on a straight face, and raised his voice: "Volcano! Aunt told us to go in and have tea." He immediately took the person away.

At night, Fang Sishen asked Xiao Liu, "How about we go back tomorrow?"

Xiao Liu thought he was angry because of his own affairs in the afternoon, and said, "That's really okay, don't take it to heart. Fang Shao, you finally reunited with your relatives..."

Fang Sishen shook his head: "Everyone who should see has seen it, and what has to be done has been done, let's go tomorrow."

Xiao Liu suddenly became happy: "Then I'll book the ticket now."

Fang Sishen went to bid farewell to He Weisi and others.I just said that there is no holiday in the annual book, and the school curriculum is tight, so I have to go.

He Shenwei sent him back to his room, and asked quietly: "Is it uncomfortable?"

Fang Sishen nodded earnestly: "Well, I'm not used to it. I'll see you and grandpa again when there are fewer people."

He Shenwei looked at him and smiled, not forcing him to stay.

The He family has a high status in the circle of Citigroup Guoxia people. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the tasks of receiving guests and going out to pay New Year's greetings are quite heavy.But when Fang Sishen left, the three elders personally sent him to the car, and even specially left He Zhiyuan to take him to the airport.Fang Sishen had no choice but to accept that a box of things could not be turned away.

Arriving in Delphia in the afternoon, I was supposed to go to the parking lot to pick up the car, but Xiao Liu stared at the flight bulletin board and didn't move for a long time.

Fang Sishen asked, "Why don't you leave?"

Huo Huo grinned: "Young Master Hong will be here this afternoon, and there is still half an hour left. I said you would wait in Prius for a day if you didn't come back. Now we will wait for him."