Chapter 386 Giving Out Gifts
Perhaps because they were eager to return home, Qin Yao and his wife never stopped during the journey. When they were hungry, it was Qin Yao who drove the carriage. Liu Ji went into the carriage and heated up the dry food he had brought from the inn the day on the charcoal stove.
By the evening of the next day, we arrived at the boundary of Kaiyang County.
It was already getting very late, but both of them did not hesitate, continued to light the torch, and braved the cold wind for another three hours of night driving, arriving at Liujia Village late at night.
In the small village late at night, it was so quiet that only the awakened dogs were barking.
Everyone in the family was asleep, but Awang heard the noise outside the courtyard. He came down from the attic in disbelief. When the back door opened, he saw the smiling faces of the couple in the firelight.
Liu Ji's nose was red from the cold, but when he saw this familiar yard, all the fatigue and coldness disappeared, and he only felt peaceful and warm in his heart.
Awang felt that the couple must be crazy. Snowflakes were already flying in the sky. They were traveling at night in such bad weather. It was scary to think about what would happen if something happened.
"Give!"
Qin Yao handed the candied haws of sugar haws to Awang after she rummaged through the carriage for a while.
A large handful, there must be about twenty of them.
Awang was shocked and said: "I can't finish eating."
Qin Yao said funnyly: "You eat first. If you can't finish the rest, we will help you eat it." He originally planned to buy it and eat it with the whole family.
When Liu Ji saw Awang, he didn't want to do anything. He grabbed the candied haws in his hand and said, "Master, I will take it in and help you put it away. I will eat it when I get up tomorrow."
With that said, he entered the yard and went to the kitchen, saying that he was going to make two pots of charcoal so that he could smoke them in the house and sleep warmly.
Awang's eyes were glued to Liu Ji's hand until he could no longer see the large handful of candied haws, then he rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward to unload the carriage.
Lao Huang was so tired that he kept panting with his tongue hanging out. Awang patted its head in distress and said, "I'll feed you later."
As if he understood, Lao Huang immediately turned his head and licked Awang.
Qin Yao moved all the New Year's gifts on the carriage into the house, doing so gently to avoid disturbing the children.
After driving all the way, they were tired and hungry, and the iron-clad people couldn't bear it. The carriage and horse were handed over to Awang. Qin Yao and Liu Ji soaked their feet in hot water, washed their faces, and ate two more bites of the leftover food Liu Ji used in the kitchen. After cooking soup and rice, everyone went back to their seats and went to sleep.
This time, Qin Yao didn't wake up until daylight.
Since morning, there have been rustling sounds outside the door. The four brothers and sisters of Dalang took turns coming here four times. Seeing that my mother was not awake yet, they sighed again and returned to the main room. Baba looked at the things on the table and waited.
Qin Yao didn't get up, and no one was allowed to touch the things on the table. Liu Ji wanted to take out a bag of pastries to eat first, but the four children immediately surrounded the table and said stubbornly: "We can't share it until grandma comes!"
Awang came in with hot salted Yuanxiao and added: "It will be more ceremonial if Madam comes over."
Yes, this word has been transmitted from Siniang to Awang.
So, with the expectation of the whole family, the door of Qin Yao's house was finally opened, and she came over yawning and with disheveled hair.
Si Niang screamed in surprise and rushed over immediately, "A Niang!"
Saburo followed closely and hugged his thigh.
Dalang and Erlang also gathered around happily, asking questions.
Qin Yao stretched out her long arms and gathered the four warm stoves into her arms. The cold air that had just come out of the bed was instantly dissipated.
"Auntie, give me a comb." Si Niang ran to the window sill of the shower room and tiptoed to bring the wooden comb to Qin Yao.
Sanlang helped her hold the small bronze mirror, while Dalang and Erlang went to fetch the hot water for washing, twisted the handkerchief thoughtfully, and held it in their hands, waiting for the 'lucky moment'.
Liu Ji, who was sitting opposite the brazier and eating Yuanxiao in his hand, felt like he was watching a play.
The play was right in front of me, and I could reach out and touch the people in it. He should have been integrated into it, but at this moment he was reduced to a backdrop.
Awang put all the Lantern Festivals he brought on the small table. None of the four Dalang brothers wanted to eat, and their eyes all fell on the pile of New Year gifts on the big table.
It was so obvious that Qin Yao had noticed it a long time ago. It was really hard for them to wait for him to reach this point.
After finishing cleaning herself, Qin Yao stood up and came to the table. The eyes of the whole family immediately followed her.
Qin Yao handed out gifts one by one.
A silver lock and a copy of "Miscellaneous Notes on Travels in Shu".
"Da Lang, this is for you."
Dalang happily accepted it, he liked the book very much. However, such a precious object as a silver lock was a bit unexpected. Dalang glanced at Qin Yao in surprise, "Mom, this is a silver lock."
"Yes, I made money this year. Each of you four brothers and sisters will get a piece of silver jewelry, which is a New Year gift for you this year." Qin Yao smiled and motioned for him to put it on, and then said to Awang who was standing by the door: "You also have it. , one for each member of the family.”
With the new year and new atmosphere, Qin Yao felt that she had to get a brand new outfit on the New Year’s day to bring good fortune for the coming year!
With this conspicuous bag, Liu Ji immediately raised his hand to fiddle with his hair, showing off his white jade hairpin.
Now, Erlang, Sanlang and Four Niang were even more excited.
Erlang rubbed his hands together, "Auntie, where's mine?"
Qin Yao picked up Liu Ji's book box, which was full of rare gadgets he wanted - zodiac pinwheels.
There is also a scripture silver lock like Dalang.
Erlang was not polite at all. He immediately put on the silver lock and dragged a box of windmills to the side to check. He was thinking about how much to price, when to sell it, where to sell it, etc.
Seeing the look of desire in Sanlang and Si Niang's eyes, she generously took out one and let the two of them play with it.
The twins are flattered, the second brother is so generous today!
"San Lang and Si Niang!" Qin Yao called out, and the brother and sister immediately came to her.
Qin Yao hung two silver necklaces around the necks of the brother and sister. There was a silver lock bag hanging in the middle of the necklace. There were three small bells on the lock bag. When you shake it, it will make a crisp sound. It jingles, Siniang. I love it so much.
This is her first piece of jewelry. The little girl is very precious. She has to take it off after wearing it for a while, for fear of getting damaged.
"Aniang, I want to save it and wear it again during the Chinese New Year."
Sanlang is his sister's follower, so he also wants to take off the collar and ask Qin Yao to help him put it away first, and then he and his sister will wear it during the Chinese New Year to pay New Year greetings and get money to pay for troubles.
"Okay, then I will help you put it away first." Qin Yao asked Dalang and Erlang again, "Do you want to keep it yourself or leave it to me?"
"Can I still choose?" Erlang asked in surprise.
In his mind, adults do not allow children to keep valuables by themselves, and they are not even allowed to touch them on weekdays.
Qin Yao nodded, "You can take care of your own things, but I have told you in advance that if you lose your things, you will bear the consequences yourself. And next time you have valuables, you have to give them to adults for safekeeping."