Reborn in 72, I hunt to support my family and spoil my younger sister rotten.

"By the way, Xiangyang, today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. We need to go pay respects at the graves of your Li family ancestors later."

Li's mother's voice came from inside the house, "Don't be impatient, these are the rules."

When Li's father was alive, Li Xiangyang was particularly resistant to this custom.

However, he now misses his father very much.

Over the years, their mother has suffered so much raising them.

If my father were still alive...

Fortunately, he realized his mistake and his family's situation improved; otherwise, he would have been too ashamed to go and pay respects to his ancestors.

The mountain path was difficult to traverse, so Li Xiangyang immediately packed up his tools.

The black leopard cat squatted at the door, tilting its head as it watched him busy himself.

Li Xiangyang specially prepared a piece of meat for it, because it was the New Year, and even the cat had to share in the joy.

"Let's go."

A short while later, Li's mother, carrying incense, candles, and paper money, led Xiaohua out of the house.

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the entire Xiaoliang Village was shrouded in silence.

Occasionally, you can see small groups of people on the street; they are all going to visit graves.

Upon arriving at the cemetery, Li Xiangyang helped his mother arrange the offerings she had brought.

Looking at his father's grave, he was overcome with grief and wept silently.

After offering incense, Li's mother wiped her eyes and said softly, "Old Li, look at our son, how successful he is now."

As Li Xiangyang listened, his heart ached even more.

Xiaohua also cried as her mother spoke words of longing.

Back home, Li's mother began preparing lunch.

According to custom, one should not travel far on the first day of the Lunar New Year; one should stay at home and wait for relatives to come and pay their respects.

"Mom, I'm going to chop some firewood in the yard," Li Xiangyang said as he walked out.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard voices coming from outside the gate.

"Is Old Li's family there? I've come to wish your wife a Happy New Year!"

As soon as Li Xiangyang opened the door, he saw Aunt Zhang from next door standing outside with her daughter.

"Aunt Zhang, please come in quickly." Li Xiangyang hurriedly invited her into the house.

Li's mother also came out to greet them: "Please come in and sit down."

One or two families exchanged pleasantries.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the emphasis is on harmony and joy.

"I heard you're quite the hunter now?" Aunt Zhang asked with a smile.

"It's alright," Li Xiangyang said modestly.

"That's great," Aunt Zhang said, giving her daughter a meaningful look. "Our Juxiang is getting on in years too..."

Li's mother quickly interrupted, "Aunt Zhang, try this candy, it's so sweet!"

Throughout the morning, many people came to offer their New Year's greetings.

Li Xiangyang noticed that there were significantly more people coming to pay New Year's visits this year than in previous years, and the way they looked at him was different.

This reminded him of a saying from his past life: When you are poor, people can't even remember your name; when you are rich, they can remember your face clearly.

But he doesn't care about that.

For him, the most important thing was to provide a good life for his mother and sister.

In the afternoon, Li's mother began preparing gifts for visiting relatives the next day.

"Xiangyang," Li's mother said as she packed, "tomorrow we'll go to your eldest uncle's house first, then your second uncle's."

……

On the morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year, Li Xiangyang's family prepared to visit relatives.

"Xiaohua, put on that new scarf," Li's mother instructed while tidying her clothes.

Looking at his younger sister wearing her newly made deerskin coat and a new red scarf, Li Xiangyang couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Compared to last year, this year their family was finally able to visit relatives with some dignity.

"Brother, do you think Uncle's family will bring up our family again?" Li Xiaohua asked softly while tying her scarf.

Li Xiangyang patted his younger sister's head: "Don't worry, our family's situation this year is different from previous years."

The black leopard cat squatted on the kang (a heated brick bed), lazily yawning, seemingly uninterested in their going out.

"You stay home and watch the house," Li Xiangyang said to the black leopard cat. "Don't let anyone steal anything."

The black leopard cat blinked, as if it understood, and lay down again.

The family of three first went to the uncle's house.

"Oh, isn't this the youngest son's family? Come in and have a seat."

In my uncle's yard, my aunt was hanging out clothes to dry for the New Year.

Li Xiangyang noticed two new cotton-padded jackets in the pile of clothes, which looked like they were bought with the extra five yuan he received when he paid off his debts a few days ago.

"Happy New Year, Auntie!" Li Xiangyang greeted her with a smile, taking a large piece of cured meat from his basket. "This is some wild game I hunted; I brought it especially for you to try."

Auntie quickly took it, saying, "Oh dear, no, no, your family has it tough too."

Despite saying that, she couldn't hide the joy on her face.

Inside the house, my uncle was playing mahjong with several neighbors.

"Come on, come on, youngest son, want to play a couple of rounds too?" The eldest uncle greeted Li Xiangyang warmly.

"No, Uncle, we still need to go to Uncle's house," Li Xiangyang politely declined.

"Alright, come visit another day," Uncle said with a smile. "You've really got some skills these days, making money hunting and even building a new house."

Li Xiangyang responded modestly, but he knew in his heart that his uncle was showing off his nephew to the neighbors.

Sure enough, the neighbors all praised him, saying, "Old Li's family has produced a fine young man!"

"That's right, I heard they even went into town to sell wild boar meat a couple of days ago."

"This kid is promising and knows how to be filial."

Amidst a chorus of compliments, Li Xiangyang took his leave with his mother and sister.

After leaving her uncle's house, Li Xiaohua whispered, "Brother, why was Uncle so polite today?"

Li Xiangyang smiled without saying a word.

He knew that in the countryside, what relatives valued most was whether a person had ability and could make a name for themselves.

When we arrived at my second uncle's house, the atmosphere wasn't so harmonious.

"Oh, isn't this our capable nephew?" Auntie said sarcastically. "I heard you've made it big now, with a gun and a license, making a fortune hunting?"

Li Xiangyang understood that his second aunt was speaking up for his son, Li Daqiang.

Li Daqiang had always wanted to learn hunting from him, but he refused.

"Second Aunt is joking. I'm just trying to make a living," Li Xiangyang said with a smile, taking out a large piece of cured meat as well.

"What does this mean?" Second Aunt stared, "Do you think our family is lacking this piece of meat?"

"Mom, please don't be like this." Li Daqiang came out from the inner room. "Xiangyang meant well."

Li Xiangyang glanced at his cousin and noticed that his eyes were darting around, as if he had something to say.

Sure enough, after his second aunt went into the kitchen, Li Daqiang pulled Li Xiangyang to a corner of the yard.

"Xiangyang, could you take me hunting with you?" Li Daqiang said in a low voice. "I promise I'll do whatever you say."

Li Xiangyang shook his head: "Brother, it's not that I'm unwilling, but hunting is no joke."

"Are you afraid I'll take some of your meat?" Li Daqiang asked, somewhat agitated. "I can give you money!"

“It’s not about the money,” Li Xiangyang sighed. “Brother, look at my hunting trip. If something happens, who can take the responsibility? How about we go fishing together another day? The river freezes thick in winter.”

"Okay, it's a deal. I'll come find you tomorrow."

Li Daqiang was about to say something when his second aunt came out with several bowls of porridge.

"Here, have some porridge." Auntie's tone softened. "Your second uncle went to town; he said he found a carpentry job."

Li Xiangyang nodded.

He knew that his second uncle was an honest man, but he was suppressed by his second aunt.

After finishing the porridge, Li Xiangyang took his leave with his mother and sister.

On their way home, Li Xiaohua suddenly said, "Brother, I think our family is much better off than last year."

Li Xiangyang smiled and patted his younger sister's head: "Yes, next year will be even better."

Li's mother listened from the side, her eyes filled with tears.

She knew that her family's success today was all thanks to her son.

When they got home, the black leopard cat was still lying on the kang (a heated brick bed). When it saw them return, it slowly stood up and stretched.

"You seem to be having a good time, like a little princess. Why don't you call yourself Little Princess from now on?" Li Xiangyang said with a smile.

The black leopard cat brushed his leg with its tail, as if to say, "You've got potential, kid. Good name."

That night, Li Xiangyang lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), his mind filled with all sorts of random thoughts.

In summary, it's not enough for a person to just have ability; they also need wisdom.

Just like today, the attitudes of my eldest uncle's family and my second uncle's family are simply a matter of human nature.

When someone is capable, everyone wants to curry favor with them; when someone is incapable, everyone wants to kick them while they're down.

But he didn't care about any of that.

All he cared about was being able to give his mother and sister a good life.

As for everything else, it's all just fluff.