My humble days in ancient times

The weather was particularly cold this year, so Xu Ruyi thoughtfully arranged for them to have the New Year's Eve dinner in the warm reception room.

They are still the same people as last year, everyone is still happy, with happy smiles on their faces.

There are no performances this year, just to allow everyone to concentrate on eating.

Zhang San, however, started to make a fuss, saying, "It's not lively this year because there are no shows." There was a hint of disappointment on his face.

Aunt Li also smiled and agreed, "That's right."

Xu Ruyi smiled and said confidently, "That's easy."

Xiong Er asked curiously, "Is there anything fun?"

"Just wait a moment, it will be ready soon." After saying that, Xu Ruyi took a piece of paper with swift movements, carefully marked several areas on the paper, and wrote neatly in them: Thank you, fifty cents, a handful of melon seeds, twenty cents, two pieces of cakes, ten cents, ten eggs, one hundred cents.

Then place a fixed, rotatable arrow in the middle of the paper, and tell everyone to just move it gently with their hands.

The maids and servants quickly brought copper coins, a basket of eggs, fragrant melon seeds and delicious cakes as instructed.

Everyone gathered around curiously. Seeing that there was silver to be drawn, they were all very happy and eager to try.

Starting with Li, Li moved the coin with anticipation. The arrow stopped steadily below twenty cents. Li was so excited that he danced with joy and happily took the twenty cents away.

Da Niu and Da Hu also came over excitedly, and Da Niu won a hundred coins.

"Wow, wow." Everyone shouted loudly, the sound was deafening.

Da Hu suddenly felt the pressure. Everyone held their breath, their eyes unblinking, waiting quietly.

Da Hu nervously dialed the number, his heart in his throat. Fortunately, it was only a hundred coins.

"Absolutely." Daniel couldn't help but praise.

Then came the next. Aunt Zhang won ten eggs and happily walked away with them. Aunt Li won a handful of sunflower seeds and put them in her pocket, her face beaming. Mrs. Jiang won twenty coins and happily put the money in her pocket.

Zhang San drew fifty cents, and everyone clapped their hands in joy.

The head of the village drew ten cents, and Zhou drew ten cents.

When Xiong Er drew fifty cents, everyone cheered again, the sound almost blew the roof off.

When Jiang Jingchen and the other six came over, everyone was dumbfounded again. They didn't expect them to all want 100 coins.

Everyone was shouting loudly, and the living room was extremely lively, as if they were about to be overwhelmed by the joyful atmosphere.

When everyone finished their round, they were all satisfied and happy, and then they began to enjoy the sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.

Xu Qinghe raised his glass with a smile and said, "Happy New Year, let's toast!" His voice was loud and full of joy.

Everyone responded, drank a cup together, and then started eating with relish.

There were canned yellow peaches on the table. The exquisite glass jars shone with charming luster under the light, but the villagers did not recognize this novel food.

Aunt Li picked up a piece curiously and put it in her mouth, then exclaimed: "Oh, it's cold, but it's so delicious." Her eyes lit up instantly, and her face was full of surprise.

Jiang also quickly picked up a piece and ate it, and said in confusion: "Why does it look like a yellow peach, but taste better than a yellow peach?" As she spoke, she couldn't help but pick up another piece and looked at it carefully.

"Isn't it? I think it tastes good too, but I won't drink the juice; it's too sweet." Aunt Zhang smacked her lips and said, her eyes still revealing a desire to be unsatisfied.

Li Hehua had heard Zhuzi say so, so she smiled and said, "This is canned yellow peaches."

Everyone nodded in sudden realization and stretched out their chopsticks towards the delicious canned food.

Everyone sat together, talking and laughing while eating, and the atmosphere was very lively.

The courtyard was decorated with bright red lanterns, and colorful silks fluttered in the wind, creating a festive atmosphere.

After dinner, the villagers went home together, chatting and laughing.

When she got home, Zhou was untying the belt of her cloak when she asked, "Where did the canned yellow peaches on the table come from today?"

The village head looked puzzled, not understanding why she asked, so he said, "Of course I bought it to celebrate the New Year."

Zhou came closer, a bit mysteriously, and lowered her voice, saying, "I don't think so. Besides, doesn't Ruyi have yellow peaches? The canned yellow peaches that are now available are probably made by her."

"No way? She is a genius who knows everything. Even the ones I bought are almost the same." The head of the village waved his hand, not quite believing it.

"Oh, that's just what I said. I do believe that it was Xu Ruyi who did it." Zhou frowned and insisted on her own idea.

"Okay, take a shower and lie down on the bed! It's so cold." The headman hurriedly urged, not wanting to continue this topic.

Jiang Jingchen and the other six enthusiastically pulled Lei Da and Lei Er to play cards together.

The few people were still the same, all in high spirits, playing cards with great enthusiasm all night long. Their focused expressions and excited shouts seemed to light up the cold winter night.

Xu Ruyi, Li, Xu Qingyan and Xu Ruyuan played until midnight, and then the whole family gathered together to watch Xu Qinghe set off loud firecrackers.

Amid the crackling sound of firecrackers, colorful fireworks lit up the night sky, and they returned to their rooms to rest contentedly, with joy still on their faces.

That night, only Wang Erdan was lying on the bed in a depressed mood, staring at the ceiling with empty eyes, and no one knew what troubles he was thinking about.

When Jiang returned, Wang Erdan said weakly, "Hurry up and pour me a glass of water."

Jiang quickly poured the water and said excitedly, "It's really lively today, there's even a raffle!"

"What lottery?" Wang Erdan suddenly became alert and turned to look at Jiang.

"Just put some copper coins and melon seeds and stuff like that, and you can take whatever you draw." Jiang explained with a beaming look on her face.

"So what did you win?" Wang Erdan asked anxiously.

"I won twenty cents." Jiang's face was full of joy, and her eyes were narrowed into slits.

"Where are the others?" Wang Erdan asked.

"Danniu and Dahu won 100 coins! Zhang San and Xiong Er won 50 coins!..." Jiang talked incessantly, while Wang Erdan listened attentively, with an expression of envy on his face sometimes and calmness sometimes.

Du Lei's family was also keeping vigil in a lively atmosphere.

Du Xiaoyue and Du Xiaoxing enthusiastically taught Du Lei, Song Ping'an, Ye Mei, and Du Dazhu how to play cards. The siblings were busy explaining the rules and serving tea and water, showing their attentiveness.

"Ruyi girl is really amazing. She can even come up with such a fun game?" Song Ping'an said sincerely while playing cards.

"Of course, she also made canned yellow peaches." Du Xiaoyue raised her chin with a proud look on her face.

"Yes, the food tonight is really delicious." Song Ping'an nodded repeatedly, his face full of satisfaction.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Ye Mei couldn't help but sigh: "It is a blessing for our family to meet the eldest lady!" Her eyes flashed with gratitude and her voice was full of affection.