I trade in both worlds

She remembered that when she was a child, her parents always held her hand, took her to see the lanterns, and bought her sweet candied haws.

At that time, she was carefree and knew only laughter and happiness.

But now, she has to bear the burden of life alone and struggle forward in this world with four young children.

She stood up gently, walked to the window and looked at the night sky outside.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She couldn't let her sadness affect the children.

Time passed minute by minute, and the sound of firecrackers at midnight came one after another, but it failed to wake up the children.

Xu Xu smiled, and when the sound of the cannons faded away, she also lay down next to Xu Tiantian, closed her eyes, and met her parents in her dream.

When the first ray of sunlight shone into the house through the shabby window, Xu Xu gently opened his eyes.

The new year has arrived, the children have grown one year older, and she has also grown one year older.

Xu Xu turned around and looked at the four children who were still sleeping soundly, their little faces filled with angelic innocence.

She stroked their heads gently, got dressed, got up and walked to the corner of the room, took out a few red envelopes from a small wooden box and placed them next to the children's pillows.

I pray silently in my heart that they can grow up healthily.

When the twins woke up, they saw the red envelope next to their pillow.

They picked it up curiously and looked at Xu Xu with their big eyes blinking.

"Sister, is this for us?" Xu Jin asked in surprise.

Xu Xu looked at them with a smile. She hugged the twins gently and said softly, "This is the New Year's red envelope given to you by your sister. I wish you peace and health in the new year."

After hearing this, the twins jumped up happily and said in unison, "Thank you, sister."

On the first day of the new year, the twins should have gone to the village to pay New Year's greetings, but there was a new funeral in their family this year, and except for Xu Jizong's house, it was not suitable to go to other houses. So Xu Xu took the children to stay at Xu Jizong's house for a day.

She went back to her parents' home on the second day of the Chinese New Year. She is now living there and has nowhere else to go, so she simply took her children to Modern to watch TV for a day.

On the third day of the Chinese New Year, Xu Xu wanted to take the children out for a walk, but she was looking after four children by herself and was worried about something unexpected happening, so she ended up staying at home watching TV.

On the fourth day of the New Year, Xu Xu's family invited relatives and friends to dinner to thank everyone for their care and help over the past year.

At noon on the fifth day of the New Year, Xu Ziqi and Xu Ziqing returned.

Xu Xu looked at them in surprise: "Why did you come back so early? Aren't you staying home to spend the New Year with your parents?"

"It's rare that we close the store for the New Year. My parents are out traveling, and my grandparents have a senior group tour, so we're the only ones left at home." Xu Ziqing spread his hands and said helplessly.

"Instead of a family reunion during the New Year, we're going out to travel?" Xu Xu asked curiously. This was different from what she knew.

In the Dayun Dynasty, the Chinese New Year should be a time for families to reunite and enjoy the joy of family life. People who go out can't wait to get home, but nowadays, some people actually go out to travel far away during the Chinese New Year.

Xu Ziqi smiled and explained: "Yes, the times are different now, and the way people celebrate the New Year is also changing. My parents said that they wanted to take advantage of the New Year holiday to go out and see the outside world. My grandparents also joined the senior group, saying that they wanted to enjoy life."

"You don't have to visit relatives and friends?" Xu Xu asked.

"The relationship between relatives in modern times is not as close as before." Xu Ziqi brought two boxes in and placed them next to the sofa: "Many people have a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, and then go traveling to celebrate the New Year."

Xu Ziqing pointed at the box and said to Xu Xu, "Xu Xu, wait a minute, let's divide these gifts into two parts. One for your second uncle, one for Sister Feng, one for Doctor He, and one for Chen San. The rest will be kept for the children."

"What are these?" Xu Xu was about to open the boxes with a paper cutter, but found that the boxes were not sealed.

"Just some cakes." Xu Ziqing explained: "These are packed in wooden boxes that I found online."

Xu Xu took out the boxes from the box and piled them on the coffee table. Each box had a handle for carrying.

There are 12 boxes in total, three boxes of Snow Mei Niang, three boxes of Pea Yellow, four boxes of traditional Chinese pastry gift boxes, and two boxes of Egg Yolk Cakes.

"How do you plan to divide it?" Xu Xu divided the categories.

Xu Ziqing had already made plans: "Take out a box of each and give them to the children."

"No need to leave so much. They won't be able to finish it all."

Xu Zhun, who had been secretly listening at the side, was afraid that Xu Xu would not leave any for him, so he quickly said loudly, "We can finish it."

Xu Xu...

"Hahahahaha." Xu Ziqing said with a smile: "Look, the owner said he can finish it."

Xu Qiwei saw Xu Xu staring at him and didn't dare to speak, but nodded quietly to Xu Ziqing.

"Puchi." Xu Ziqing couldn't help laughing again.

Xu Ziqi also smiled and shook his head: "Xu Xu, just divide it according to what Xiao Qing said, and each person should take two boxes of cakes. It doesn't sound good to give away three boxes."

Indeed, in their village, the number three is the number of offerings when worshiping gods, offering sacrifices to ancestors, and visiting graves. Generally, the number three is taboo when giving gifts.

Xu Xu could only take out one portion of each pastry and put it aside separately.

Looking at the rest, Xu Xu continued to ask: "Xiao Qing, how do we divide these?"

Xu Ziqing thought for a moment and said, "Give Sister Feng something new and fresh, so give her Snow Mei Niang and Egg Yolk Pastry. These two things should not be available in Dayun Dynasty."

"No." Xu Xu did as she said and took out a box of Snow Meringue and put it together with the egg yolk pastry.

"Doctor He gave a box of pea yellow and a box of Chinese cakes, right?" Xu Ziqi said, "Same for Chen San. Their gifts should be more conventional."

Xu Ziqing looked at the last two boxes of snacks left on the coffee table and said, "Xu Xu, take the rest to your second uncle's house."

"Why did you think of sending New Year gifts to my second uncle's family?" Xu Xu asked puzzled.

She had no contact with Xu Jizong's family during this year. She only went to the county town occasionally, and when she passed by the cake shop, Xu Xu would say hello to Aunt Xu and the others.

"I've met Aunt Xu a few times before, and we may appear more frequently in the future, so we'll always run into her. It's just right that we can take advantage of the New Year's opportunity to pay New Year's greetings." Xu Ziqing said while teasing Xu Tiantian.

It would be nice to meet each other. This spring, Xu Xu also wanted to plant pumpkin seeds, sweet potato seeds, corn seeds and various vegetable seeds.

These are all from modern times. When the time comes, we can just say that Xu Ziqing and others brought them back from overseas.

Xu Xu nodded: "Then, can you tell my second uncle and the others that you provided the potato seeds?"

"No need for that, right?" Xu Ziqing said hesitantly, "It's all over, why bring it up again?"

"But this year I want my tribe to grow pumpkins, sweet potatoes, corn, and some vegetables that are not available in Dayun Dynasty," Xu Ziqing explained.