"Bah bang bang" the sound of firecrackers, it rings the bell of spring.
1931 passed quietly, and 1932 has arrived. According to traditional customs, the first day of the new year is a day of reunion, and family members must sit together to celebrate reunion.
Early that morning, Aiju took the third lady for a walk in the corridor.
The third lady took a gentle breath and said: Sister Aiju, close your eyes and smell it. The air is filled with a strong smell of firecrackers.
Aiju responded: Today is the New Year, everyone is setting off firecrackers, and there will definitely be some firecracker smell in the air.
The third lady said: This is my first New Year here. What are your New Year customs here?
Aiju replied: It’s nothing! It's nothing more than making some food, visiting relatives, getting some New Year's money from each other, and congratulating each other.
The third lady said: That's it! The custom here is similar to the custom in my hometown.
However, I have been married here for nearly a year. My parents, especially my father, I am most worried about his health. He is busy outside every day, all day long.
Aiju advised: Third Madam, don’t be sad! I believe! They are good, they have not been knocked down by reality before, let alone now, you don’t have to believe me.
But you have to believe in Master Feng, Master Feng won’t!
The third lady argued: Even so!
However, distant water cannot quench near thirst.
Aiju called out: Third Madam, you can't say that! Master Feng's business is spread all over the world. Since he can meet you, he will definitely deal with the aftermath.
The third lady replied: My sister does not want to ask for the Feng family's money. Although my father is a laborer, he can also work hard to make money to support the family. My sister is motivated by her own selfishness. She hopes that they will live a better life.
Aiju smiled and said: Everyone hopes that their family members will live well, and the third lady does not need to feel embarrassed.
"Well, Third Madam! Happy New Year, Third Madam!" Afeng asked:
The third lady turned her head and saw Ah Feng standing in front of her and said: Happy New Year, sister Ah Feng!
"Aiju, there is wind in the corridor, how could the third lady do it!" Afeng reminded:
"Sister Afeng, I've been bored in my room all day, and I want to come out to the corridor!" The third lady responded:
"Third Madam, the wind is blowing with snow right now, you are blowing too much wind!" Ah Feng argued:
"Sister Afeng, I will help the third lady back to her room later." Aiju interrupted:
Ah Feng held the bird cage and said politely: "Third Madam, the servant has gone to walk the old lady's birds."
Aiju shouted: Sister Afeng, the cold wind is blowing outside, let's go sit in the third lady's room together!
Ah Feng replied: I'm going to walk the birds there.
The third lady said: Sister Afeng, if you don’t come with us, I will sit in the corridor today.
Ah Feng frowned and muttered: Third Madam, aren’t you trying to force others to do something difficult for you?
The third lady replied: I will force others to do what is difficult for them.
Aiju stretched out her hand and shouted: Sister Afeng, let’s go!
Ah Feng held the third lady with one hand and whispered: There is really nothing we can do against you.
Aiju stepped forward and joked: I won't take you if I can.
After a while, the third lady and the others returned to the room.
Aiju handed over a pot of hot tea and said: Sister Afeng!
"Aiju, I'll pour it." Ah Feng placed the birdcage and shouted:
Aiju replied: Sister Afeng, guests are welcome to do as they please. When you come to the third lady's room, I am the third lady's maid, so you have to let me do as I please.
Ah Feng then said: Let’s not talk about this, your feet are still injured!
Aiju shook the injured foot and called out: Sister Afeng, look! My feet can stretch and bend!
Ah Feng said: Your walking posture is very different from the past.
Aiju smiled and said: Maybe it’s because of winter!
The third lady asked: Sister Aiju, is your foot really okay?
Aiju pulled up her trousers and said: If you don't believe it, just touch it and see.
The third lady responded: It will be good if Sister Aiju recovers.
Afeng took a sip of tea and said: A few days ago, the servant saw the third lady holding the eldest lady's hand.
I don’t know! What happened between the third lady and the eldest lady!
Aiju continued: Nothing happened! The third lady and I went to the eldest lady’s room that day and broke through the door.
Ah Feng responded: Really!
The third lady called out: Sister, this person is very kind-hearted! He is gentle, generous and decent.
Afeng said: Madam, that's good.
But the third lady must keep a distance from the eldest lady.
Aiju asked: Why?
Ah Feng replied: "I know people, I know faces, but I don't know hearts."
The third lady argued: Sister is so kind!
Moreover, my sister is so humble to others!
Afeng continued: Madam is very humble.
However, the servant still reminded the third lady not to have the intention of harming others but also to be defensive.
The third lady called out: Sister Ah Feng, you are worrying too much. You saw it yesterday. My sister and I were holding hands. The old lady smiled so happily. The family should be in harmony and should not be separated from each other... ···
"Sister Afeng, let's have a cup of tea instead of wine." Aiju said with a smile:
Ah Feng said: You have also learned the tricks of men.
"Men drink, we drink tea." Aiju took the teapot and poured tea into Ah Feng's cup.
Ah Feng blocked the cup with one hand and said: I won’t drink anymore, I won’t drink anymore.
Aiju said: Sister Afeng, the weather is so cold, the tea is cold when you pour it out, I will add more hot tea!
Ah Feng responded: After I finish drinking the tea in the cup, I will go back.
"Sister Afeng, please come closer to the brazier." Aiju turned and walked towards the third lady.
The third lady shouted: Sister Aiju, don’t pour tea for Xiaoya! Xiaoya is not thirsty yet.
Aiju stopped and put the teapot back in its place.
Ah Feng swallowed the tea in one gulp and called out: "Third Madam, the servant is leaving. The servant will take the bird back to the old lady's room first."
Otherwise, the old lady would be angry again.
The third lady replied: Sister Ah Feng, go ahead and we can talk another day.
Ah Feng bowed his head and slowly stepped back with the birdcage in hand.
The third lady walked to the cabinet and rummaged through the contents.
Aiju asked: Third Madam, what are you looking for?
"Sister Aiju, you and I are the only ones left in the room." The third lady replied:
Aiju said: Sister, what are you turning over?
The third lady responded: I'm looking for red paper.
Aiju thought for a while and called out: Sister, the red paper is in that box (Aiju pointed to the box under the window sill).
The third lady ran to the box.
She took out a stack of red paper.
Aiju was a little confused and asked: Sister, why are you looking for the red paper?
The third lady hurriedly ran to the bed and said: Sister Aiju, don't you also have the habit of giving red envelopes here? I want to prepare a few red envelopes for emergencies.
Aiju smiled and said: Sister, you are really a caring person.
The third lady took the key and replied: When you are in the country, do as the Romans do!
She opened the box, which contained various jewelry and some loose silver.
"Sister, there are some valuable things in the box. Just take a few copper coins and it will be fine." Aiju said:
The third lady moved the box to the table and asked: Sister Aiju, which of these things is the most beautiful?
Aiju looked at the things on the table and said blankly: My sister is so beautiful! What kind of accessories does my sister wear? It can overwhelm a large area.
The third lady smiled and said: Sister Aiju, don’t make fun of your sister!
Aiju argued: My sister is beautiful, everyone knows that.
"My sister is a real beauty, why would Aiju make fun of her?" Aiju continued:
"Sister Aiju, my sister can't defeat you." The third lady muttered:
Aiju shouted: Sister Aiju, come here and help me choose an accessory.
Aiju came to the table and said: These accessories are so beautiful that I can’t even choose.
The third lady replied: Sister Aiju, you can choose whatever you want.
Aiju rummaged around on the table to choose a pair of bracelets, and called out: This pair of bracelets is perfect for my sister. My sister puts it on - her whole body is glowing and bright, and her whole body is radiant, just like a fairy in the sky.
The third lady picked up the bracelet and said: According to the custom here, how much money should be included in these bags!
Aiju responded: Most of us will pay about 1 penny here, and those rich people will pay 2 penny.
The three ladies put 4 cents in each bag one after another.
Aiju saw it and said: Sister, there is no need to be so generous! If my sister wants to wrap it, she will pay 2 cents. If my sister wants to wrap it, she will pay 4 cents! That invites gossip.
After all, my sister used the Feng family's money.
The third lady replied: Sister Aiju doesn’t need to worry about this, my sister is using the Feng family’s money.
But the money was the pocket money given to my sister by Master Feng. When my sister celebrated the New Year here for the first time, she regarded it as a lucky draw for herself.
Aiju glanced at the third lady and slowly walked over to fold the red envelope.
The third lady turned around, holding the jewelry box in both hands, and called: Sister Aiju, please help me put the box back on the bedside.
Aiju hugged the box and limped towards the bedside.
The third lady shouted: Sister Aiju, please walk more steadily.
Aiju turned around and said: Sister, don't treat me like a patient! Nothing happens to my feet! It’s just a bit of walking!
"Sister Aiju, what do you like in that box? You can take whatever you want." The third lady shouted:
Aiju put down the box and replied: I don’t want it.
The third lady took out the pair of jade bracelets from her arms, put them on the table, and said: Sister Aiju, I will give you these pair of jade bracelets.
Aiju said: Sister, Third Madam, Aiju doesn’t dare.
The third lady argued: You have to dare if you don't dare, unless you don't recognize me as your sister.
Aiju said: Sister, Aiju is a servant, Aiju is not worthy, Aiju is not worthy of these jewelry, the jewelry in the box is rare even for Aiju.
Especially, this pair of bracelets was the first time Aiju had seen them.
Such a precious treasure...
"How precious it is! It is also an object. The affection between you and me cannot be measured by any price." The third lady responded:
The third lady continued: This pair of bracelets - my sister has never worn them before. It was a gift from Master Feng himself when my sister got married to Master Feng. My sister doesn't like to wear jewelry, and Sister Aiju knows this! I'll use it as a favor!
Aiju shook her head and said: "Aiju never dares to accept it."
The third lady said: Sister Aiju, you insist on refusing to take it. Do you think that our friendship is not as good as this pair of bracelets?
Aiju then said: Sister, me!
The third lady congratulated her and said: My sister sincerely wishes that "Sister Aiju and her family will be safe and prosperous in the coming year."
Aiju congratulated: Aiju wishes "my sister good health and all her wishes come true."
The third lady picked four red envelopes, threw them on the bracelet, and shouted: Sister Aiju, put it away.
Aiju said: Sister, this is it!
The third lady commented: These red envelopes are for Tudui and the others. In terms of seniority, I am their "little aunt".
Ai Juli said: Sister, what you have done makes me a little confused and at a loss.
The third lady replied: Sister Aiju, you are just at a loss. Just keep taking measures and catch it with both hands.
Aiju raised the corners of her mouth slightly and thanked: Thank you, sister! Thank you, Madam Three!
Aiju stretched out her hand and put the red envelope and bracelet into her arms.
"Bang, bang, bang" the third lady's door kept ringing.
Aiju ran forward and called out: "Who is it!"
"it's me."
"Sister Afeng, wait!"
Ah Feng pushed open the door and said: Aiju, we meet again.
Aiju replied: Sister Afeng, we work in the same house, so it is normal for us to meet several times a day.
"Sister Afeng, please come in quickly!" Aiju asked:
Ah Feng strode into the room.
When the third lady saw Ah Feng walking in, she smiled and said: Sister Ah Feng, sit down quickly!
Ah Feng sat on the stool and thanked: Thank you, Third Madam!
The third lady quickly took out a red envelope and handed it to Ah Feng.
Afeng said: Third Madam, what are you doing!
The third lady said: Sister Afeng, Happy New Year.
Ah Feng responded: Happy New Year.
"Third Madam, you are the master!" Afeng said in confusion:
The third lady explained: Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and I give Sister Afeng a red envelope. I wish "Sister Afeng, happiness and joy every year."
Ah Feng bowed and said: Thank you, Third Madam!
"Old servant wishes the third lady good health and everything goes well." Afeng congratulated:
"Everyone wants to be healthy and happy." The third lady picked up the red envelope and gave it to Ah Feng.
Ah Feng took two steps back and called out: "Third Madam, I am such a big man, I don't need you anymore!"
The third lady said: Xiaoya is grateful to Sister Afeng for her careful care, but Xiaoya has nothing to repay. Xiaoya took advantage of this Chinese New Year to give Sister Afeng a small red envelope to express Xiaoya's inner apology...
"Sister Afeng, please accept the kindness of the third lady." Aiju interrupted:
The third lady then said: Sister Aiju is right, you accept it.
Ah Feng held the red envelope coyly and whispered: "You're not welcome, old servant."
"It's time to eat! It's time to eat!" Bob shouted:
Aiju opened the window and replied: Bob, we will be there soon.
Ah Feng held the red envelope and supported the third lady with both hands as she walked out of the house.
Aiju followed closely out of the house...
