Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

The thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, Lunar New Year's Eve.

Before the sky was fully bright, a few scattered, crisp "crackling" sounds could be heard in the distance—early-rising children were setting off small firecrackers.

The sounds were disjointed, yet they were like leaping musical notes, setting the stage for a lively day.

Yang Fan and Yang Ya didn't sleep in today.

Inside the main room, the stove was burning brightly, and Wang Xiuying was already busy in the kitchen.

Yang Jianguo was squatting in the yard, giving a plucked chicken a final cleaning.

"Good morning, Dad and Mom." Yang Fan rubbed his eyes.

"You're up?" Wang Xiuying poked her head out from the kitchen.

"There are some glutinous rice balls in the pot, one bowl for each person, just to have a little something for lunch. Dinner will be the real meal."

The family sat down together and ate a simple breakfast.

The glutinous rice balls were soft, chewy, and sweet. They warmed me up as I ate them while they were still hot.

After finishing his meal, Yang Jianguo put down his bowl and began assigning tasks:

"Xiao Fan, later you can put up all the couplets and 'Fu' characters on our doors."

"I made the paste last night and it's keeping it warm on the stove."

"Xiaoya, help your brother out. Hand things over and check if they're straight."

"Your mom and I will organize the dishes for dinner again, and start stewing the ones that need to be stewed."

"Okay, Dad!" Yang Fan and Yang Ya replied in unison.

Just as I was about to leave, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Uncle Yang Jianmin and Aunt Li Cuihua walked in with their cousin Yang Hao, carrying large and small bags—fresh meat, vegetables, and a large, lively fish.

"Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law!" Yang Jianmin greeted them with a smile. "Xiao Fan, Xiao Ya, are you both up?"

"Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Haozi, why are you here so early?" Yang Fan greeted them.

Yang Jianmin placed the things on the table in the main room and rubbed his hands together: "This year, our two families will celebrate New Year's Eve dinner together again! I've brought all the ingredients; it'll be more lively with more people! Your third aunt and I are pretty good cooks, so let's help out. Hurry up!"

Li Cuihua chimed in with a smile, "That's right! Sister-in-law Xiuying, please don't think we're causing trouble tonight!"

Wang Xiuying felt a warm glow in her heart and quickly said, "Don't cause any trouble! I couldn't be happier! Come inside, it's cold outside!"

Yang Jianguo looked at his younger brother's family and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Ever since the two families lent Haozi 200,000 yuan for his wedding, their relationship has become even closer.

At times like these, the warmth of loved ones is especially precious.

"That's perfect," Yang Jianguo said to his son. "Xiaofan, you and Xiaoya go put up the Spring Festival couplets, and your third uncle and the others will prepare the meal."

"Okay!" Yang Fan said with great enthusiasm.

The brother and sister brought out a ladder, found the cooked paste, and took out the brand-new Spring Festival couplets, the character "福" (fortune), and window decorations that they had bought long ago.

The red paper with gold lettering exudes joy and celebration.

Yang Fan climbed the ladder, with Xiao Ya supporting him from below, looking up and giving instructions.

"Bro, a little higher on the left...yes, that's it!"

Yang Fan stood on the ladder, adjusted the position of the Spring Festival couplets, and asked, "Is this correct?"

Xiaoya: "Yes! Brother Tieba! This is the real deal."

Yang Fan nodded: "Mm!"

Then press it down firmly with your hand, and then press it down from top to bottom to make it compact. A Spring Festival couplet is now pasted up.

Yang Fan was in charge of pasting the stickers, while Xiao Ya helped him by holding the stairs and giving directions.

"Brother, this 'Fu' character should be pasted upside down! Good fortune has arrived!"

"The window decorations look better when they're symmetrical!"

The brother and sister worked together seamlessly, chatting and laughing.

The paste, steaming and carrying the aroma of rice, was brushed onto the door frame.

With the bright red Spring Festival couplets pasted on, the old door lintel was instantly given a fresh new look.

A large "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character is pasted upside down in the center of the main room, symbolizing the arrival of good fortune.

Exquisite paper-cut window decorations are pasted on the glass, and sunlight shines through, reflecting auspicious patterns.

The entire courtyard, along with the doors and windows inside and outside the house, was gradually adorned with this touch of Chinese red.

The flavor of the New Year becomes concrete and intense with each brush and post.

"It's so beautiful!" Yang Ya took a few steps back, put her hands on her hips, and admired her "masterpiece," her eyes sparkling.

"Brother, our family looks really energetic this year!"

Yang Fan climbed down the ladder, dusted off his hands, and looked at his newly renovated home, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

This hands-on process of making your home better is more reassuring than anything else.

"Oh, right, brother!" Yang Ya suddenly remembered something:

"Didn't we take a family photo before? The photos should be developed by now, right? Shall we go to town to pick them up?"

"Perfect for hanging up! A family photo for Chinese New Year, so fitting for the occasion!"

Yang Fan was taken aback. He had been so busy these past few days that he had completely forgotten about it.

"Is the photo studio still open today, Lunar New Year's Eve?"

"Open!" Yang Ya said with certainty.

"I know that boss. He's run a photo studio in town for decades. His home is in town, and he doesn't go anywhere else for the New Year. He'll definitely be open!"

Yang Fan thought about it and felt it made sense: "Okay, I'll call and ask, otherwise it'll be a wasted trip."

He took out his phone, found the photo studio owner's number, and called him.

After ringing a few times, the other end answered.

"Hey boss, can we pick up the photos today? Yes, the Yang Fan family photo."

"Yes, yes! We're open all morning, only closing in the afternoon. Come on over!" the boss's cheerful voice rang out.

After hanging up the phone, Yang Fan told his parents and his third uncle's family, and then went out with his sister.

The old Volkswagen was still parked in the yard.

Yang Fan took out the key that Wang De had left behind from his pocket and got into the car.

The car started, the engine was quite loud, and the interior looked old.

But Yang Fan didn't pay attention and slowly drove out of the village.

On the way, you could already feel the strong festive atmosphere.

Many households have put up new couplets on their doors, and children are playing on the roadside in new clothes, holding snacks and firecrackers.

Occasionally, a motorcycle carrying large bags of New Year's goods would whiz by, and the people on the motorcycles would all have smiles on their faces.

Upon arriving in town, many shops were indeed still open, but it was noticeably quieter than usual, with shop owners making their final preparations to go home for the Lunar New Year.

Inside the photo studio, the owner was waiting for them. Upon seeing Yang Fan and his sister, he smiled and took out a large, well-packaged photo frame.

"Look, what a great photo! The whole family is all together, and they're all smiling happily!" the boss praised.

Yang Fan took the photo frame.

In the photo, his parents are sitting in front, and he and his sister are standing behind them. All four of them are wearing nice clothes that they specially changed into that day, and they are smiling brightly and naturally at the camera.

The background is simple, but the feeling of reunion and happiness is clearly conveyed through the photographic paper.

"Thank you, boss!" Yang Ya happily accepted it, hugging it to her arms. "How much?"

"I already paid! Take it back and hang it at home, it'll bring good luck!" The shopkeeper waved his hand.

On the way back, Yang Ya carefully held the photo frame, glancing down at it every now and then, a smile playing on her lips.

"Brother, this photo is really well taken."

"After the New Year, let's get an even bigger one printed and hang it on the living room wall!"

"That way, no matter which of us is away from home, Mom and Dad can see our whole family as soon as they look up."

Yang Fan nodded as he drove, "Okay, I'll do as you say."