The Little Lucky Girl.

Chapter 221 A Different Year

New Year's Eve arrived in the blink of an eye, and the festive atmosphere, like a rich wine, permeated every corner of the Su family. In the Su family compound, everyone gathered, save for Su Erlang, who was away at the military camp. Su Qing was particularly excited, personally welcoming his two masters, his uncle, and his uncle, four elders, to celebrate the New Year.

For a moment, the Su residence was bustling with activity. Servants bustled about, hanging festive red lanterns on the courtyard's columns. The vibrant crimson illuminated the joyful faces of the residents. Su Qing's mother, Xiao, and the other women in the household meticulously cut exquisite window paper-cuts and carefully affixed them to the window frames. Each pattern seemed to express a beautiful wish for the New Year. Su Qing's father, Su Zhiyuan, stood at the gate, unfurling a pair of still-wet spring couplets. The top line read, "Auspicious air fills the courtyard, and the home is prosperous," while the bottom line read, "Auspicious light fills the courtyard, and blessings are long-lasting." The horizontal scroll read, "Good luck in the New Year." The brushstrokes were vigorous and powerful, and the calligraphy was majestic and imposing.

Su Qing helped the two masters over the threshold and said with a smile, "Master, do you think the Su family is celebrating the New Year today?" The master smiled and twirled his beard, "Yes, it has quite the New Year atmosphere. It's just a little regrettable that your second brother is not home this year." Su Qing nodded, "My second brother is defending the country and cannot return, but when he returns victorious, we will have a good reunion."

The four old men walked into the courtyard. The uncle looked around and praised, "With the red lanterns hanging and the spring couplets posted, the New Year atmosphere is immediately out." The uncle also said, "The window paper-cuts are also skillfully cut. The Su family really put in a lot of effort." Su Qing said quickly, "It's all thanks to everyone's efforts that the family has such a New Year atmosphere. Today, the four elders must drink heartily and celebrate the festival together."

Everyone laughed and talked happily as they walked into the dining hall. A sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner had already been laid out in the dining hall, and the steaming dishes exuded an enticing aroma.

Su Qing's father raised his glass and stood up, saying in a loud voice: "Today is New Year's Eve. Fortunately, four elders have come to visit us, and our Su family is honored. I wish that in the new year, there will be good weather, peace and prosperity for the country and the people, my son Erlang will return safely, and the Su family will be healthy and well. Let's drink this glass together!" Everyone stood up and raised their glasses in response. The crisp sound of clinking glasses was intertwined with laughter, and a happy melody was played at this moment of reunion.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Su Qing couldn't wait any longer and started clamoring to set off firecrackers. Several of his brothers accompanied Su Qing to a corner of the courtyard, carefully took out the firecrackers, and placed them on the open space.

"Everyone, stand back and be careful," Su Qing warned as he lit the fuse with a tinder. The crackling sound of firecrackers instantly rang out. Everyone covered their ears, but their faces were filled with excitement and joy. Amidst the sound of firecrackers, Su Qing seemed to see the future as lively and prosperous as these firecrackers.

After setting off the firecrackers, the family gathered around and played a game of lantern riddles. Su Qing's mother, Xiao, had prepared the riddles by hanging them beneath the lanterns. Su Qing, quick-eyed, grabbed a piece of paper and read: "Five brothers, born together, with flesh and bones, but of varying lengths. (Guess a human organ)" Everyone pondered for a moment, and Su Sanlang quickly answered: "Fingers!" Xiao smiled and nodded: "That's right."

At this point, Dr. Yue became interested and picked up a slip of paper: "A knife, floating in the water, with eyes but no eyebrows. (Guess an animal)" Everyone started guessing, some saying it was a fish, some saying it was a shrimp. Dr. Yue smiled and revealed the answer: "It's a fish. This fish swims in the water like a knife, with bulging eyes but no eyebrows."

As the night deepened, fireworks outside occasionally lit up the night sky. The Su family gathered around the fire, sharing interesting stories and insights from the past year.

Everyone chatted and laughed. On this reunion night, the Su family enjoyed not only delicious food but also the warmth of family and mentorship. As the New Year's bell rang, everyone greeted the dawn of the new year with hope and anticipation for the future.

The next day, on New Year's Day, the Su family was awakened by the sound of firecrackers at dawn. The air was filled with the faint smell of gunpowder, mixed with the cool breeze of the early morning, but it did not diminish the lively atmosphere of the New Year.

The villagers were visiting each other to wish each other a happy new year, and the Su family had already opened their doors early, ready to welcome visiting relatives and friends. Su Qing and her brothers had already dressed in their new clothes, and they were all in high spirits, their eyes sparkling with excitement and anticipation.

Soon, neighbors arrived one after another. Leading the way were the village chief and several respected elders, leaning on their canes and beaming with kind smiles. Su Qing hurried forward to greet them, bowing and saying, "Grandpa Village Chief, and several elders, Happy New Year! I wish you all good health and great blessings!"

Several clan elders and the village chief smiled and nodded: "Okay, okay, Qingbao, Happy New Year!" Then, they took out a red envelope from their pocket and handed it to Su Qing. Su Qing took the red envelope and said: "Thank you, clan elder and village chief!"

"It's for good luck! Qingbao, don't think it's too little!" Several grandfathers stuffed red envelopes into Su Qing's hands, and the wrinkles on their faces showed kindness and gentleness.

"Hehe! No way!" Su Qing grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. She respectfully took the red envelope with both hands! The small red envelope carried the elderly people's full blessings and expectations!

Su Qing ushered the elderly people into the front hall, where a warm atmosphere enveloped them. Candy, melon seeds, and hot tea were already laid out. Plates of candy, their colorful wrappers gleaming in the candlelight, resembled blossoms in full bloom on a winter's day. The plump melon seeds exuded an alluring aroma. The steaming hot tea, curling with wisps of white smoke in the delicate cups, resembled a picture of tranquility and peace.

Su Qing warmly invited the elders to sit down, saying, "Grandpas, you must have worked hard on this journey. Come and try this freshly brewed tea to warm your body." The elders smiled and nodded, slowly sitting down. Su Qing first picked up a cup of tea, blew away the heat, and handed it to the oldest elder in the clan, saying, "Grandpa, please try it first. I grew this tea in the back mountain. Although it is not as good as those precious varieties, it has its own unique flavor." The elder took the teacup, took a sip, and praised, "Well, this tea is fragrant and refreshing, and it is very comfortable to drink. Qingbao, you are a sensible child."

Su Qing was busy serving tea and melon seeds to the other elderly people. Everyone sat together and started chatting about family matters. The clan elder cracked a melon seed and said with a smile: "Qingbao, your Su family is getting better and better because of you! Our Sujia Village has also become a prosperous village because of you." Su Qing scratched his head and replied modestly: "Clan elder, you praise me too much! I just did a little bit of work, it's nothing to mention!"

"You are so modest, kid!"

Su Qing chatted with a few grandfathers for a while, then went to do other things! Old Man Su and Su Zhiyuan chatted with a few old people!

Su Qing returned to her courtyard, where the warm sun shone across the tranquil landscape. She hurried into her room, where the stillness of the room was permeated by a faint aroma of medicinal herbs and tea. She walked directly to the wooden cabinet in the corner, gently opened the door, and carefully selected several bottles of fine wine she had brought back from Wuyou Valley. The wine swayed slightly within the bottles, as if eloquently expressing the mellowness of time.

Next, she retrieved several boxes of tea brewed with spiritual spring water from a nearby shelf. The tea leaves were carefully sealed in tin boxes painted with elegant landscape patterns. The moment the lid was opened, a fresh, rich, and refreshing tea aroma wafted out. This tea had taken her considerable care to craft, and it was truly precious. Then, her gaze fell on the boxes of pastries on the table. These pastries, specially crafted by the family cook according to secret recipes passed down from generation to generation, were exquisitely presented, sweet, and soft. Su Qing selected two boxes of each and carefully placed them in a small woven bamboo basket. The basket, meticulously woven and tinged with a subtle bamboo fragrance, perfectly complemented the gifts within.

Su Qing carried two baskets in each hand, his arm muscles slightly tense, but he continued to move forward steadily. Dongmei carried the rest, and the master and servant walked together to the front hall.

"Grandpas, I've prepared some New Year gifts for you. Don't forget to take them with you when you go back!" Su Qing walked into the front hall with a smile and gently placed the bamboo basket on the table in front of the elders, his eyes full of sincerity and respect. The elders were stunned at first, but then their faces broke into bright smiles.

The village chief stood up first. His weathered hand gently patted Su Qing's shoulder, his eyes full of satisfaction and praise: "Qingbao, you are so thoughtful. It's New Year's Day, and you still think of us old guys." Su Qing bowed slightly: "Village chief, you work hard for the village every day, and these are my filial piety to you. This wine is something I found by chance, and it tastes quite mellow. The tea is brewed using a special method and has a unique taste. The cakes are also very delicious. I hope you grandfathers will like it."

An elder of the clan came forward, opened the bamboo basket, took a look, and exclaimed, "Qingbao, these are all good things. You are so thoughtful!" Su Qing responded humbly, "Elder, please don't despise me. I am just expressing my gratitude. Thanks to all the grandfathers for their care and support for the Su family. Compared with your kindness, these are really insignificant."

At this time, another elder of the clan beside him gently picked up a box of tea leaves, put it to his nose and sniffed it, nodding his head. "This tea has an extraordinary fragrance, it must be of high quality. Qingbao, you always surprise people." Su Qing smiled and explained, "Grandpa, I brewed this tea, so it has a unique flavor."

The elders sat together, praising Su Qing's gift endlessly. The conversation then expanded, from Su Qing's upbringing to the future development of the village. Su Qing listened attentively, occasionally adding a few of his own opinions. The front hall was filled with laughter, and the joyful atmosphere seemed even warmer than the warm winter sun.