Cheng Su and her husband returned home to find the Qi family already preparing the Chinese New Yearâs Eve dinner. They came back late and brought a bundle of fireworks, which caused Mother Qiâs face to stretch long with displeasure.
"You went drinking, didnât you?" Mother Qiâs nose was very sensitive, and she smelled the alcohol on them.
"We bumped into Jianming on the way and had a couple of drinks," explained Taiguo.
Mother Qi pursed her lips and walked into the kitchen.
Cheng Su stuck her tongue out at Taiguo and followed her mother-in-law in, enthusiastically offering, "Mom, what else needs to be cooked? Let me help!"
Mother Qi instructed Cheng Su in the cooking while she seized the opportunity to pull Taiguo aside as he was chatting with Father Qi.
"Mom, whatâs up?"
Mother Qi hemmed and hawed, thinking of the grandchildren she had yet to see and plucked up the courage to ask, "About that, didnât you and your wife say you wanted to wait a bit before having kids?"
Taiguoâs scalp tingled at the question; not this again.
"Mom, we had a good talk before, remember? We said weâre not having kids now to give our child a better environment to come into the world," he said.
"I know. Your momâs memory isnât that bad," Mother Qi clicked her tongue and asked, "So what kind of contraception are you two using now? Youâre not taking pills, are you?"
"How could we do that? Pills are bad for your health. The Womenâs Federation community provides free contraceptives, so donât worry, Mom!" Taiguo was a bit embarrassed discussing this with his motherâit was still somewhat awkward.
Mother Qiâs eyes flickered, "Thatâs not a hundred percent foolproof, you know. Just in case, I mean, if it happened, youâd have to have the baby, right?"
"Of course, if it happens by accident, weâll certainly have the baby. But donât worry, Mom, weâre very careful," Taiguo laughed.
Mother Qi twisted her lips and muttered, "I actually hope youâre not careful. It would be better if an accident happened!"
"Mom, what did you say?"
"Nothing much. Is dinner ready? I was just asking." Mother Qi waved her hand and went back to her own tasks.
Taiguo was left feeling utterly baffled.
...
As night fell, the Qi familyâs dining table was filled with dishes and each seat had a wine glass filled to the brim.
The family of six sat down together and Father Qi, with a beaming smile, said some auspicious words. As the head of the family, he picked up some food with his chopsticks, signaling the start of the New Yearâs Eve dinner.
After a few bites, Taiguo picked up his wine glass and toasted his elders.
Cheng Su was not to be outdone and lifted her glass, saying, "Dad, Mom, I wish you health and happiness all year round."
"Very good, I also wish you and Taiguo a harmonious marriage," Father Qi said with a smile.
But Mother Qi said, "I donât ask for much, just hurry up and add branches to the Qi family tree, and Iâll be happy."
Father Qi kicked her under the table.
Cheng Su was not annoyed but smiled and said, "Mom, donât worry. When the time is right, weâll definitely give you a chubby grandson."
Of course, that âright timeâ had no deadline.
Cheng Su also toasted her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, offering well-wishes for success in their studies.
The family laughed and talked as they enjoyed their meal, and Cheng Su handed out red packets as a New Yearâs allowance to Qi Fengping and the others. She also gave a larger red packet to the elders as a sign of filial piety.
Qi Fengping peeked inside and said to Qi Jianguo, "Sheâs quite generous."
Qi Jianguo didnât say anything but put it away carefully; he could use it to buy books.
When it was time to stay up late for the New Year, Taiguo set off fireworks in the yard, and each burst of color was a brilliant spectacle in the night sky.
Qi Jianguo and Qi Fengping joined in their revelry, and the courtyard was filled with laughter, while Mother Qi winced and hissed with painâthose werenât just fireworks burning; it was money!
At midnight, as every household set off fireworks to welcome the New Year, the sound of firecrackers rose and fell. As Cheng Su watched the fireworks bloom in the night sky, she planted a kiss on Taiguoâs face and said, "Husband, happy New Year!"