Born in the 1980s, she was remarried and became a stepmother; a cold, rough man doted on her, pinchi

As the auspicious snowflakes fluttered down, the New Year's bells were about to ring. Jiang Man, Qin Yishen's family, and Xu Laosan and Wang Xiu's family were immersed in the festive atmosphere.

Jiang Man and Wang Xiu got busy early in the morning, and the kitchen was filled with an enticing aroma.

Jiang Man skillfully prepared the dumpling filling. The aroma of pork and cabbage blended together, and with the addition of various seasonings, it exuded the taste of home.

Wang Xiu was rolling out dumpling wrappers on the side. Her hands moved like nimble butterflies, and the round dumpling wrappers were neatly arranged on the cutting board.

"Aunt Xiu, I also want to help."

Shi An and Shi Ning skipped and hopped into the kitchen. They had grown into sensible children, much taller, with bright and energetic eyes.

After the New Year, they will enter junior high school and begin a new chapter in their lives.

"Okay, you can help Mom make dumplings."

Jiang Man smiled and pushed the prepared dumpling filling and wrappers in front of them.

Shi An and Shi Ning enthusiastically picked up dumpling wrappers and started making dumplings, just like the adults.

Although the dumplings they made came in different shapes, everyone's face was filled with a happy smile.

Meanwhile, Qin Yishen and Xu Laosan were busy putting up Spring Festival couplets in the courtyard. The bright red couplets were filled with their hopes and wishes for the New Year.

Qin Yishen stood on the ladder, carefully pasting the first line of the couplet upright, while Xu Laosan helped from below by handing over glue and the couplet. The two chatted from time to time, and their laughter echoed in the courtyard.

"Dad, let's help too!"

Xinyao and Shouheng came running over with their small, unsteady steps. They were already three years old, like two saplings growing strong and healthy, with rosy cheeks and very cute appearance.

"Kids, come help Daddy check if the Spring Festival couplets are pasted up straight."

Qin Yishen said with a smile, his eyes full of affection. Xinyao and Shouheng tilted their little heads up, looking at the Spring Festival couplets attentively, occasionally gesturing with their little hands.

"Daddy, it's tilted, it's tilted, a little to the left," Xinyao said in her childish voice.

"No, it's to the right."

Conservation, not to be outdone, shouted back.

Seeing the two little ones' serious expressions, Qin Yishen and Xu Laosan couldn't help but laugh.

Under their guidance, the Spring Festival couplets were neatly pasted up, adding a strong festive atmosphere to the home.

In the living room, the women sat together, chatting about everyday things while preparing snacks for the New Year.

The laughter of Qin Yishen's wife, Wang Xiu's wife, Jiang Man, and Wang Xiu echoed in the room.

"Time flies! In the blink of an eye, Shi'an and Shi'ning will be going to junior high school, and Xinyao and Shouheng have grown up so much."

Jiang Man said with emotion.

"Yes, the children are growing up day by day, and we are getting older slowly."

Wang Xiu's wife chimed in, her face beaming with happiness.

"However, seeing the children grow up healthy and happy makes it all worthwhile."

Qin Yishen's wife said with a smile.

Everyone nodded in agreement. In this heartwarming moment, everyone felt the warmth and happiness of family. At noon, a sumptuous lunch was laid out on the table.

Dumplings, braised pork, sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed fish... a variety of delicious dishes exuded an enticing aroma. The family sat together, raising their glasses to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

"Come, let's raise our glasses together and wish everyone a happy new year, good health, and all the best."

Qin Yishen raised his wine glass and said loudly.

"Happy New Year!"

Everyone responded enthusiastically, and the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter filled the entire room.

Shi An and Shi Ning also raised their juice glasses and toasted their elders: "Dad, Mom, Uncle, Aunt Xiu, Happy New Year, and may you stay young forever."

Xinyao and Shouheng followed suit, raising their little cups and saying in their childish voices, "Happy New Year, Mom and Dad! Buy us lots and lots of delicious food!" The children's words made everyone laugh, filling the house with a joyful atmosphere. On this special day, family love flowed in everyone's hearts, warm and beautiful. After dinner, the children played in the yard.

Shi An and Shi Ning led Xin Yao and Shou Heng in building snowmen and having a snowball fight, their laughter echoing in the snow. Qin Yishen and Xu Laosan sat to the side, watching the children play, their faces showing a smile of satisfaction.

"Seeing the children so happy makes me feel younger."

Xu Laosan said with a smile.

"Yes, children are our hope. I hope they can all grow up healthy and happy in the new year."

Qin Yi said with deep emotion.

As evening fell and night gradually descended, colorful fireworks burst forth in the sky, transforming the entire town into a dreamlike spectacle. A family went out into the yard to admire the beautiful fireworks.

"Wow, so beautiful!"

Xinyao and Shouheng clapped their hands excitedly, their eyes glued to the fireworks in the sky.

Shi An and Shi Ning were also captivated by the beautiful scene, their faces beaming with happiness. In this hopeful New Year, everyone felt the beauty and happiness of life.

"The new year is coming soon, and I hope that we will all get better and better."

Jiang Man looked at her family, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness.

"We definitely will. As long as we are a family, no difficulty can defeat us."

Wang Xiu said firmly.

Bathed in the glow of fireworks, the family huddled together closely.

Together they welcomed the New Year and looked forward to a bright future.

This New Year is not only a festival for them, but also a new beginning.

Shi An and Shi Ning excitedly selected fireworks from the pile, their eyes sparkling with anticipation, as if they were the keys to a world of happiness.

Xinyao and Shouheng held tightly to the adults' hands, their little faces full of curiosity and excitement, occasionally tilting their heads up to ask, "When can we be let go?"

Qin Yishen smiled and picked up a sparkler and handed it to Xinyao: "Baby, Daddy will teach you how to light this. It's so much fun!"

He carefully lit the fuse, and instantly, colorful sparks shot out like blooming flowers.

Xinyao screamed with delight, waving her "fairy wand" and drawing dazzling streaks of light and shadow.

Seeing this, Shouheng couldn't wait to pick one up and dance around happily, muttering, "I want one too, I want one too."

Not far away, Shi An and Shi Ning were preparing to set off a large firework display.

Xu Laosan instructed from the side: "You have to be quick when you light it, and run away as soon as it's lit."

Shi Ning nodded nervously, carefully holding the lighter and approaching the firework fuse.

"Ah-"

The fuse was lit, and Shi Ning quickly ran away, hiding at a safe distance with Shi An.

"Oh!"

Fireworks shot into the night sky, blooming into a giant golden flower. Then, red, purple, and blue fireworks rose one after another, decorating the dark night sky with vibrant colors.

Jiang Man and Wang Xiu stood aside, watching the children's joyful appearance, their faces beaming with happiness.

"Look how happy they are, it's like we've gone back to our childhood."

Jiang Man said with emotion. Wang Xiu nodded: "Yes, the New Year should be lively and festive."

The children's laughter rose and fell in the glow of the fireworks.

Xinyao ran to Jiang Man's side, took her hand and said, "Mom, the fireworks are so beautiful, I love them."

Jiang Man picked up Xinyao and kissed her little face: "I'm glad you like it, baby. I hope that in the new year, our babies will all be happy and grow up healthy." (End of this chapter)