Meng Yan's Transformation

"Mom, have some water and rest for a while. I'll go chop the dumpling filling right now and keep chopping until midnight, so that our family can also have 'enduring wealth'. I never knew there were so many customs associated with dumplings on New Year's Eve. Our dumplings on New Year's Eve are filled with a variety of vegetables and chicken, which means that wealth is rushing into our house."

As Zhan Yingying spoke, she helped Yunqing drink some warm water.

"Mom, please continue."

Zhan Mengyan was listening with great interest when her enthusiasm was interrupted. Seeing Yunqing drink the water, she couldn't wait to urge her on.

"Zhan Mengyan, Mom had a heart attack just now, what are you making Mom talk about? Mom needs to close her eyes and rest so she can guide us in making dumplings later. If you're feeling unwell, go help me chop the dumpling filling, or go look at the lights on the street and see if there are any children running around with lanterns. I'll play with them too."

When Zhan Yingying spoke, she gently pressed Yunqing's eyes with her hand, signaling Yunqing to close her eyes.

"I'm not going out. I'm a high school student now. You want me to be a leader of the kids? Besides, the streets are quiet and there aren't any children carrying lanterns. It's not like the lively New Year celebrations in Heilongjiang. It seems like everyone stays at home. You can chop the dumpling filling yourself. If I don't do it well, you'll scold me and make me angry. I'd rather take care of Dad and Mom, play checkers with Zixun for a while, and by the way, I need to soak the frozen pears in water. After eating the dumplings, a bite of frozen pear will be so refreshing and satisfying."

After Zhan Mengyan finished speaking, she jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed), put on her shoes, and went to soak frozen autumn pears.

"Mom, look at Zhan Mengyan, she's arranged everything for herself, from food to toys, so perfectly. Mom, how are you feeling right now?"

As Zhan Yingying spoke, she smiled and watched Zhan Mengyan walk away, then turned to Yunqing, revealing a concerned expression.

“You’re the older sister, so just let her be. Mengyan is slow and clumsy at doing chores. Every time you work with her, you get really angry. I feel much better now, except I suddenly bumped my head and it scared me so much that my heart was pounding. I took some nitroglycerin and rested for so long. I’ll be able to help you chop the vegetables in a little while.”

As Yunqing spoke, she tried to get off the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Mom, don't move. I can chop the dumpling filling myself in no time. You were just teasing Mengyan. I don't need her to chop the filling for me. If she chops the filling, she'll make a mess of the cutting board, and I'll have to clean up the 'battlefield' for her. I'd rather do it myself. Once I've chopped the filling, we can all make dumplings together as a family, which will strengthen our family harmony and unity."

As Zhan Yingying spoke, she pushed Yunqing back onto the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Put a few extra coins in the dumpling filling this New Year's Eve, so Zhan Zixun won't be unhappy because he can't get a coin in his dumpling."

As Yunqing spoke, she took out three coins from a paper packet under the mat at the corner of the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Okay, let's put out three coins this year. We'll put out one every year so Zhan Mengyan can eat it. It seems Zhan Mengyan will be a rich person in the future. Let's put out three coins this year. I hope Zhan Zixun and I can also eat a dumpling with a coin in it."

After Zhan Yingying finished speaking, she took the three coins from Yunqing's hand and went to the kitchen to wash them.

"Yingying, why are you chopping dumpling filling so early?"

As Zhang Xincheng spoke, he pushed open the door and walked in.

“My mom says that the longer you chop the dumpling filling, the more ‘lasting wealth’ you’ll have. I want my family to have plenty of wealth, so I’m chopping the dumpling filling early. Hehe, actually, it’s not entirely true. I’m starting early so I can also chop the filling for tomorrow morning’s dumplings. Come on in, Zhan Mengyan and Zhan Zixun are playing checkers. Why don’t you join them?”

As Zhan Yingying spoke, she deftly chopped the cabbage with both hands.