Song Sanniang's Journey to Wealth

Chapter 187 New Year 1

Everyone was eating snacks, drinking hot sweet and sour fruit tea, and playing mahjong. They didn't feel sleepy at all.

When she heard the sound of firecrackers outside, Song Sanniang knew it was time to worship the gods. The altar was placed on the balcony on the second floor, and the incense burner was placed on the eight-immortal table.

The tribute included three kinds of animals, a processed chicken, a piece of pork, and a fish, in addition to fruits, biscuits, longans, red dates, lotus root candies, winter melon candies, etc. It was extremely rich.

Song Sanniang lit the incense and candles, and then, imitating what Song Ersao had done before, she said some good words to the ancestors, such as "May the good luck come to you" and "Welcome to the New Year". Only then did she put the incense in the incense burner.

She asked everyone to worship in front of the altar and said some nice words, such as asking the ancestors to bless them with good luck and academic progress.

Although Qin Haodong and his friends were surnamed Qin, it did not stop them from following suit. After everyone finished, Song Sanniang and Qin Haodong went downstairs. The two wanted to set off firecrackers at the gate, but Song Sanniang did not dare to do so and asked Qin Haodong to do it.

The two men arrived at the gate and, imitating the villagers, shouted, "Let's set off firecrackers."

Although Song Laoer's home is at the foot of the mountain, there are people living nearby. This shout is to remind those who have children at home to cover their ears to avoid scaring them. Newborn babies are not likely to be frightened.

After Qin Haodong finished shouting, he lit the firecrackers. Some people were still asleep, some were playing all night like Song Sanniang and the others, and some women got up to worship the gods and burn incense. No matter what everyone was doing, they welcomed the new year, a better year, with the sound of firecrackers.

After setting off the firecrackers, everyone continued to play mahjong until Si Niang's three children began to doze off, and then everyone dispersed and went back to sleep.

The next day, everyone slept until noon. After everyone got up, Song Laoer and his wife happily called everyone over and lined up to give everyone red envelopes. Everyone lined up in front of Song Laoer and his wife.

Song Laoer and his wife gave red envelopes to everyone one by one, and then said some auspicious words, hoping that everyone would grow up quickly, be smart, healthy, and make academic progress in the new year. Everyone who received the red envelopes also responded with auspicious and festive words.

As it was almost noon, everyone cooked yesterday's leftovers and had a simple lunch.

In addition to dragon dances, the village also has lion dance teams. Every New Year's Day, the lion dance team will go door to door to perform lion dances in everyone's homes. The original intention is the same as that of dragon dances, to drive away evil and usher in good fortune.

But for the lion dance, everyone will give a small red envelope to the lion team accordingly, because the maintenance of the lion team requires money. Everyone can give according to their ability. If they have more money, they can give more; if they have less money, they can give less. There is no set amount to give.

Song Sanniang and her friends could already vaguely hear the sound of gongs and drums coming from the village, so they ran to the large terrace on the second floor to see where the lion team had gone.

Because when they almost reach their house, they have to open the door and prepare red envelopes and firecrackers. Song Sanniang and her friends used to run out of the door to watch, but now they can watch the entire lion team's movements in the village from upstairs.

Just looking at it like this, you can feel the festive atmosphere. You can see that all the houses in the village are decorated with fresh red couplets.

The children in the village followed the lion team to join in the fun. Everyone was laughing and joking. The children all wore festive new clothes today. Some even wore melon-shaped hats and carried small satchels filled with red envelopes. Everyone's face was filled with laughter.

Song Sanniang and her friends were sitting on the terrace, cracking melon seeds while watching the lion team march through the village. They had no idea how long it would take for them to reach their home.

Sometimes, if the dance cannot be finished in one day, they will continue the next day until they have walked through the entire village.

Even Song Laoer and his wife followed him up to the terrace to watch the fun. Some people sat in the gazebo, some sat on the swings. It was so comfortable. Everyone chatted while cracking fragrant melon seeds.

The weather today is also very good. Although it is still cold, the sun is shining brightly. It is the most comfortable to bask in the sun in winter. It is warm and cozy.

Mrs. Song was basking in the sun while caressing her belly. Suddenly, she screamed, which frightened Mr. Song so much.

He was standing at the fence, looking at the lion team in the village. When he heard Song Ersao's cry, he ran to her and asked nervously, "What's wrong? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Song Ersao smiled and shook her head, then pulled Song Laoer's big hand and placed it on her belly. She looked at her belly lovingly and then at Song Laoer. "The baby moved and kicked me in my belly."

"Really? Let me feel it." Song Lao Er said in surprise, and then he used his big hands to carefully touch Song Ersao's belly, but the baby was not moving at this time, so Song Lao Er couldn't feel it.

Everyone nearby came over curiously, looking at Song Ersao's belly, as if they could see a flower in it.

Mrs. Song couldn't help laughing, "He's too shy to move when you look at him like that." Everyone suppressed their curiosity and dispersed.

At this time, the lion dance team had already come to Song Laoer's house. Usually, they would finish dancing with the scattered lions outside the village before entering the village. That was why Song Sanniang and the others were waiting, because they knew they would arrive at their home soon.

Everyone rushed downstairs. Song Sanniang took the red envelope prepared by Song Ersao for the Lions Team from them. She walked behind them and took a curious look. Song Ersao had prepared a red envelope of five taels, which was a big red envelope.

Song Ersao asked Song Sanniang to talk to the lion dance team and have everyone in the house dance, because it was a new house, so it would be better to do it this way.

Song Lao Er was worried about Song Ersao, so he accompanied her to watch from the terrace. From this position, one can see the lion team from the entrance to the front yard, to the kitchen, to the front yard of the house. It is the best viewing position.

The sound of "dong dong qiang" was heard outside the gate. Qin Haodong opened the door. Song Sanniang went up to tell the lion team about her request. The leader of the lion team readily agreed.

There was only one lion in the village lion team. When the lion received the order, it nimbly stepped into the gate and stood in the yard.

This is a red lion with gold edges. The red and gold lion sparkles in the sun. To the rhythm of gongs and drums, the lion shakes its head and wanders around the yard in a naive manner.

Then the lion came to the kitchen, inspected the kitchen and then returned to the front yard, passed through the moon-shaped door and came to the front yard of the house.

The lion that came to the main courtyard changed its silly look and became fierce and vigorous. It jumped lightly and looked around, as if alert to the enemy lurking in the dark.

After intimidating the yard, the lion entered the house very actively. As the lion walked, its mane fluttered, looking agile and majestic.

The musicians behind the lion push the lion drums on a cart and follow the lion. They are all wearing the same costumes as the lion.

The drummer waved his strong arms and struck the drum heavily, making an exciting sound.

Next to the drummer are the lion dance team members holding gongs and cymbals. They strike their instruments as the drummer beats them.

The lion in the house pranced around in the house to the sound of the gongs and drums. Its majestic posture seemed to have frightened away the evil spirits hiding in the corners.

The scene ends when the lion patrols the house, leaves the house, and walks around majestically in front of the door.

Song Sanniang gave them the red envelopes and exchanged a few words with them. Then the lion dance team left for the next house with drums and gongs.