Scholars in the courtyard

There was nothing else to do in the afternoon. Yang Xiaotao walked around with his grandfather, looking at the village and looking for childhood memories.

This kind of rhythm is more festive than the New Year celebrations in previous lives.

People walking around in the streets, children shouting, and firecrackers going off from time to time are much better than sitting at home watching TV and playing on mobile phones in the previous life.

Although I am poor and don't have enough to eat, at least I don't have to go to work as soon as I open my eyes, and I don't have to calculate when my credit card will be paid off, or when my mortgage and car loan will be due.

Here, the pressure in my mind is really not as great as in later generations.

As night fell, a bonfire was lit on the threshing floor of the village, where the whole village, men, women, and children were noisy, playing, and laughing.

Shy girls, unrestrained teenagers, and squealing children kept running around the fire.

Yang Xiaotao sat among the crowd, shouting and laughing along with them.

At midnight, at the brigade headquarters, villagers lined up to pack the dumplings and take them home.

Fortunately, the weather is cold, and the dumplings are not afraid of being frozen. The dumplings are filled with half a catty of cabbage and pork. Although you can't eat them open, you can still eat some meat and try something new, which is a New Year.

Yang Dazhuang glanced at the old pocket watch, and then nodded to Yang Shitou.

Immediately, Yang Shitou pulled the rope, and a clanging bell rang throughout the village.

It's twelve o'clock and the New Year has arrived.

Yang Xiaotao and Mr. Yang were sitting on the kang, while Shitou's wife and Wang Fang were still busy lighting the fire below.

This year, as usual, the three families spent it together.

This year is different from usual. There is one more person at the dinner table, and the dinner table is richer than before.

The three children stared at the braised pork on the table and kept swallowing the saliva in their mouths.

Mr. Yang smiled happily, picked up the meat with chopsticks and stuffed each piece of meat into his mouth. The three children were not afraid of burning it, biting it in their mouths, it felt more delicious than candy.

Yang Xiaotao watched from the side and stretched out his hand to peel melon seeds for them to eat.

By the time Yang Dazhuang and his two men returned, the dumplings had been cooked and the New Year's Eve dinner had officially begun.

There is no custom that women do not come to the table. People sit at the table, the men drink, and the women take care of the children. It is just to have a lively New Year.

When Yang Xiaotao celebrated the New Year in Yangjiazhuang, the New Year celebrations also began in the courtyard.

Silly Zhu carried the deaf old lady to the uncle's house. He Yuyu looked at Banggeng. Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu sat at the table drinking tea. Auntie, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu were making dumplings stuffed with cabbage and meat. The house was also lively. stand up.

Silly Zhu stood in front of the pot, looking at Qin Huairu who was helping. He felt indescribably excited. He was stirring with a spatula in his hand, and he was even more energetic.

"Sister Qin, this stickie is so good."

Si Zhu said happily as he watched the little stick boy playing with his eyes wide open.

"Oh, he is full. When he cries, there is no other sound from the whole family."

Qin Huairu rubbed her face and glanced at Banggian, feeling extremely happy.

Jia Dongxu nodded at the table. He was proud of his son. He was better than Sha Zhu and Xu Damao, and even better than Yang Xiaotao.

Yi Zhonghai also praised Bangge who knows how to love people and will be promising when he grows up.

The Jia Zhang family on the side also became proud. Having an eldest grandson in the family seemed to have elevated their status in this courtyard.

Everyone was praising this awesome thing, but Silly Zhu turned his attention to Qin Huairu's pair of big lanterns.

"Yes, this stick is really delicious."

In the backyard, Liu Haizhong and Liu Guangqi were sitting on chairs opposite each other. In front of them were a small plate of melon seeds, a small plate of peach cakes and a small plate of peanuts.

The whole person ate freely and enjoyed the taste of the New Year.

In the kitchen, the second aunt was making dumplings stuffed with cabbage and meat, and a fish was still warm in the pot.

Liu Guangtian led Liu Guangfu to set off firecrackers at the entrance of the alley.

At Xu Damao's house, Lou Xiao'e was sitting on the bed swinging her legs, while Xu Damao was playing with the food he bought, his eyes turning to Lou Xiao'e from time to time.

They didn't go back to their hometown these days, mainly because Lou Xiao'e was afraid of being forced to have a baby.

I looked at my daughter-in-law, she was in good health, why couldn't she plant the land?

Is it your own business?

Xu Damao remembered that the widows in the countryside worked hard, and it seemed that no one got pregnant.

No, no.

Can those widows compare with their own wives? Do they dare to ask for it?

It's definitely not my fault, it's all this woman's and she can't give birth.

Xu Damao firmed up his thoughts.

Lou Xiao'e on the side looked gloomy. Every time during the holidays, relatives and friends would ask, "When will I have a baby?"

Doesn't she want it?

Distressed, helpless.

Her man was such a quickie, so she could only pray to God in her heart to take care of her, a poor woman, and give her a child.

In the front yard of Yan Fugui's house, the family is also making dumplings, but they are made with cabbage and eggs.

Yan Jiekuang was carried out by Yan Jiefang and played with the Liu Guangtian brothers, while Yan Jiecheng helped Yan Fugui pack up today's harvest.

At this time of year, the Yan family can receive a sum of money for writing.

Yan Fugui looked at the separated melon seeds, peanuts and candies with a proud face.

"Look, just a little paper and ink can buy so many things."

"I don't have enough food and clothing. I can't figure it out. That's why I suffer from poverty."

"Boss, you have to learn more."

Yan Jiecheng nodded, thinking about how to plot against his family in the future.

bang bang bang

Firecrackers sounded outside the door one after another. Uncle Chen and Aunt Chen said with emotion, "Old man, I miss my grandson a little bit."

Uncle Chen sighed, "Just wait a little longer."

Aunt Chen also sighed after hearing this, "That's fine, since there are in-laws taking care of her over there, it doesn't matter. It's just that the youngest is still young. When he goes to school, the two children won't be able to take care of him."

"I know."

"Let's talk about it after next year."

…

"Zhuzi, after the New Year, it's time for you to start a family. You can't be single anymore."

Yi Zhonghai's face turned red after drinking, and Silly Zhu also got drunk. As for Jia Dongxu, he had been helped back long ago, and there were only two people at the table.

"Master, please don't look for me anymore. Just Zhu Bajie and his second aunt will do. Everything else is easy to talk about."

Silly Zhu is still worried about the person he went on a blind date with last time.

Yi Zhonghai chuckled, "Then what do you want to find?"

Hearing this, Shazhu thought of the attractive and concave figure in his mind, and was about to spit out the words, but finally stopped.

"Well, at least you should be thinner."

"Otherwise, who can afford to raise them?"

But Yi Zhonghai saw what he was thinking and nodded with a smile, "Zhong, then I'll find you a good-looking one."

"Hey, this is the great master."

"Go one!"

The two of them ate the leftovers and drank for most of the night.

…

On the first day of the new year, Yang Xiaotao got up early, and his grandfather was already up.

"Master, happy New Year!"

Yang Xiaotao paid New Year greetings to Mr. Yang, who took out a dime from his pocket and handed it over.

"Here, lucky money!"

"Ha, I'm so old, do I still have lucky money?"

"Huh, before you have a family, you are just a child."

"I really don't want it. Find me a granddaughter-in-law this year so I can save the coffin book."

Yang Xiaotao chuckled, "I promise not to harm your coffin book."

"You brat, don't just talk and don't do anything."

"okay!"

Yang Xiaotao took out the clothes he bought, which were specially brought back for Mr. Yang.

The old man put on a new coat, thick cotton shoes, and a cotton hat, and he felt much more energetic.

"This outfit makes you feel warm when you put it on."

Mr. Yang sighed with emotion.

"You, just put it on early, you have to wait until the New Year to wear it."

"You are too young to understand."

At this time, Yang Shitou and his wife came over to pay New Year greetings, and they were busy again.

After tidying up the house, placing melon seeds and candies on the kang, he said hello to his grandfather, put on his military coat, and followed Yang Shitou out of the house to pay New Year's greetings to the elderly in the village.

The children in the village were running around, and the sound of firecrackers was heard from time to time. A few children exploded the ice particles on the roadside, causing everyone around them to burst into laughter.

After walking with the crowd for a long time, it was already noon when I returned home. Yang Xiaotao was invited to the house by Yang Dazhuang before Yang Xiaotao cooked.

With a piece of pork strung on a rope, Yang Xiaotao and Yang Shitou went to Yang Dazhuang's house.

After arriving, I found that the room was full of young people. Yang Xiaotao still had some memories of a few of them, but he could no longer name them.

Yang Shitou introduced at the side, and then Yang Xiaotao remembered, didn't these people grow up together?

It's just that the predecessor went to the city, and he is an impostor. Coupled with the ravages of life, the change in appearance is really hard to recognize.

When childhood friends are together, it's natural to have a lot of fun.

The meat brought by Yang Xiaotao also became the main course. Along with sorghum wine, several people quickly started to eat it, talking about embarrassing things in their childhood, which made them laugh even more.

The meal lasted until the afternoon. When Yang Xiaotao returned home, Mr. Yang went to another house to drink, made some food for himself and then lay on the bed to sleep.

…

click

The ax fell and a tree root was chopped into two pieces. Yang Xiaotao then picked it up and piled it aside.

Yang Xiaotao woke up from hunger in the morning and got up from bed ready to find something to eat.

He looked up and then remembered that he was in his hometown. He found a piece of toffee from the space and put it in his mouth to melt. His stomach calmed down for a while.

Then he glanced at the attribute panel and was stunned on the spot.

Kerosene lighter?

Lucky charm?

The other items in the exchange column were normal, but this kerosene lighter came out for the first time.

Exchange one casually, the bronze shell feels substantial in your hand.

There is a plum blossom engraved on the front, and there is no word on the back. It is impossible to tell which manufacturer it is.

"It saves trouble."

Ding dong

Open the cover, then turn the gear, and with two stings, sparks will hit the cotton rope, and then a yellow flame will rise on the wind vent.

Bada

The hood closes and the flame goes out.

"5 credits each, it's cost-effective."

Yang Xiaotao held it in his hand. Although it was very cheap, he didn't buy more.

This is obviously not a domestic thing. One of them is nothing, but if it becomes widespread, it will attract the attention of interested people.

"Lucky charm?"

"This thing is the same as the soul-stealing talisman last time."

Seeing the same introduction as the Soul Reaver Talisman at the back, 50 credits, and 8 minutes left in the countdown, Yang Xiaotao was determined to give it a try.

"Maybe this thing can be used."

I thought to myself, mainly because I was satisfied with the credits, so I gritted my teeth and bought it.

After a moment, a palm-sized piece of golden talisman paper appeared in front of me. I touched it and it was smooth and smooth. There was a four-leaf clover embedded on it.

Yang Xiaotao looked at it for a while and didn't find anything special, so he put it into the storage space.

When I looked at the exchange column again, the lucky charm had turned gray and the items had not been refreshed.

Without looking again, he turned around and walked out.

When he went out, he saw Mr. Yang boiling water. Yang Xiaotao scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and went to the yard to chop up tree roots.

click

snap

Behind him, a row of wooden sticks were neatly stacked together. Each piece of firewood was about the same length, neat and beautiful.

Ever since he found out that Yang Shitou was chopping firewood for his family, Yang Xiaotao didn't let him come again.

With him at home, why would he need someone else?

Chopping all the firewood while you are at home can be considered as a sign of filial piety.

What's more, with Yang Xiaotao's strength, this workload is no different from processing parts in the workshop.

Yang Xiaotao erected a thigh-thick piece of wood and used a little force with his right hand. Then the ax fell and with a click, the wood piece was separated from the middle. After being piled up around it, he picked it up and placed it behind him.

Only then did I feel someone standing behind me, and at first glance it was Mr. Yang.

"Master, why didn't you say anything?"

After seeing this, Yang Xiaotao continued to play with the firewood, but Mr. Yang remained silent.

In fact, Mr. Yang has been looking at him for a long time. From the beginning to now, most of the day has passed. At first, he thought that this child was just showing his filial piety and showing strength.

And judging from his posture, it was obvious that he didn't know the skills of chopping firewood. He was just chopping with brute force, spending three cents of his effort to do one cent of the work.

He didn't say anything, he just wanted this kid to know how tired the banker was, so he kept waiting until he was tired, and then went to give some advice, which would be a great experience.

But who would have thought that after this kid had been doing it for so long, he still felt comfortable, relaxed and effortless.

Especially the piece of wood just now. If a man from the village were to chop it, he would have to stand up and swing the ax with both hands to chop it down. How could he sit on the ground like this, lift his arms and fall down, and it would become two halves.

And the scene before him made him even more confused.

How powerful is this little guy?

"Xiao Tao, are you tired?"

Mr. Yang tried to ask. It could be seen that there were no beads of sweat on his head, so he knew that he must not be very energetic.

Could it be that the work in the factory is relatively heavy and that it comes from training?

"I'm not tired!"

Yang Xiaotao said happily, his hands were not sore and his waist was not tired, and he felt nothing.

Well, the only thing I feel is that I'm a little hungry.

Mr. Yang walked up to Yang Xiaotao, frowned and looked at it, then stretched out his hand to pinch Yang Xiaotao's shoulders, then squeezed his arms, and finally touched Yang Xiaotao's chest.

Yang Xiaotao's face was cautious. If it weren't for the solemn look on Mr. Yang's face, he would have ducked back.