Chapter 52: New Year’s Eve

The accountant had originally thought it would take at least two or three days to completely settle the work points, but Su Yue’s calculation speed was astonishingly fast. It took her only half a day to finish the portion assigned to her, while the accountant’s own part was still unfinished.

So the next day, Su Yue spent another half day helping the accountant with his share. By noon, all the accounts were completed.

The brigade’s accountant could hardly express his gratitude to Su Yue. She had helped him immensely. In previous years, he had to spend at least ten days working non-stop on the year-end settlement. But this year, thanks to Su Yue, the work was done in just two days. This meant they could distribute the goods to the members earlier and avoid being chased around and pressed by anxious villagers.

Through this matter, the Party Secretary also began to look at Su Yue with new respect. Originally, he had disliked the educated youths sent down to the countryside. In his eyes, they were delicate, unable to do farm work, with lofty ambitions but little ability. They didn’t work well, yet the brigade still had to feed and house them while they were just a burden on everyone. So, both the commune members and the Party Secretary had little fondness for educated youths. Usually, when he saw them, he hoped only that they wouldn’t cause trouble.

His impression of Su Yue had been that of a very pretty but delicate girl, always asking for leave whenever she struggled with work. He hadn’t thought much of her. But unexpectedly, though she wasn’t good at manual labor, she proved herself to be remarkably clever and skilled with numbers even better than him at calculating.

With her help this time, the year-end settlement had gone smoothly and without delay.

Pleased, the Party Secretary rewarded Su Yue generously with five kilograms of lean meat and another five kilograms of fatty meat.

At that time, everyone especially valued fatty meat. When meat was distributed, families always hoped to receive more fat since it provided precious oil for cooking. Fatty pork could be rendered into lard, which made dishes fragrant and rich. For the Party Secretary to give away five full kilograms of fatty meat was no small gesture.

Although Su Yue herself preferred lean meat, she did not refuse. She knew that the rendered oil would allow her to use more oil in her cooking, making every dish taste better. Carrying the bundle of pork fat, she went home happily.

When Old Lady Han saw the large portion of fat, her eyes curved into joyful slits. “Wonderful, wonderful! Now I can render at least two big jars of oil. We won’t have to worry about using oil in our cooking during the New Year.”

Indeed, the New Year was a time when oil was indispensable. That very afternoon, Old Lady Han turned the five kilograms of fat into fragrant lard. Along with the oil, she also produced a large pot of cracklings. Cracklings were a delicacy in those days and were crispy, rich, and bursting with flavor. For families who rarely tasted oil all year round, even one bite of fresh, hot cracklings filled the mouth with savory richness, making them feel blissful. Sprinkling sugar on them made the treat even more heavenly.

Han Aimin was given a small bowl of cracklings by his grandmother. Overjoyed, he perched on a little bench by the stove, munching happily while tending the fire. His grin stretched from ear to ear.

Old Lady Han also wanted to serve Su Yue a bowl, but Su Yue quickly waved her hands. “Mom, I don’t want any. I really don’t like this.” She couldn’t stomach such greasy food.

Old Lady Han sighed. “You just don’t know how to enjoy blessings. You never like the delicious things and always prefer those plain, tasteless ones.”

Su Yue could only smile awkwardly. Old lady, I truly just don’t like fatty foods.

—–

The next morning, the production captain’s voice rang out over the loudspeaker, calling all members to gather at the brigade headquarters for the year-end settlement and distribution.

The news filled the members with joy. They praised the brigade cadres for being efficient this year—settling the accounts so early, unlike previous years when they had to wait until the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month or even New Year’s Eve.

Snow was still falling outside, and the cold was bone-chilling. Su Yue disliked going out in such weather. She asked Han Aiguo to take Han Aimin along to collect their share, while she stayed home to continue preparing for the New Year. Besides making melon-seed candy for guests, the most important task was planning the New Year’s Eve dinner.

This year, the whole family would be together, more than a dozen people in total. Su Yue calculated that she would need to prepare at least a dozen dishes. To ensure there was enough food for everyone, she planned to make meatballs. Since each household had been given tofu when the brigade ground soybeans, she had saved one piece for stir-frying with cabbage. The rest she set aside to make tofu balls.

Before starting on the food, however, Su Yue gathered Han Aimin and Hehua. She announced, “Starting tomorrow, we’ll officially begin our annual holiday. That means no more classes until after the New Year.”

Though both children were diligent in their studies, they were still children and loved holidays. The moment they heard her words, they clapped and laughed with delight.

But when they were at their happiest, Su Yue added, “However, before the holiday, you must take a final exam. This will be the biggest test of the year. The top scorer will receive a pencil case and two yuan as a reward.”

The laughter on their faces froze, replaced by nervousness and anticipation. They worried about not doing well but were also excited at the thought of such a prize. Two yuan was no small amount, and a new pencil case was a coveted treasure.

Su Yue personally prepared the exam papers. The questions were all drawn from what she had taught them recently, a way to see how much they had mastered.

Because she usually taught them strictly and they studied diligently, their progress had been rapid. By now, they had completed the entire third-grade curriculum. Thus, the test Su Yue gave them could be considered a final exam for the third grade.

The Chinese exam included vocabulary, poem completion, sentence building, a short comprehension passage, and a 100-word essay. It was not easy and certainly more difficult than the simple questions given by the village’s primary school teacher. The mathematics paper was filled with calculation problems.

Han Aimin and Hehua sat across from each other at the table, each with a paper and pen in hand. Once Su Yue announced the start, they bent their heads and began to write in earnest.

The Chinese exam lasted two and a half hours, followed by the two-hour math exam. Altogether, the tests took up the entire morning.

Su Yue placed her watch on the table so they could manage their time themselves.

Not only Su Yue but the entire household took the test seriously. Old Lady Han peeked out from the kitchen every so often, smiling with pride as she watched the children concentrating hard. Elderly people always felt joy in seeing youngsters study diligently.

Even Han Lao-er’s family, who rarely visited, took an unusual interest. His wife, especially, hovered beside Hehua as though acting as an invigilator, eyeing her daughter nervously. To her, the prize was important, not just for Hehua, but because the pencil case would later be useful for her son Xiaolei, and the two yuan could cover forty catties of salt.

Standing over Hehua, she urged, “Hehua, write carefully. Don’t make mistakes. If you slip up and don’t get first place, I’ll have something to say about it.”

Hehua’s pen hesitated, and she bit her lip nervously.

Su Yue’s expression darkened. “Second sister-in-law, please don’t disturb the children while they’re taking the exam. Even if Hehua knows the answers, she may falter if you pressure her like this.”

Her words silenced the woman, though reluctantly. Han Lao-er tugged his wife away, muttering, “Let’s go. You can’t even read, so what are you doing here distracting the child? There’s plenty to do at home.”

Dragged off, she left unwillingly.

Su Yue gently patted Hehua’s head. “Don’t be affected by others. Only you can decide your own path.”

Hehua’s eyes grew firm. She nodded and bent back over her paper.

By noon, the exams were over. Su Yue collected the four papers and graded them during lunch.

Because Han Aimin had studied arithmetic longer, he was better at math. This time, he scored full marks, while Hehua lost five points on a calculation, earning ninety-five. But in Chinese, Hehua outperformed him, scoring ninety-five to his eighty-eight.

When the totals were added up, Hehua edged ahead by two points.

Thus, Hehua became the top scorer of the final exam.

When the results were announced, Hehua was so happy that she nearly fainted. When she received the beautiful pencil case and two yuan from Su Yue, she couldn’t help but cry.

No one else could understand the enormous impact this had on her heart. For her, this was not just about taking first place; it was a moment of confidence that lit up her future and pointed her toward a new path.

Since childhood, her parents had never taken her seriously. She had always seemed like an insignificant existence in the family, as though the only purpose of her life was to take care of her younger brother and support him in the future.

But now she realized that she did not exist for her brother’s sake. She herself could be strong, worthy of praise, and capable of leading her own life. She could become someone great and she was not the useless failure her mother had always said she was!

Su Yue understood Hehua’s feelings. She patted her back, wiped her tears, and whispered softly, “Remember, you can also be great. As long as you work hard, you can become whoever you want to be. Don’t care what others say. Only you can decide your own life.”

Hehua nodded firmly, imprinting Su Yue’s words deep in her heart. She resolved to think of them whenever she faced difficulties in the future, using them as motivation to push through again and again.

Han Aimin, however, was a little disappointed that he had not won first place. As an uncle, he had actually lost to his niece, and he felt so embarrassed that he didn’t even want to look anyone in the eye.

Su Yue patted his shoulder and comforted him. “It doesn’t matter if you didn’t get first place this time. Just work harder next time. How can a man let such a small setback weigh on his heart?”

Han Aiguo also encouraged him, patting his younger brother on the shoulder. “Your sister-in-law is right. Listen to her.”

Fortunately, the family soon became busy with preparations for the New Year’s holiday. On the first day of the official break, Su Yue began frying dumplings. Han Aimin was put in charge of lighting the stove fire and was kept so busy that he had no time to dwell on the exam results.

Especially when he was tending the fire and sneaking bites of the freshly fried meat dumplings and tofu dumplings. They were so fragrant he nearly bit his tongue off in excitement. He stuffed them into his mouth one after another until his lips glistened with oil, all his earlier disappointment and embarrassment completely forgotten.

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, they fried dumplings. On the twenty-ninth, they prepared the dishes. Soon, New Year’s Eve had arrived.

Early in the morning, Han Lao-er, his wife, and their three children came over from their new home to help. Han Lao-er’s wife handed half a catty of meat and a bag of brown sugar to Old Lady Han. “Mom, we used up everything building the house this year. We don’t have much at home. Please don’t dislike this little gift.”

Old Lady Han didn’t mind in the least. As long as they showed thoughtfulness, she was satisfied. After putting the items away, she went to her room and brought out a handful of candies, giving the children some snacks. The kids jumped in joy.

Not long after, Han Lao-san also arrived with his wife and their child, Maomao. His wife, though able to move around now as long as it wasn’t strenuous, acted overly cautious. She sat down immediately upon arrival, not bothering to help or even greet Su Yue and Han Aiguo. Apart from acknowledging Old Lady Han, she didn’t say a word.

Seeing this, Su Yue couldn’t be bothered with her. If she didn’t take the initiative to greet others, then Su Yue certainly wouldn’t. She busied herself with preparations and simply treated her as though she didn’t exist.

Old Lady Han was also annoyed, but since the woman still carried a baby in her belly, she let it go. Like Su Yue, she pretended she wasn’t there.

Han Lao-san frowned at his wife’s behavior and wanted to scold her, but since it was the New Year, he held back. Quarreling at his mother’s house would only ruin the festive mood. He simply let it go and went to his elder brother instead. “Brother, if you need any help, just tell me.”

Han Aiguo didn’t stand on ceremony. “Mother and the others are cooking. We’ve divided up the work, but we still need some hay moved. Go to the kitchen and wash the dishes and chopsticks for later.”

“Alright, I’ll get to it!” Han Lao-san said happily. He was delighted that his elder brother had spoken to him so naturally and immediately rushed off to help.

His wife, however, secretly curled her lips. What a fool, she thought. He acted as if being given chores was some kind of blessing.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the main chefs were Su Yue and Old Lady Han, while Han Lao-er’s wife helped on the side.

For this year’s New Year’s Eve feast, Su Yue had planned ten dishes. In addition to the already prepared meat dumplings and tofu dumplings, she used the extra tofu to make a tofu-and-cabbage stir-fry. Old Lady Han had gotten up early that morning to slaughter a chicken they had raised for over a year specifically for the New Year. Su Yue braised it into a rich chicken dish.

Since meat had also been distributed for the holiday, Su Yue made braised pork, shredded pork stir-fried with sauce, and served it alongside pancakes she had made herself, creating a proper dish of shredded pork with Beijing sauce.

The remaining four dishes were vegetarian: spicy and sour shredded potatoes, stewed eggplant, fish-flavored shredded pork, and glutinous rice-stuffed lotus root.

Han Lao-er’s wife stood to the side watching in awe, frozen in place for a long while.

Good heavens, was this a meal fit for the President?

When would ordinary farmers like them ever eat such good food for New Year’s? The best meal she could remember in her whole life had been last year’s New Year’s Eve. Back then, the family had not yet split, and because the eldest brother received an army allowance, their conditions had improved. Old Lady Han had cooked six dishes, two of them meat, and she had eaten so much her mouth shone with oil. At the time, she had thought no day could be better than that.

But now she realized last year’s meal was nothing compared to this year’s. This year’s table was like a royal banquet. Some of these dishes she had never even tasted before, and just the aroma made her stomach churn with hunger.

It turned out that after the family separation, her eldest brother and mother had been living this well. Meanwhile, her own household had used up everything on building their house, leaving their food worse than it had been before. If they hadn’t separated, wouldn’t she also be living this kind of good life?

At that moment, she suddenly wished the family had never split.

Old Lady Han called her name several times. “Why are you standing there dazed, second daughter-in-law?”

She snapped back to her senses. “Ah? Mom, what did you call me for?”

Old Lady Han pointed at the pots. “The dishes are ready. Carry them to the table. Have your husband and the others arrange the bowls and chopsticks. We’re ready to eat.”

“Oh, okay.” She quickly put away her distracting thoughts, carried the dishes into the main room, and set them on the table. But when she saw Han Lao-san’s wife sitting at the table cracking melon seeds without lifting a finger to help, irritation rose in her chest.

Why was she sitting there eating ready-made food while everyone else was busy?

Unhappy, she said aloud, “Third sister-in-law, why don’t you put out the bowls and chopsticks? It won’t take much effort.”

Han Lao-san’s wife kept chewing melon seeds, spitting the shells onto the floor, and replied lazily, “I’m pregnant. The doctor told me to rest. How can I work? Besides, my husband is already helping. There’s no need for me.”

Han Lao-er’s wife rolled her eyes. She couldn’t stand the way this woman acted like some Empress Dowager just because she was pregnant. “So what if you’re pregnant? Can’t you even lift a few bowls? You’re too delicate. What if you’re carrying a girl this time? Let’s see what you’ll say then.”

The third daughter-in-law immediately exploded, jumping up. “What did you say? You’ve had two girls, and now you’re hoping others will give birth to girls too?”

The second daughter-in-law snapped back, her temper rising at the jab about her daughters. “And you think yours is definitely a son? I’d bet it’s a girl too!”

The third daughter-in-law placed her hands on her hips and shouted louder. “Let me tell you, girls from our Zhao family are known for bearing sons! My first child was a boy, and this one will be too. I’m nothing like you!”

Their heated quarrel quickly drew attention. Before Han Lao-er and Han Lao-san could intervene, Old Lady Han stormed over from the kitchen with a cleaver in her hand. She slammed it down on the table with a loud crack.

“If you two keep quarreling, then get out of here! Don’t bother coming to my house for New Year’s dinner again!”