"No need, it's their own destiny. If they aren't happy with each other, it won't happen. I didn't play any role," Zhang Liunian said, waving his hands in refusal after listening.
"Our New Year's visit is just to foster closeness. It's the same whether you come to my house or the eldest goes to yours," Old Man Zhang said with a smile, seeing Zhang Liunian still being so polite.
Zhang Liunian agreed, and they didn't discuss the matter further.
Old Man Zhang seemed to have a lot he wanted to say to Zhang Liunian. Seeing that Zhang Liunian wasn't speaking, he immediately started talking about the village's changes again, such as who had built a new house, who had gotten married, and who had married off a daughter.
All of this was brought about by Zhang Liunian for their Zhang family village. Old Man Zhang looked at Zhang Liunian with admiration as he spoke, making Zhang Liunian feel a bit embarrassed.
Zhao Zhijie, on the side, gradually found the conversation interesting and was quite pleased. This was far better than spending New Year alone behind closed doors. Especially here, whenever he met someone, he would hear them praise, thank, and admire his godnephew. This made Zhao Zhijie happier than if others praised him.
Zhang Liunian was unaware of Zhao Zhijie's inner thoughts. After staying there for over three hours, he got up and, with Uncle Zhao, returned home for lunch. After lunch, they went to Zhang Hao's house.
Before they even got close to Zhang Hao's house, Zhang Liunian smelled the aroma of meat from a distance. When he reached the courtyard entrance, he saw cured meat hanging under the eaves not far away.
Immediately, Zhang Liunian heard Zhang Qian's voice: "Dad, this TV was given to me by Brother Liunian. When I get married, I'll put it in our room. For now, I'm lending it to you to watch. Don't not return it to me when the time comes. This TV is worth a lot of money."
"..."
Zhang Liunian stopped in his tracks, speechless. Saying such things during the New Year was asking for trouble, wasn't it?
As he was thinking this, the next moment, Zhang Liunian heard Zhang Hao's roar, "You brat, you've forgotten your mother before you've even gotten married! See if I don't beat you."
"Dad, you're being unreasonable. You clearly said that we brothers earn things for ourselves. I was just reminding you, why do I have to be beaten?"
Zhang Qian ran while feeling wronged. When he rushed into the courtyard and saw Zhang Liunian, he immediately stopped and exclaimed with surprise, "Brother Liunian?"
"You brat, calling for Liunian won't save you from this beating." Zhang Hao, holding a bamboo stick, swung it without hesitation. Zhang Qian yelped in pain and scurried away, covering his head.
As Zhang Qian left, Zhang Liunian's presence was immediately revealed. Seeing this, Zhang Hao immediately dropped the bamboo stick, his anger turning into a smile, "Liunian, you're here? Quick, quick, come in and sit with me."
As for his son, who was he? In that instant, Zhang Hao had completely forgotten about him.
"Uncle's spirit is really high. You weren't any slower than Little Qian just now," Zhang Liunian said, walking into the house beside him and joking.
A hint of embarrassment flickered across Zhang Hao's face. He had been angered by that brat, which was why he had run out of the house so quickly. He hadn't even noticed Zhang Liunian and the others.
"It's all because this brat angers me. Let's not talk about him. Tell me about the outside world. I heard from Little Qian that you've been to many places, first to our provincial capital, then to Pengcheng, and you're even going to Hong Kong City for the New Year, is that true?" Zhang Hao envied Zhang Liunian, who could travel everywhere. He had lived this long and the farthest he had ever been was to Nancheng, and only twice. He couldn't even distinguish between the places.
"Without any unforeseen circumstances, I will be heading to Hong Kong City shortly after the New Year," Zhang Liunian said. He still had the invitation to the banquet promised to Mr. Xue, and he also needed to look for safety helmets in Pengcheng. If they weren't available in Pengcheng, they would definitely be in Hong Kong City.
"I heard it's very prosperous there. I wonder how prosperous it really is." Zhang Hao used to listen to the radio and occasionally heard about Hong Kong City's wealth and prosperity, but he didn't know the specifics.
"I'm not sure about that either. I'll tell you when I get back," Zhang Liunian said. He had never been there in this life, so he couldn't answer the question.
However, he had been there many times in his previous life, though the mainland wasn't much different then.
"Okay, then I'll wait for you to tell me next year when you return."
"..."
After they chatted for a while, Zhang Liunian saw that it was getting late and got up to leave.
After Zhang Liunian left, Zhang Hao looked at his younger son, who was squatting on the side, shelling sunflower seeds, and said, "That man just now was the uncle Liunian recognized, right?"
"Yes!" Zhang Qian replied, looking up.
"He really looks like a high-ranking official in the city." Although Zhao Zhijie hadn't spoken, Zhang Hao could tell he was no ordinary person.
"He is a leader. But now he's changed careers to help Brother Liunian manage the food factory in Nancheng, and he's managing it very well."
"Aren't you also managing the pig farm?" Zhang Hao glared at his younger son, thinking, why boast about others and belittle yourself? You're not bad either.
But Zhang Qian truly didn't feel he was better than Zhao Zhijie, because there wasn't much to do in the pig farm. As long as the pigs weren't sick, it was just a matter of letting the subordinates clean and feed them. How could it compare to a food factory?
"How can I compare to him?" Zhang Qian said, then turned and went back into the house.
"..." Zhang Hao was speechless.
The day quietly passed with Zhang Liunian visiting around, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for the evening's highlight, the New Year's Eve dinner.
Yu Xiaohua had been busy from early morning until evening, preparing thirty-eight dishes, including meat, vegetables, and soup.
After Zhang Liunian personally set off the firecrackers, everyone sat down at the table and began the feast.
"Mom and Dad, eldest brother, youngest sister, Happy New Year." Before the New Year's Eve dinner, Zhang Liunian proposed a toast to everyone.
Everyone also raised their tea cups and said, "Happy New Year," before drinking it all.
After putting down their cups, everyone started picking up their chopsticks to eat, occasionally chatting, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.
"Mom, you worked hard today. Eat more meat to replenish yourself," Zhang Liunian stood up and served Yu Xiaohua a few bites of meat.
Yu Xiaohua was very moved. She then served Zhang Liunian a few bites of fried rice cake with meat, "Third son, this is what you like to eat. Mom specially fried it until it was golden and crispy. Mom knows you like this kind."
After serving her son, Yu Xiaohua also served her younger daughter, "Youngest sister, you like fried rice cake with meat too. Eat up."
Zhang Xiaomei was flattered and touched, her eyes red, "Thank you, Mom."
"As long as you're not angry with me anymore," Yu Xiaohua said, feeling relieved that her daughter was so easily appeased.
"Mom, I understand your actions. But I have a capable third brother who can ensure I live a good life. Just for you giving me such a capable third brother, your daughter won't be angry with you." Thinking of the happiness she had experienced over the past six months, Zhang Xiaomei felt immense gratitude.
And the source of all this was her good third brother. Thanks to this third brother, she was living a life she could not have imagined before.
For this reason alone, she had no reason to resent her parents.
"You little girl are making fun of your mother now?" Although Yu Xiaohua felt she was good at giving birth to sons, with her second son being a golden phoenix and now her third son being a lucky star, even she had to admit that she was too good at it.