Chapter 2901

For people in later generations, twenty-five jin of meat might seem like nothing. But for people now, twenty-five jin was a huge amount.

Some families got even more. One family had over five hundred work points and received over fifty jin of meat.

No matter the amount, slaughtering the New Year pig was a joyful event for the whole production team.

When Yan Tieniu returned home with money and meat, the children cheered loudly.

Wang Suyan was not stingy. She asked Yan Tieniu to cut five jin of meat to send to the elders, Yan Zhong and others.

Yan Zhong raised an eyebrow when he saw the meat. "Your mother and I have work points too. We got over ten jin. It is enough to eat."

"It is not about whether we have enough to eat," Yan Tieniu smiled. "It is about our filial piety."

"Besides, I cannot compare to Big Brother at the supply and marketing cooperative. He has many goods. I cannot compare to Second Brother either. He drives trucks all year and buys rich supplies. All I can give is this little bit of meat. Father, do you dislike it?"

"Dislike it? Don't be silly," Yan Zhong laughed and scolded gently. "Go back to your own small family."

Aunt Zhou took out a jar of malted milk powder for Yan Tieniu. "Your big brother brought this for Guai Guai. I planned to send it over later. Since you are here, take it back."

"Okay." Yan Tieniu took it and asked, "By the way, did Big Brother, Second Brother, and Fourth Brother say when they will have holiday?"

"Your big brother gets busier as the year ends. He will likely return on New Year's Eve. Second Brother sent word he will return on the twenty-seventh. Fourth Brother’s steel plant holiday is Little New Year. He should return around the twenty-sixth or twenty-seventh. Anyway, with you and Third Brother here, they are not worried."

Yan Zhong was happiest that his sons did not fight with each other.

She had five sons, and all found their own paths.

Except for Third Brother, Yan Tieying, who had a slower reaction due to childhood illness. He could only do simple tasks, so he focused on farming. The other four had their own strengths.

The eldest joined the supply and marketing cooperative. The second drove trucks. The fourth studied well and entered the steel plant as a worker. The youngest, Yan Tieniu, was now a tractor driver, a technical job in the village.

The brothers got along well. They did not look down on others. Instead, they often took care of Third Brother, Yan Tieying.

"Good. When all our brothers return, the old house will be lively," Yan Tieniu said with a smile.

"Enough. Do not delay here. I know what to do," Yan Zhong said, sending Yan Tieniu away.

Yan Tieniu went home happily. He gave the malted milk powder to Wang Suyan, then picked up Yan Xiwan. "You little smart cookie are so lucky. Your great-uncle sent malted milk powder specifically for you."

Wang Suyan had just served the food. She heard this and said, "Indeed. Although times are not easy, everyone in our family dotes on the little girl."

"That is because our Guai Guai is obedient and beautiful," Yan Tieniu said, unhappy that Wang Suyan called her a 'little girl' instead of praising her.

Wang Suyan laughed. "You called her a 'little smart cookie' just now. Now you complain I call her 'little girl'. Where did you get this standard?"

"There is no standard in front of my daughter," Yan Tieniu said. He was absolutely devoted to his daughter.

"Heh. When your daughter grows to eighteen or nineteen, she will marry. What will you do then?" Wang Suyan teased her.

Yan Tieniu paused, then looked serious. "My daughter will not marry. I will support her."

Then he spoke seriously to Yan Xiwan: "Guai Guai, men outside are bad. We will not marry."

Wang Suyan was speechless. "The baby is only eight months old. She cannot understand. Besides, where is a daughter who does not marry?"

Yan Tieniu knew Wang Suyan was right, but he said, "It does not matter. Our daughter will be the first one not to marry."

"Go away. You talk nonsense. Do you want to eat or not? Eat quickly. Stop saying such foolish things that might spoil the girl," Wang Suyan ended the topic.

Yan Tieniu’s true thought was to block any boy with ulterior motives from approaching his daughter. He would never let them in.

Wang Suyan did not know Yan Tieniu’s plan. If she did, she would probably beat her with a feather duster. her idea was harmful. How could a daughter not marry?

Yan Xiwan did not know this. But she liked the different ways her father and mother loved her.

Soon it was New Year’s Eve. The family gathered at Yan Zhong’s house for the reunion dinner.

Seeing a room full of sons and grandsons, Yan Zhong was very happy. It was a sign of a thriving family.

Just as she raised her wine cup, before anyone spoke, Yan Xiwan opened her mouth. "Dad."

Yes, Yan Xiwan called "Dad" first. Only she knew how good Yan Tieniu was to her. She was moved and wanted to give her a surprise.

The surprise was calling "Dad" on New Year’s Eve.

"I really heard our Guai Guai call Dad," everyone in the Yan family went silent. Yan Tieniu held his wine cup, frozen like a paused button.

"I heard it too," Yan Tieying said from beside him.

Yan Tieniu put down the cup and pinched himself hard. "Ouch." It hurt. So it was not a dream.

Not a dream! He quickly took his daughter from Wang Suyan’s arms. "Guai Guai, call it again."

Yan Xiwan blinked her clear big eyes. "Dad."

"Yes!" Yan Tieniu was overjoyed. It felt sweeter than eating ten jin of honey.

"You ungrateful little thing. I hold you, care for you, and serve you every day. You call Dad first," Wang Suyan said with a smile, pretending to complain. She poked Yan Xiwan’s little nose.

"Mama," Yan Xiwan said.

"Yes!" Wang Suyan was instantly happy. She grabbed Yan Xiwan. "Guai Guai, call it again."

"Mama." Since she wanted everyone to be happy, she would call it.

"Guai Guai, call Grandmother," Grandma Yan said from the side.

"Zu Zu." She could not say two different words yet, but "Zu Zu" was fine.

"Ah," Grandma Yan was happy. "Our Guai Guai is so smart. She can call people before ten months old."

"Call Grandpa," Yan Zhong looked at Yan Xiwan with hope.

"Ye." Except for "Zu Zu," the others were single syllables.

"Yes, yes," Yan Zhong laughed loudly.

"Call Grandma."

"Nai."

"Call Brother."

"Ge."

"Call Great-Uncle."

"Da."

…