Zhengyangmen: Don’t date Su Meng

The next day, as soon as Han Chunming entered the workshop, Li Chengtao pulled him to a corner and looked very excited.

"What's wrong with you? Did you win the lottery?"

"Lottery...tickets. There is no such thing as lottery tickets nowadays. They must have been sold out...and disappeared long ago." Li Chengtao's eyes widened with confusion.

Han Chunming was really not aware of this news. He doesn't buy lottery tickets and doesn't know the history of lottery.

"Is that so? Hehe."

Han Chunming scratched his head, signaling Li Chengtao to speak quickly if he had anything to say, and to fart quickly if he had anything to say.

"Chunming, I want to help Cai Xiaoli's family. They are in such a difficult situation. You don't know that I met her father yesterday. He looked so sturdy that it's not an exaggeration to say that he could be knocked down by the wind."

Li Chengtao's face was full of surprise, as if he was back to the meeting last night. He shook his head and sighed, feeling deeply moved.

Han Chunming frowned the moment he heard this.

"Did you lend money to Cai Xiaoli?"

It's not his fault that he has a mean heart, but he is worried that Cai Xiaoli will know that Li Chengtao has a huge sum of money and will have some ulterior motives.

It would be fine if they could really be together forever, but if Cai Xiaoli only likes Li Chengtao because of his money, then what if she thinks he has no money?

Boiling sheep?

As Li Chengtao's brother, Han Chunming didn't want to see this scene.

"Uh, I borrowed... one hundred." Li Chengtao said nervously.

"Did Cai Xiaoli ask you to borrow money last night?"

Hearing He Yuzhu's question, Li Chengtao immediately shook his head and defended Cai Xiaoli: "No, this... is all my own idea. She didn't borrow money from me, and she... also said that she would pay me back a little bit every month when she gets her salary, and she will... be able to pay it back in full."

Hearing this, Han Chunming's expression relaxed. He glanced at them and said in a low voice:

"Taozi, don't blame me for being nosy, but you know, we both prosper and suffer together. If others knew that you had a huge sum of money, they would be curious about where you got the money, and then they would investigate, and neither of us would be able to escape.

So, keep a low profile and don’t show off your wealth, okay?”

Li Chengtao nodded his head like a rattle.

"As for Cai Xiaoli, you make your own decision. I won't say anything more, but... Oh, forget it, let's go to work."

Han Chunming wanted to tell him not to do anything with Cai Xiaoli, but he swallowed his words in the end.

He couldn't say this.

…………

As Han Chunming worked step by step, December came to an end quietly.

January rolled around.

The Han family hung up a new calendar and turned to the first page.

January 1976, 1, New Year’s Day!

It is not only the first day of the Gregorian calendar in 76, but also the first day of the twelfth lunar month in 75. There is only one month left until New Year's Eve.

When Han Chunming came out of Grandpa Guan's yard, he met Cheng Jianjun.

Although Cheng Jianjun had been tricked by Han Chunming before, and then he was hit in the face by Han Chunming, which made him faint, but in the end the two of them "reconciled" and returned to being superficial brothers.

"Jianjun, why are you smiling so happily?"

Hearing Han Chunming's hypocritical greeting, Cheng Jianjun pursed his lips, but still wanted to show off to the other party.

"Chunming, you know, I came back with Su Meng after get off work today, and we..."

"Okay, Jianjun, I have something else to do at home, so I won't talk to you anymore."

Han Chunming didn't want to listen to him talk about him and Su Meng, half of which were exaggerations. For example: he caught up with Su Meng in the morning, but he said it was that they made an appointment to go to work together; he saw Su Meng reading in the room and thought he was an eyesore, so he closed the window, but Cheng Jianjun said it was that Su Meng and he were flirting with each other!

There is too much moisture.

…………

In the blink of an eye, it was midwinter and heavy snow fell continuously in the city.

As the New Year was approaching, Han Chunming especially wanted to eat mutton hotpot.

"Mom, let's have mutton hotpot tonight. It's snowing heavily, so it's a good time to eat mutton hotpot."

Hearing Han Chunming's proposal, Han Chunsheng and Han Chunyan immediately nodded and clamored for Han's mother to eat mutton hotpot, just like three hungry kids, hugging their mother and crying out for food.

Although mutton is relatively expensive and sesame paste is not cheap either, for a poor family like them, it is impossible for them to eat all they can when eating mutton hotpot, so the main dish is naturally hand-rolled noodles.

"Okay, I'll go buy some meat and vegetables now, and call your master tonight, and we'll have mutton hotpot together."

Han Chunming stretched out his hand to stop them. It was snowing and the road was slippery, so it would be more convenient for the young people like them to go.

After telling them what they needed to buy, Han Chunming and Han Chunyan dressed neatly and went out. It was a special experience to go out in the snow.

Two hours later, Han Chunming and Han Chunyan returned home with the ingredients, and the family began to get busy. Han's mother cut vegetables and mixed sauces, Han Chunsheng arranged the table and chairs, and Han Chunyan was responsible for serving dishes and pouring water. Soon, the hot pot was ready.

Grandpa Guan was invited in, and everyone sat down. There was no formality, and the first chopsticks went for the mutton.

In this world of ice and snow, the snow is falling outside, and everything is white. However, inside the house, it is a warm scene, with steam rising from the hot pot and an alluring aroma.

Han Chunming skillfully picked up a piece of frozen tofu, gently coated it with rich sesame sauce, and garnished it with a few bright dried chilies. He put the delicious food into his mouth and instantly felt a sense of satisfaction, as if all the fatigue and coldness had dissipated at this moment.

Like him, others immersed themselves in the warm atmosphere and enjoyed the delicious feast brought by the hot pot.

Laughter and joy, sharing each other's stories and happiness, make this cold winter day full of warmth and harmony.

…………

At the end of January, the whole city was frozen over, the north wind was blowing fiercely, and it seemed as if a thin woolen blanket was covering the window.

January 1th is traditionally New Year’s Eve.

But since 1967, the country has cancelled the Spring Festival holiday and switched to normal work. The 30th is a Friday, so all workers have to continue working and can only go home to celebrate New Year's Eve after get off work.

Many customs have been banned, only posting couplets has been retained, but the contents are all in response to the call of the times and are positive. Of course, this kind of work belongs to Han's mother, they still have to go to work.

After saying "Happy New Year" to his fellow workers, Han Chunming quickly returned to the courtyard.

Along the way, there were children everywhere, and he was used to it these days.

After all, New Year's Eve is a festival for children.

On the streets and alleys, children are holding firecrackers and setting them off for fun while laughing and talking. Even passers-by are no exception. If you don't pay attention to your steps, you never know when firecrackers will explode under your feet.

Back in the courtyard, the festive atmosphere becomes stronger. Although not as grand as in the past, the warm atmosphere still makes people feel happy.

Big red lanterns are hung high. Although there are no window decorations or paper-cuts, the windows are bright and the house is clean. Spring Festival couplets are pasted on the door frames, adding a festive touch to the ancient courtyard.

Everyone gathered together, sharing the joy of the New Year, chatting about family matters, eating melon seeds, and feeling warm and cozy.

The Han family is having a big dinner today. Except for the eldest sister who can't come back, the eldest brother and his wife are all here, and Grandpa Guan has also been invited.

Han Chunming discovered an interesting phenomenon.

When Mr. Guan was present, Han Chunsong spoke in a voice several degrees lower and did not preach to Han Chunming, which made him sigh that there is always someone stronger than you.

The dinner starts at 8pm sharp.

"Mr. Guan, can you say a few words to us?" Han Chunsong suggested.

Mr. Guan waved his hand and said there was no need for that.

"If there are no outsiders, don't make such a fuss, Sister Han, what do you think?"

Han's mother nodded and asked everyone to pick up their chopsticks. Han Chunming stood up and poured wine for everyone one by one, since he was the youngest.

"Haha, Xiao Wuzi is becoming more and more presentable now." The sister-in-law praised.

Han Chunming agreed with a smile and sat back.

"Chunming, you poured the wine. How many sips should we take from this glass?" asked Grandpa Guan.

Thinking that there were many female comrades at the table, Han Chunming slapped her.

"Five, please."

"Okay, then five sips, and everyone raises a glass together."

In the happy and joyful atmosphere, everyone raised their glasses.

Some drank it heartily in big gulps, as if they wanted to drink away all the fatigue and hard work of the past year; while the rest took small sips, savoring this wine that symbolized farewell to the old and welcome to the new, and everyone's face was filled with smiles.

This glass of wine is a farewell to the past year and a welcome to the coming new year.

It brings a perfect end to this year, allowing everyone to let go of past worries and troubles and start afresh; at the same time, it is also a glass of wine that carries on the past and opens up the future, allowing people to be full of confidence and hope in the new year and move forward courageously.

The crisp sound of wine glasses clinking together seemed to be playing a cheerful melody for the New Year.

Outside the house, the night is deep, the sound of firecrackers can be heard one after another, and fireworks bloom in the sky, colorful and brilliant.