Rebirth of a Farmer's Dad

Days passed by, and the New Year was just around the corner. In the days leading up to the New Year, Luo Feng didn't miss a single market day. As the year drew to a close, people, rich or poor, would buy New Year's goods, leading to more people at the market and consequently more people eating out. Therefore, Luo Feng earned quite a bit these past few days, making a full 50% more each day than usual. He wished these days could last a few more, but clearly, that was impossible.

Luo Feng could only accept reality and stay home with his daughter, while also making preparations for the New Year. Actually, there wasn't much to prepare; it was already New Year's Eve, and he had already bought all the necessary New Year's goods at the market: fireworks, firecrackers, various snacks, chicken, duck, fish, meat, couplets, door gods... he had everything.

However, Luo Feng planned to treat his men to a good meal during the New Year, so he got up early and started preparing.

He had it all planned out. Everyone would be busy after the New Year and wouldn't have time. So he decided to have everyone gather at his house at noon on New Year's Eve. He didn't want to take up any time in the evening, since everyone would be at home having New Year's Eve dinner with their families.

So Luo Feng sent Hu Zi to inform Dunzi and his son, while he stayed home to prepare. As for Xinghua, she excitedly ran out after hearing the firecrackers outside. Luo Feng simply called out to her, reminding her not to get her new clothes dirty, and then ignored her.

Kids are at an age where they should be playing.

To be honest, Luo Feng had grown quite fond of this place. Listening to the bursts of firecrackers and the joyful laughter of children outside, Luo Feng thought, perhaps what people in later generations lack is this simple, genuine New Year's atmosphere!

Before he could even finish savoring the moment, Hu Zi's voice came from outside the door: "Brother Feng, we're back!" Then Hu Zi led Dun Zi and his father inside.

"Didn't I tell you to bring Atsuko's whole family?" After greeting Atsuko and his father, Luo Feng pulled Hu Zi aside and asked.

“I meant for their whole family to come, but Dunzi’s father insisted that his mother and sister had to stay home to prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner and couldn’t leave. His older and younger brothers had to stay home to help out, and that having the two of them as representatives was enough!”

Hearing this, Luo Feng sighed and could only give up. He'd find another opportunity later; there wasn't enough time to go back and look for someone now, it was almost lunchtime.

In fact, Luo Feng understood what Dunzi's father meant. In some rural areas of later generations, women were not allowed to sit at the table to eat when guests came to the house. This was even more true in this era, where people's minds were not yet open, so it was normal for them to be conservative.

As for Dunzi's brothers, their absence was mostly due to the simple and kind nature of country folk. Perhaps Dunzi's father thought that since he and Dunzi worked for Luo Feng, there was nothing wrong with them having a meal here. Bringing his sons along would be incredibly unreasonable. Besides, Luo Feng had always treated him and his sons well; he couldn't openly take advantage of him, or people would gossip!

When the guests arrived, Luo Feng, as the host, naturally took on the duties of offering cigarettes and pouring tea. Afterward, Luo Feng and Hu Zi ran around serving dishes, and soon the table was full of food, and the wine was also ready.

Luo Feng quickly invited Dunzi and his son to the table, and asked Hu Zi to serve them, while he went to call Xinghua home for dinner. The child had gone off somewhere to play and hadn't come home yet.

When Luo Feng brought Xinghua home, the other three were already up. Since they were all on the same side, there was nothing to argue about. Luo Feng and his daughter quickly joined the fray.

A group of grown men gathered together naturally had nothing to say, clinking glasses and drinking heavily. During the meal, Luo Feng frequently urged others to drink, and Dunzi and his son obliged, leaving thoroughly drunk. Luo Feng, however, acted as if nothing had happened; having spent most of his time in the kitchen, he was quite the drinker.

Afterwards, Luo Feng cleaned up the mess by himself. Hu Zi wanted to help, but he couldn't hold on any longer and had to go back to his room to sleep.

That evening, Luo Feng prepared a feast, planning for the whole family to enjoy a New Year's Eve dinner. Hu Zi wanted to go home, but Luo Feng insisted he stay. He was the only one left at home, and Luo Feng was worried he would be sad.

Tiger was deeply moved. In previous years, he had to spend the Lunar New Year alone. Seeing other families reunited made him feel terrible.

But this year is better; with Luo Feng and his daughter by my side, I'm finally not alone anymore. We're all just unfortunate souls, aren't we?

Then Luo Feng set off a string of firecrackers at the door, closed the door, and began to eat his New Year's Eve dinner. The meal was enjoyed by everyone, and Luo Feng even prepared lucky money for Hu Zi and his daughter. Xinghua excitedly accepted it; she knew this was a New Year's custom, but her father had never given her a single penny before—this was the first time in history!

But Tiger felt embarrassed, since he was already so old and according to seniority he should give Xinghua New Year's money.

However, Luo Feng still insisted on giving it to him.

Suddenly, she remembered that she seemed to owe Luo Feng 200 yuan. He hadn't mentioned it for a long time, and she had forgotten about it while she was busy.

Now that he remembered, Tiger was determined to pay back the money. He might be a bit of a rascal, but he had to keep his word to his brothers and his benefactor. He had promised to pay back the money, and he definitely would. Besides, he wasn't short of money now; after following Luo Feng for a few months, his salary and bonuses totaled six or seven hundred yuan.

So, after dinner, Erhu went back to his room, took out two hundred yuan in change, wrapped it in red paper, called Xinghua over, and told her that it was "lucky money" from his uncle. He said this because he was worried that Luo Feng wouldn't accept it; he could tell that Luo Feng truly considered him a brother.

Sure enough, not long after Xinghua returned home, Luo Feng arrived, holding the "lucky money" he had just given Xinghua.

"What are you doing? You've had it tough enough yourself, so don't spoil the kid." Luo Feng said, stuffing money into Hu Zi's hand.

Seeing this, Tiger had no choice but to dodge while simultaneously making things clear. He loudly declared, "If Luo Feng doesn't accept it, it means he's looking down on me, and then I won't work for Luo Feng anymore."

There was no way Luo Feng could refuse any money today. But he also knew that Hu Zi's family was struggling financially and needed money for many things.

So he came up with a compromise and persuaded Tiger to agree to pay back 50 today and the rest later.

Once the matter was resolved, things returned to calm. Luo Feng then arranged the candies and cookies; tomorrow was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and given his current status in the village, many people would surely come to wish him a Happy New Year.

After making all the preparations, Luo Feng went to sleep.

This year has been pretty good, and I hope next year will be even better. Now that we have a house and land, I think it's time to buy myself a car, and maybe a color TV and refrigerator too.