Divorced woman with child travels through time

The children ran around, checking out the kitchen every now and then. Chen Wenfang let them be, letting whoever came to try a dish. They didn't even need lunch, having eaten their fill of different dishes, and were all looking forward to the New Year's Eve dinner. After preparing the dishes, she steamed two pots of buns, and while she was at it, she and Wang Erniu put up the couplets and hung up two red lanterns. The festive atmosphere of the New Year was finally there.

Chen Wenfang changed into her new clothes before cooking, and changed back after cooking. She asked Wang Erniu to lead the children to set the table, while she went to get a basket from her sewing workshop. It was full of copper coins, about a string of coins. Chen Wenfang strung them together with a rope, twenty coins per string, to give to the children as New Year's money. She told them to string the rest together after they finished eating, in case any children came to pay New Year's visits the next day, she would also give them some money as red envelopes.

Chen Wenfang had just finished stringing the coins and putting them in the basket, and was about to go out when she suddenly heard a burst of firecrackers outside, which startled her. It turned out that Wang Erniu and the others had already set out the meal and were setting off firecrackers before enjoying their New Year's Eve dinner.

Amidst the cheerful crackling sounds, Chen Wenfang walked out with a smile, took out four strings of copper coins, and distributed them to several children, saying, "Hey, Happy New Year! This is your lucky money. I wish you good health and a happy childhood."

The children took the money, grinning and saying incoherently, "May Mother live a long and healthy life, and always be beautiful."

"May my godmother earn so much money that you can't even count it all!"

"May your godmother have boundless happiness and grow up happily!" Fifteen actually put his newfound knowledge into practice.

Little Ahao tilted his head and came up with a different phrase, saying, "Wishing my godmother a successful career."

Chen Wenfang and Wang Erniu both laughed heartily at the children.

Chen Wenfang called everyone to sit down, "Come, come, everyone, let's eat quickly, it's getting cold." After saying that, she brought out a pot of rice wine, poured wine for herself and Wang Erniu, and poured sugar water for the children.

Chen Wenfang said, "Come on, let's raise our glasses and wish each other all the best, more and more money, and a good life."

Wang Erniu and Chu Yi responded, "Getting better and better, cheers!"

Everyone clinked glasses and started eating. Looking at the huge table of dishes, Wang Erniu didn't know where to begin. He had never eaten such a feast before, and it was all meat dishes. The others were the same; they had never seen so many meat dishes on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month, let alone at other restaurants. Chen Xuanyu, however, was used to it. His mother was like that; even on New Year's Eve, the two of them could prepare a huge feast, and then they would eat the leftovers until the whole table was finished. But now that there were so many people eating, they probably wouldn't have to eat the leftovers.

"What are you looking at? Eat up." Chen Wenfang picked up a piece of braised pork for Wang Erniu and said, "Here, try this. I don't think I've made this much lately; I've been making stews all the time." She also picked up a piece for Chu Yi, Shi Wu, and Xiao Ahao, saying, "Try it and see if it's good."

Wang Erniu took a bite of the meat and said, "It's delicious. It melts in your mouth and isn't too greasy. Fangmei, your cooking is really good."

The little ones also had bulging mouths, too full to speak, but they nodded vigorously, saying how delicious it was.

Chen Wenfang smiled, "It's delicious, you should eat more~~" She slowly picked up a piece of beef and ate it, then took a sip of slightly sweet rice wine, feeling completely satisfied.

The meal lasted for more than half an hour. After finishing the meal, the dishes were put directly into the steamer in the pot. If they wanted to eat it tomorrow, they could just add more firewood to steam it again. The children ate until their bellies were round. Chen Wenfang and Wang Erniu stayed around the stove to keep watch. The children were led by Chu Yi to set off firecrackers outside the courtyard. The sound of firecrackers could be heard from Wangjiazhuang, which was not far away.

Chen Wenfang peeled a dried longan and said, "Brother Erniu, after the New Year, I plan to send all four of their children to Wangjiazhuang to study?"

Wang Erniu pondered for a moment and said, "Do you have enough money? Here's twenty taels for you." He reached into his clothes, took out the money, and handed it to her.

Chen Wenfang laughed and said, "Don't keep giving me money. Your wages are still with me. I have enough money, don't worry. I'm just asking if you agree?"

Wang Erniu laughed and said, "Of course I agree. It's a good thing that the children can go to school. I also plan to come back because Ahao is going to start school and can't keep wandering outside."

Chen Wenfang nodded and said, "Then it's settled." She went to the room and brought out the basket of copper coins, saying, "Help me string them together. There should be quite a few people coming to wish us a Happy New Year tomorrow. I was thinking of going to wish Aunt Liu and the others a Happy New Year myself. Uncle Liu Hai said that they have benefited greatly from me, so they should come to wish me a Happy New Year. There are also people from Wangjiazhuang. How can I go to wish them a Happy New Year? So there will probably be quite a few people tomorrow, and not enough red envelopes. Let's just string them together with a rope. Twenty coins for adults and five coins for children, for good luck, what do you think?"

Wang Erniu chuckled, "That's fine, you can decide." The two slowly strung the coins together, chatting idly about gossip and everyday matters, accompanied by the sound of children's firecrackers outside. Time passed slowly.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Chen Wenfang got up early, put on new clothes, tidied up the children, and Wang Erniu also shaved his face and wore brand new clothes. She also set out a snack plate on the table, boiled water to make syrup, and opened the door to the house and the gate to the yard, waiting for others to come and wish them a Happy New Year.

Not long after the door opened, Aunt Liu and her whole family arrived. "Happy New Year, Fang'er!" "Happy New Year!" Uncle Liu Hai and Aunt Liu stood and bowed with their hands clasped. Chen Wenfang and Erniu returned the greeting with their hands clasped. Chen Wenfang took out some copper coins to give to Aunt Liu and Uncle Liu Hai, but the two hurriedly declined, refusing to accept them. Chen Wenfang explained with a smile, "I always pay you for making candy for me, so wouldn't you consider me your employer?"

Uncle Liu laughed and said, "Of course we count it." Chen Wenfang said, "Then did you accept the red envelopes from the employer for the New Year?" Aunt Liu smiled and reached out to take them. "Of course we accepted them. We hope Fang'er will make a lot of money in the future."

Chen Wenfang smiled with satisfaction, "That makes sense, it's not much money."

"Happy New Year to Sister-in-law Chen! Happy New Year to Uncle Erniu!" Dazhuang and Shitou stepped forward and bowed to Chen Wenfang and Wang Erniu.

The two accepted the money, and Chen Wenfang gave each of them a string of silver coins, saying, "Take these, Happy New Year, for good luck."

"Thank you, Sister-in-law Chen!" "You're welcome."

After exchanging New Year's greetings, Aunt Liu and Uncle Liu Hai were drinking tea and chatting with Chen Wenfang and the others about spring planting when people from Wangjiazhuang arrived. Upon seeing this, Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu took their leave.

Then it was the exact same process: Chen Wenfang greeted the guests, and Wang Erniu greeted them, offering New Year's greetings and bowing. Chen Wenfang returned the greeting with a smile and gave them copper coins. Adults received twenty coins per string, and children received five coins per string, which were carried in two baskets.

Seeing that Chen Wenfang was busy and unhappy, Chen Xuanyu stood next to the basket of five coins and said to the child who came to wish him a Happy New Year, "You wish me a Happy New Year, and I'll give you the money!"

One of the children obediently greeted him with "Happy New Year, and may you prosper!" Chen Xuanyu quickly handed over a string of coins, and the child said, "Thank you!" Chen Xuanyu nodded in satisfaction and said, "You're welcome!"

Seeing his serious expression, Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Little friend, go over there and get your red envelope!"