"You brat, always up to no good, only thinking of such things all day long."
"Starting a family and a career, do you know how heavy the burden on a man's shoulders is? The food, clothing, and daily expenses of the whole family, you have to weigh all that yourself. Do you think you can support a family now?"
Uncle tapped his son's head. This little rascal had all his thoughts in his pants.
"Dad, others are managing fine, I'm not slacking. The work points I earn are no less than yours."
Zhang Shugen held his head high. This time, Uncle had no more temper. The boy now stood taller than him, and it was his own inadequacy as a father.
If he had been capable and wealthy, and helped his son more, perhaps built a few decent houses, maybe he would have been holding grandchildren by now.
"You two don't look like father and son, always bickering. Both of you, say less."
"Yangzi, you're staying at your aunt's today. Auntie has saved some good food for you."
Qin Liyun played the peacemaker, quickly pacifying her husband and younger son, and smiling at Chen Yang.
The last time Chen Yang returned to Jinling, he had visited her home. Now, with the New Year, their family was a little better off, and she had prepared some delicious food, naturally wanting to invite Chen Yang over for a good meal.
If it weren't for her younger sister and brother-in-law letting their two children take their places, their family wouldn't be living so well now. She definitely couldn't forget that.
In fact, as in the past, she always treated Chen Juan, Chen Yang, and Chen Yu like her own children. Otherwise, the three of them wouldn't have spent so much time playing at her house since they were little.
Although saying this was unfair to her nephews like Qin Yousheng, she had always felt closer to Chen Yang's children.
"Okay, I'll go to Auntie's later. Xiaoyu, are you coming?"
Chen Yang's three siblings often ran to the countryside to play during the New Year when they were young, and they mostly stayed at their aunt's house.
The Lunar New Year at Auntie's house was very lively. The village would have dragon lantern dances.
Everyone would carry stools, light lanterns, and form a long line, like a fire dragon. Of course, dragon dances had more than just these few moves; there were many intricate steps involved.
In recent years, due to certain reasons, they hadn't performed the dragon dance. She didn't know if it had been revived yet.
During the years Chen Yang was sent to the countryside, the Qinhuai River no longer had the Lantern Festival lantern fair, which was originally a major attraction of Jinling.
But fortunately, the lantern fair began to be restored in 1977. These days, the Qinhuai River was very lively at night. Not only were there various decorative lanterns on the streets, but many black-canopied boats also had lanterns tied to them, drifting on the Qinhuai River.
However, it couldn't compare to the ancient times, with "towering boats in rainy nights, and wine-induced extravagance."
Back then, wouldn't scholars and gentlemen, with nothing to do, say: "No plans today, let's go to the pleasure quarters for a song."
The Qinhuai River banks were once so prosperous. On those towering boats, countless scholars and gentlemen would wield their brushes, and rich young masters would spend lavishly, just to spend a pleasant night with a courtesan.
But slowly, this prosperity of the past would eventually be restored. The Jinling Lantern Festival of later generations would be renowned throughout the land.
Even many CCTV galas would often set up sub-venues here, precisely to allow audiences across the country to fully appreciate the beauty of Jinling.
"Auntie, will there be a dragon lantern dance tonight?"
"If there's a dragon lantern dance, I'll go."
Chen Yu giggled, not being formal with her aunt at all.
"You child, you won't go if there's no dragon lantern, will you? Your aunt misses you every day, you ungrateful thing."
Qin Lifen looked at the girl, helpless. It was her aunt, after all. If it were anyone else, she wouldn't bother with this ungrateful child.
"Yes, there is one today. Tonight, go with your sister Hongmei, and let her take you out to play."
Aunt didn't mind these things at all. She had watched Chen Yu grow up and knew her temperament. Chen Yu was typically sharp-tongued, but her heart was genuinely good.
The family chatted for a long time, and after agreeing that everyone would come to Chen Yang's house for a meal on the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, they returned from Uncle's house.
Chen Yang really wanted to take Shen Xue with him to Auntie's house to see the dragon lantern dance. The scene of the dragon lantern dance was indeed very spectacular.
It only happened once a year, symbolizing everyone's longing for a better life, so the dragon lantern dance was exceptionally lively.
Unfortunately, Auntie's house didn't have that many rooms. Chen Yang could manage to sleep on a bamboo bed, and Chen Yu could squeeze in with Zhang Hongmei.
If Shen Xue went, she would definitely bring the two little ones, and then there really wouldn't be enough space. Even if a bed could be cleared, there wouldn't be enough bedding.
In this cold winter, the weather was quite chilly. If they caught a cold, it wouldn't be a joke.
Chen Yang had to take his family home first. After sending Shen Xue and the others back, he rode his bicycle with his younger sister, leisurely heading to Auntie's house.
Their eldest sister was pregnant and couldn't join the festivities. Otherwise, she too would miss the grand dragon lantern dance in Auntie's village. New Year in the countryside was truly lively.
Dragon dances, lion dances, firecrackers, fireworks – that was fun.
When Chen Yang arrived at Auntie's house with Chen Yu, he saw a young woman tidying up the room.
"Auntie."
"Who is this sister?"
Chen Yu jumped off the back of Chen Yang's bicycle and skipped over to the young woman, looking her up and down, almost startling her.
"Xiaoyu, this is Li Ling. I've introduced her to your brother Zhugen as a potential partner."
"Xiaoling, these are Zhugen's cousin and his younger cousin, visiting us today."
Aunt quickly made the introductions. The young woman, hearing her words, finally looked up and gestured shyly with her hands.
"Xiaoling lost her voice when she was young due to an illness. She's greeting you."
Chen Yu didn't know about the mute sister-in-law yet. Aunt quickly explained to her. Chen Yang already knew, so he wasn't surprised.
At this time, the mute sister-in-law was much younger than when Chen Yang saw her in later life. She was in the prime of her womanhood, shyly smiling at Chen Yang and Chen Yu.
Apart from being unable to speak, she was excellent at work and chores, which was why she was so favored by Aunt and Uncle.
"Sister-in-law."
Chen Yang knew that the mute sister-in-law could hear others speak, even though she couldn't speak herself. In his past life, it was this kind and generous woman who gave Zhang Zhugen the motivation to live after losing his parents.
The couple worked diligently and raised a son and a daughter, both of whom eventually got into university. In this life, Uncle and Aunt were living well, while the mute sister-in-law had arrived at their home earlier and had gained their approval.
It was a matter of time and destiny.
Hearing Chen Yang call her "Sister-in-law," Li Ling's face instantly flushed red, and she shyly hid behind Aunt.
"You silly boy, Li Ling hasn't married into the family yet, you're making her embarrassed."
"If your Zhugen boy had your perceptiveness, that would be great. When people come to visit, he doesn't even know where he's run off to, that rascal."
Aunt protected Li Ling. She genuinely liked this girl, a girl with a difficult fate who fell ill as a child. However, if she hadn't lost her voice, such a good girl wouldn't have been available for her eldest son.
Given their family's circumstances, not many girls had been interested in him before.