Chapter 70.1

Translated by Aviana

The next day, at the crack of dawn, Yao-shi, and Yang Tiegen visited their room along with the two little girls attired in their new dresses to wish Lin Qingwan and Yang Tiezhu a Happy New Year.

Lin Qingwan had slept early last night, so she rose up quite early this morning. After dressing herself in new clothes, she also helped Yang Tiezhu change his clothes.

These two sets of new clothes were made by Lin Qingwan after painstakingly pleading Yang Tiezhu for half a day. Only then did Yang Tiezhu, who had always forbidden her from doing straining works because of her pregnancy, fearing that she might tire herself out, allow her to touch the needle and thread.

Lin Qingwan was garbed in a begonia red-colored cotton silk small double-layered jacket above a reddish-purple Ma main skirt. Yang Tiezhu was donned in a brown-colored robe paired with a brownish-black-colored cotton-padded jacket.

马面裙 (Mǎ Miàn qún): Horse-faced pleated skirt (Ma Mian means horse-faced; qun means skirt) – I have added an image below for reference

These past two months, the second and third branches had been making Laweixian. Thus, there was a lot of meat in the house to eat their days became better. Not only did the adults eat a lot, but even the little girls also put on weight.

The girls’ hairs were tied into two buns with a red hair tie and were sporting new cotton-padded coats Yao-shi had made for them. The jacket’s fabric appeared quite eye-catching with its unique color and designs. Coupled with their fair, delicate, tender little faces, they seemed the epitome of adorableness. Thus, when little girls stepped in, a big smile graced Lin Qingwan’s face.

No sooner than the girls entered, they knelt and kowtowed to Lin Qingwan and Yang Tiezhu.

“Second bobo, second bomu, Happy New Year.”

Lin Qingwan took out two red packets and pushed them into two kids’ hands with a big smile.

“Nice, you two are looking extremely adorable in your new clothes.”

The two girls’ little faces seemed bashful yet couldn’t cover up their beaming smiles, appearing exceedingly lovely.

Yang Tiegen and Yao-shi also wished, “Second brother and second sao, Happy New Year.”

Yang Tiezhu and Lin Qingwan replied, “Third younger brother, third dimei, happy new year to you too.”

They all exchanged a merry smile after wishing each other.

Thereupon, they discussed where to go to celebrate the New Year. They used to greet their parents in the main room in the past, before going elsewhere. But, since Yang laoyezi had asked them to not come for New Year’s Eve’s dinner, they all dispelled their thoughts of going to the main house.

Consequently, they decided to go to Yang-shi’s place.

When they arrived at Yang-shi’s place, Yang-shi and Zhou-shi were sitting in the room. Both adults and kids were donned in brand new clothes. Only Xia Dicheng, who was bed-ridden, seemed to be slightly miserable.

However, they maintained smiles on their faces and made sure not to mention upsetting affairs on New Year.

“Gumu, Happy New Year.” As soon as Lin Qingwan and the group entered the room, they knelt on the ground, kowtowed to Yang-shi.

姑母 ( gūmǔ ): father’s sister / paternal aunt

“Alright, alright.” Yang-shi quickly stood up and helped all of them up, “When it might pose an inconvenience, why are you still kneeling?” These words were directed to Yang Tiezhu and Lin Qingwan, the two ‘inconvenient’ people.

Yang Tiezhu replied with a smile, “Etiquette ought to be followed.”

According to Luoxia village’s customs, those of the younger generation, all young and old, must kowtow to their elders on New Year’s Day.

“Precisely.” Lin Qingwan echoed from the side. If it was someone else, she wouldn’t have kneeled at all. But since it was Yang-shi, she wholeheartedly kneeled to her. Yang Tiezhu and them wouldn’t forget this old lady’s kindness for their entire lifetime.

Yang-shi rebuked them with a smile, yet she simultaneously took out several red envelopes and stuffed them into their hands.

“Don’t dislike it for being too little. This little bit is a reflection of your gumu’s kind feeling.”

It wasn’t just the little girls; even the adults received red envelopes.

Glancing at the red envelope, Lin Qingwan was at a loss, unaware of what to do. She was this big, yet she received a red envelope?!

Discerning her embarrassment, Yang-shi let out a hearty laugh, “To your gumu, you would always be kids.”

“That’s awesome! From here on, I can drop by gumu’s place and kotow to her, and get a red envelope every time. In that way, I will make quite a big fortune, won’t I?” Lin Qingwan mischievously said as she placed the small red envelope in her bosom and even patted the place where she put it in carefully.

Seeing her antics, Yang-shi tittered as she pulled her into an embrace.

“You are indeed a bright kid, ah!”

Everyone burst into laughter as they all sat on the kang.

Zhou-shi’s son and daughter also came and kowtowed to Lin Qingwan and others. Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi fished out the red envelopes they had prepared in advance and stuffed them in the kids’ hands.

No sooner than the two kids stood up, Second Yang laoyezi’s voice came from outside.

“Eldest sister, our entire family had come to pay respects to you.”

Yang-shi quickly walked to the door and raised the door curtain as she invited the people in with a big smile on her face, “Come in, quickly come in, it’s cold outside.”

Following her words, a group of people entered – Second Yang laoyezi, his wife Li-shi, their two sons and daughter-in-law, followed by several kids.

As soon as they entered, they wished one another a Happy New Year. The ones from the younger generation went to the elders and kowtowed and received red envelopes.

Second Yang laoyezi was accompanied by four kids. Of the four, two were his Eldest son, Yang Huai’s son, and a daughter, and were 12 and 10 years old, respectively. While his second son’s family had two sons, who were 9 and 7 years old.

Reckoning that Second Yang laoyezi might come to Yang-shi’s place today, Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi had prepared several extra red packets in advance; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been enough.

After exchanging civilities, adults sat down while young ones got busy playing with their playmates. Second Yang laoyezi’s grandsons madly dashed out to play, while his granddaughter and Xia Lanju, who were more or less of the same age, played together.

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