I make a living solving crimes.

No rules no standards.

The old Beijingers are famous for their extravagant gifts, especially during the Chinese New Year, when they are particularly particular about them.

There are rules for what to do every day.

23rd, worship the Kitchen God;

Twenty-four, house cleaning day;

25. Grind tofu;

Twenty-six, stewed pork;

Twenty-seven, kill a chicken;

28th, paste New Year pictures;

Twenty-nine, go get some wine;

On New Year’s Eve, make dumplings;

On the first day of the new year, I was bowing with my butt sticking out.

After the Little New Year, the festive atmosphere in Beijing becomes stronger and stronger.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year in this era is a very happy thing. Only during these days can children get new clothes, adults can have three days off to relax, and the whole family can get together to have a good meal.

It’s a good thing, but it’s not really.

In the era of material scarcity, being able to eat white flour dumplings with meat filling for dinner was probably considered happiness.

Today is the 2th day of the twelfth lunar month, February 1st in the lunar calendar, Sunday.

As per the rules, every household was busy cleaning the house, and only children were chasing and playing in the alley.

Chang Long was wearing a cotton-padded jacket with large flowers, sitting on the stone drum at the gate of the compound with his legs crossed, his calves swinging back and forth, holding a paper bag in his hand, which contained a piece of stove candy.

This thing was offered to the Kitchen God, but the Kitchen God was kind-hearted and couldn't bear to eat it. The little girl was a good and thrifty child, so she naturally couldn't bear to throw it away, so she could only eat it reluctantly herself.

Stove sugar is a kind of malt sugar that is sticky to your mouth and teeth. When it is rolled into a long stick, it is called "Kanto sugar", and when it is pulled into a flat round shape, it is called "sugar melon".

In winter, it is placed outside. Because of the cold weather, the sugar melon solidifies and there are tiny bubbles inside. It tastes crispy, sweet and crunchy, with a unique flavor.

Chang Wei has good conditions and sprinkles sesame seeds on the stove candies he makes. You don’t even need to eat it, just looking at it smells delicious.

Several children had run back and forth in front of her several times, but she didn't eat it. She just held it in her hands, turning it over and over to admire it.

常小蛮怕凉，没有爬上来，站在石鼓旁，小舌头舔了舔手里的糖瓜，担忧道：“姨姨，你偷奶奶的糖瓜给我吃，会不会挨揍啊？”

She stood in the sun, looking a little clumsy in the thick cotton coat. Her hair was tied into two asymmetrical braids by Chang Wei, and a few strands of hair hung unruly in front of her forehead. Her big watery eyes seemed to be able to speak, sparkling with gratitude towards her aunt.

Chang Long slid down from the stone drum, picked off a few sesame seeds on his clothes, carefully stuck them on Chang Xiaoman's collar, and said loudly: "Don't worry, grandma won't know that I stole it, you eat it quickly."

Chang Xiaoman felt the sweetness in her mouth and giggled, revealing a row of fine little teeth, "Auntie, you are so nice."

Chang Long felt a little guilty. He took a bite of the candy and said nothing.

Chen Mingji walked over from the entrance of the alley and saw the two of them at a glance. He smiled and said, "You two little greedy cats, aren't you cold sitting here?"

"Hello, Grandpa Chen." Chang Xiaoman jumped on the spot and said crisply, "I'm wearing a lot of clothes, so I'm not cold."

Chen Mingji responded with a smile, propped up his knees and half squatted down, picked the sesame seeds on her collar and put them into his mouth to chew gently, and said in a strangled voice: "Little girl, is your uncle at home?"

"My uncle is out. I'm waiting for him." Chang Xiaoman tilted her head and thought for a while, then raised the candy in her hand a little higher. "Grandpa Chen, please have some candy."

A child’s smile is the warmest sunshine, which can instantly melt the ice in people’s hearts.

Chen Mingji was unwilling to eat it. He stroked the little girl's pigtails and said, "Grandpa won't eat it. I'm here to talk to your uncle."

Chang Xiaoman nodded vigorously, stretched out a hand and pulled Chen Mingji's collar, "Then Grandpa, come to my house and sit down. I'll treat you to some leaves."

Chen Mingji was stunned. Eating leaves... Is life so difficult for the Chang family?

Chang Long explained beside him: "Xiao Man wants to invite you for tea."

Chen Mingji immediately smiled, quickly agreed, and walked into the yard holding Chang Xiaoman's hand.

Chang Long looked at the candy in his hand and sighed. He quickly swallowed it in big gulps, stuffed the sesame seeds that fell on his clothes into his mouth, and went home dejectedly.

When Chang Wei came back, the little girl was sweeping the yard with a broom that was taller than her.

I couldn't avoid it after all.

Fortunately, Chen Mingji said “it’s New Year’s Day” and “they’re still children” and saved her life.

Teach your son in front of him and scold your wife behind her back.

Yang Min wanted to deal with her and didn't care whether there were guests at home or not.

All I can say is that kids of this generation are really tough and strong enough inside, and they can calmly deal with being scolded and beaten in public.

Chang Wei ignored Chang Long's pleading look and walked into the room, saying hello: "Uncle Chen, how come you are free today?"

Chen Mingji stood up and said with a smile: "I'm here to report to you about the farm."

"Report to me? Uncle, then you have to stand straight, keep your legs together, don't hold your back so straight, and smile brighter."

Grandpa Chang tapped Chang Wei lightly with his pipe in annoyance and said to Chen Mingji: "He is just a scoundrel. Don't mind it. I will deal with him later."

"Old man, what you are saying is true. He is my nephew."

"Okay, you guys continue chatting while I go to the yard to see Lao Liu."

Chen Mingji stood up and saw Grandpa Chang off, then took out a cigarette and handed it to Chang Wei. "The farm matter has been reported to the Municipal Party Committee. I heard that it is a farm jointly run by the Dragon Group and Gulou Street. The Municipal Party Committee agreed to hold a meeting after the New Year to study it. Mayor Zhen called me, so there is no problem."

Chang Wei smiled and said, "You are here today, maybe not for the farm?"

For something like this that has no results, you can just make a phone call. There's no point in visiting someone on a weekend to discuss it.

Chen Mingji sighed, sat back in his chair, and said apologetically: "Chang Wei, uncle is here to ask for help!"

Chang Wei didn't rush to ask. He picked up the thermos and refilled it with water. He also made himself a cup of tea, sat down and asked slowly, "Uncle, what's the matter?"

"It's the end of the year——!"

"Your street office is also causing famine?"

"We are not starving, but there are too many poor families, five-guarantee families, and military martyrs' families in our jurisdiction. We should let everyone have dumplings during the New Year, right?"

Chen Mingji lowered his head and pursed his lips, then raised his eyebrows and looked at Chang Wei with some guilt.

This is not Chang Wei's job scope.

Moreover, during the last Mid-Autumn Festival, Chang Wei had donated more than 20,000 yuan.

Although the money was paid by the capitalists, it was a consolation payment to Chang Wei.

He was too embarrassed to face the man who came to him again this time.

However, thinking about the situation of the poor families in his jurisdiction, he could not remain indifferent, and finally had to grit his teeth and ask Chang Wei for help.

He said he wanted to have dumplings, but in fact, let alone dumplings, these families even have difficulty getting food in winter.

Chang Wei thought carefully for a while and said, "How much money do you need this time?"

"It's not just a matter of money." Chen Mingji said dejectedly, "Now even if you have money you can't buy food. Our street office organized a donation and collected more than 300 yuan and 200 kilograms of coarse grain coupons, but it's still far from enough."