The job of rolling the dough was handed over to Gong Tianhao, Xiao Lingyu, and Xiao Lingye. Xiao Lingye and Xiao Lingyu learned how to do this when they were young.
Fourth Aunt Xiao and Xiao Zhengyang helped Mother Xiao in the kitchen. The others helped with wrapping the dumplings.
Old Master Gong saw the commotion and happily came over to join in the fun. He said, “I’m here to make dumplings too!”
He knew how to make dumplings when he was young, so he didn’t need anyone to teach him. His movements were very agile as he made dumplings.
“Grandfather, you actually know how to make dumplings?” Even Gong Tianhao was shocked. He had been together with his grandfather for more than thirty years and didn’t know that his grandfather knew how to make dumplings.
Old Master Gong snorted coldly at Gong Tianhao and said, “Hmph, when I learned how to make dumplings, you probably weren’t even born yet.”
Gong Tianhao, “…” That was probably true.
Xiao Letong went out to play for a while. When he heard that they were making dumplings at home, he came back with Xiao Ling. When he saw that everyone was making dumplings, his eyes immediately lit up. He smiled and said, “Are we eating dumplings tonight?”
Third Aunt Xiao smiled and said, “Knowing that our Tong Tong likes dumplings, we definitely have to make them.”
Xiao Letong rolled up his sleeves and said eagerly, “I want to make dumplings too!”
Xiao Ling immediately echoed, “Then I’ll make dumplings too!”
With so many people making dumplings together, it was lively and interesting.
Gong Tianhao immediately asked him, “Brat, do you know how to make dumplings?”
“No,” Xiao Letong said righteously, “I don’t know how to make dumplings. But I can learn. Daddy, you also just learned how to roll out the dough, right?”
“Oh. Tong Tong actually knows that your father just learned how to roll out the dough?” Eldest Aunt Xiao said with a smile.
Xiao Letong said with his chest puffed out, “Of course. For a young master like him, who has been living a luxurious life since he was young, it’s impossible for him to know how to cook. So he must have just learned this skill.”
“Pfft!”
“Haha…”
When everyone heard Tong Tong’s words, they found it funny.
Gong Tianhao, who had been ridiculed by his son, had a few black lines on his forehead. He knocked on Xiao Letong’s head and scolded, “Brat, can you mock your father like that?”
Xiao Letong touched the spot where he had been knocked and said indignantly, “Daddy, I only told the truth. Also, don’t hit my head anymore. What if I become dumb? Then, your child prodigy will become an idiot. You’ll cry then.”
“…” Gong Tianhao said, “You’re on a roll, aren’t you?”
Then, he raised his hand and wanted to hit Tong Tong’s head again.
Xiao Letong immediately hid behind Xiao Lingyu and said, “Mommy, help!”
Gong Tianhao, “…”
Everyone, “…”
Xiao Lingyu immediately protected her son and said, “Our son isn’t wrong. In the future, you’re not allowed to hit his head again. You’ll really cry if he turns from a genius into an idiot.”
“…” Gong Tianhao saw his wife protecting his son and said innocently and jealously, “Wife, I only hit him lightly.”
“No, he hit my head very hard.” Xiao Letong immediately stuck his head out from behind Xiao Lingyu and complained loudly, “Mommy, you have to save me.”
The others watched the family of three from the side. Then, third aunt Xiao smiled and said, “Tong Tong, why don’t you hit your father back?”
Xiao Letong immediately shook his head and refused, “That won’t do. He is my father. No matter what, I can’t hit him.”
Gong Tianhao, “…” Then, there was a smack on his head.
At this moment, Gong Tianhao touched his head and looked at his grandfather, who had knocked on his head, in a daze. He asked, “Grandfather, what are you doing?”
Old Master Gong said, “Since you knock my great-grandson’s head, I will knock your head! If you dare, knock my head back!”
“…” Gong Tianhao looked at Xiao Lingyu with a wronged expression and said, “Wife, our son and grandfather are bullying me. You have to help me.”
Xiao Lingyu immediately spread her hands and said with a smile, “You have offended the public. I can’t help you.”
Gong Tianhao, “…” Wife, don’t you love me anymore?
“Haha…”
Everyone burst into laughter.
…
There was strength in numbers. Over 2000 dumplings were ready in two hours.
They picked up the dumplings they were going to cook that night and kept the rest in the refrigerator.
The other food was almost ready too.
The men from the Xiao family carried a basket with nine bowls in it. There were nine kinds of things, such as tea, wine, rice, fruits, and so on. They also brought incense, candles, and firecrackers to the ancestral hall. This was a form of worship in the countryside. Every new year, they had to go to the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors.
This time, Gong Tianhao did not follow them. After all, he was not a native of Taoyuan Village.
After the Xiao family man returned from the ancestral hall, the dishes were placed on the table. Mother Xiao boiled some dumplings.
Everyone took their seats.
The person who took the seat at the head of the table was either the oldest elder or the most distinguished guest.
This time, the person who occupied the head of the table was Grandpa Xiao, followed by Old Master Gong and Grandma Xiao. The rest could sit anywhere they wanted.
After the elders took their seats, the others took their seats one by one.
The elders sat at one table, and the juniors sat at another table. As the son-in-law of the Xiao family, Gong Tianhao had a special status, so he sat at the same table as the elders.
“Where’s Qiuying?” Grandma Xiao looked around and realized Mother Xiao wasn’t there. “Qiuying, come and eat quickly,” Grandma Xiao shouted.
“Yes, Mom, I’m coming!” Mother Xiao’s voice came from the kitchen. “I’m just making the seasoning for the dumplings.”
Soon, Mother Xiao carried two small bowls of soy sauce mixed with chili and a bowl of vinegar.
Mother Xiao said, “Dumplings taste better with chili and vinegar.”
After placing the two small bowls on the table, Mother Xiao sat down next to Father Xiao.
Grandma Xiao smiled and said, “Qiuying, you’ve worked hard all day. Thank you!”
Mother Xiao smiled and said, “Everyone has been busy too. Even Tong Tong and Ling ‘Er helped make the dumplings. So it wasn’t that busy for me.”
Xiao Letong said happily, “Yes, I’ve learned how to make dumplings.”
Xiao Ling added, “I’ve learned how to make dumplings too!”
“Good, good. You two kids are great. You’ve worked hard.” The others praised them with a smile.
“Come, everyone, fill your cups with wine. The kids can drink fruit juice.” Grandpa Xiao said happily.
Then, Xiao Lingye and Xiao Lingshuo, the two juniors, poured health wine for the elders.
After everyone had their cups filled, Grandpa Xiao, the most senior member of the Xiao family, said happily, “Today is New Year’s Eve. Everyone in the family is here. Tianhao woke up safe and sound and even spent new year with us. My In-law also came. I’m really happy. I hope that in the future, we will spend New Year’s Eve together every year. Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Everyone raised their glasses together.
“We’ll have this reunion every year!”
“Cheers!”
After that, Grandpa Xiao added, “Everyone is promising and capable. The family is united. Mom and Dad are very happy. Thanks to Yu ‘Er, everyone is rich. I hope that you won’t forget this unity and harmony.”
All these years, Grandpa Xiao would remind his children and grandchildren of making any mistakes. He had seen on television how wealthy families turned on each other over money. Grandpa Xiao didn’t want that to happen to his descendants.
Once Eldest Uncle Xiao heard that, he said, “Dad, don’t worry. We’ll always be united to help Yu ‘Er and her company!”
“That’s right, Dad. We are rich now, but we are not ungrateful people,” third uncle Xiao said seriously, “Our good days are all thanks to Yu ‘Er, second brother, and second sister-in-law. We know that very well in our hearts. We will remember our duty.”
Fourth Uncle Xiao also said, “Dad, if we didn’t have Yu ‘Er and second brother’s help, we would still be farming and working for 30 RMB a day. We will always remember the kindness of Yu ‘Er and second brother. Not only that, but the children will also remember it.”
After Grandpa Xiao heard this, he said with satisfaction, “As long as you have this kind of self-awareness. I don’t have that many years left in me. My only hope is that my children and grandchildren will be united and harmonious.”
“Of course, dad.”
“Of course, grandpa!”
“Good, I can now rest in peace.” Grandpa Xiao said happily.
“Father, it’s the New Year. Don’t say these things. You will definitely live to be a hundred years old. You still have decades to live.” Xiao Zhengyang smiled.
“You’re right. Your mother and I will live to see more grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” Grandpa Xiao said with a smile.
At this moment, grandma Xiao echoed, “That’s right. We want to see Ye ‘Er, Shuo ‘Er, and the others get married and have children. We also want to see Tong Tong get married and have children. We also want to attend Rourou and Lulu’s marriages.”
“Let’s cheer for a long life!”
