Started as a thatched house and ended up as a female figure

"Oh! Quick, quick, quick! Shake the snow off your clothes and sit over there to warm yourself by the fire.

Liu Yue, bring the tea simmering on the stove over here and pour it for everyone to warm up."

As soon as Cheng Wan and others who went to worship their ancestors arrived home, Old Lady Lin started making arrangements loudly while patting the snow off her body.

Wang helped Cheng Wan brush off the snow on his back, and the worry on her face was obvious. "The snow suddenly got heavy, and it's dark outside. I wonder if A-Yan and the other two are on their way back?"

The Cheng family has people who need to be worshipped, and Gu Yan has even more people who need to be worshipped.

Cheng Wan took the hot tea handed over by Liu Yue, took a sip, and sighed: "According to the time, they should be on their way back. If they are faster, they may have reached Pingnan Village by now. Mom, don't worry, my second and third brothers and I will go to the village entrance to greet them later."

Before Cheng Wan and others went out to worship, the Cheng family's New Year's Eve dinner had been almost prepared. Xiao Lin did not go to worship because she was pregnant. She and Guihua prepared the last two dishes at home and simmered them on the stove. At this time, only the dumplings were left to be cooked.

Dumplings should not be cooked too early, otherwise they will not only taste bad but also break easily.

After drinking a cup of hot tea and warming up a little, Cheng Wan walked out with a lantern, followed by Cheng Erping and Deng Xiong.

They were going to meet Gu Yan, Gu Yu and Shao Qing.

Gu Yan and the other two did not let Cheng Wan and the other two go far. As soon as Cheng Wan and the other two walked out of the gate, they heard the faint sound of horses driving on the village road.

In the dim light, Gu Yan rode on his horse through the cold wind and snow. The indigo cloak behind him was blown backwards by the wind. His cold and outstanding face looked even more noble and indifferent against the backdrop of the night and snowflakes.

Cheng Wan stood on the steps, watching the two horses getting closer and closer, the darkness in his eyes getting deeper and deeper, "This person is so good-looking..."

"Awan, what did you say?" The wind was a little strong and Cheng Wan's voice was very soft, so neither Cheng Erping nor Deng Xiong could hear clearly what Cheng Wan said.

Cheng Wan drooped her eyelashes, hid the lust in her eyes, smiled, and said loudly: "I said they are quite fast."

After he finished speaking, Cheng Wan was the first to go down the stairs.

"Awan, second brother, third brother." When Gu Yan saw Cheng Wan, the indifference between his eyebrows disappeared a lot, and he became a little gentler.

Cheng Wan took Gu Yu, who was wrapped like a ball, from Gu Yan and said with a gentle smile, "Let's go home and have dinner."

Steamed sea bass, braised pork with preserved vegetables, braised pork feet with soybeans, sweet and sour spare ribs, braised pork, four-happiness meatballs, spicy tofu... dumplings, plates and soup bowls were quickly brought to the table, filling up the two tables.

After the food was served, everyone sat down at two tables.

Old Mrs. Lin's eyes swept across the faces of everyone in the room one by one, her face flushed with smiles, her heart filled with excitement.

The number of people in the family is increasing, which is a good thing.

Lively and prosperous.

Old Mrs. Lin was the first to pick up the chopsticks, picked up a piece of fish meat and stuffed it into her mouth, then said with a smile: "Let's start eating. For people like us, there are no too many rules. Everyone, eat as much as you can and drink well, so that you will have good fortune next year!"

After saying that, Old Lady Lin turned her head and looked at the table next to her. "Xiao Pan, you can ask them to eat more, especially Liu Yue and Mu Dong. They didn't eat much at lunch. Tonight, we have no servants or guests here, only family members!"

Lin Pan immediately laughed loudly and replied, "Got it, Auntie, we definitely won't be polite!"

Guihua and others were also deeply moved, especially Liuyue and Mudong, whose eyes were red with tears.

Cheng Wan silently gave Mrs. Lin a thumbs up.

Listening to what was just said, if she were in his shoes, she would also feel very warm inside.

The old lady is getting better and better at speaking polite words. Of course, what she said today was also the truth.

There is heavy snow and strong wind outside, but it is warm inside the house.

The sounds of laughter, conversation and clinking glasses created a lively and beautiful melody. The New Year's Eve dinner lasted for a full hour and a half.

After dinner, everyone gathered in the main room to stay up till the New Year.

"Mom, are you thinking about my elder brother?" Cheng Wan walked over to Wang and sat down, hugged Wang's arm, and asked softly.

The adults and children in the room were all chatting with smiles on their faces. Only Wang seemed a little quiet, with a hint of sadness that could not be concealed between her brows.

Wang patted the back of Cheng Wan's hand gently, "Your elder brother..., I, I thought he might be able to come back and spend the New Year with us."

Cheng Wan pursed her lips, "Mom..."

"Well." Wang blinked twice quickly, forced out a gentle smile, and comforted Cheng Wan in return, "It was said that your eldest brother is a new soldier, so this year he is likely to stay in the barracks and will not be able to go home. Your father and I are mentally prepared."

Cheng Wan leaned on Wang's shoulder, feeling heavy and stuffy in his heart.

At the beginning, Uncle Xu informed her in advance that the war was about to start and asked her to see if she could prepare some life-saving items for her elder brother. This was because he guessed that after her elder brother came back, he would most likely not tell his family that he was going to the battlefield, in case his family refused to let him leave and he could not bear to leave.

But what if, what if something happens to Big Brother after he goes to the battlefield, then this time when he returns home might be his last chance to spend time with his family.

Is she really going to say nothing?

Will her family blame her afterwards?

When Cheng Wan thought of this, his hand holding Wang's arm tightened involuntarily, but he reacted and quickly released the strength.

"What's wrong?" Wang looked worried. She felt that something was wrong with Cheng Wan just now.

Cheng Wan raised his head, met Wang's loving and worried gaze, chuckled and shook his head.

The food and fodder had already been moved before the battle began, but the news had not yet reached the ears of ordinary people around Shuoyang City.

Next, King Rui will mobilize the entire Liangzhou’s resources to serve this war.

Conscription, corvée labor, grain collection... everything is possible.

Before big brother comes home, just let things take their own course. After he comes back, ask him what he thinks.

In addition, Cheng Wan lowered his eyes and sighed in his heart: "Even if my brother and I don't tell anyone, the news of the war can't be concealed for a few more days..."

Cheng Wan leaned on Wang's shoulder again, hiding the darkness in his eyes and enjoying the peace and tranquility of the moment.

After midnight, it is the new year.

"Happy New Year, Master."

"Qiang! Qiang! Qiang!"

The voice of Jin Jin in my mind and the sound of the gong by Village Chief Wu outside rang almost simultaneously.

New Year's Eve.

Old Mrs. Lin took out a pile of red paper-wrapped lucky money that she had prepared long ago and said in a loud and smiling voice, "Come on, come on, children, it's time to give out the lucky money!"