Two generations of military wives compete for time

Chapter 170: Happy housewarming, warming the pot.

Qian Yizhen returned to Chen's house from Kuang's house. The yard was quiet and she didn't hear the children playing. She felt a little uncomfortable. She hurried to her grandma and grandpa's bedroom.

"Yizhen, send Grandpa Kuang home. Why do I feel like he is talking nonsense? He wants to buy real estate in Hong Kong for his children and grandchildren. Did his ancestors really have gold bars passed down from his ancestors?" Grandma Chen Yalu asked in disbelief.

"Grandma, I think what Grandpa Kuang said is true, so don't doubt it. What about the children? Isn't today Sunday?"

"Ever since Yang Ruolan's family built the children's playground and library, the children's hearts are no longer in the Chen Mansion. Junyan and Junge also like to play with their brothers and sisters. Even Boxiang, Bowen, Xiangxiang, and Ganggang like to go to the Yang Mansion to play. Except for sleeping, the children stick together all the time."

"Since there is such a thing, I'll go to Yang's Mansion to take a look." Qian Yizheng immediately stood up and ran towards Yang's Mansion.

Qian Yizhen came to the third courtyard of Yang's mansion and saw Bo Xiang, Bo Wen, Xiang Xiang, Gang Gang, Fei Yan, Fei Xiang, Jun Yan and Jun Ge having a great time on the entertainment facilities.

Qian Yizheng said nothing and quietly came to the window of the library reading room. He looked into the room and saw his second cousin Chen Lesi, third cousin Chen Leyuan, Junhua, Support the Army, Love the Army, and Strengthen the Army, who were learning English and Chinese from each other. Qian Yizheng stood silently outside the window for a while, not having the heart to disturb them.

Qian Yizhen turned around and saw Yang Ruolan chatting with her older cousin Chen Leqi in the pavilion of the third courtyard. Yang Ruolan was talking and gesticulating excitedly, but it seemed that the language communication was not going smoothly.

Yang Ruolan waved her hand at Qian Yizhen: "Yizhen, come here quickly. The little English I learned in college was used to make a living. It's really hard to speak English now."

Qian Yizheng sat on a bench in the pavilion, speaking English leisurely with his older cousin Chen Leqi.

"Hello, Sister Yizhen, we will be returning to Hong Kong and the United States in two days. I invited Ms. Yang Ruolan to visit and travel to Hong Kong and the United States, but she didn't understand." Cousin Chen Leqi spread his hands helplessly.

"Chen Leqi wants to invite Ms. Yang Ruolan to visit and travel to Hong Kong and the United States. Would you like to accept the invitation?" Qian Yizheng patted Yang Ruolan on the shoulder and said.

"I want to go, I want to travel around the world, but my English is so bad, I'd better not go." Yang Ruolan slapped her mouth and said.

"Ms. Yang, I can be your English teacher for free. I like traveling and I like being an English teacher." said cousin Chen Leqi.

"Sure. Our provincial normal university is in need of foreign English teachers. I can help you with the recommendation and application." Wang Min said as he walked towards the pavilion.

"Wang Min, are you here to pick up the children? Look, the children are having so much fun. I don't think they will leave with you for a while." Yang Ruolan said.

"Yang Ruolan, why not just let these children be yours? Let them all call you mother, hahahaha." Wang Min said.

"Wang Min, I just heard from Professor Jiang that you are moving this Saturday. Have you packed everything? Do you need our help?" Qian Yizhen said.

"No, I don't have much to pack. There are no large pieces of furniture, just some clothes, bedding and other daily necessities. We can pack them up slowly ourselves." Wang Min said.

"Please confirm the time of the housewarming party so that I can inform your father. I promised your father that he would come to the housewarming party." Qian Yizheng said.

"Then let's schedule it for this Sunday. We'll hold a banquet at the new house and invite everyone from the Lu, Chen, Yang, and Kuang mansions to get together. I'll ask a chef from the Qingfeng Hotel to come and cook. Yizhen, do you think this will work?" Wang Min said.

On Saturday, the 16th day of the 10th lunar month, Qian Yizhen led the military flowers, supporting the army, loving the army, and strengthening the army to the Kuang Mansion. According to the instructions of Professor Jiang Yuhan and Wang Min, they began to move things. Because they were close and the things were only small daily necessities such as clothes, shoes, hats, etc., they did not hire a moving company.

In one morning, the moving work was completed. In one afternoon, the new home was ready. Qian Yizhen said to the four children, "The move is complete. Tomorrow, we will warm up the pot for Aunt Wang Min."

Junhua asked: "Mom, what does warming the pot mean?"

"Warming the pot is a custom, and its meaning and tradition mainly include:

(1) Mutual assistance tradition: The pot-warming custom reflects the tradition of mutual assistance where everyone adds fuel to the fire. That is, through the help and support of relatives, friends, and neighbors, people celebrate the completion of a new house or move to a new home together and alleviate financial difficulties. It implies that everyone is united in facing the challenges of life together and sharing joy and success together.

(2) Auspicious meaning: In the custom of warming the pot, the choice of gifts is full of auspicious meanings. For example, giving a chicken represents "good luck", giving a fish represents "surplus food every year", and giving tofu and bean sprouts represent "rich" and "taking root and sprouting" respectively. These are all good wishes for family happiness, wealth and prosperity.

(3) Social support: The pot-warming custom reflects the mutual assistance and support between relatives, friends and neighbors in the old rural society. In the case of low living standards, moving into a new house often requires financial help. The pot-warming activity not only provides material support, but also spiritual encouragement and blessings.

(4) Cultural inheritance: As part of traditional Chinese culture, the pot-warming custom not only deepens interpersonal relationships by inviting relatives and friends to celebrate together, but also inherits traditional Chinese culture and values. This custom has been passed down from generation to generation and has become an important link between family and society.

(5) Sharing and communication: During the warm pot activity, the host will distribute the food on the banquet to relatives, friends and neighbors who are participating in the celebration. This act of sharing not only expresses the host’s gratitude to the guests, but also promotes communication and solidarity within the community.

Therefore, the pot-warming custom is not only a celebration, but also a profound cultural tradition and social practice, which embodies the spirit of mutual assistance, auspiciousness, sharing and unity in traditional Chinese culture," Qian Yizhen said.

On Sunday morning, Chairman Wang Hengxiu arrived at the Wang Mansion early and moved the newly purchased pots and pans into the kitchen. Jiang Yuhan and Wang Min, mother and daughter, came forward and said softly, "Thank you." Xiangxiang and Ganggang ran over and competed to be hugged by their grandfather.

Accompanied by Sister-in-law Hao Xia and Professor Chen Zhuoran, Grandma Lu Jingde presented a painting of "Rich Peony" painted by Grandma Lu Jingde herself to the palace.

Ming Yuanhui and Li Baoguo hung the painting "Rich Peony" on the living room's welcoming wall according to Professor Jiang Yuhan's instructions. Everyone applauded.

Professor Chen Zhuoran and sister-in-law Hao Xia gave a big red envelope as a “congratulations on moving into a new house”.

Yang Ruolan sent a jade ornament of fortune and luck.

My great uncle Chen Haoyu sent a set of exquisite tea sets.