A sunny day after a long absence.

Although the cold wind was cold, it couldn't stop the joy that emanated from the bottom of my heart, and even the noisy dog barking on weekdays was particularly lively.

Tang Bao's laughter had already come from the Wu family's courtyard, and he couldn't wait to run out to see his little friend, but he was pulled by Xia Mei and was not allowed to go, saying that he had to participate in the sacrifice.

"Mother...... I'll go with you later, now I'll go out to have a fun first, the second master is so slow, it must be a long time before the meeting begins, you just let me go out first, okay......"

Tang Bao tugged on Xia Mei's sleeve and didn't let her wash the dishes, Xia Mei tried hard to hold back her anger, looked down at Tang Bao, who deliberately pretended to be pitiful, and had no choice but to compromise for a while.

"Okay, okay, for today's New Year's sake, let's go, let's go, remember to go to the village early later, don't get your new clothes dirty, you know?"

As soon as he heard his mother's consent, Tang Bao turned around and ran out, casually coping with Xia Mei's advice behind, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Xia Mei couldn't cry or laugh, laughed and scolded "stinky boy", turned around and washed the dishes and chopsticks, wiped her hands on her apron, and then began to prepare the things to be used in the sacrifice later.

She knew in her heart that the conditions of her family were already among the best in the village, and there were some old people in the village who lived alone and relied on everyone's help.

Although there are not many things, she can always fill her stomach for a few days, and that's all she can do at present.

After the things were packed, someone outside knocked on the golden gong and shouted to assemble, asking Wu Song to find a cart, and the things were piled on top, and Xia Mei locked the door. The two of them then walked to the bottom of the big locust tree at the head of the village.

I met many villagers along the way, most of them were carrying eggs and vegetables in their hands, and some were carrying half a bag of grain.

Everyone has a rod and scale in their hearts, and the fact that the Wu family can come up with such food proves that the conditions at home are indeed good enough. Those narrow-minded people pouted to themselves when they saw this. And those who are right-minded are slightly relieved.

At least people are willing to take it out.

For those whispers of people, Xia Mei and Wu Song are not the kind of calculating temperament, after all, there are only a few. Ignoring it, the names of the villages one after another arrived, and it didn't take long for Tang Bao to run over and find his parents in the crowd. Stand together.

When everyone was almost there, then Second Uncle Li slowly walked up to the high platform with a cane.

Under this big locust tree. It has always been a meeting place in the village, because the roots of the big locust tree have created a ten-meter-square high platform, which is very suitable for such a scene.

"Ahem!"

There was a loud cough twice, and the crowd fell silent for a moment. The Li family is the oldest and most qualified in the village, and most of the village chiefs are also from the Li family. The genealogy of the ancestral hall in the village is all in charge of Second Uncle Li. Therefore, Second Uncle Li's prestige is also extremely high.

"It's all here, I'll say a few words when it's all here."

"Everyone knows that God doesn't give face this year, the crops can't survive, the grain in the field is almost gone, and there is drought and rain, which makes the people miserable."

Although Second Uncle Li's voice was low, it was quite loud, Xia Mei and they could hear it clearly when they stood behind, with pathetic feelings, Second Uncle Li's words made everyone more or less think of their previous suffering, and the atmosphere fell into a depression for a while.

"But!" Second Uncle Li's crutches slammed heavily on the ground, making a dull "bang", causing everyone to look up, "Folks, there is no endless road, the hard days have passed, now everyone has received a season of grain, and there is food at home without panic, we can have a good year, right?" ”

roared so much that green tendons appeared on his neck, Second Uncle Li successfully encouraged the crowd, and everyone shouted in unison: "Yes!" ”

Yes, that's right, there is food at home now, although it's not much, but you can still pass this year by saving a little, it's a big deal to slaughter a fat pig next year, eat enough!

As long as you live, there is hope, and the coming year will be even better!

Thinking like this, the villagers couldn't help but smile slightly excitedly on their faces, plus today is already the Chinese New Year's Eve, they have enough reason to believe that next year will be better.

"In this case, then let's dedicate the things we bring to God and our ancestors, and pray for the next year to bless us, and the days will be better and better!"

"Good!"

Everyone yelled excitedly, rushed forward and piled up the things in their hands in front of Second Uncle Li's feet, and it didn't take long to pile up a tall stack, Second Uncle Li's eyes flashed with satisfaction and relief, and silently the dry white beard on his chin revealed his mutilated gums with a smile.

After everyone had taught something, Second Uncle Li praised a few generous ones with a smile, and the Wu family was among them, and after saying some words of encouragement, Second Uncle Li suddenly became stern and yelled: "Silence! ”

After speaking, he turned around and bowed tremblingly in the direction of the north of the old locust tree.

The villagers behind him also knelt down in unison, and even those little radish heads were dragged to kneel on the ground by their own adults, and secretly raised their heads to look at Second Uncle Li curiously.

"On behalf of all the villagers of Dashan Village, Daesan Village, Qingshan Town, Qingshan Town, Dayu, Li Shi Ruide hereby prays for the spirit of the ancestors in heaven to bless future generations with peace and security, wealth and stability."

"In the coming year, there will be even more abundant sacrifices."

The mouth was chattering, bowing from time to time, closing his eyes and shaking his white beard with his mouth shape, looking at it from Xia Mei's angle, he could still see the folds on Second Uncle Li's face.

However, the piety on her face made Xia Mei slightly stunned.

Originally, I didn't believe in ghosts and gods, but at this moment, I inexplicably gave birth to a sense of collectivity in my heart, longing for the ancestors to bless everyone, safe and stable, and the impetuousness in my heart slowly drifted away.

Wu Song is also a little inexplicable at the moment, since he saw Tang Bao's toy yesterday, there is always some uneasy feelings in his heart, and at this moment he is kneeling under the big locust tree with everyone, and the dense crown on his head is only dry branches at the moment, extending his body infinitely to the sky, as if there is also an illusion of protecting this side of the world.

Looking at the pious Second Uncle Li again, Wu Song pursed his lips slightly, glanced at the heavy old locust tree, and finally slowly lay down and kowtowed.

Parents. If you really have spirits in heaven, please bless us with peace.

After everyone knelt down with Uncle Li, they also folded their hands, closed their eyes and made a sincere wish, this scene looked extremely weird and absurd, but it was inexplicably moving. Give birth to a trace of compassion.

"Alright. Rise up, everybody. ”

Second Uncle Li was the first to stand up, turned around and asked everyone to get up, and said something more. It is the ancestors who heard their sincerity, and they will definitely bless everyone in the coming year, "Now, I will ask Li Sheng to divide these things equally among the family." I'll leave the rest to the old people in the village, so I don't have any opinions. ”

"No comment! Uncle Li, what you say is what! ”

"Yes, Uncle Li. I can't have an opinion on anyone! ”

A few young men began to be lively after the meeting, taking advantage of the joy of the Chinese New Year's Eve, they were unscrupulous, and even made a joke about Second Uncle Li.

Xu is sacrificing to heaven and feeling relieved, and Second Uncle Li is in a better mood at the moment. didn't bother with this group of boys, just raised the crutches in his hand, deliberately put on his face and said, "What's the trouble!" Itchy skin again?! Hurry up and help Li Sheng! ”

A few young men instantly scattered as birds and beasts. Laughing and running to help Li Sheng carry things.

Wu Song also helped move things, and Xia Mei and Su Shi together. Go back first, as for Tang Bao, if he doesn't have a place to eat, he will definitely not leave home.

By the small river in the village, since the moment she saw Xinghua, Lu Ling's heart was confused, and after a while, she followed her not far away, all the way to the river.

Xinghua naturally knew that Lu Ling was following behind, panicked for a moment and then calmed down instantly, she was no longer the Xinghua before, and now that she had met some people, she had her own ideas in her heart.

The cold wind was blowing by the river at the moment, Xinghua stopped, and waited for Lu Ling to come forward, before turning his back and smiling, "You're back, Brother Ling." ”

Xia Mei is a generous, Xinghua will not be disadvantaged by doing things naturally, this year's New Year is the blessing of Xinghua, the Chen family has had a good year, and now, the clothes on Xinghua's body are also made by themselves with the materials bought in Liangcheng.

The high-grade soft smoke of bamboo green carved silk and rattan pattern is made of a tunic and wide-sleeved skirt, accompanied by a wide belt of water red and Tilian, and the collar and cuffs are all white fox armpit hair, lining the small face as bright as a peach and plum, and a smile is overwhelming.

Lu Ling naturally shook his head.

Swallowing unnaturally, Lu Ling found that his heartbeat was different from that at this moment, as if he was about to jump out the next moment, and the heartbeat vibrated his eardrums.

Xinghua stood in place, letting Lu Ling approach step by step, and the smile bloomed more and more in her eyes, shining brightly.

"Apricot blossom you ......"

Lu Ling looked at the woman who only reached his chest, a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes, and his lips opened and closed for a long time before he squeezed out a sentence: "You...... It's getting better. ”

Xinghua's eyes flashed, and then her smile widened, and finally she covered her lips and chuckled, and the laughter of a girl like a silver bell floated far away along the surface of the river.

Lu Ling also relaxed slightly, a smile appeared on his lips, the two glanced at each other, and there was a subtle tacit understanding permeating, and at the same time, they were silent, and slowly walked along the river.

"Brother Ling, I went to Yongcheng with Sister Xia Mei."

"Well, I know, I heard my mother."

"You're not going to be angry, are you?"

"No, if you like it."

Hearing this, Xinghua's eyes smiled into a crooked crescent, and she took out the burden that she had been carrying behind her and handed it to Lu Ling.

"Brother Ling, this is the clothes I made for you, can you see if it's suitable? If it's not suitable, I'll go back and change it! ”

A trace of surprise crossed Lu Ling's eyes, and then a strong emotion floated, "Sister Xinghua......"

took the burden and opened it to see that the material was Shu brocade with Xuanqing and ink, which was extremely smooth to the touch, and Lu Ling felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Ling raised his head and looked deeply into the eyes of the girl in front of him, although there was a smile on his face, the apprehension in his eyes was accidentally leaked out, and the twisted fingers also exposed the nervousness of the master.

Suddenly hugged her into her arms, Xinghua exclaimed, and finally hid between her tightly bitten lips and teeth, her cheeks instantly climbed into redness, and the tips of her ears were red and transparent.

I only heard Lu Ling say in a low voice unique to a young man, and said firmly in his ear: "Sister Xinghua, Lu Ling will definitely not fail you in this life." ”

"So, just be happy, don't force yourself."

Hearing this, Xinghua's eyes drooped, hiding her look, and her teeth bit her lips tightly. After a while, he raised his head and said weakly: "Well, I know, Brother Ling." ”

I know, I know what I'm doing, I know what I want, I've never known it so clearly.

…………

Finally, it's time for the annual "New Year's lunch".

Because this year's business is much busier than last year, there is a lot less time to prepare these meals at home, so Xia Mei still can't eat the sausages that she has been hungry for a long time.

Tofu is also a few days ago made newly, the Wu family does not raise pigs, will not kill pigs, even the chickens are Wu Song's pheasants, said that the family is kept to lay eggs, pheasant meat is more delicious.

The duck was bought in the market, not very big, about two or three catties, and three or four catties of grass carp fished up in the river.

Sauerkraut fish made of fish, this sauerkraut is still asked for by Su Shi next door, Xia Mei didn't do it, after all, she didn't plant the sauerkraut cabbage, but she also sent some home-grown tomatoes and white radishes, which can be regarded as returning the love.

It is needless to say how delicious the sauerkraut fish is, because of the hot pot eaten last year, this year everyone is ready to eat some ordinary meals, such as this kind of delicious food that cannot be eaten on weekdays, it was besieged as soon as it was put on the table, and it didn't take long to see the bottom.

Those snacks in the restaurant, Tang Bao has also eaten on weekdays, and now he is not very greedy, the chicken, duck and fish on the table are sufficient, pay attention to more than every year, this meal, the rest can also be auspicious.

Wen Hao and Liu Quan, as in previous years, spent Chinese New Year's Eve in the Wu family's small courtyard, as if there was no change from last year, but everyone had changed.

This year was also a year of trials and turns, but fortunately, everyone who has experienced more things has more or less grown greatly.

Although Wen Xi is as cheerful and lively as ever, his appearance has slowly grown, his body has lengthened, and he can bargain without cowardice and conspiracy in the face of outsiders.

During Wen Hao's time in Yongcheng, the things taught by Hou Zhantian made him deeply beneficial, and his temperament became more and more gentle and harmless, but familiar people could always smell a dangerous smell behind that smile.

Yun Ni and Liu Quan haven't changed much, but a year has passed, and they have grown up by a year, and there are fewer and fewer ignorant times in the past, and their minds are becoming more and more active.

Wu Song's revenge this year, only half of the revenge of the master, the rest of the people, he can't move for the time being, but the medicine king Gu Musan sent someone to say it, and he will be notified if there is a chance in the future, and he will be killed with one blow.

Tang Bao has been in school for a year, and he has begun to learn to put out the score of the reader, shaking his head with his little hand behind his back to teach people, talking about it one by one, and the people who look like him can't help but laugh.

And Xia Mei ...... Picking up the wine glass on the table, I poured a glass of pear blossom brew deeply, and the rich and hot taste slipped into my stomach all the way, and my mind was clear for a moment.

What did she gain this year?

Oh, a lot, ice cubes...... Huaiyun Gang...... Yaowang Valley, as well as the two branches now, are all achievements in the past year.

However, Xia Mei narrowed her eyes, swept the smiles on everyone's faces with a smile, and said secretly in her heart:

What is the gain, what is not lost, is already the greatest luck. (To be continued.) )