country bumpkin

Chapter 393 It’s a new year again

After leaving the internet cafe, Yun Ya and Zhang Haiyan started discussing what their online friends had talked about with them that day.

Zhang Haiyan naturally wouldn't tell Yunya the truth, only briefly summarizing a few things from a few netizens she wasn't very familiar with.

When they were almost at Zhang Haiyan's house, Yunya said goodbye and went home. She had heard her mother say that on the first day of the Lunar New Year, it was forbidden to visit relatives; only family members could visit each other. So when she arrived, Yunya only stood at Zhang Haiyan's gate and called her out, without going into the yard.

Another reason is my second aunt's husband, Zhang Jiefang, who is a very stubborn and superstitious person.

He often said that one should not visit relatives or friends on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month, and that even after his daughter got married, she could not return to her parents' home on those days.

After parting ways with her sister-in-law, Yunya returned home. Once home, she overheard her mother and father discussing going to Kongjia Village the next day. Yunya rushed over, raising both hands in approval and shouting, "Me too! Me too!"

Wearing new clothes for the New Year is a must. Yunya bought herself a new outfit before the New Year, but she's been keeping it and hasn't worn it yet. She'll definitely take it out and wear it when she goes to her maternal grandmother's house tomorrow.

The new clothes were a long, lake-blue down jacket that Yunya had been hanging on the rope in her bedroom. She was very happy that she could wear it out on the second day of the Lunar New Year.

The next day, Yunya indeed wore new clothes, both warm and pretty. She packed the snacks she had prepared for her grandmother into her handbag. Then she followed her parents to the intersection to wait for the bus.

The family, carrying gifts for Grandma, happily arrived at the station entrance.

While waiting for the bus, Yunya looked around excitedly, her eyes full of anticipation. Once on the bus, Yunya chose a window seat and sat down, watching the scenery flash by outside, feeling exceptionally relaxed.

Upon arriving at Kongjia Village, Yunya saw her grandmother standing at the door, looking out from afar. Yunya immediately ran to her grandmother's side, hugged her, and said, "Grandma, I missed you so much!" Grandma Mu Shuyun smiled, patted Yunya's head, and took her hand as she went into the house.

The house was bustling with activity. Her second uncle and aunt, third uncle and aunt, cousin, and younger cousin were all there. Everyone greeted Yunya warmly, praising her beautiful new clothes. Yunya felt a little shy, but her heart was filled with sweet joy.

Grandma took out the snacks Yunya had brought and shared them with everyone. Everyone sat together, eating snacks and chatting, laughter echoing throughout the house. Yunya felt that this was the taste of the New Year—warm and happy.

Everyone chatted and ate snacks and sunflower seeds, and no one felt hungry. About half an hour later, Second Aunt's husband arrived carrying Second Aunt, followed by Third Aunt's family and Little Aunt's family. Only Sun Limei, Zhang Haiyan, and Zhang Haiyang did not come.

Mu Shuyun asked Kong Xiuzhen why she hadn't brought the children. Kong Xiuzhen replied with a smile, "The younger one went to his uncle's house to play and we couldn't get him to come back. The older one went shopping with her cousin and didn't want to come either."

Mu Shuyun nodded knowingly, then looked at Kong Xiujuan. Kong Xiujuan explained knowingly, "Limei went to a classmate's house, saying there was some kind of small gathering. We don't really understand, those kids are very shrewd."

Mu Shuyun smiled and said, "It's alright. It's normal for children to have their own ideas as they grow up."

After asking the questions, Mu Shuyun started preparing lunch, and Yunya volunteered to help.

Yunya helped her grandmother in the kitchen, washing and chopping vegetables and helping out. As she worked, she chatted with her grandmother, whose face was filled with a kind smile.

A moment later, Auntie's loud voice came from the living room: "Wow, Yun'er's new clothes are so stylish! I wonder how much they cost!"

Yunya overheard this in the kitchen and blushed slightly. After a while, the food was ready and laid out on the table in abundance.

Everyone sat together and ate a lively meal. At the table, they chatted about the interesting things and changes that had happened over the past year.

Auntie Er told everyone about the latest happenings in the village, making them all laugh. Yunya ate until her belly was round and full, feeling extremely satisfied.

After dinner, the adults sat in the living room drinking tea and chatting, while Yunya ran out to play in the yard with her younger cousins.

They set off firecrackers in the yard, their laughter and the sound of the firecrackers echoing throughout the courtyard, making the New Year atmosphere even stronger.

They sat together chatting until 4:30 pm, and as it was getting dark, they composed themselves and prepared to return to the city and go home at any time.

This time, Yunya didn't stay either; she went back with them. She felt that now that her third uncle was married and had two children, there wouldn't be enough room for her to stay, so it was better not to stay and cause trouble.

Before leaving, Yunya left her grandmother 200 yuan, saying it was pocket money so her grandmother could eat or buy whatever she wanted.

Each of the four daughters gave them 300 yuan for the holiday, and also bought cigarettes, alcohol, and meat. Mu Shuyun and Kong Tongming were all smiles all day long; perhaps this is the meaning of family reunion during the Spring Festival.

They don't care about the amount of gifts; as long as their children come back healthy and safe, and they can sit together and reunite, that's the greatest wish of the elderly.

Even after the daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter had all left for the evening, the living room remained lively. The aunt-in-law sat in front of the TV, rolling out dumpling wrappers and chattering excitedly about the programs on screen.

Mu Shuyun also helped make dumplings, while her third uncle's daughter, Kong Xiaomin, peeled melon seeds for Kong Tongming to eat, the kind that he couldn't refuse, making the old man laugh heartily.

The third uncle was looking after his second daughter, Kong Yuehan. The little girl was only two years old and was very active, so someone had to watch over her.

With children at home, it's never quiet again; it's lively and joyful, always making you feel the warmth of "home."

My second uncle and aunt also went back to their own homes. Except for New Year's Eve, when my second uncle stayed up all night before returning home, he didn't stay out very late at other times.

Meanwhile, Kong Xiujuan returned home, too tired to move. She heated up the leftovers from yesterday and then lay down on the bed to rest.

When Sun Limei came home in the evening, she said she had dinner at her classmate's house. Sun Guoqiang and Yun Ya each ate half a bowl of dumplings, while Sun Zitao ate the leftover hot rice.

Kong Xiujuan wasn't hungry and had already fallen asleep. After Sun Zitao finished eating, he called Yunya to clean up the table so he could lead the children in watching TV series all night.

They didn't go back to their rooms to sleep until midnight when the TV showed the word "goodbye" followed by a dense layer of static.

Students are off school during holidays, and adults are off work during holidays, so they have time to stay up late watching TV series. Otherwise, they wouldn't have the opportunity to waste time during the week.

Have a good night's sleep.

The next day, the third day of the Lunar New Year, was another day to visit her aunt's grandson, Hong's, house. Yunya wanted to go along again; she wanted to see if Xuanmei had returned.

Since she left, she hasn't contacted Yunya. Yunya really wants to know how she is now? Has she ever thought of her, this "friend"?