New Year's Eve was the final night of the year. The last day of the year was called "year's end," meaning the old year ended here and gave way to a new one.
Ye Yaodong got up early to put up the red New Year decorations and swept the entrance with Lin Xiuqing. Then they began preparing the reunion dinner. Although only their family of four would be celebrating together this year, they still had to have all the essentials.
"A-Dong, there are only three people at the Old House now. Why don't you tell your parents not to prepare anything today and come here for the reunion dinner? We bought quite a lot of food."
"I'll go see."
His mother had said before that this was their first year in their new homes, so they couldn't leave their kitchens cold and unused. They had to light their own stoves and celebrate there. Otherwise, his parents would have invited everyone back to the Old House for a livelier gathering.
His eldest and second brothers weren't having a very good New Year. Neither couple was in much of a mood to celebrate, and sounds of scolding and beatings came from their homes from time to time. They probably wouldn't think to invite anyone over from the Old House.
He happened to arrive at just the right time. They had only just finished putting up the red decorations at the Old House, and his mother hadn't started preparing the food yet.
The moment he suggested celebrating at their new home, his Old Lady happily agreed. Seeing that, his parents went along with it too. Otherwise, how were just the two of them supposed to cook everything?
He took the opportunity to help the Old Lady over to his new house and let