New Year's Eve

Xiaowu said: "Grandma still loves me the most!"

Xu Erbo said: "Then I'll listen to Mother and celebrate the New Year together first."

Xiaowu stood behind Mrs. Wang with a smug look on his face, thinking that his grandmother was the best to him and was his biggest supporter.

Qibao laughed secretly when she heard this, what a silly Fifth Brother.

Master Qian observed: "Look at how lively it is here—Uncle, your sons are all exceptional; you're truly blessed with good fortune!"

The old man glanced at Qibao and said with a smile: "No need for future blessings when I already feel so blessed right now!"

"Indeed, indeed." Master Qian agreed.

A total of two large tables were filled for dinner, mostly with children, which naturally led to some commotion.

Mrs. Wang asked while eating: "What's the plan for the innkeeper, assistant manager, and cooks?"

The old man replied: "I asked Kui Wu to pass on a message two days ago. I gave them a few days off and let them spend the New Year in the store. If they need anything, they can tell the shopkeeper. In addition, I gave each person an extra two taels of silver as a New Year gift."

"What about the village?"

"It's the same as last year, but each person will get two more pounds of meat and a jar of fruit wine." said the old man.

Mrs. Wang smiled and said: "Other families buy sweets, candies, and other treats from the town during the New Year festivities, but we make our own. It's almost time for the New Year, yet we haven't gone to the town to purchase supplies!"

Madam Qian said: "I think the ones you make yourself are much better than the ones I bought in town, and Auntie's business would be very good if she were to open a pastry store in town."

Mrs. Wang replied: "How could I possibly have the energy to run a shop? As long as my family enjoys eating them, that's enough for me."

After lunch, everyone returned to their individual rooms.

Master Qian asked: "Wife, your complexion has improved greatly since we last met, it seems like you've been doing quite well at the Xu residence."

Madam Qian smiled: "Indeed, I am very well. Ever since coming to the Xu family, my spirits have lifted significantly, and now I'm even teaching at the village school!"

"Wife, how did this come about?" Master Qian asked: "I didn't hear about it when I first returned."

"I teach the girls in the village how to embroider!"

Master Qian said: "This school built by the Xu family is really interesting. It breaks the traditional precedent. This is the first time I know that a school can be taught in this way. If you feel tired, you don't have to teach. I will find someone who can embroider in the town to teach."

Mrs. Qian said: "I'm not tired. I enjoy it very much. Besides, I only teach for one morning."

Master Qian said: "That's good, wife. It's getting late. Go to bed early."

Mrs. Qian said: "Don't worry, I'll coax Zhier to sleep first. He's been having so much fun today."

This year, the Xu family received New Year gifts from Su Chenyu and Jing Chen again. Surprisingly, County Magistrate Wu also sent someone to deliver New Year gifts, and the Xu family also returned the gifts.

On New Year's Eve, Qibao asked her father for a few more strings of firecrackers than usual, thinking that, in addition to setting off firecrackers, they could now enjoy beautiful fireworks with the advent of modern technology. She wanted to make her own fireworks.

So, she brought her older brothers to open all the extra firecrackers and collect the black powder inside.

Xiaowu asked: "Sister, what do you plan on doing with this black powder?"

Qibao replied mysteriously: "Of course it'll be useful, you'll see when the time comes."

They rolled the collected black powder together with paper, tied a small wooden stick at one end, then sealed the other end shut. With these simple steps, they made a small homemade firework.

After making dozens, their fingers were covered in soot.

The Xu family kitchen was bustling with activity, as all the women in the household gathered there to help. Their faces glowed with smiles, and the aroma of food filled the noses of everyone present.

Children stopped playing and followed their parents into the kitchen, where they wandered about.

Fortunately, the Xu family's kitchen was large enough, otherwise there wouldn't have been room to move around.

Xiaowu leaned against the stove, watching his grandmother fry meatballs, occasionally sneaking a meatball between his lips before anyone noticed.

Mrs. Wang noticed his sneaky actions and said: "I'll put a large bowl of meatballs aside for you to share with these little ones."

"Okay, grandma, the meatballs you fried are so delicious!" said Xiaowu.

"No matter how delicious the food is, you can't eat too much. There will be a large table of food waiting for you in the evening!" Mrs. Wang said with a smile.

Xiaowu ran out holding the bowl, followed by a group of children who also ran out, fearing that they would not get any share if they went too late.

Mrs. Zhang smiled and said: "This child has always had quite the appetite, even when eating the usual fare. Why is he suddenly craving it so much today?"

Mrs. Li replied: "Sister-in-law, all children are like that, they always rush to eat! But indeed, Mother's cooking truly is exquisite."

Mrs. Wang's face lit up at this praise, her heart swelling with joy.

The old man looked at Qibao who was sitting beside him and said: "Qibao, they are all playing, why don't you go? Ask your fifth brother to get you two meatballs too."

Qibao responded: "Grandpa, I can still get meatballs during dinner, I'm not hungry now."

The old man said: "Your grandma is here, why hasn't your grandpa come yet? I have to go and see him."

Qibao said: "Grandpa, let's go together."

So the old man took Qibao's hand and they went towards the winery.

As soon as they entered the winery, they saw Old Man Lin sitting at the table, flipping through the account book in his hand.

The old man exclaimed: "Older brother, it's already New Year's Eve, why are you still busy?"

When Old Man Lin saw his in-laws coming over, he immediately said:"I was just counting how much wine the winery produced this year and how much wine was taken away so that I could bring it over to you. I didn't expect you to get here first."

The old man asked: "What are you looking at? Let's go, it's almost time for dinner, you're the only one missing!"

"Okay, I'll go right away. I can't keep you guys waiting for too long!" Old Man Lin stood up, packed up, and followed the two out of the winery. After locking the door, the three of them returned home together.

A lot of dishes had already been placed on the table, and maids and servants were coming in and out to help serve the dishes. The three large tables were filled with various dishes, and the aroma was fragrant.

Mrs. Wang said with a smile: "In-laws, come and sit down, it's cold, this food should be eaten while it's hot."

One table was reserved for the adults, another for the children, and yet another for the servants.

Qibao also used the juicer in the space to make a few jars of fruit juice, which was just right for the children to drink.

The old man stood up, holding up his glass and said: The old man stood up and raised his cup. "It's a new year again, and everyone has worked hard this year. I dedicate this first cup to all present here, for our Xu family is slowly growing under our joint efforts. Let us continue to work together next year, for the sake of our large family, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

The old man drained his cup before taking a seat, after which others followed suit.

Everyone toasted each other at their tables. On the children's table, Yaya held her juice-filled glass as she mimicked the adults, saying, "Miss, cheers."

Qibao touched her head and took a sip of the drink with great appreciativeness.

The servants were also not restrained. They felt very happy in their hearts. They had never met a master who allowed the servants to celebrate the New Year together and eat and drink exactly the same as their master.

The ones who finished eating the fastest were Lao Wu and Yue Hao among the Twelve Guards. The two kept shoveling food into their mouths like they were racing against one another.