Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 270 - 270 270 New Year

?Chapter 270: Chapter 270 New Year Chapter 270: Chapter 270 New Year Bai Xiao woke after only four or five hours of sleep, having stayed up late last night to observe the tradition of seeing the New Year in. Unfortunately, everyone had succumbed to sleep in the end.

However, that wasn’t the case for the six little ones.

They were up early, unable to sleep, primarily because the children were excited about New Year’s—thinking of new clothes and the lucky money they would receive.

Bai Xiao and the others had already heard stirrings from the two rooms.

She had no choice but to get out of bed and start dressing and tidying up.

Bai Yue had risen even earlier and had already started a fire in the stove; they were to eat dumplings this morning of the New Year’s first day.

She had just washed her face and tied her hair back.

Bai Yue was already in the room tidying up.

Upon entering and seeing Bai Xiao was up, she said, “You’re up early, Xiao! Happy New Year! In the years to come, our family will only get better and better.” Bai Yue took a large red envelope from the cabinet and handed it to Bai Xiao.

Bai Xiao laughed and pushed it away, “Big sister, I’m already grown up. And I’ve started working and earning my own money, how can I still accept your red envelope? Don’t treat me as a child anymore. You can’t make me angry during the New Year; otherwise, I’ll be upset all year long.”

Bai Yue insisted on placing it in Bai Xiao’s hand, “Big sister knows you’re grown up and that you work, but in my eyes, you’ll always be a child. Just accept it this one last time. From now on, I’ll acknowledge you’re grown up, and the next time I give you a red envelope, it will probably be when you’re getting married,” Bai Yue said, feeling sentimental at how her little sister had grown up so quickly.

Bai Xiao, knowing her sister’s intentions, reluctantly accepted it, “Alright, big sister, thank you for the red envelope. Wishing you great fortune and prosperity.”

Perhaps in the eyes of her two sisters and brother, she would always be the most important to them, like their own child.

Only then did Bai Yue smile.

As the curtain was lifted, six children, unable to contain their eagerness, rushed in.

Bai Song, Bai Ju, and He Wang followed behind.

The three adults watched the children with smiles.

The three little ones, upon entering, promptly made the adults take their seats on the kang.

“Aunt and Uncle, we’re here to wish you a Happy New Year.”

The six children knelt down neatly in front of them to kowtow.

“Happy New Year! Wishing our elders good health, all things as you wish, and may all your wishes come true.” The auspicious words pleased everyone present.

In the village, the old tradition of kneeling down to kowtow to one’s elders on New Year’s was still observed. This village retained the simple folk customs and many of the traditions passed down from the older generation.

Bai Yue, with a smile, told the children to rise, “Alright, get up, everyone. Here’s a red envelope for each one of you. Those of you who are going to school, study hard and work even harder, so our family will see more university students in the future, and even surpass your little aunt. Those who aren’t in school, may this red envelope bring you success in all you do, and may you grow up to be capable adults.”

The children immediately burst into cheers, for the New Year’s red envelopes were, in their eyes, the most sacred and wonderful things.

Bai Xiao and Bai Ju, as well as Bai Song and He Wang, all took out their offerings, and the children couldn’t have been happier.

Each one of them held several large red envelopes in their hands, hurriedly thinking about opening them to see how much money was inside, looking just like little money-grubbers.

“Wow, Auntie’s red envelope has the most, there’s a whole dollar! Auntie, Auntie, does going to college and then working really make you so much money?” He Huanhuan held up the dollar in her hand, squeezing her way to Bai Xiao; in her eyes, her aunt was different from anybody else.

Bai Xiao patted her head and reached out to fix her braids, which were probably made carelessly that morning as they were crooked and twisted, making one almost laugh on sight.

“Yes, as long as you have knowledge, there will be many ways to make money, not just from work. With knowledge and education, any idea in a person’s mind can be turned into money. So, you need to study hard in the future. You’re so smart, and so young; as long as you work hard, I believe one day you’ll be even more amazing than your auntie,” Bai Xiao said lovingly as she finished braiding He Huanhuan’s hair.

Off to the side, Bai Yue complained about Bai Xiao spoiling the children, “You’re too indulgent with the kids, how can you give them a whole dollar each?”

“Sister, today is the first day of the lunar year; cursing someone is not allowed. If you curse me today, my whole year might not go well. Besides, these past years it’s been you who provided me with living expenses. It’s not easy that this year I finally earned a salary of my own. Can’t I give my own niece a little red envelope? It’s the thought that counts. The amount isn’t the most important thing; the problem is that this red envelope can only represent our family’s life getting better and better. It’s a blessing.”

Bai Yue almost rolled her eyes, “Your way with words… I just can’t win against you. I’ve noticed that you educated people, once you learn something, the first thing that gets sharp is your tongue. Ever since you got into college, your mouth has become slicker and more powerful.”

Bai Song laughed, “Big sister, what does that mean? It means our Bai Xiao is now an impressive person. From now on, no one will dare to bully her. I like her spunky character; it saves her from being like before, a pushover.”

Bai Ju disagreed, but since it was the New Year, she couldn’t say more.

The children were counting the money in their red envelopes with joy. Bai Yue brought out the dumplings and they finally hid the red envelopes quietly away, each of them beaming in their new clothes,
after devouring a bowl of dumplings,
the boys were already eager to go out and play—outside, the sound of fireworks burst forth incessantly, their hearts already wild.

No sooner had they finished eating than they wiped their mouths and ran outside.

Bai Yue found this amusing.

Wang Yan didn’t come over this morning; yesterday she had taken him a bowl of dumplings and dishes, so he chose not to come over in the morning, but he did plan to come over for lunch. The younger brother and sister had already given their approval, and Wang Yan and Bai Yue were preparing to make it public. After all, it was the first day of the lunar year, and by the fifth day, they would be leaving.

Gossip aside, what mattered was that the two of them were now together.

Bai Song, accompanied by his sisters Bai Yue, Bai Ju, and Bai Xiao, went to pay a New Year’s visit to Grandma Li Chunhua. It was a matter of courtesy, even if they were disdainful of their uncle’s family, they couldn’t avoid paying their respects to the elderly lady.

Upon entering the door, the house was eerily quiet as if no one was there; besides the couplets on Bai Jianguo’s door, there seemed to be no sign of a festive atmosphere at home.

Bai Song led his sisters into the old lady’s main room, only to find Grandma talking to some of the old ladies from the village. There was a chill in the room, and for this place, it felt rather cold. They, the younger ones, could clearly feel the cold, not to mention the older folks who detest the chill even more because of their age.

Bai Song couldn’t help but feel resentful towards his uncle; it was as if his uncle had given up.

Wasn’t he worried that the villagers would laugh at him for being unfilial to the old lady!

It seemed that Bai Jianguo had thoroughly lost face—after all, being filial or not did not put food on the table.

The moment they saw their grandchildren fill the room, a smile appeared on the old lady’s face.