According to the traditional Chinese customs, the young couple should go to the man’s house for a reunion dinner and stay overnight. However, with the increase in the number of families consisting of only one child, faced with four elderly people, whose family the young couple will visit for New Year’s Eve is one of their biggest headaches.
In the early 1980s, as a result of the vigorous promotion of birth control, the original prenatal and postnatal care plan turned into a plan with only a sole prince or princess in the house. With the gradual growth of adults among the 1980s and 1990s, the problem arose in the age of marriage and childbirth.
The original situation was that the woman went to the man’s house for the Chinese New Year, but it wasn’t a big deal because there was more than one child. If the daughter left, the son was still there. But now it was different after the daughter was gone, there was no one left!
Therefore, Mother Yang was also very worried about this problem. The Chen Family only had a daughter. If she wasn’t at home during Chinese New Year, wouldn’t that be a problem?
“That… I will ask in a while…” Although Chen Mengyan also felt that it was wrong to leave her parents and go to Yang Ming’s home for Chinese New Year, from another perspective, this was also a good thing. At least her status in the Yang Family was acknowledged. It also proved that she was affirmed by Yang Ming’s parents. So, Chen Mengyan still wanted to go.
“Alright, I stop here first. I will call over Big Ming for you…” Mother Yang said with a smile and decided to leave some space for the two children.
“Great…” said Chen Mengyan, a little shy.
“Big Ming, come over to the phone.” Mother Yang shouted to Yang Ming’s room.
“Looking for me?” Yang Ming walked out of the room. “Mom, who called?”
“Mengyan, I asked her to be our guest during Chinese New Year’s Eve. Then, you discuss with her nicely to see what can we do. I’m afraid that her parents wouldn’t agree.” Mother Yang said.
“Mengyan?” Yang Ming was shocked a little. Chen Mengyan actually took the initiative to call him? If she didn’t call, I would also give her a call. After all, it has been a cold war for several days. Now, it is almost the celebration for the New Year. No matter what, I have to wish Uncle Chen a Happy Chinese New Year.
“Okay, I got it.” Yang Ming immediately returned to his usual state. He nodded and picked up the phone. “Hello, my wife…”
” Ugh …” Chen Mengyan was slightly stunned by Yang Ming. She knew that Yang Ming’s mother must be next to the phone right now. Yang Ming actually called her “wife” so flirtatiously. Chen Mengyan was so shy that her face was dripping with sweat.
“What’s wrong?” Yang Ming smiled. “Didn’t you talk to my mom happily just now?”
“I didn’t…” Chen Mengyan argued.
“Really? Are you unhappy with the conversation? Are you angry?” Yang Ming asked deliberately.
” Shh , don’t talk nonsense. If you let your mother hear it, she might have other ideas about it. Aren’t you framing me?” Chen Mengyan reproached.
” Hehe , my mom is watching TV. No big deal…” Yang Ming signaled his mother who stared at him.
He didn’t think that his mom would actually say loudly, “Yes, I’m watching TV!”
” Ah !” Chen Mengyan was stunned and shocked. “Pass the phone to your mother. Let me explain to her…”
” Hehe , I’m just kidding. How can my mother believe it?” Yang Ming shook his head, “You’re quite nervous. Why do you care so much about my mother’s opinion?”
“Of course…” Chen Meng said, “You lay down traps for me.”
” Hehe , let’s not talk about this. I heard from my mother that you’re coming to my house for the Chinese New Year’s Eve?” asked Yang Ming.
“Then, do you want me to go…” Chen Mengyan didn’t answer but ask.
” Hehe , of course, I…” When Yang Ming spoke to this point, he deliberately paused. He heard Chen Mengyan’s breathing over the phone become faster.
“You’re such a spoiled child!” Yang Ming was snickering. Suddenly, he felt a slap on his head. When he turned back, he found out that his mother was glaring at him, “Why do you keep on scaring Chen Mengyan? You have nothing else to do, right?”
Yang Ming broke into a sweat… It seems my mom has been paying attention to my actions. Especially, Yang Ming’s telephone volume was relatively loud. His mother wasn’t far away and she should be able to hear it.
” Hehe …” Chen Mengyan heard Yang Ming’s voice and immediately snickered.
“You’re still laughing…” But when Yang Ming saw his mother raising her hand as she was about to slap him, he had to stop. “Mengyan, how about I visit your house tomorrow to discuss it with your parents?”
“Alright, coincidentally tomorrow it’s Chinese New Year’s Eve!” Chen Mengyan said happily, “Then, I will inform my parents in a while.”
” Hehe , you’re not angry anymore?” Yang Ming suddenly asked.
“Angry… Angry for what?” Chen Mengyan’s tone was sluggish as she spoke awkwardly.
“What did you say?” Yang Ming laughed.
“Zhou Jiajia… came to me…” Chen Mengyan said hesitantly.
“What? She went and looked for you? Why was she looking for you?” Yang Ming couldn’t help but frown. “She didn’t say anything bad about me, right?”
“Don’t worry… Zhou Jiajia is kind. She also explained the matter to me…” Chen Mengyan said.
“She is kind?” Yang Ming was stunned. I didn’t expect such a jealous Chen Mengyan would actually praise Zhou Jiajia as a kind person. It seems that this chick has her own means!
“Yes, what do you think of her?” Chen Mengyan didn’t know why she would suddenly ask such a question.
“Forget it. Don’t mention her…” Yang Ming wasn’t interested. He directly cut off this topic.
“But she…” Chen Mengyan was stuttering, but when she saw that Yang Ming didn’t fancy Zhou Jiajia, she had to give up. She didn’t know if she should be happy or sad…
” Oh ya, Mengyan, is Uncle Chen there? Can you ask him to answer the phone? I want to wish him a happy Chinese New Year.” Yang Ming said.
” En , he’s here. Wait for a moment.” Chen Mengyan said.
After a while, Chen Fei’s voice came over the phone. “Yang Ming, are you looking for me?”
“Uncle Chen, tomorrow is Chinese New Year’s Eve. I just want to wish you a happy Chinese New Year in advance!” Yang Ming repeated the words that Chen Mengyan had said to his mother just now.
” Hehe , thank you! Oh ya , I’m not very busy these days. When are you going to drop by?” Chen Fei laughed.
“I was just talking about this with Mengyan. Is tomorrow a good day?” Yang Ming asked, “Would I bother you guys to celebrate Chinese New Year’s Eve?”
“Tomorrow? That’s great!” Chen Fei said, “Tomorrow then! How would it be a bother? It’s more lively with your presence!”
“That’s great, then I will come over!” Yang Ming smiled.
“Let your auntie prepare something delicious. What do you want to eat?” Chen Fei asked.
“I’m not a picky eater. Anything is fine.” Yang Ming said quickly, “Do as you wish. Don’t worry about me.”
“That’s good. I will let her take a look.” Chen Fei said, “It’s decided then. We have made a promise. If you don’t come, I have wasted my preparation!”
“No way. You can rest assured, Uncle Chen.” Yang Ming thought to himself. Last time, it seemed to be you who missed it? However, Yang Ming wouldn’t utter such a thing. Chen Fei was his elder!
“Then, you should chat with Mengyan.” Chen Fei then handed the phone back to Chen Mengyan.
“Yang Ming…” Chen Mengyan picked up the phone.
” En , yes, do you have anything tomorrow?” Yang Ming asked.
“Tomorrow? Nothing, why?” asked Chen Mengyan.
“I didn’t manage to visit your house last time. Tomorrow is also my first time to visit your home. Also, it’s a festival tomorrow. I can’t just come empty-handed, right? Let’s go out and buy some gifts.” Yang Ming said.
“That will do as well. Let us go out tomorrow together.” Chen Mengyan nodded and said, “But, what should we buy?”
“It’s New Year. How about giving your parents each a fleece garment?” Yang Ming suggested.
“That will do. I will go and see the sizes they are wearing in a while.” Chen Mengyan also felt that the idea was very good.
In the evening, Yang Ming was called by his parents to the sofa in the living room.
“Big Ming, tell your mother the truth. To what extent has the relationship between you and Chen Mengyan have developed?” asked Mother Yang.
” Ah ?” Yang Ming sighed. He replied stutteringly, “Mother… why are you asking about this?”
“As a mother, I must always understand my son’s growth!” Mother Yang said in a serious way.
“This is private… Don’t ask further…” Yang Ming said, a little embarrassed.
“Still private? Do you still have privacy?” Mother Yang wasn’t pleased. “You’re the meat that was detached from your mother. What privacy is there?”
Yang Ming broke into a sweat. It seems this is the typical mindset of many parents. They simply don’t pay attention to their children’s right to privacy.
“Mom… why are you asking about this… what you want to do…” Yang Ming was ashamed.
“Of course, it’s useful!” Mother Yang said seriously, “This is very important! If you have such a relationship with Mengyan, then everything will be easy! If not, it would be a little troublesome…”