I relied on my heart to play badly in front of my husband, an officer.

During the holidays, Bai Youyou did not give up studying.

On the day before the Chinese New Year, the entire family compound became bustling with activity. From the main gate to the doors of every household, big red lanterns were hung everywhere. The bright red color made it look very festive and beautiful.

Bai Youyou's family also hung a small lantern at the door. Bai Youyou bought it when she and Zhang Ru went to the market early in the morning.

Although Bai Youyou and her classmates' school is on vacation, Sheng Zeyan becomes busier as the Chinese New Year approaches.

Ever since I hurried home the day before yesterday at noon to have lunch with them and left, I haven't been back for the next two or three days.

During these last two days, Bai Youyou stopped studying and happily prepared things for the New Year with Zhang Ru.

It's almost the New Year here, and there's a big market going on. Although private trading is still prohibited in the country, it's almost the New Year, so not many people care about it.

This also makes the market particularly lively, and things that are not easy to see and buy in normal times can be seen everywhere.

Zhang Ru took Bai Youyou to the market early in the morning, but when they arrived at the market, they saw a sea of ​​people.

"Oh no! We are still late. If I had known earlier, I would have gotten up earlier.

It's already this late, and I don't know if the things I want to buy today are sold out. "Zhang Ru looked at the flowing crowd and regretted it to death.

"Mom, it's only seven in the morning, why are there so many people here? I thought we were the first ones to arrive!"

Bai Youyou also saw the crowded streets and swallowed.

Oh my god! It’s only seven o’clock in the morning, why are there so many people? Didn’t these people sleep last night?

It's winter now, why don't you all sleep in and get up so early?

"Hurry up and leave, if we don't go in, all the good things will be bought up."

Zhang Ru didn't care whether there were many people or not. She just grabbed Bai Youyou and plunged into the crowd.

Zhang Ru pulled Bai Youyou forward through the crowd with difficulty, surrounded by the sounds of hawking and bargaining.

Bai Youyou held Zhang Ru's hand tightly, fearing that they would be swept away by the crowd.

Suddenly, Bai Youyou's eyes lit up. She saw a stall selling couplets, and the stall was full of people who wanted to buy couplets.

"Mom, why don't we buy some couplets and put them up at home to make it more festive." Bai Youyou tugged at Zhang Ru's sleeve.

Zhang Ru looked in the direction Bai Youyou pointed, smiled and said, "Okay, let's go over and take a look, and we'll buy one to take home too."

They finally squeezed in front of the couplet. While Bai Youyou was choosing the characters, Zhang Ru went to the stall next to it.

Suddenly, I heard someone shouting, "Hey, Youyou, your family also wants to buy couplets! Then you can pick one for me. I don't know the words on it."

After hearing the shouting, Bai Youyou looked in the direction of the voice and saw her neighbor Aunt Li.

Bai Youyou smiled and agreed to her request, "Okay Aunt Li, I'll pick out what you want."

"Ah! Isn't it just a couplet to be posted on the door? You can even pick the ones you want."

"Aunt, of course I have to choose. Each couplet has different words and meanings.

Look at this one, it means the hope for a harmonious family, and that one means the wish for making money.

They're all different. I just don't know what you mean, Aunt Li!" Bai Youyou held up the two couplets and compared them with her.

"Oh my! Teacher Bai, you are really amazing. You are so particular about buying a couplet.

Then give me a picture of a happy and harmonious family. I just want everyone in my family to be happy and harmonious in the new year."

"Okay, Aunt Li, then I'll give you the painting in my hand! This is it." After listening to her request, Bai Youyou handed her the one she originally wanted to buy.

Aunt Li took the couplet, thanked her repeatedly, and took out some candies from her pocket and stuffed them into Bai Youyou's pocket.

After trying to refuse, Bai Youyou had no choice but to accept the candy.

After watching Bai Youyou accept it, Aunt Li continued, "Youyou, I heard from my Ermao that Captain Sheng and his unit will be done with their work this morning, and they might be back in the afternoon.

Okay, thank you, Teacher Bai. You and your mom can take your time shopping. I'll go home first."

"Aunt Li, are you telling the truth?" Bai Youyou was happy when she heard that Sheng Zeyan was going home after finishing his work.

"Well, that's what your brother Ermao told me, but I'm not sure whether it's true or not.

Whether it’s true or not, you’ll know when you get home.”

"Yes! Thank you, Aunt Li."

"Well, what are you thanking me for? If anyone should thank you, it should be me.

I'm leaving now. You and your mother can take your time shopping."

"Okay, Aunt Li."

After Aunt Li left, Zhang Ru also came back from another stall with her shopping.

"Youyou, haven't you chosen yet?"

"Mom, okay, we want this one." Bai Youyou picked up the other couplet she had just chosen.

After paying the bill with Zhang Ru, he continued to stroll around the market with Zhang Ru.

The two of them wandered around the stalls, picking and choosing.

In a short while, his hands were full of things.

Just when she was thinking that if Sheng Zeyan was here, she could ask him to help them carry their things, she suddenly heard a familiar laugh.

When they turned around, Sheng Zeyan actually appeared behind them.

"Oh! Why are you here, husband? Are you not busy today?" Bai Youyou asked in surprise.

Sheng Zeyan smiled and said, "No matter how busy you are, you have to spend the New Year with your family. Let's go! If there is anything you haven't bought, let's go buy it together." Then he joined Zhang Ru and Bai Youyou's shopping team.

The three of them were at the market, selecting New Year's goods, their laughter and chatter continuing. The originally crowded and noisy market was now filled with a warm atmosphere.

After they had bought everything, they returned home with their bags full.