Yan Aohan nodded and followed Zhu Shunyao and the others back to the Zhu family home.
Yan Aohan’s room was on the third floor. Besides him, only the three siblings’ rooms were up there. No one else went to the third floor. Yan Aohan went to his room, unpacked his luggage, took a shower, changed his clothes, and then went downstairs.
She saw that the large round table had already been set up. Bowl after bowl of dishes had been served.
"Little Yan, help me take four fireworks out of the storage room. Also, bring out four packs of the five-hundred-shot firecrackers," Zhu Shunyao said, busy carrying dishes. He handed this task to Yan Aohan.
Yan Aohan agreed and went to the small house nearby to get the fireworks and firecrackers. Zhu Shunyao carefully arranged them.
Yan Aohan said, "Uncle Shunyao, I saw quite a few fireworks and firecrackers in the small house. Even the thousand-shot ones. You bought a lot this year."
"Of course I bought a lot," Zhu Shunyao said with a smile. "We will stay up late tonight for New Year's Eve. We will set them off at midnight, and again early tomorrow morning. We also need them for visiting the graves. There are many occasions for firecrackers. I bought extra for the fifth day of the lunar month, for the God of Wealth. We will also use them when we start work, and for the Lantern Festival. There are many days. Having plenty of firecrackers makes life lively and prosperous."
Zhu Shunyao’s mood was just like a child’s. He loved setting off firecrackers.
Zhu Yanyi came out and said, "Dad, Mom says it is half past four. We are eating the reunion dinner early today. She told you to set off the firecrackers." Then she looked at Yan Aohan and said, "Brother Yan, please keep an eye on my dad."
"Okay," Yan Aohan nodded. He had to listen to his wife. Besides, even if Zhu Yanyi did not say it, he would watch over his future father-in-law.
Zhu Shunyao smiled, lit a cigarette, took two puffs, and used the ember to light four fireworks.
The fireworks were not as varied as in later times, but they were not ugly. They looked like stars in the sky or chrysanthemums. They looked quite nice. There were no bans on firecrackers yet, so the continuous bursts were beautiful. It was a pity there were no mobile phones to capture these beautiful moments.
Zhu Yanyi only sighed for a moment. When Zhu Shunyao was about to set off the five-hundred-shot firecrackers, she went back inside.
Soon, a loud crackling sound was heard outside. Xie Xinlian called everyone to sit down, leaving two seats for Zhu Shunyao and Yan Aohan.
When Zhu Shunyao and Yan Aohan came in, Zhu Shunyao asked everyone to pour wine. Zhu Yanyi and Zhu Zhibin drank juice. After clinking glasses, they started eating and drinking happily.
"New Year is all about the atmosphere. We will celebrate like this every year. It is so lively," Zhu Shunyao said. She liked liveliness. Zhu Yanyi knew this from her past life. Before, she could only invite Zhu Yanli or a few cousins to make it lively.
Now, it was unnecessary. She knew how to make the family more lively. At least, the current situation allowed for it.
Zhu Shunyao and Yan Aohan got along well. The two men occasionally toasted each other. Luo Gang and the others who could drink also toasted each other. However, they remained alert. Even on New Year's Eve, they only drank lightly. If anyone came to cause trouble, being drunk would be a problem.