Chapter 2993

Chapter 2993: Eve of the New Year

Ouyang Tianyun peeled the pomelo while talking, then stuffed a piece of the fruit into Yan Xiwan’s mouth.

Yan Xiwan took a bite. "This is really good in winter. There are also frozen pears and frozen persimmons. By the way, did you buy any frozen pears or persimmons this year?"

Yan Xiwan asked Wang Suyan.

Wang Suyan looked at the pot and nodded. "Bought them long ago. They are in the cellar. Go get them if you want to eat."

In this place, refrigerators were actually unnecessary in winter because the outdoor temperature was quite low. However, the indoors remained warm thanks to the heating.

"Not today. I’ll eat them tomorrow," Yan Xiwan said, looking at the many delicious dishes in front of her.

After finishing the cabbage and lettuce, Yan Xiwan picked up a small knife. She removed the yellow outer skin of the orange, leaving only the spongy pith. She cut it into blocks about four or five centimeters wide, then made a slit in the center of each piece. The basic preparation for the pomelo pith was done.

Yan Xiwan placed a pot on the coal stove nearby and poured in water. Once the water boiled, she put the cut pomelo pith in to blanch it. After taking it out, she pressed it dry and set it aside for later use.

Seeing that his wife had finished preparing the ingredients, Ouyang Tianyun brought over the minced meat he had prepared earlier. He stuffed the meat into the processed pomelo pith, waiting for Wang Suyan to cook it.

Stuffing one food into another is called "stuffed." Stuffing minced meat into pomelo pith is called "stuffed pomelo."

Stuffed pomelo is refreshing. The minced meat is made from pork belly, so it is fatty and fragrant. Combined with the fresh scent of the pomelo, it becomes a rare delicacy when cooked.

By the time Wang Suyan finished all the dishes, Yan Tieniu had returned.

Usually, only Yan Tieniu and his wife ate together. Now that Ouyang Tianyun and Yan Xiwan were here, Yan Tieniu and Wang Suyan were naturally very happy.

The dishes were very rich. Ouyang Tianyun poured a glass of wine for Yan Tieniu. "Since Xiwan and I plan to spend the New Year here, I plan to take Xiwan back to the Ouyang house for dinner on the Little New Year’s Eve, the day after tomorrow."

"That is appropriate," Yan Tieniu said seriously. "You are registered. You are family. Going back is natural."

"Dad, shouldn’t the younger brothers be on holiday by the Little New Year’s Eve?" Yan Xiwan served a piece of stuffed pomelo to Yan Tieniu and the others, then took one for herself.

Yan Tieniu said, "According to the schedule, they should be back by the Little New Year’s Eve."

Wang Suyan said, "Forget about them. I feel like having sons is the same as having none."

"Mom, you can’t wrong them like that. At least the eldest brother and Da Sao will bring Maixiang back," Yan Xiwan said with a smile.

"That’s true. For the Little New Year, their family of three should be back," Wang Suyan said. She still liked her youngest granddaughter very much.

Yan Xiwan added, "By the way, signs of family planning have appeared across the country. Although it is not mandatory yet, it has started. It is likely that families will only have one child in the future. Shouldn’t your eldest son and daughter-in-law have another one while they still have time?"

Wang Suyan said openly, "Whether to have children or not is up to your eldest brother and sister-in-law. As parents, we have no strong opinions. Besides, what difference does it make if it’s a boy or a girl? Look at you. I think one daughter is worth several sons in other families."

Yan Tieniu agreed with his wife, nodding. "Exactly. With someone like you, one daughter is enough. Besides, in our Yan family, daughters are more popular than sons."

"What if the eldest sister-in-law has another daughter?" Yan Xiwan asked with a grin.

"Come on. Look at your second brother and sister-in-law. They only had a boy. I said years ago that your generation will probably only have Maixiang as a daughter," Wang Suyan waved her hand.

Ouyang Tianyun said from the side, "As Mom and Dad said, having one outstanding child is enough. It is better to have fewer but better children."

"Well said," Yan Tieniu laughed.

Wang Suyan added, "You are registered now. After the wedding ceremony next year, have a child soon. I can help you take care of it then."

Ouyang Tianyun and Yan Xiwan paused. Yan Xiwan then smiled. "I don’t have the idea of having children. I have many things to do, and Tianyun has many things too. If we cannot educate the child ourselves, it is better not to have one. Having a child without raising it properly is wrong."

Wang Suyan glared at Yan Xiwan. "What are you saying? You don’t want a child, but what about Tianyun?"

Ouyang Tianyun hurriedly said, "Mom, there is no rush. I think living as a couple is better. And as Xiwan said, if we have a child but do not educate him, that is irresponsible as parents. So, let’s wait until we have time. If we are too old to have children later, we can just adopt a few then."

Ouyang Tianyun said this without any hesitation.

Wang Suyan looked at Ouyang Tianyun and then at Yan Xiwan. Seeing that they truly did not plan to have children, she did not say anything more, though she did not understand why.

Soon, it was the Little New Year’s Eve. Ouyang Tianyun and Yan Xiwan went to the Ouyang house for dinner.

Ouyang’s father and mother were happy to see them.

However, since it was only the Little New Year’s Eve, some units had not yet started their holidays. So, they did not go to the Ouyang ancestral home for dinner. They only ate at Ouyang’s father and mother’s place.

"We will go to the ancestral home on New Year’s Eve. Next year, on New Year’s Eve, Xiwan will go to the ancestral home with Tianyun to stay up and celebrate the New Year," Ouyang’s father said.

Yan Xiwan smiled politely. "Thank you, Mom and Dad, for understanding and letting me spend this New Year at my娘家 (maiden home)."

"Our generation views the registration of marriage as just a procedure. We value the ceremony more," Ouyang’s father said to Yan Xiwan. "So, it is understandable that you did not go to the ancestral home this year."

Ouyang’s mother served Yan Xiwan a piece of fish. "I heard you completed a major project this year. You must have used a lot of brainpower. It is good to eat more fish now."

"Thank you, Mom," Yan Xiwan said, not being polite, and ate the fish.

"Dad, I plan to find someone to test the mecha next year," Yan Xiwan said after dinner. As usual, she and Ouyang Tianyun accompanied Ouyang’s father to the study.

Ouyang’s father was slightly stunned. "You have already researched the mecha?"

"Almost. The prototype of the first generation is out, but it needs testing. So, I plan to try it next year. I need to borrow Base 13 next year. Dad, please help arrange it," Ouyang Tianyun made his request.

Ouyang’s father nodded slightly. "In that case, Base 13 can be used. No problem. I will handle this matter."