Chapter 106 Returning to Mother’s Home

Author: Mahjong Jun

Chapter 106 Returning to Mother’s Home

Shanqian Village, Zhao Wenmu’s new home.

On the second day of the first lunar month, I returned to my parents’ home.

Returning to one's parents' home, also known as "going to one's parents' home" or "guining", is a very unique folk custom.

On the second day of the first lunar month, a married daughter has to go back to her parents' home and go with her husband, so this day is also called the "Welcoming Son-in-Law Day".

In the past, there was a custom of "entering the twelfth lunar month, not entering the natal home", which meant that a married daughter could not return to her natal home during the twelfth lunar month.

This custom is not strictly enforced. After all, it is very inhumane. A married daughter cannot go back to see her parents for a whole month.

But usually, after the Lunar New Year, a married daughter will not go to her parents’ home.

Of course, there are also married daughters who enter their parents' homes on the New Year's Eve, which is a different matter.

Zhao Jing has spent the whole year in the Zhao family's old house, which is an even more special situation. After all, she is the adopted daughter of the second elder of the Zhao family and the wife of Zhao Wenmu.

On the day when he returns to his parents' home, his uncle is treated as a "distinguished guest" and his parents' family will host a sumptuous banquet. When they enter the table, his uncle will sit on the top of the table.

Early in the morning, Zhao Jing and Zhao Wenmu settled down at home, put on beautiful new clothes, carried gifts, and came to the Zhao family's old house.

Gifts should be given in pairs.

Oh, I forgot to mention that the little girl naturally came together.

In previous years, the family's conditions were average, so all they brought were six large dumplings steamed by Zhao Jing herself. There were red dots of dye on the dumplings, indicating that her mother's family would get rich in the coming year.

Then add two kilograms of peach cake bought from the supply and marketing cooperative. Peach cake is a food specially made to honor the elderly. It is packaged in paper and pressed with a piece of red paper, which indicates that the mother's family will be prosperous in the coming year.

This year, Zhao Jing steamed six large dumplings by herself. Walnuts and chestnuts were sprinkled inside the dumplings, and the surface was decorated with red dates, which was delicious and festive.

Two pounds of peach cake.

Two packs of noodles symbolize health and longevity.

Some candies mean sweetness.

The specifications are not very high and it doesn't cost much.

In fact, even if this is the case, the mother's family will not accept all the gifts, usually just a symbolic amount.

The items received must be even numbers, such as two steamed buns and two packages of noodles.

There is absolutely no chance of accepting three steamed buns!

In addition, Zhao Wenmu also carried two bottles of Maotai and two fish, which were just for lunch.

The little girl was also beautifully dressed, and the little guy even had a little red on his forehead, making him look even more festive.

Although the only serious son-in-law was Zhang Zhenshan, who they often met, Zhao Xuehai and Liu Sufang still made serious preparations.

The yard and house were cleaned early.

This is not an easy job. There were so many people who came to pay New Year greetings yesterday, and even many people of the same generation came over to chat for a few words in the afternoon.

This is all the result of Zhao Wenmu.

When someone comes to pay New Year greetings, the host will invite them to eat vegetables, eat peanuts and melon seeds, and eat sweets. Not only that, the peanut shells and melon seed shells are also important to throw away.

The melon seed shells and peanut shells all over the floor highlight the popularity and joy of the host family.

After all the New Year greeters left, Liu Sufang poured a full dustpan of melon seed shells into the pigpen!

The old couple got up early in the morning and cleaned again, sprinkled water, picked vegetables, put out peanuts and melon seed candies, put on new festive clothes, and glanced at the door from time to time.

Of course, with Zhao Wenjun and Zhao Wenqiu at home, especially Zhao Wenjun, how could he be willing to let his parents do too much work?

Naturally, Zhao Jing's family of three didn't keep them waiting for too long, and arrived before half past nine.

"Come on, dear baby, call me grandma!"

Zhao Wenmu lifted the little girl up and placed it on his head. The little girl giggled and grabbed the pass money from the eaves.

Colorful paper-cuts flutter in the wind, creating a festive atmosphere.

Zhao Jing reached out and pinched him.

Zhao Wenmu ducked away with a smile.

The little girl reached out for Liu Sufang to hug her. The little guy liked her grandma very much.

"Come on!"

Zhao Wenmu slapped his forehead. Who taught this? Why don’t you say L and N?

The people of Qilu don’t have this problem!

"grandmother!"…

Zhao Jing taught her patiently over and over again.

After a while, Zhao Wenyan, Zhang Zhenshan and Zhang Yuanming also came.

Xiao Yuanming jumped off the bicycle.

He knelt down in front of Zhao Xuehai and Liu Sufang.

Dong-dong-dong kowtowed three times.

"Grandpa, grandma, happy New Year!"

Then he stretched out his hands respectfully.

Zhao Wenyan's mouth twitched when she saw it.

Zhao Xuehai pulled out a stack of brand new lathe-edition two-yuan yuan from the drawer.

This was something he went to the bank to exchange specifically for giving out lucky money.

Zhao Wenmu looked at the lathe workers working happily on the RMB and wondered if he should stock up on hundreds or thousands of RMB.

This thing seems to be worth 1,800 yuan in thirty years.

Zhao Xuehai counted out three and placed them in Xiao Yuanming's hand.

In previous years, the lucky money was only 2 cents or 5 cents, but this year it has risen to 6 cents!

"Thank you, grandpa, grandma!"

Zhang Yuanming immediately stuffed the money into his pocket.

He ran to Zhao Wenmu again.

Same process.

"Brother-in-law, happy New Year!"

Zhao Wenmu gave him ten yuan.

Seeing this kid grinning with joy, Zhao Wenmu couldn't help but find it funny.

Young people, you still don’t know the dangers of society!

It’s only 5 cents, 1 yuan, but your mother can let you hold it in your hand for more than 10 yuan?

Let him be happy first, so that when he cries later, it won’t be too bad, right, hahaha...

After Xiao Yuanming kowtowed to Zhao Wenmu, he ran to Zhao Jing again.

Still the same, piaji knelt down.

"Third aunt, happy New Year!"

This kid has all his brains here. If he were called Xiao Jinzi, he would only get a piece of lucky money.

Isn’t it just one more thing to shout to Third Aunt?

Zhao Wenyan wanted to beat him up, but it was difficult to do so.

It’s okay to call her Third Aunt, since she was always called Third Aunt when she was a child.

Zhao Jing also gave him ten yuan.

Then there is Zhao Wenjun.

Another ten dollars.

Zhao Wenqiu is not married yet and does not need to pay outside money.

Zhang Yuanming did not kowtow to her either.

"Xiao Yuanming, come here! Kowtow to my aunt, and she will give you 10 yuan!"

Zhao Wenqiu wore a floral cotton-padded jacket and stood there with his hands folded to greet Zhang Yuanming.

In the past few days since she came home, she has been running to the city every day.

Just to go to Zhao Wenmu's place to play on the computer.
To be continued...