Time flew by, and the children gradually adapted to their new kindergarten life. Chen Lan and her mother-in-law became increasingly adept at taking care of the little ones, finding it effortless.
Several days passed quickly, and with only two days left until the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month, Little New Year.
After breakfast that morning, the mother-in-law discussed the arrangements for Little New Year with Uncle De, Uncle Fu, Chen Lan, and her mother-in-law.
The mother-in-law sighed with regret, "Today, I want to discuss the matter of Little New Year with everyone. Now that we live in the valley, it's not like celebrating in the capital. Moreover, we've barely met any locals, let alone seen any markets. Even if there were markets, we wouldn't know where they are!"
She glanced at everyone, and seeing no reaction, continued to muse aloud, "Even if we knew where the markets were, I imagine they'd be quite far from our valley. My thought is, since we lack many things, let's just have a simple Little New Year."
Uncle De and Uncle Fu nodded in agreement after hearing the mother-in-law's words.
Chen Lan's mother-in-law didn't say anything but felt a sense of regret.
Seeing the regret on everyone's faces, Chen Lan asked, "Mother-in-law, what else do we need for Little New Year? Please tell me, and I'll figure something out."
The mother-in-law's eyes lit up with hope. "Xiao Lan, if it's possible, we can simply prepare some kitchen sugar, unleavened bread, sugar candies, maltose, dumplings, or noodles. It would be even better if we had a live rooster."
Chen Lan asked with some confusion, "Mother-in-law, aren't we offering a roasted chicken? Why do we need a live rooster?"
The mother-in-law smiled and explained, "The kitchen sugar is to sweeten the Kitchen God's mouth so he speaks well of us to Heaven. Offering dumplings and noodles signifies 'dumplings rise, noodles fall to the ground.'"
The mother-in-law looked at everyone again, and seeing no reaction, continued somewhat sheepishly, "According to the elders, the rooster is the Kitchen God's mount when he ascends to heaven. If it's a red rooster, he rides a red horse; if it's a white rooster, he rides a white horse."
Chen Lan listened to her mother-in-law and thought, "Mother-in-law, the other things you mentioned are not difficult to obtain."
Before Chen Lan could finish, the mother-in-law stood up excitedly and asked, "Xiao Lan, can you really get them all?"
Chen Lan quickly explained, "Mother-in-law, please don't rush. Let me finish speaking, okay?"
The mother-in-law replied, a little embarrassed, "Xiao Lan, go ahead, tell me, tell me. I promise I won't interrupt again."
Chen Lan smiled and continued, "Mother-in-law, what I meant was, I can easily get the other things, but the live rooster might be a bit troublesome."
The mother-in-law said softly with regret, "Xiao Lan, if we really can't get a rooster, then forget it. We've done our best anyway. Given the conditions in the valley, I believe the Kitchen God won't blame us!"
Chen Lan looked up at everyone's expressions. Although they didn't say anything, there was a hint of regret on their faces. Chen Lan sighed inwardly. There was nothing to be done. The valley was just starting out, and being able to eat and stay warm was already the best they could hope for. Trying to accommodate customs was beyond their current capabilities.
Chen Lan was helpless and could only ponder for a while. When she looked up again, she subconsciously glanced at her mother-in-law. Although her mother-in-law said nothing, Chen Lan knew she must be feeling regretful. Her mother-in-law sat quietly, and though she didn't speak, Chen Lan could sense her low spirits.
Chen Lan realized she was more influenced by modern thinking and didn't attach much importance to New Year celebrations. However, for the older generation, New Year was not just a time for reunion and joy, but also for wishes and blessings for the coming year. Thus, they attached great importance to it and couldn't just let it pass casually.
So she said, "Mother-in-law, please don't worry. It's not impossible. Since the snow has stopped these past few days, let Wen Kai and Wen Qi take my place at the temporary kindergarten tomorrow to help with the children. I'll go up the mountain tomorrow morning to hunt some game and catch a few roosters to offer to the Kitchen God."
Her mother-in-law immediately objected, "Lan'er, it's okay if we don't have a rooster. I believe sincerity counts. I'm sure the Kitchen God will understand."
Seeing that Chen Lan was undeterred and insisted on going up the mountain, her mother-in-law continued to persuade her, "Besides, it's been snowing for days, and the mountain is covered in snow. It will be very dangerous for you to go up there! Lan'er, if anything happens to you, how can I live? Jia Yao and Jia Hui are still so young..."
Chen Lan quickly interrupted her mother-in-law, "Mother, what are you saying! It sounds like a farewell for life and death. Please rest assured! I'll only be wandering around the nearby mountains, not going far. You can see me from the valley. Besides, if there were large prey, our valley would no longer be safe. The fact that our valley has remained peaceful means there are no large predators nearby. At most, there are only pheasants and rabbits."
Seeing that she couldn't object further, her mother-in-law reluctantly agreed. The mother-in-law and others, seeing that Chen Lan's mother-in-law had agreed, no longer opposed it.
The next day, Chen Lan woke up early. Since she was going up the mountain, she made glutinous rice wine eggs and glutinous rice wine balls for breakfast. She also steamed large meat buns. After breakfast, she didn't wait for everyone and ate a meat bun and a bowl of glutinous rice wine balls herself.
While patting her stomach, she began preparations for the kindergarten – sterilizing the children's milk bottles and checking the usage of milk powder, diapers, and other supplies to replenish inventory in time.
Once the preparations were done, she went out fully equipped before everyone else woke up. Chen Lan decided to finish quickly and return early, not wanting to worry her mother too much.
Chen Lan looked at the vast expanse of white snow blanketing the mountain. Stepping through the knee-deep snow, she followed the mountain path where she usually chopped firewood. As she walked, she looked for animal tracks and simultaneously used her mental powers to activate the system's search function, looking for traces of animals within a 500-meter radius. Sudankk.com
Soon, several small red dots appeared on the system screen. Chen Lan took out a bow and six carbon steel arrows from the system's warehouse. As she was about to nock an arrow, she paused. She remembered that she needed a live rooster, so she put the six carbon steel arrows back into the warehouse. She then took out twenty small steel balls, which she had never used before, intending to test their effectiveness today.