Chapter 504 New Year’s Eve Dinner
In this chilly winter day, the house is filled with warmth.
Wang Jianguo gently patted Mr. Huang's calloused hands, which were full of years of vicissitudes. His eyes were full of concern and sincerity, and he comforted him in a gentle and powerful voice:
"Uncle Huang, please don't have any psychological burden anymore. Look at how you have been through these years alone."
"I live a simple life with simple food and drink, and I am reluctant to buy myself any good things."
"But even though we lived in poverty, you always thought about us younger generations. Whenever you had something delicious, you would always save a bite for us."
"When something happens, you are the first to rush to help. To be honest, your kindness is more valuable than anything else. It is only natural for us to honor you."
Wang Jianguo paused for a moment, a gleam of reminiscence flashing through his eyes, and then he said:
"Uncle Huang, do you still remember when my cousin He Yushui and I first came here? We were unfamiliar with the place and were completely in the dark."
"If it weren't for you, we really don't know how many detours we would have to take and how many obstacles we would have encountered. It was you who took the trouble to familiarize us with every alley here."
"Tell us which store sells the best value for money and which neighbor is the most kindhearted. In those hectic and confusing days."
"You are like our pillar of support, giving us great support. We will always remember this kindness in our hearts."
Having said that, a gratified smile appeared on Wang Jianguo's face and he looked around.
Pointing to the supply and marketing cooperative not far away that was filled with a wide variety of goods, his tone was full of longing for the future:
"Uncle Huang, you see, things are different now. Our lives are getting better and better. Yu Shui and I run this supply and marketing cooperative, and our business is pretty good."
"There will only be more and more good things coming in. We won't have to worry about supplies anymore."
As he spoke, Wang Jianguo picked up a pile of New Year's goods that had been carefully prepared on the table, including delicious bacon and fragrant pastries.
There were also a few bottles of fine wine that were rarely seen on weekdays. He stuffed them all into Mr. Huang's arms and said earnestly:
"You can take these little things with you. The Spring Festival is coming soon. Take these home and spend a happy and comfortable New Year."
"If you don't accept it, we will feel bad. Just think of it as a way for us, the younger generation, to fulfill our filial piety and let us do our part for you."
Grandpa Huang looked at the things in his arms, then looked at the sincere faces of Wang Jianguo and He Yushui, and his eyes couldn't help but become slightly moist.
Grandpa Huang stood there, his lips trembling slightly, and he uttered a few low and somewhat lonely "Hey, hey" sounds in succession.
That voice seemed to carry the weight of the years, and every sigh seemed to be telling of the hardships and helplessness of the past, as well as the emotion of being unable to refuse the kindness in front of him.
He raised his hand slowly, as if to grasp the warmth in the air, but in the end, it fell down powerlessly.
Then he slowly turned around, and his hunched back was stretched out in the winter sun and cast on the ground, looking even more lonely and desolate.
He moved his feet, one step at a time, with great effort. Every time he took a step, his worn-out cloth shoes made a slight sound on the ground.
It was as if he was whispering his last words to this familiar land. His legs seemed to be filled with lead by the years, trembling slightly, as if they would collapse at any time.
His dry hands waved weakly, trying to maintain his body's balance, and his staggering gait was like a candle in the wind, which could be extinguished by a breeze at any time.
Wang Jianguo stood quietly there, his eyes following Grandpa Huang's receding figure, his eyes full of reluctance and worry.
The biting cold wind whistled past, ruffling his hair, but he seemed not to notice and just stared intently.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment, with only Grandpa Huang's increasingly smaller figure swaying in his sight.
For a long, long time, until Grandpa Huang's figure completely disappeared at the corner of the alley and was hidden in the dim light and shadow, Wang Jianguo still stood there motionless.
It was a long while before Wang Jianguo came back to his senses. He slowly looked around. The empty streets were silent, and there was no sign of a single pedestrian.
The cold wind blew, bringing a slight chill, and he subconsciously wrapped his cotton coat tightly.
He stayed at the door for a while, and after making sure that no one was coming, he slowly reached out his hand, grasped the somewhat cold door handle, and gently pulled it.
With a slight "creaky" sound, the door slowly closed, separating the warmth inside the house from the desolation outside.
Inside the house, the dim lights are still swaying, as if waiting to be turned on next time, welcoming new warmth and stories.
The house was warm and cozy, and from time to time the sound of dishes colliding could be heard from the kitchen.
After a while, He Yushui and Zhao Shuzhuo were like two nimble swallows, shuttling nimbly between the stove and the dining table.
Plate after plate of steaming hot and fragrant New Year's Eve dinner was steadily placed on the table, with a rich and varied variety of dishes.
There is bright red and oily braised pork, each piece is square and attractive in color, shining with crystal light under the light. Take a bite, it is soft, sweet, fat but not greasy.
There are also fresh and green stir-fried seasonal vegetables, which seem to have just jumped directly from the fields onto the plate, retaining the purest sweetness and crispness.
There is also a plump steamed fish, which symbolizes abundance every year. The fish is decorated with shredded green onion, ginger and red pepper. After being drizzled with hot oil, it makes a sizzling sound and the fresh and fragrant aroma instantly fills the air.
The three of them sat down around the table one by one with smiles on their faces, looking contented.
Zhao Shuzhuo stood up, reached out and carefully took out a bottle of Northeastern wine that he had treasured for a long time from the cabinet. The bottle was shining with an amber luster under the light.
He gently unscrewed the bottle cap, and immediately, a rich and strong aroma of wine wafted out, instantly adding a bit of heat to the festive atmosphere.
Zhao Shuzhuo picked up the wine jug steadily and poured a small cup for Wang Jianguo first. The wine entered the cup, splashing tiny ripples and creating circles of charming halos in the cup.
Then, he filled up the glass with rain water again, and watched the wine slowly rising in the glass, his eyes full of smiles.
Finally, he poured himself a glass, making sure that all three glasses were equal, full of his cherishment for the moment of reunion on New Year's Eve.
Everything was ready. Zhao Shuzhuo solemnly raised his wine glass with both hands and slowly glanced at Wang Jianguo and He Yushui.
With excitement and gratitude in his eyes, he said in a loud and affectionate voice:
"Today is New Year's Eve, the night of reunion that we Chinese look forward to the most in the year!"
"You say, this must be a blessing that we have accumulated for several lifetimes to be able to spend the New Year together as a family."
"Looking back on the past year, my heart is filled with emotion. It is no exaggeration to say that this year is the happiest year of my life!"