This year's Spring Festival is obviously more festive than last year, and the people also feel more interested.
Why is this happening?
The first reason is because this year’s New Year’s goods are more abundant than last year’s.
During the Spring Festival, each Beijing resident can buy one pound of glutinous rice, four taels of peanut oil, and two pounds of fish as usual.
The government distributed an additional three kilograms of Fuqiang powder.
Compared with standard flour, Fuqiang flour has higher gluten content, is finer and has less impurities.
Moreover, in addition to pork, eggs and japonica rice are also included in the open supply.
In addition, as the vegetable planting area in Beijing has expanded to 19,000 hectares, vegetables from other places are also supplied to the capital in large quantities.
Therefore, in the winter of this year, not only was the supply of Chinese cabbage abundant in the capital, but there was also a corresponding increase in fine vegetables.
Things like winter bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, and leeks were rare and expensive in the past.
This year, on the counters of the four major vegetable markets in Beijing, not only the supply has increased, but the prices have also become much more affordable.
Even many ordinary people can afford it by gritting their teeth.
Fruits are similar to vegetables.
This year, the apple area in the suburbs of Beijing reached 172,000 acres.
This year, the fruit supply before the Spring Festival has become a situation where oranges, apples, hawthorns and persimmons complement each other.
Not only do people have cheap and high-quality fruits to satisfy their cravings, but they also get rid of the dilemma of monotonous varieties.
Finally, there are snacks.
Although the purchase restrictions on melon seeds and peanuts have not changed, many flavored foods have been restored.
For example, plum blossoms, hawthorns, candied fruits from "Xinyuanzhai" and Qiuli paste from "Tongsanyi", etc.
There is no doubt that the more abundant material supplies, the more abundant the New Year will be.
As for the second factor that makes people feel that this Spring Festival is more interesting than previous years, it is that a new model of family gatherings has been established.
Because of this year, the number of TV sets owned in our country has doubled compared with last year.
So on New Year's Eve, people naturally began to gather in front of the nearest television, preparing to watch the Spring Festival Gala, which was broadcast live to the whole country on national television for the first time.
You must know that before the reform and opening up, "changing customs" had abruptly severed the continuation of tradition, and our traditional customs during the Spring Festival have almost disappeared.
In this way, in fact, with the advent of the television era, many traditional customs are also in the process of recovery.
Well, for many people, since tradition and television are both new things, there is certainly no resistance or sense of dissonance in accepting both at the same time.
So precisely from this year on, the Spring Festival Gala almost instantly evolved into a folk custom and became a consistent New Year habit for people across the country.
This has standardized the most important night, assimilated the Spring Festival into a program that is increasingly losing its local characteristics, and rewritten the traditional New Year pattern.
For example, Courtyard No. 2 of Shan'er Hutong.
When all the families put the New Year's Eve dinner on the table, they also turned on the TV.
It's just that there was a little disharmony at Bian's house.
Just as Aunt Bian brought a whole braised carp to the table.
Her youngest son Bian Jiangong was actually adjusting the Peony black and white TV at home that day and kept complaining.
"Oh my god, I'm really not telling you. Why do you insist on holding on to the money? It's such a big holiday, we need to watch a colored TV to cheer up? Those people's faces have all been painted flesh-colored, watery
Everything is green and the sky is white, just like in the movie..."
Aunt Bian didn't like hearing it anymore.
"Okay. With your father's pension and my neighborhood committee subsidy, it's not easy for the two of us to raise you both. What's wrong with the black and white TV? We were also the first to buy one in this courtyard.
That was the color TV ticket your dad was lucky enough to grab in 1976. At that time, whether it was your dad’s colleagues or our whole alley, who didn’t envy us? Color TV? How much more would it cost to have more colors?
Where is the money? Is it worth it?"
Of course Bian Jiangong was not convinced and immediately pointed back at the TV at home.
"Oh, my God, please don't say this outside. It will make people laugh. What else are you envious of? That's all old history. Now black and white are long out of date. How fake.
The screen is still small, who doesn’t want to watch a color TV? And let me tell you, the color TV Weimin gave us is imported and original, and the price is almost the same as in the store. Don’t look at the 2,200 yuan.
But you can earn more than a thousand by changing hands. This is to give money to our family. How many people are crying and shouting that they want to buy it but they can't buy it. Why don't you understand?"
Unexpectedly, the director of the neighborhood committee is not very principled, but Aunt Bian is even more stubborn.
"Hey, if you say so, we can't even buy it. Why should we take advantage of the people who protect the people? One thousand yuan. If we are going to do this, who will we become?"
Bian Jiangong inevitably felt the pain of the generation gap.
"You are really confused. Why can't I explain it clearly to you? Isn't this because Wei Min has a way? Besides, he took the initiative to say hello to us and told us to come to him if we want to buy a color TV. They are afraid of us.
You've wasted your money. If you didn't go to him, you would be betraying his good intentions. Don't forget, he helped buy the Mi family's color TV in the first place."
But what he didn't expect was that it would be better if he didn't say these words. When he said this, even Uncle Bian would be angry at him.
"You bastard! Why are you talking to your mother? How old are you to be so worthless? Oh, you don't take advantage of me at all, right? Is this what you compare to the Mi family? You have to be content when you are a human being.
How much have you helped us? They even gave you your job. They bought us a double-cylinder washing machine this year. We already owe them too much. We don’t know how to pay them back? You’re still planning to take advantage of them.
How much cheaper is enough! If someone takes the initiative, you have to refuse."
"Oh, my dad, why are you so confused! I know how people are and everything has to come and go. I didn't say that I took advantage of others? I will remember to repay this favor in the future, no?
That's it! I have really good intentions. Think about it, I live in a factory and I don't get the spotlight from my family at all. If I don't think it's good to watch the color TV set in the factory, why do I have to encourage my family? Isn't this just
I want you to enjoy it as soon as possible."
Bian Jiangong was already having a headache when he was one on one, but when he was one against two, he suddenly felt that he was outnumbered, and his tone of voice was extremely aggrieved.
"Enjoy it? I think it's a shaobao! Oh, buy another color TV. Let's have two TVs at home? Are you doing evil or not?"
Uncle Bian felt his son's filial piety, and his expression became more relaxed, but he still refused to relax.
After all, a color TV these days is about the same as a Mercedes-Benz twenty years later.
Buying two? That was something he couldn't even think about.
But don't say it, there is a reason for doing meritorious deeds while doing it.
"Oh, what are you doing? Isn't it better to buy a color TV and everything will be happy for your family? Dad, you like to watch Peking Opera, my mother likes to watch Ping Opera, and my brother and sister-in-law like to watch TV dramas. We need two TV sets at home.
TV, you two watch in color, and my brother and sister-in-law watch in black and white. From now on, you all can watch it? And my little nephew, when he grows up, he will definitely watch "The Jungle Book".
Can you think about it carefully? Is this the actual need of our family? What’s more, we are not pretending to be fat. Since I started selling clothes for the Wei people, my brother, my sister-in-law, I, and I have extra money. Just this year,
I already have a thousand yuan, don’t you? If you all pool some more together, can’t you still buy a color TV?”
Looking at his younger brother's eyes, he was afraid that he would misunderstand that he was unwilling to pay, so Bian Jianjun, the older brother, could no longer remain silent.
"Jiangong, your sister-in-law and I have to thank you for your thoughtfulness. But on the other hand, as relatives, we also have to think about you! In fact, the main reason why we don't buy a color TV at home is to consider your life-long events. You see
, I’m already married, and it’s your turn later. Your sister-in-law and I are still working together. We can’t help you with anything else, but we have to get you a brand-name radio. As for the other big items
, then I’m afraid you have to rely on yourself and your parents to save it for you. How much does it cost? To put it bluntly, your marriage is the most important priority in our family. The money at home should be used for your marriage first.
, wait until you get married and talk about the rest..."
Bian Jianjun's words were heartbreaking, and Bian Jiangong couldn't help but feel warm in his heart.
But regarding this issue, he still couldn't agree with his family's plan.
"Brother, I also thank you and my sister-in-law for your kindness. But if you want to put it this way, our family has to buy a color TV. Do you think, if I want to have a girlfriend, I have to bring it home? But if you want to see us
The TV at home is black and white, so it might be pornographic."
"You don't know that girls today are different from those in the past few years. They don't have to have anything, but they must have a color TV. That is a necessary prerequisite for marriage. But logically speaking, even you don't like it.
If it’s a color TV, it won’t be my turn? Isn’t that right?”
"People don't know that our family saves money but doesn't spend it. Maybe they think how much debt we owe to the outside world. So listen to me and buy one as soon as possible. Only if you buy a color TV can I find a partner and ask for it from the work unit.
House. Our unit is building a building now. It is not for cadres. Only dual-employees can apply. Do you think, for my happiness, should I buy this color TV? "
Not to mention, this seemingly absurd truth actually makes sense.
So the whole Bian family was speechless all of a sudden, and they were all stunned by Bian Jiangong's words.
And I watched my parents, brother and sister-in-law looking at each other in confusion.
Bian Jiangong smiled and couldn't help but feel proud.
He simply climbed along the pole and started playing cymbals with his own mother.
"However, I really didn't expect it. Our old lady was really shaking. She went home to celebrate the New Year today, which really shocked me. I never imagined that there would be a time when my mother would receive gifts. Look at so many cans and fruits.
For snacks and tea, can you move the grocery store here soon? Because of my mother's ability, I think I will bring my girlfriend back today. Even if there is no color TV at home, it can be done. People must think how big an official my mother is.
, can even engage in unhealthy trends..."
Indeed, what he said is also the big difference between the Bian family this year and the past.
The sewing club that Aunt Qingbian is in charge of is directly related to the livelihood of the self-employed people nearby.
So the old lady also became the grandma, the God of Wealth with a golden body.
In order to make more money next year, self-employed people take advantage of the festival to curry favor and burn incense.
In just these two days, a lot of New Year's goods have been delivered.
Even if you don't want it, some people are afraid of being refused, so they simply leave the items at their door, knock on the door, and run away.
How does this look to the neighbors?
Needless to say, Aunt Bian has been angry and anxious these past two days, and she has never been able to feel at ease.
The old lady has been innocent all her life, how could she be willing to ruin it like this?
But how to return it? It’s also a worry!
But no one expected that Aunt Bian, who was still worried in the morning, unexpectedly appeared calm and composed at this time.
"Hey, don't talk nonsense with your mother. I'm not in a hurry now. I have a solution. As for your mother, she has a lot of power. She can approve hundreds of goods in just one sentence. Why?
You can also be the director of a small factory. But how can your mother be someone who can be easily corrupted? Sugar-coated cannonballs, huh, mom can eat the sugar-coating and make the cannonballs completely useless."
Of course Bian Jiangong didn't believe it, "Oh, mom, are you a bit loud?"
In fact, let alone him, even others had the same thoughts. Uncle Bian thought that his wife was pretending to be calm.
"Am I loud? Not at all."
Seeing everyone's surprised expressions, Aunt Bian was really happy now.
Just like Bian Jiangong just now, she also showed off a bit and finally revealed the answer to the mystery.
"To tell you the truth, I met Minzi just now. He gave me a good idea."
"I was told that after the Chinese New Year, I would take all these things to the neighborhood committee and sewing club. Then I would gather everyone to sit together and have a tea party, and let everyone in the neighborhood committee and sewing club share and eat them."
"Tell me. Can this be said to be an unhealthy trend? Those guys don't care, who are they interested in? Just them? It's all in vain with me, the old lady."