Bai Fumei in the 70’s

If Zhao Yongqing were a grumpy or an authoritarian father, he would surely slap such a "rebellious" daughter to wake her up and to make her promise not to touch these bad things.

But... after listening to his daughter's ridiculous comments, Zhao Yongqing was only choked at first. Then he became anxious, and finally, he fell into a deep thought.

Zhao Lanxiang remembered that in the 1980s, her father abandoned his steady job and ran to the sea to do business. Although he did not make a fortune and did not make a lot of money, there were some people in suits and leather shoes, who carried briefcases and called him boss.

His hair was so greasy that it was shining like a polished black leather shoes. It was a pity that little Huzi was brainwashed too much by her grandpa, and in the end, he did not inherit the family business and went to become a poor policeman.3

Zhao Yongqing thought for a moment, and finally said with a serious face, "If you are short of money, I will give it to you."

"Don't sell anything anymore, it's dangerous."

"Your father and your mother only have one daughter. If you are caught and have to go to jail, I won't recognize you as a daughter."

Zhao Lanxiang complied. She felt that she should not refute her father at this moment. He didn't know the reform that would come up a year later, so he had his scruples. He was not aware of the future, so it was already great that he could communicate with his children so calmly like this.

Zhao Lanxiang said with a smile, "Thank you, Dad."

She had divided the new year money in her bulging pockets into several parts and wrapped them in red envelopes. When the firecrackers downstairs began to crackle, she took out a red envelope from her arms and handed it to Zhao Yongqing.

"Happy New Year!" Zhao Lanxiang said.

Zhao Yongqing's temple couldn't help but twitch, and there was pain in the back of his head.

Little Huzi covered his ears downstairs and yelled loudly. He was giggling non-stop, and after a burst of lively firecrackers passed, he ran upstairs like a whirlwind and took Zhao Lanxiang's hand happily.

"Sister, let's go lit the firecrackers!"

"Dad, let's go!"

He handed the incense in his hand to Zhao Yongqing. His palms were soaked with stickiness. The child's body was hot, like a small stove, and his shirt was full of sweat. Zhao Yongqing took the incense and brought his son downstairs. His wife had already hung the firecrackers he bought at the door.

"Firecrackers for the New Year..."

He struck a match to light the incense and used it to detonate the firecrackers.

Little Huzi stared at the red flakes splashing in the firecrackers, clapped with joy, and even forgot to cover his ears. Zhao Lanxiang covered his ears for him, and the child's eyes grew brighter.

'Really energetic, like a little sun.'

Looking at the pair of pure and clear eyes, Zhao Lanxiang remembered another pair of deep black eyes. They were wide and dark, as attractive as a vortex.

She wondered about how He Songbai was doing in the country. Did he eat a lively reunion dinner like they did today? Did they listen to the lively sound of firecrackers? However, Zhao Lanxiang knew that he was definitely still killing pigs on New Year's Eve. Whenever he was allowed to have a slightest chance of turning over, he would always spare no effort to work hard.

Unwilling to let himself go.

She missed him very much. Zhao Lanxiang gazed at the gradually darkened sky, stared at the dark night without the moon, and felt the joy of living in the same world as him.

The moonlight would shine on him as if it were on her. This kind of thought was really nice.

After the midnight, Zhao Lanxiang fed little Huzi a little sour juice to help his digestion.

Little Huzi was looking forward to tomorrow earnestly. "There are so many delicious foods for this holiday season."

"Are there still rice cakes to eat tomorrow?"

"Yes, but you can't eat anymore at night."

Little Huzi felt a bit of regret and rubbed his eyes in distress. "I like Chinese New Year."

Zhao Lanxiang couldn't help but laugh. 'Who doesn't like this Chinese New Year?' In the era of scarcity, Chinese New Year was the only memory for a generation. She would always remember the Lion Head meatballs her mother made. The meat was minced and then fried into balls. Such precious snacks were a delicacy that could only be tasted during the Chinese New Year. Although Feng Lian's cooking was not that delicious, the thick-flavored meatballs rejuvenated her love for food.

In order to celebrate the New Year, the whole family would have to be busy for half a month, active and happy. This strong feeling of the New Year was not comparable in the later generations.

...

On New Year's Day, the Zhao's family of four went to the mountain to offer the first incense. The temple could not be worshiped. It was already demolished a long time ago.

However, the ancestors' traditions for nearly a thousand years could not be broken by the will of a small number of people. Zhao Yongqing's family soon went down the mountain after putting the three sticks of incense, and many people they met were all in a hurry. No one said hello, and no one stayed long.

During the New Year, even the most diligent police must rest, and their family members must also burn incense and pray.

However, this kind of activity was still secretly done at home a few years ago. After several important leaders passed away this year, the spontaneous condolences of the masses were artificially banned. As a result, the backlash was severe. The result was everything else was getting easier.

Even on the Xiangbai Mountain, everyone was praying brightly and uprightly.

Zhao Yongqing took his children and his wife, and the family of four happily went to the park to see the winter plum blossoms in early spring. After returning home in the afternoon, several people were tired and collapsed on the bed, unwilling to move.

Zhao Lanxiang picked up her energy and got up after a short rest. She filled a basket with several rice cakes, oil cakes, and egg yolk rolls. As agreed, she went to the military compound.

Under a dead tree, she saw Gu Shuoming.

Gu Shuoming seemed to have waited for a long time. When he saw her came, he drooped his thick eyebrows and flicked his hat. As soon as he opened his mouth, a mist rose up.

"You brought so many things?"

He looked at it subconsciously, and Zhao Lanxiang said, "You have been waiting for a long time."

Gu Shuoming's expression was faint, and a trace of unhappiness flashed across his black eyes.

"Let's go, as you wish, I will take you around."

Zhao Lanxiang nodded.

She said, "Will your price be a bit high?"

Gu Shuoming straightened his hat and said, "Mutual benefit is fair."

He paused and said lightly, "Anyway, you were also pulled into the water, so you don't have to worry about paying the debt."

Zhao Lanxiang listened, and she couldn't laugh or cry.