Siheyuan: Shazhu's Leisurely Life

Chapter 27 New Year’s greetings
"Brother, I bought everything you asked me to buy, and the boss gave me three cents in change." He Yushui said with a little guilt.

Seeing that the little girl changed the subject, He Yuzhu pretended to cough twice in a serious manner, but did not really bother with her. Then, He Yuzhu's eyes fell on the red paper hanging on the front bar of the bicycle.

"Uncle, what a coincidence! I asked Yu Shui to go out and buy some things today. Would you like to try the pen?"

These things are naturally the Spring Festival couplets used during the Chinese New Year.

Although, in this era, there are people selling ready-made Spring Festival couplets outside, the so-called New Year atmosphere in the past was stronger than that in later generations, and it is reflected in these little details.

Write Spring Festival couplets, compose couplets, set off firecrackers, and walk through the streets.

With the development of the city, He Yuzhu of later generations did not have a deep understanding of some of these things that have been passed down. Now that he has returned to this glorious era, he naturally wants to experience them.

Of course, writing Spring Festival couplets also requires a certain level of calligraphy skills. He has no problem cooking a dish, but when it comes to writing, it’s just right to find a cultured person like Uncle Sanda.

"Zhuzi, you came to the right person to ask your third uncle for this matter." Upon hearing Zhuzi's words, Yan Bugui grinned and gave He Yuzhu a smile of approval.

Although intellectuals like them are not well-received later on, they still have a certain status now.

Especially when writing Spring Festival couplets during the Chinese New Year, many people came to me.

After all, most people nowadays are reluctant to buy Spring Festival couplets directly from the store. They prepare their own pair of red couplets and ask familiar or neighboring intellectuals to help them write the couplets.

Of course, they will also give some fees as a reward according to their own wishes. Compared with buying it outside, the fees will naturally be much less. Moreover, intellectuals can also earn some extra money through this. It is a win-win situation.

Taking this opportunity, Yan Bugui turned around and went into the house. After a while, he and the third aunt brought out a black wooden table. On this table, there were Jianghu, pens, inkstones...

"Oh, Third Uncle, you have done a great job." Looking at this scene, He Yuzhu smacked his lips.

"That's right, Zhuzi. If you don't tell your uncle about this matter, it will definitely be the right thing to do."

Although he said that, this guy just stood there with the inkstone, grinding ink, but there was no movement with his hands.

He Yuzhu didn't understand what was going on. "Yushui, go home and get two pieces of ABC for Uncle San. No, it should be called White Rabbit Milk Candy now."

Hearing this, a trace of reluctance flashed across He Yushui's face, but she still went to the central courtyard at her brother's call.

Hearing this, the smile on the third uncle's face became even more rosy. A brush appeared in his hand at some point, and he began to write steadily on the Spring Festival couplets.

When the rain came out of the yard, he was already holding two pieces of white and blue-wrapped milk candies with a White Rabbit pattern.

On Yan Bugui's side, he also completed a pair of Spring Festival couplets with great ease.

"Uncle, I bought some New Year's goods a few days ago. Please accept them."

"Zhu Zi, Third Uncle has seen that you have great potential since you were young. The boys in my family asked me for this candy a few days ago. Thank you!"

In this era of scarcity, having a sugar cube is already a good thing, let alone this kind of milk candy. The White Rabbit Milk Candy that He Yuzhu bought was originally called ABC Mickey Mouse Candy. The inspiration and creativity came from Disney's Mickey Mouse. This year, due to some external targeting and conflicts, it was renamed White Rabbit Milk Candy. The image design also adopted the little rabbit that will pass on the classics of a generation. This thing is definitely a hot commodity during the Chinese New Year. If a child can eat White Rabbit Milk Candy, it will definitely make other children cry with envy.

After picking up the couplet, He Yuzhu said hello to the third uncle and returned to the middle courtyard with the rain. Together, they pasted the couplet outside the door.

The newly renovated house adds a touch of joy, which is particularly comfortable to look at. Of course, after doing all this, He Yuzhu brought the rain into the house.

"You little girl, you are so arrogant outside, talking about your brother like a rich landlord." He Yuzhu said to his sister in annoyance.

Although their family is now living a better life, they can't be so ostentatious. Even if your family's origins are clean, people are afraid of imbalance. There are good people in this courtyard, but there are also many beasts. The renovation has already attracted a lot of attention. It's just the right opportunity to remind Yu Shui.

"Brother, I..." He Yushui opened her mouth, feeling a little aggrieved, but didn't know what to say.

He Yuzhu sighed when he saw this, "Just be clear about our own conditions, and don't go out and talk about it. Your brother is renovating this time to find you a sister-in-law. When we live together in the future, our family must close the door, otherwise, there will be trouble."

As if he felt that what he said was a bit complicated, He Yuzhu added: "For example, everyone knows that you have White Rabbit Milk Candy, and they ask you for it, will you give it to them or not?"

"No! This candy can only be eaten by me and my brother! At most... at most the old lady can eat it, but the old lady is too old to eat it, so I'll help her eat it."

Hearing this, He Yuzhu was amused, but also nodded: "That's the truth. From now on, our family will make a fortune quietly. If there is anything to eat, drink, or use, it will be enough for our family members to know."

With such an example in front of her, it was not difficult for He Yushui to understand. She nodded heavily and there was no sign of grievance on her face.

……

On New Year’s Eve, we hang up lights and decorate the house to welcome the Spring Festival.

In the No. 95 courtyard, every household has posted festive Spring Festival couplets, and some have even hung red lanterns. In the streets and alleys, the sound of firecrackers can be heard from time to time, followed by the excited laughter of children.

The New Year has arrived in this rich festive atmosphere.

He Yuzhu got up early in the morning and woke up Yu Shui. After washing up, they went to the backyard to wish the deaf old lady a happy new year.

When I pushed open the old lady's door, there were two familiar figures in the room besides the old lady.

"Uncle, aunt, you are here too." The two figures were Yi Zhonghai and aunt.

When He Yuzhu and He Yushui entered the room, the aunt was helping the deaf old lady put on her coat while Yi Zhonghai was adding some coal to the heated kang.

"Zhu Zi, are you here to wish the old lady a happy new year?" Yi Zhonghai looked at He Yuzhu and his sister and nodded.

But I don’t know if it’s an illusion or what, He Yuzhu always feels that after Jia Dongxu left, this old man’s spirit seems to be a little weakened.

(End of this chapter)