Chapter 133

Qing Mengzhu wouldn't let them destroy the house, but they could easily pick up packages.

Seeing that they were obediently working alongside her, Qing Mengzhu had a sudden inspiration and simply took off the little vests she had bought and put new red vests on them.

The new vest looks quite nice and festive.

The two dogs didn't seem to dislike the color; they wore it obediently and didn't try to resist.

Qing Mengzhu couldn't resist hugging and rubbing each of them, and then the two dogs rubbed against her enthusiastically, leaving her covered in dog hair.

The two dogs ran outside, I don't know if they were showing off to their friend or what, their steps were like they were tap dancing, they looked very happy.

Qing Mengzhu wanted to call them back, but recently all the adults who went out to work and the children who went out to study have returned, and the village is very lively, with firecrackers going off sporadically throughout the day.

He was a little worried that if the two dogs went out, some unruly children would set off firecrackers, and he was also worried that the two big dogs would scare the children.

Upon further reflection, he realized that the Dharma Protector and Guard were all incredibly clever, and no one could catch them when they ran. Besides, every household in the village kept dogs free-range, and everyone was used to it, so he gave up on the idea.

Qing Mengzhu was worried that her dogs would get into a fight with the village children, but to her surprise, the two dogs didn't have any conflicts with the children after they went out; they just brought a red fox and an otter home.

The red fox and the otter live not far from the backyard, and I can see them every day; sometimes they even come to my house.

When they came to our house today, Qing Mengzhu initially thought they were coming to beg for food, but after taking a closer look, she realized they were envious of the two dogs' new clothes.

The red fox, in particular, looked at the dog and then at Qing Mengzhu with its big eyes, making a "whimpering" sound from its nose. It was hard to tell if it was being affectionate or protesting, but it seemed quite unconvinced.

When Ming Chunxi returned, Qing Mengzhu was holding the red fox, rubbing its belly and talking to it.

The red fox lay back on his lap, so comfortable that its eyes were half-closed, yet it still managed to protest with soft "whimpering".

Ming Chunxi: "What's wrong?"

Qing Mengzhu helplessly, "Little Fox and Little Otter also wanted to wear vests, but I didn't buy any for them."

Red foxes and otters are wild animals after all. Although they usually get along well, Qing Mengzhu doesn't really treat them like dogs. Wearing a vest is definitely not an option, as it would make hunting inconvenient.

After Ming Chunxi understood, he said, "Don't the Dharma Protector have accessories on their clothes? Let's give them a small accessory?"

Qing Mengzhu's eyes lit up. "That's a good idea, I'll go look for it."

Qing Mengzhu went to look for it and found that the dogs' down vests came with down collars, which were thin and narrow and could be fastened with Velcro, so they shouldn't feel too restrictive.

He found them and put them on the red fox and the otter—if the two little guys didn't like the collars, they could just pry them off with their paws, and it wouldn't interfere with their daily activities.

The two little creatures cooperated well; the red fox even stretched out its neck to make it easier for Qing Mengzhu to move.

After putting the little collars on the two little ones, Qing Mengzhu stood there admiring them for a moment, then took out her phone to take pictures of them. "I must say, they look so festive with those red collars on."

Ming Chunxi walked over and scratched the red fox's chin. "It looks quite cute."

Red Fox: "Eek."

After taking the photos, Qing Mengzhu sent a copy to Ming Lexin.

Ming Lexin won't get a holiday until the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, and she'll come to visit them on the 29th.

They created a small group chat where they would share cute things they encountered in their lives.

It's inconvenient to show the red fox and otter to outsiders, but it's fine to show them to Ming Lexin.

Ming Lexin's heart melted after seeing them: [Ahhh, so cute! How can they be so well-behaved?]

Qing Mengzhu: [Born well-behaved, Little Otter is even more so, both well-behaved and a bit silly, you'll see when you come over, Auntie.]

Ming Lexin: [Haha, I'll have to see them when I come over. It's a pity I haven't started my vacation yet, otherwise I would drive over now.]

Qing Mengzhu: [It's quick, time flies by.]

Ming Chunxi got her holiday earlier than Ming Lexin. To entertain Ming Lexin, the two of them specially prepared a menu and then worked together to prepare the dishes for the New Year.

It's definitely too late to prepare on New Year's Eve; we need to prepare in advance and also go to sweep the tombs beforehand.

Ming Chunxi looked at the ten dishes Qing Mengzhu had written down in her memo, "Isn't that a bit too many?"

Qing Mengzhu: "What do you mean by too much? It's perfect, and it means abundance every year. Besides, we're having New Year's Eve dinner, aren't we going to invite Little Fox and Little Otter? If we don't, they'll probably scratch the door down."

Ming Chunxi then nodded. "Then we should definitely be able to finish it."

They grow their own vegetables and raise poultry and shrimp, so they don't need to buy most of their vegetables.

On the 29th of the year, Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi went up the mountain early.

They need to go up the mountain to dig for winter bamboo shoots, then dig up the stored radishes, dig up the lotus roots in the pond, catch the green shrimp raised in the pond, and also ask the Little Otter to catch a big fish from the river.

The bok choy, pea shoots, and cabbage in the vegetable garden are ready to eat, and there are tomatoes and peppers in the greenhouse, which can also be added to the New Year's Eve dinner.

It's a pity the strawberries aren't ripe yet, otherwise they could eat fruit grown on their own land.

Ming Lexin drove over in the morning, bringing lots of bags and packages. Besides New Year's goods, she also brought gifts for the two of them, and even gifts for the two dogs, the red fox, and the otter.

Qing Mengzhu went to the door to greet her, carrying boxes of gifts in her arms. "Auntie, you're too kind, bringing so many things."

Ming Lexin said with a smile, "It's Chinese New Year, so we definitely need to eat well, drink well, and have fun! We can set off fireworks here, so I brought some with me."

Qing Mengzhu nodded. "Yes, someone set it off in the middle of the night yesterday."

Ming Lexin: "Wow! I want to see it too! Fireworks aren't allowed in the city, so the New Year's atmosphere is never there. It's so annoying."

Ming Chunxi added, "Ms. Ming, you don't often spend the New Year in Vine City."

Ming Lexin: "It's no fun celebrating the New Year anywhere if there are no fireworks. Ugh, it's so cold, let's go inside quickly."

Ming Lexin was dressed very well, and her clothes were also very light and thin.

Qing Mengzhu quickly led her inside. The house had air conditioning, and he called two dogs over to keep her company.

The red fox and otter have probably gone out hunting; they can only come and play with her when they return.

Ming Lexin is usually too busy with work, and she has always wanted to raise a furry pet but has never been able to find the time.

Now that she could finally pet the dog, she was incredibly excited and even buried her face in the Guard's chest.

The Guard was a steady dog, looking at her with great tolerance, and very cooperatively let her pet him, even putting his paw on her arm as if he were hugging her.

Seeing this, Qing Mengzhu couldn't help but take another picture—it was just too funny.

Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi went to the kitchen to cook.

Once the fire is lit, the aroma gradually emerges.

Two tall men stood side by side in the kitchen, occasionally bumping into each other.

As Qing Mengzhu was frying lotus root cakes, she touched Ming Chunxi's hand again and suddenly smiled, "Holding your hand, growing old together, I hope we'll still be like this a long time from now."

Ming Chunxi grasped his hand. "It definitely will."

Chapter 133

At 6:30 p. m., the Qing Mengzhu family's New Year's Eve dinner officially began.

The two went to feed the dogs first. Today, not only did the two dogs have a reduced-salt version of their meal, but the red fox and the otter also got a food bowl and ate alongside the two dogs.

After the little ones started eating, the two washed their hands and sat down at the table.

Ming Lexin had already poured the simmered red wine. "Come on, let's have a drink."

Qing Mengzhu took the cup. "Thank you, Auntie."

Ming Chunxi: "Thank you, Mom."

Ming Lexin smiled and picked up her glass, "You're welcome. Cheers to celebrating our family being together again."