CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER 184: NEW YEAR MONEY

184 New Year Money

However, now that Zhao Dong’s family had been separated, they worried that Mrs. Wang might cause trouble tomorrow and prevent Zhao Dong from worshipping their ancestors. As it turned out, they had guessed correctly; Mrs. Wang was indeed at the clan chief’s house at that very moment.

However, Zhao Dong wasn’t bothered by whether or not he could represent the family in the ancestor worship. He was currently thinking that if Mrs. Wang played tricks tomorrow, insisting that her son Zhao Chun was the legitimate eldest son, he would seize the opportunity. He would have his name officially removed from being registered under Mrs. Wang, completely severing that ’mother-son’ relationship. This way, when his daughter grew up and became successful, she would no longer be bound by filial piety.

Sun Mei was thinking along the same lines and mulling over how to discuss it thoroughly with Zhao Dong that night.

The children, however, who were happily eating, had no idea that a tough battle awaited them the next day. At this moment, hearing the mention of ancestor worship, Zhao Yu couldn’t help but ask, "Do you guys really think our ancestors are in the Ancestral Hall?"

Thinking of Grandpa Bai in the space, Zhao Zhitong felt that since Grandpa Bai was an immortal, their ancestors could also have become immortals, staying in the Ancestral Hall to bless their descendants. So, she nodded and said, "They should be there."

Zhao Ya and Zhao Cheng also nodded. "I think so too. Look, every New Year or on the fifteenth of each month, everyone goes to the Ancestral Hall to worship the ancestors and ask for their blessings."

Hearing this, Zhao Yu swallowed a dumpling whole and said happily, "So, if we go ask our ancestors for their blessings tomorrow, will they really bless us?"

Zhao Cheng and Zhao Ya blinked, not knowing how to answer.

Zhao Zhitong tilted her little head, thought for a moment, and said, "Certainly, but you have to be sincere."

Zhao Cheng hastily asked, "Sincere? If I kowtow to the ancestors many times, does that count as being sincere?"

Zhao Ya and Zhao Cheng shook their heads, indicating they didn’t know. Zhao Zhitong tapped her little chin thoughtfully and said, "No, just kowtowing doesn’t count. Anyone can kowtow; it doesn’t prove your sincerity. Hmm, you have to offer the ancestors delicious food, or, help clean their room and serve them tea and water. When the ancestors are pleased, they’ll definitely bless you."

Zhao Cheng felt his little sister was the smartest. He nodded vigorously and said happily, "Then tomorrow, when we go to the Ancestral Hall for the ancestor worship, I’ll bring delicious food for our ancestors so they’ll bless our whole family!"

Nearby, Sun Mei and Zhao Dong couldn’t help but chuckle listening to the children’s conversation. Although they didn’t know whether gods or ghosts truly existed, they had both experienced something as miraculous as time travel. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising if such beings were real.

At this point, the children’s topic gradually drifted. They started talking about ghosts. Zhao Zhitong even shared some of the ghost stories she had heard from Grandpa Bai with them.

Now, Zhao Ya, Zhao Cheng, and Zhao Yu were all frightened, their eyes wide, and they unconsciously huddled together.

Zhao Zhitong wasn’t scared at first and was giggling, but when a gust of wind blew past, her little body shivered, and she started to feel scared too.

With a shout, she jumped down from the stool and ran over to Zhao Cheng and the others. The four little ones clung together in a tight group.

Looking at the children, Sun Mei and Zhao Dong felt rather helpless.

Sun Mei chided good-naturedly, "Look at you all! It’s New Year’s, and you’re telling ghost stories. You should be talking about happy things."

Then, she got up and went into the room. A little while later, she emerged with four beautiful purses in her hands.

She gave one to each of the four children, saying, "Today is New Year’s Eve. This is new year money. Put it carefully in your pocket. Your pockets shouldn’t be empty overnight—this is called ’yasui,’ to properly send off the old year and welcome the new."

The little flowers on the purses had been embroidered by Zhao Ya, and they were very pretty. The children were overjoyed, their earlier fear instantly vanishing.

Zhao Ya tucked the purse into her clothes and asked happily, "Uncle, Auntie, do you get new year money too?"

Before Sun Mei and Zhao Dong could speak, Zhao Yu piped up, "Are you silly? New year money is what adults give to children. Only kids get it."

Zhao Zhitong suddenly figured something out. She analyzed, "Look, our money is given by our parents, uncle, and aunt. Dad and Mom’s parents, uncles, and aunts aren’t here. So, they can’t give Dad and Mom new year money."

After her analysis, the other children all nodded in agreement.

Zhao Zhitong then said, "Why don’t we pool our money and give new year money to Dad and Mom?"

"Good idea! Good idea!"

The children instantly reached a consensus and ran back to their rooms to get the money they had saved.

Soon after, they all hugged their piggy banks and gathered in Zhao Zhitong and Zhao Ya’s room. With heads bowed, the children quietly put their money into two of the purses. Zhao Zhitong then took these two purses to Zhao Dong and Sun Mei.

"Dad, Mom, you should have new year money too. Since your parents aren’t here, let us give it to you."

Speaking in a sweet, childish voice, Zhao Zhitong explained, "This is from Eldest Brother, Xiao Ge, Sister Yaya, and me. It’s our filial offering! Dad, Mom, you should have new year money too."

Seeing how sensible and considerate the children were, Sun Mei and Zhao Dong were deeply pleased.

After the children finished their meal, the sounds of celebration erupted in the streets. Gongs and drums accompanied lion dances. Instantly, the THUMP-THUMP-THUMP of the drums and the CLANG-CLANG-CLANG of the gongs filled the air. The children couldn’t contain their excitement. With Sun Mei’s permission, they held hands and rushed out the door. Sun Mei and Zhao Dong tidied up quickly and followed them.

By now, villagers who had finished their dumplings had already come out. Some who were eating a little later couldn’t resist the excitement either. They grabbed their bowls of dumplings, walked out of their houses, and joined the others, laughing and chatting while they ate.

Besides the gongs, drums, and lion dances, many neighborhood women and old men, their faces rouged, were teetering on stilts, dancing and swaying.

The sound of firecrackers continued unabated, mingling with the gongs and drums. The entire village was immersed in a lively, joyful atmosphere.

This was the common New Year’s custom in their village—it was only considered festive if it was bustling with many people.

Zhao Zhitong was intently watching the lion dance when she suddenly felt someone tug her hair. She immediately turned around and saw Zhao Yue standing behind her.

His cheeks were chapped and red from the cold. However, he was dressed in new clothes and looked clean; even his usual runny nose was gone. At this moment, he actually had the air of a handsome young boy.

If only he didn’t have that punchable grin on his face.

Zhao Zhitong immediately bristled, "Zhao Yue! You messed up my hair!" Mother specially styled these buns for me and Sister Yaya this morning! They’re beautiful!

Zhao Yue grinned and said, "Zhao Zhitong, want to go pick up unexploded firecrackers?"

Zhao Zhitong’s eyes lit up instantly. No longer caring about her hair, she exclaimed, "Where? Where?"