Although Niuniu shouted very happily, saying that she was going to watch the Spring Festival Gala, she was already asleep at ten o'clock. Father, mother, and sister didn't finish reading it, only Chu Tianqi and Chu Lirui insisted on seeing the end. The Spring Festival Gala program is very good, several songs and dances, cross talks, and sketches are all around the theme of the new millennium, full of festivity and humor.

At five o'clock in the morning, the whole family got up and lit a blazing fire in the courtyard. The burning firewood crackled, and the pillar of fire in the small courtyard, which was more than two meters high, looked very spectacular. Everyone stretched out their hands to roast the fire, hoping to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck and good health.

Protected by more than half a foot of snow, I don't have to worry about fires or wasteland. While roasting the fire, while setting off firecrackers, firecrackers, "two kicks", the whole courtyard is full of children's laughter, adults laughing, and the sound of fireworks from time to time. Beautiful fireworks, with colorful tails, exploded in the sky and transformed into various shapes, enveloping the entire village in a festive atmosphere.

After letting off the firecrackers, the fire in the courtyard has not finally been extinguished, and the whole family returned to the house, drank brown sugar water, and ate some snacks. Niuniu greeted everyone after the New Year, took the New Year's money and went to sleep. When lying down, I still put the red wrapped New Year's money under the pillow before I can sleep peacefully.

Adults started making dumplings. In the process of making dumplings, everyone no longer mentions the labor and hardships of the year, nor the tedious things in life. The whole family is talking about the New Year, or interesting things that have happened in the past few days, and there are also speculations about the number of coins in the dumplings.

When eating dumplings in the morning, the ones who ate the most coins were, of course, Niuniu, and her grandfather Chu Yuliang. Niuniu innocently showed off her "achievements", and "ashamed" the two uncles with words, causing everyone to laugh. Of course, Chu Yuliang would not simply think that eating the coin was his luck, but he still couldn't hide the joy, or even a hint of excitement.

After eating dumplings, the Chu brothers still went to pay New Year's greetings to the elders in the village according to the old tradition. These old men accepted their blessings, and at the same time, they were more sincere admiration and praise for the Chu family, especially Chu Tianqi. Especially when he was at Liu Sanye's house, Liu Sanye even extended his thumb to Chu Tianqi, and even praised him for remembering the entrustment of the villagers and doing a lot of things for everyone in a down-to-earth manner. Faced with this situation, Chu Tianqi had to try his best to drink the wine that the villagers paid tribute to in return to show his sincerity and modesty. After a circle, Chu Tianqi and Chu Lirui were already a little dazed. Stepping on the "creaking" snow, the two brothers helped each other and returned home.

……

This year, there are many more "little young" who come to the house to pay New Year's greetings, and they all sent New Year's wishes to Chu Yuliang and his wife, and wished Uncle Chu, Uncle Chu, and Grandpa Chu a speedy recovery. Some juniors and elders also came to greet them, hoping that Dr. Chu would recover as usual and continue to treat everyone's injuries.

Whenever someone came to the family, Chu Tianqi and his brothers had to greet each other and do the work of welcoming and sending them there. Most of the days passed like this.

Liu Danian came with the village director, and as soon as he entered the door, Liu Danian presented a basket of blessings to his elder brother Chu Yuliang, making Chu Yuliang's cheeks, which were already red from drinking, even more rosy, and even glowing. Of course, the two village chiefs of Liulinbao naturally sent a lot of New Year's greetings to the township leaders, and invited the deputy township head Chu to participate in their banquet invitation in advance. Chu Tianqi knew that he would definitely not be able to shirk it, so he agreed to go to Liu Danian's house on the afternoon of the fourth day of the new year, and to the village director's house on the afternoon of the fifth day of the new year. After receiving an accurate reply from the township leader, the two left satisfied.

As soon as Liu Danian left, Liu Wenli came, and Chu Tianqi knew that she was deliberately staggering the time with Liu Danian. Otherwise, listening to what her father said about those too polite New Year's greetings, Liu Wenli would definitely get goosebumps. In the process of chatting, Chu Tianqi learned from his mother that the young man who taught and Liu Wenli got along very well. Liu Wenli didn't admit it, nor did she deny it, but her face turned red, which actually showed what she meant.

Liu Wenli hadn't left yet, and someone came again. Pull one after another, stubble after stubble, and the old Chu family was like a market for a while. The Chu family also frequently went back and forth inside and outside the house, welcoming these villagers. Although everyone is not idle, they are still happy in their hearts, which shows that there is popularity in the family. Especially You Chunmei felt more deeply, she knew that her family's status in the village was getting higher and higher, compared with the miserable situation when she first arrived in the village, it was simply incomparable.

Chu Tianqi, who was dizzy from drinking, wanted to take a nap, how could he endure the popularity, the New Year's calls were one after another, and he could only try his best to beat his spirit and accept everyone's blessings. In fact, in the process of greeting his elders, he had already answered the phone more than once. The wish to sleep twice was about to be disappointed, Chu Tianqi simply gave up this fantasy, took the initiative to make a lot of phone calls, and said "Happy New Year" to the other party.

In the next few days, except for the three days from the first to the third day of the new year, almost all of the Chu family went out to eat. In fact, in the countryside, this is the case, every New Year, it is the time for relatives and friends, and the villagers to walk around each other. It's just that the Chu family, as an outsider, has no relatives in the local area, so naturally there are many fewer of them. As Chu Yuliang's family gradually won the recognition of the villagers, especially after Chu Tianqi became an official in the township, this kind of movement became more frequent. It's just that last year, Chu Yuliang had been inconvenient, so these activities were canceled.

……

Compared with work, it is much more leisurely to participate in the banquet of the villagers, and it passes quickly, and it will be the twelfth day of the first month in a blink of an eye. Chu Tianqi declined the invitations of many people, and planned to rest at home for a day today, and go to the township to be on duty tomorrow.

After breakfast, her mother and sister washed the pots and washed the dishes, Chu Lirui took Niuniu out to play, and Chu Tianqi went to the West House to chat with his father.

Before he could say a few words, there was a sound of footsteps in the outhouse, followed by a conversation between his mother and Liu Danian, and then a man's voice sounded. This voice was too familiar, but Chu Tianqi never expected him to come. Without allowing for further thought, he picked up the curtain and greeted him, almost colliding with someone who came.

"Secretary Huang, why are you here?" Chu Tianqi said to the visitor.

The person who came was Huang Jingzu, Secretary of the Party Committee of Qingniuyu Township, who stretched out his right hand and said, "What, can't I come?"

Chu Tianqi hurriedly held Huang Jingzu's right hand with both hands, and said busily: "How can it? Welcome, welcome, warm welcome." ”

After the two let go of their hands, Jiang Ye, who followed closely, also came over, shook hands with Chu Tianqi, and greeted each other for the New Year.

"I'm here to see Uncle Chu. Huang Jingzu said to Chu Tianqi.

"Secretary, this house, please. Chu Tianqi hurriedly said, and took a step forward, provoking the curtain of the West House.

Huang Jingzu quickly stepped into the West House and saw Chu Yuliang on the kang at a glance. Chu Yuliang heard the conversation outside just now, and he had already moved from the inside of the kang to the edge of the kang.

Huang Jingzu took a step forward, bowed, held Chu Yuliang's right hand with both hands, and shook it: "Uncle Chu, I'm here to pay you a New Year's greeting, it's a little late, don't be surprised." ”

"Secretary Huang, where is this? You are the township secretary, you can come to see me as an old farmer, I am too late to be grateful, how can I be surprised. Chu Yuliang said politely, "Secretary Huang, please take a seat." ”

Huang Jingzu sat on the edge of the kang, and one hand was still holding Chu Yuliang's right hand. Chu Tianqi invited Jiang Ye to sit on the chair and sat beside him.

At this time, You Chunmei had already brought in the brewed hot tea, put it on the kang next to Huang Jingzu, and said, "Secretary Huang, use it slowly." ”

Huang Jingzu nodded and said "thank you". You Chunmei smiled, walked out, and quickly put another cup of tea on the kang next to Jiang Ye.

"Uncle Chu, your deeds of sacrificing yourself to save others are really touching and worthy of learning from all of us. Huang Jingzu said sincerely, "How is your body recovering now?"

"Thanks to you, it's much better now. I've been able to take care of myself, but I can't walk too often, and sometimes I can't talk very well. Chu Yuliang replied, "Secretary Huang, you are so busy and come to see me, it really makes me feel sorry." ”

"Uncle Chu, if you want to say that, you will see the outside, as long as you don't blame me for coming late, I will be grateful. Huang Jingzu said, then turned his head to Jiang Ye, "Deputy Township Chief Jiang, go and bring the things in the car." As he spoke, he took out a bunch of keys from his bag and handed them to Jiang Ye.

Jiang Ye said "okay", took the key, and walked out.

Chu Tianqi hesitated for a moment, and said to Huang Jingzu: "Secretary, you sit down first, and I will go with Deputy Township Chief Jiang." ”

Huang Jingzu nodded and said "Okay". Chu Tianqi walked out of the West House.

Chu Tianqi came outside and saw an off-road vehicle parked outside, obviously not the Hyundai car. The buggy was full of stuff, and in addition to the trunk, even the back seat of the car was placed. Chu Tianqi didn't know what to take and what not to take. So, he waited next to the car, and he took whatever Jiang Ye handed him.

It took three trips back and forth to take more than half of the things in the car before it was over. Jiang Ye did not continue to enter the house, but stood at the gate of the courtyard, admiring the couplet on the door with his hands behind his back.

As soon as Chu Tianqi entered the house, Huang Jingzu let go of Chu Yuliang's hand and was about to leave. Chu Tianqi sincerely asked Huang Jingzu to stay for dinner, but Huang Jingzu politely declined with "I still want to visit others", and stuffed an envelope to Chu Yuliang, saying that this was his personal intention. Chu Tianqi repeatedly excused himself in place of his father, and Huang Jingzu waved his hand while already striding out.

……

Huang Jingzu and Jiang Ye left, it can be said that they came in a hurry and went in a hurry. But it left Chu Tianqi with questions: Why did he come?

It has been more than a year since his father was injured and hospitalized, and Huang Jingzu has occasionally asked about it, but he has never said that he wants to visit. Is he going to fix it? Or is he going to ......

Chu Tianqi was puzzled. I just don't think about it, anyway, people come to visit the New Year, which means a kind of respect and politeness, and I can't think of others crookedly.

Thinking of Huang Jingzu's visit to the New Year, Chu Tianqi suddenly felt a little rude. Because on the first day of the Lunar New Year, he also called Huang Jingzu to prepare for the New Year, but the other party's mobile phone did not get through at that time, so he simply did not call again. Compared with today's secretary's visit, I obviously didn't do it properly.