At the end of 2006, when the spirit of the New Year has not faded away, the New Year atmosphere in the mountain villages is still very strong.

Ma Lu finally washed the rag and put it on the clothesline. Looking at the clean house, she also thumped her waist.

"It's done..."

She loves to be clean, and the house is always kept in order, so this kind of work is not a problem at all.

But this year is different.

First, Dacheng and Zhenzhu lived in the imperial capital, and sent some money back from time to time. He repeatedly said that he wanted her to take care of herself, but not to be like his father who gets old and sick, suffering himself and worrying about his children...

Who doesn’t want to enjoy happiness?

In the past, I saw that the children were very stressed, and the elders were also nervous.

Now I see that Dacheng's life is getting better and better. Listening to what I said on the phone, I no longer have to worry about it at the end of the year.

With this relief, Ma Lu couldn't help but relax a little, and she didn't work so hard.

Now he is serving the old man at home, and seeing his legs and feet gradually becoming more agile, the grandson can now stand up crookedly and shout twice——

That's good.

…

At first, this baby stayed in the incubator for several days, thinking that he was too weak to take care of himself.

Who would have known that after my parents returned to the Imperial Capital, they would receive various nutritional supplements every month, such as calcium supplements and so on.

As long as it is said that they can feed their children, the old couple will not be reluctant to part with it three times a day.

In addition, children from rural areas have strong skin. Now that he is one year old, although this child looks a little thinner, he has not suffered any serious illness at the beginning of the year and the end of the year. It seems that his body has slowly recovered.

This is truly a blessing from God.

While he was thinking about it, Father Lu took his grandson and walked back step by step with his waist bent.

Lu Ma hurriedly greeted her.

"Oh, my little baby is really awesome today. Are you tired from walking such a long way?"

As he spoke, he looked at the old man: "How is it? Did you walk a little longer today?"

Dad Lu is also happy.

"It's much better. I walked ten minutes longer than yesterday. If we really go to the Imperial Capital next year, I won't need anyone to serve me there."

"I can also give you some help."

When Ma Lu heard this, her smile dropped slightly, and she looked a little reluctant: "Are you really going?"

Before he finished speaking, he saw a three-wheeler outside driving along the mountain road. Lu Cheng and Zhu Zhen got out of the car.

…

The carriage of the tricycle was filled with all kinds of festive gifts that were most popular for visiting relatives in the countryside, large barrels of sugar and oil, well-known tobacco and alcohol, all of which were presented with sincerity.

It took quite a while just to unload these things? Lu Cheng finally took out a couplet from the car and said to Lu Ma who was helping to carry things:

"Mom, is the paste ready? Let's post the couplets early in the afternoon."

Just as you were talking? The neighbor’s aunt also came over with a basin in her arms.

"Dacheng is back? How's the New Year's shopping going? You told your mother not to make the paste, and I'll make it all at once? It's easy for us to take turns using it."

Looking at the tobacco, alcohol, food and oil all over the floor again, I couldn’t help but be stunned for a moment. My tone was a little hesitant:

"Dacheng, you..."

One look at these valuable things and it's obvious that they are not for the Chinese New Year.

The neighbors also lent them a lot of money!

Dacheng originally came back last night, but today he specially found a car to drive to the city to buy so many gifts? Why? Tonight.

…

There is a custom in their village——

Debt does not last a year.

As long as you can afford it this year, you can give it on the 29th of the Lunar New Year, and it will never be delayed until the first day of the Lunar New Year.

In the past, there was no way, and people knew that they were not sincere and refused to pay back the money, but now...

To be honest? Lu Cheng’s family has been waiting for this moment for too long.

…

Pearl quickly smiled and said:

"Auntie? Are you at home at night? Dacheng and I have done quite well at the construction site this year. If it is convenient? We will go to your house to sit in the evening. Thanks to you all these years..."

She was always a smart person. She was reading books in the imperial capital. She was also dealing with different people. Now she is even more considerate when she talks, which makes people feel like spring breeze.

The aunt next door instantly understood what the gifts on the ground were for, and her expression immediately became excited and a little embarrassed.

But he said it politely:

"Oh, why are you being so polite? We are all neighbors. It's not urgent. If you need it urgently, just do it..."

Incoherent.

…

This is the art of speaking among Chinese people.

The person who borrowed the money was not so good, but the person who was paid back was polite and politely refused again, for fear of hurting the relationship.

But Lu Cheng is not the kind of person who thinks he is capable even if he borrows money. To be honest, the debts of the villagers are burdened on him, and life is always uncomfortable.

Now that I have survived, no matter what, I can no longer owe you money.

He smiled:

"Auntie, please don't be polite. If it hadn't been for your help over the years, our family would have been in trouble."

"In the evening, not only yours, but also those in our village will come together to bear witness. I will pay off all the debts."

After hearing this, the aunt next door couldn't say anything anymore.

She can be polite, but the villagers have no reason to let her be the good person to show their respect.

So he smiled, his expression no longer restrained: "Okay, I'll tell them all - don't worry, it's the end of the year, they will all be here."

Auntie put the paste down and people immediately moved to the next door.

…

Lu Cheng put away his things and smiled at Pearl, getting the same relieved and relaxed expression.

It seems that the pressure of debt is not just on his mind.

He turned around and said: "Mom, please post the couplets earlier this afternoon. I'll have to spend a lot of time in the evening."

There are many families in the village who owe more or less money.

"OK."

If it weren't for the Chinese New Year, and they don't have the rules here to treat others to a feast, then I would have to treat everyone to a meal this time anyway.

But it’s better this way. Pay back the money quickly before the New Year is over, and your relationship will be different when you drink again next year.

Otherwise, we will be in debt and it will be difficult for both parties to treat each other to dinner.

…

Lu Cheng climbed up and down to apply paste, while Zhenzhu hugged the child, feeling the pain of his beloved one.

She hadn't seen her son for a whole year, and when she saw him again, her heart seemed to melt.

The grandparents take good care of the children. Even though it is winter, the child's face is not chapped, which is quite a treasure in the village.

Looking at the clothes on the body, they are not particularly thick, but the child's palms are warm, and the little baby has a lot of energy, which proves that he is indeed in good health.

Although it may still not be as good as an ordinary healthy child, Pearl already feels very good.

When she came back last night, the first thing she did was to hold the child next to her and watch her for most of the night.

It’s really no matter how you look at it, you love it.

While teasing the child, Mother Lu looked at her son, a little hesitant:

"Dacheng, are your dad and I really going to the Imperial Capital next year?"

She looked around - this is a beautiful place, all the folks from the countryside are here, and they suddenly went to a place they were unfamiliar with...

…

"must go."

Dacheng knew what he was thinking and said it without hesitation.

"Mom, you only think about your fellow villagers, why don't you think about your sons and grandsons?"
To be continued...