After traveling through the book, I realized my wish in my previous life

After a while, there was a gentle knock on the door, "Xia Xia, are you awake?"

"Mom, I'm awake. I'll get up right away!" Shen Xiaoxia responded while quickly getting up and putting on her clothes.

When I walked out of the room, I saw Shen's mother busy in the kitchen.

Shen's mother was wearing a navy blue slanted-collared shirt and a dark blue apron. Her hair was neatly combed back and tied with a black scarf.

The years have left deep and shallow wrinkles on her face, but her smile is still as warm as ever.

"Go wash up quickly, breakfast will be ready soon." Mother Shen turned around and saw Xiao Xia, and the smile on her face became even wider.

"Okay!" Shen Xiaoxia responded and went to the yard to wash up.

After washing up, she helped her mother bring the steaming hot breakfast to the table.

The family sat around the table. Mr. Shen was wearing a faded Zhongshan suit. Although the style was old, he wore it neatly and looked particularly energetic.

He picked up the bowl and said with a smile: "Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. The whole family is together. Let's eat our fill and wish you a smooth and prosperous new year!"

The eldest brother of the Shen family was wearing a grass-green jacket. He picked up a glutinous rice dumpling and said, "Mom and Dad, Xiaoxia finally came back. We must have a lively New Year's celebration this year."

The younger brother of the Shen family was wearing a brand new set of blue khaki clothes. He looked like a happy little deer. He said excitedly while eating, "I'm going to go play with my friends later and show them my new clothes."

The family was talking and laughing, and a warm atmosphere filled the small house.

After breakfast, Shen Xiaoxia helped her mother clean up the dishes. Shen's father, mother, Shen Weidong and Shen Nannan planned to go out and visit their neighbors to wish them a happy new year.

I asked Shen Xiaoxia, and Shen Xiaoxia also wanted to join in the fun, so she followed him out.

In the yard, the branches and leaves of the old osmanthus tree swayed gently in the breeze, making a rustling sound.

In the corner of the yard, several wintersweets are blooming wildly, with golden petals spreading out layer by layer, and rich fragrance fills the air, adding a touch of elegance to the New Year.

As soon as I walked out of the house, the sun shone on me unreservedly, making me feel warm.

The bluestone pavement in the alley glows with a warm luster under the sunlight. On the low wall by the roadside, a few unknown wild flowers sway gently in the breeze, as if they are also rejoicing for the New Year.

"Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year!"

Warm greetings echoed in the alley.

People came out of their homes one after another, with happy smiles on their faces.

Most women wore cotton-padded jackets of various patterns. Some were brightly colored, embroidered with delicate patterns, exuding joy and wealth; some were light and elegant, embellished with small plum blossom embroidery, showing gentleness and beauty.

Men mostly wear dark cloth shirts or padded jackets, mostly navy blue and dark brown, and look calm and capable.

The old people wore traditional double-breasted cotton-padded jackets, with a circle of white cotton wool showing at the collar and cuffs, looking particularly kind and warm.

The children's clothes are even more brightly colored. Their colorful clothes are like flowers blooming in spring. They jump and skip among the crowd, holding candies and firecrackers in their hands, and their laughter is crisp and pleasant.

Shen Xiaoxia and her family walked along the alley, and were warmly welcomed at every house they arrived at.

Walking into the courtyard of Grandpa Li's house, Grandpa Li was sitting in the yard basking in the sun. He was wearing a black double-breasted cotton jacket, dark blue Chinese cotton trousers, and a coarse cloth belt around his waist. Although he was old, he was in good spirits.

"Grandpa Li, Happy New Year! We wish you a happy new year!" Shen Xiaoxia's family said in unison.

Grandpa Li quickly stood up and responded with a smile: "Okay, okay, you're all here! Come in and sit down!"

Everyone walked into the house, which was clean and tidy. A portrait of Chairman Mao was posted on the wall, and beneath the portrait was a square table with melon seeds, peanuts, homemade rice cakes, and crispy candies on it.

"Come and try this rice cake. I just made it." Grandpa Li greeted warmly.

Father Shen picked up a piece of rice cake, took a bite, and praised: "Well, it still tastes the same. Grandma Li's cooking skills are really amazing."

Everyone sat together, enjoying the food and chatting.

Mother Shen asked with concern: "Grandpa Li, how is Grandma Li's health recently?"

"She is still quite healthy, but she suffers from cold legs. She feels a little uncomfortable in winter," Grandpa Li replied.

Mother Shen urged, "Tell grandma to see a doctor when you have time. Don't delay."

"Oh, I see. Thank you for your concern." Grandpa Li said gratefully.

After leaving Grandpa Li's house, Shen Xiaoxia and her family went to Aunt Zhang's house. Aunt Zhang was wearing a deep crimson cotton-padded jacket and had a warm smile on her face. When she saw Shen Xiaoxia, she took her hand and said, "Xiaoxia, you're finally back! How are you doing in the countryside?"

"Aunt Zhang, I'm doing well." Shen Xiaoxia replied with a smile.

"That's good. The child has lost a lot of weight." Aunt Zhang said with concern.

"I'm not thin at all. I think this is just right. Besides, I'm in good health, so don't worry." Shen Xiaoxia comforted.

Everyone sat at Aunt Zhang's house for a while, drank a cup of tea, then got up and said goodbye and continued to visit other neighbors to wish them a happy new year.

Along the way, Shen Xiaoxia looked at the strange yet familiar alleys and friendly neighbors, her heart full of emotion.

In the alley, the laughter of children can be heard everywhere.

Some of them were playing hide-and-seek, cleverly hiding in the corners of the walls and behind the firewood piles; some were playing shuttlecock, and shuttlecocks of various styles were flying up and down on their feet like nimble butterflies; others were setting off small firecrackers, and the "crackling" sounds rang out from time to time, adding a lot of lively atmosphere to the New Year.

After Shen Xiaoxia and her family paid New Year's greetings, they returned home.

At this time, the sun was already a little hot, shining warmly on the body. Shen's father and the eldest brother of the Shen family sat on the stone bench in the yard, basking in the sun while talking about the events of the past year and their plans for the new year.

Shen Xiaoxia followed her mother into the kitchen to prepare lunch.

After a while, bursts of tempting aroma wafted out of the kitchen.

It has the rich aroma of braised pork and fish, the fresh fragrance of boiled chicken, and the refreshing taste of various seasonal vegetables.

After lunch was ready, the family sat around the dining table, looking at the table full of delicious food, their appetites increased greatly.

"Come on, let's start eating. The weather is cold and the food will get cold easily." Mother Shen said with a smile.

Shen Nannan couldn't wait to pick up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth, sighing with satisfaction, "Mom, the braised pork you make is always the most delicious!"

At the dinner table, the family was laughing and talking happily.

In addition to Shen Nannan's occasional stories of fun, Shen Xiaoxia also told her family about the interesting things that happened during her time in the countryside, such as when she was planting rice with fellow villagers and accidentally fell into the mud; when she went up the mountain with her fellow educated youth to chop firewood and almost got lost, and finally found the way down the mountain with great difficulty.

The family listened with great interest and laughed from time to time.