The moment the New Year's Eve dinner concluded, the children scrambled to clear the table. Cui Qiao, Zhao Xiaoyue, Lin Mai, and Hu Yuzhen, along with Chunni, headed to the kitchen to tidy up.
Ming Zhe, with great efficiency, wiped the table clean twice. He then prepared a cup of linden flower tea for each of the elders, his elder brothers and sisters-in-law. His actions pleased his mother-in-law, who said with great satisfaction, "Ming Zhe! You've truly grown a year older. You're much more sensible this year than last, knowing how to help with household chores. Son, don't worry, I'll definitely give you a big red envelope for New Year's money this year."
Ming Zhe found himself caught between laughter and tears at his mother-in-law's words. He said somewhat reproachfully, "Mom, what are you saying? I'm an adult now, not a child. I don't want New Year's money! Mom, I have to tell you, eldest sister-in-law and eldest brother brought back some rare items from Pogranichny, the town in the Soviet Union. They've packed a whole bag full of good things. Do you want to see?"
Ming Zhe's words immediately shifted his mother-in-law's attention. She quickly replied, "That would be wonderful! It's New Year's Eve today, so let's look at some curiosities. Let's see what's different about Soviet goods compared to ours!"
At this moment, Sanmei Gugu extended her hand, removed the large ruby and gold ring Chen Lan had given her, and passed it to her mother-in-law. "Eldest sister, look, this is what Mila, oh! Little Lan bought for me in Vladivostok, also known as Haishenwei. See how it's different from the jewelry in your Imperial Capital?"
The mother-in-law took the large gold ring and was immediately stunned by its size. She asked in surprise, "Little Lan's aunt, it's so big! How heavy must it be when worn on the hand!"
The elder mother also reached out, took it, looked at it, and then weighed it in her hand. She said, "Hmm! The quality of the ruby is quite good, but it's a bit too heavy. It must be uncomfortable to wear, isn't it, Lan's aunt? Let Lan buy you a new ruby ring that's lighter to wear, and you can keep this one for your trousseau!" Su Dan Novel Network
Chen Lan immediately explained, "Mother-in-law, Mother, this is the fashion in the Soviet Union, these large styles of gold rings inlaid with various gemstones."
The mother-in-law and the elder mother asked in confusion, "Little Lan's aunt, is that really true?"
Sanmei Gugu nodded and replied, "Eldest sisters, it is true. In the Soviet Union, everything emphasizes being large to be considered good."
The mother-in-law and the elder mother said in unison, "So that's how it is!" The elder mother continued, "Little Lan's aunt, then let Lan buy you another lighter one to wear, otherwise your fingers surely won't be able to bear it."
Chen Lan readily agreed.
The matter of the ring finally concluded. As Chen Lan began taking things out of her backpack, Jiaxing, Jiahe, and a group of children swarmed around her.
Chen Lan first handed out the gifts she brought for the little boys: a Russian commemorative badge for each of them, followed by binoculars, magnifying glasses, car models, and train models. Honestly, in the 1950s and 60s, there weren't many good toys for young boys in the Soviet Union. Many of the items she took out now were samples from the end-of-line stock from the factories that Chen Lan had selected from her system warehouse.
Chen Lan gave her son Jia Yao and her two younger brothers, boys ten years and older, a small crossbow each. At this, Jiaxing and Jiahe, the two brothers, started to act up, hugging Chen Lan's neck and pouting. They wanted crossbows too.
Chen Lan, unable to refuse their pleas, brought up Xu Mingxuan as a reason. She said, "Jiaxing, Jiahe, you can't blame your mother. Your father said that when you turn ten, the same age as your elder brother, he'll buy you crossbows. You two are still young. In another year or two, you'll have your own crossbows. Don't worry! Don't worry!"
Jiaxing asked persistently, "Mom, if I turn ten and Dad still hasn't come back, then what?"
Jiahe chimed in, "Yes, Jiaxing Ge is right. Mom, you can't fool us. We have very good memories."
Helplessly, Chen Lan extended her little finger. "Come, Jiaxing, Jiahe, your mother can pinky promise you, right?"
Thus, the three of them made a pinky swear, "Pinky promise, sworn to keep forever."
After finally seeing off the two mischievous boys, Chen Lan continued to distribute gifts. The gifts for her mother-in-law and Cui Mama were the same: a lacquer jewelry box and an emerald ring for each. The gifts for the elder mother and Liu Mama were also the same: a lacquer jewelry box and a ring with a cat's-eye stone (one blue, one green) for each.
The mother-in-law, Liu Mama, and Cui Mama marveled at the lacquer jewelry boxes, sighing. The mother-in-law whispered to Cui Mama, "Chunmei, I didn't expect them to have such exquisite items in the Soviet Union. Look at the craftsmanship, it's so delicate. The paintings look so lifelike. It's perfect for storing jewelry."
Chen Lan's gift for Sanmei Gugu was a sapphire ring, more suitable for her age. Sanmei Gugu asked in surprise, "Xiao Lan, I have a gift too?"
At this, the elder mother interjected, "Little Lan's aunt, the sapphire's surface is also beautiful. Everyone has one, so take this. Don't be polite with her. Lan'er is showing you respect, so accept it. You can wear it alternately with that ruby ring."
The elder mother then suddenly added, "Lan'er, get your aunt a jewelry box too, so she can store her jewelry."
Chen Lan naturally obeyed her mother and immediately handed Sanmei Gugu a lacquer jewelry box.
She then said to her mother-in-law and the others, "Mother-in-law, Liu Mama, Cui Mama, the paintings on these lacquer boxes all have stories behind them. Let Sanmei Gugu tell you all about them."
The gifts for Cui Qiao, Hu Yuzhen, and the others were much simpler, all prepared in advance. They were the "Lover's Eye" earrings and pendants designed by the Russian master jeweler Peter Anchilov. As soon as Chen Lan took out the jewelry, the women gasped involuntarily at each exquisitely beautiful piece, with its unique style and pattern.
Cui Qiao exclaimed, "My goodness, can jewelry be made like this? It's so beautiful! I'm going to keep it as an heirloom for my future daughter-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Chen Lan gave each of them another lacquer jewelry box to store their jewelry. She then took out the purple gold jewelry she bought in Vladivostok and let them each choose another piece.
Since the women of the family had gifts, the sisters Yulia and Milana were not forgotten. Chen Lan also gave each of the sisters a "Lover's Eye" set designed by Peter Anchilov, along with a lacquer jewelry box.
The jewelry for the little girls in the family were jewelry sets and lacquer jewelry boxes that Chen Lan had specially selected. For her own four daughters, Chen Lan let them keep their own jewelry, reasoning that she had too many children to keep track of them all.