The entire family finished breakfast, and Uncle De and Uncle Fu, along with all the adults and children, went to tidy up the large and small red lanterns in front of the house, behind the house, and in the courtyard.
The plan was to properly store them this year so they could be used again next year. After all, it was still the 1950s, a time of limited resources. These lanterns had only been used once and were still in brand new condition. If they were carefully stored now, they could be used again on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month next year, without wasting good things.
Chen Lan strongly supported Uncle De and Uncle Fu's approach, finding it very meaningful. Thrift and frugality were not just empty words, especially in this era. Although new items were not as crucial as daily necessities, they still cost money and represented a form of respect for the holidays.
Similarly, these lanterns also carried everyone's heartfelt wishes and blessings for the festival, so they should not be wasted.
Chen Lan also suggested that Uncle De and Uncle Fu often have her younger brothers and the other children participate in household chores. This would help them develop good habits of labor and thrift from a young age. By experiencing it firsthand, the children would see how the adults in the family managed things, and from a young age, they would understand that every meal and every bit of clothing was hard-earned. This was precisely the principle of "actions speak louder than words."
It was important for children to know from a young age that many things are not obtained by simply reaching out for them. They are the result of much sweat, hardship, and prolonged labor. This would help them understand from childhood that every meal and every piece of clothing at home was hard-won.
As the saying goes, "Not being poor from eating, not being poor from wearing, but being poor from poor planning lasts a lifetime."
Although given the family's current situation, they were too young to need to earn money to support the family, and perhaps they wouldn't need to when they grew up;
However, they must possess the good qualities that are essential. They needed to understand from a young age that to live a good life, they should learn to be thrifty and manage their finances wisely.
They needed to learn from a young age to spend money when necessary and save money when possible. By saving money that shouldn't be spent and learning to use the money they had reasonably, they would be mastering a profound skill.
They needed to understand that no amount of money was as valuable as the future days ahead. The future was still long. Saving money that shouldn't be spent might prove immensely useful someday.
As the elders said, "Building a family is like picking up soil with a needle, while ruin comes like sand washed away by waves." A family's prosperity requires the accumulation of thrift over several generations. However, decline can happen easily, often with just a single thought.
The saying that "wealth doesn't last past three generations" is precisely the reason.
If one wishes for their family business to prosper, they must remember these eight words: "Diligence leads to wealth, frugality cultivates virtue."
Diligence determines whether a family can flourish, and frugality determines whether it can endure. By cherishing what they have, a family can prosper and never decline.
The words passed down by the older generations contain the life experiences and philosophies of their ancestors. No matter how times change, these old sayings remain applicable in every era.
In no time, all the large and small red lanterns were collected. Chen Lan instructed Ming Wei to take charge of tidying them up with Ming Zhe and his two younger brothers, organizing all the lanterns and packing them into the large wooden chests in the storeroom.
These wooden chests were originally acquired when they went to Mr. Wang and Mr. Qian's pawnshops to collect antiques, and they now served a great purpose in the storeroom.
Just after dinner, as dusk began to settle, Xu Hao's wife, Qian Yingzi, and Li Daqiang's wife, Zhang Dani, arrived with a group of young wives and girls, followed by Granny Xu and Granny Li.
Seeing this procession, their mothers-in-law and grandmothers-in-law initially thought something significant had happened in the valley. They exchanged confused glances, each seeking answers from the other.
Granny Xu, seeing their apprehension, quickly smiled and explained, "Auntie, don't be nervous. We're not here for anything else; we're just inviting you to go 'roll ice' with us!"
Upon hearing that the fifteenth day of the lunar month had passed and there was still an event to attend, their mother-in-law immediately asked curiously, "Granny Xu, what does this 'rolling ice' you mentioned mean?"
Then, Granny Xu, with a smile, explained the specific meaning of "rolling ice" to everyone.
As soon as their mother-in-law and Mama Cui heard this, they became immediately interested. Even their grandmother and Mama Liu looked eager to participate.
Seeing this, Chen Lan quickly stepped forward and advised, "You, and Mama Liu, should go join Granny Xu and the others for some excitement! If it truly helps with illnesses, that's even better. If not, consider it a outing with the aunties."
Their grandmother agreed, thinking it made sense, and immediately gave her consent.
In a short while, the living room was emptied as everyone, young and old, left to go "roll ice" in the wilderness.
Ming Zhe, who had wanted to go along, was nudged back by Ming Wei.
After the New Year, time seemed to fly by. It was as if in the blink of an eye, it was the second day of the second lunar month, the day the dragon raises its head. This also signaled the arrival of "Awakening of Insects," the return of spring, and the revival of all things. It also indicated the end of the "winter hibernation" period, and everyone should start preparing for this year's production, as spring plowing was not far off.
Therefore, there is a folk saying: "The first day of the second lunar month, the dragon opens its eyes; the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon raises its head; the third day of the second lunar month, the dragon sweats." There is also the saying, "If the dragon does not raise its head, the sky will not rain."
Today was the day for the children to get their haircuts, known as cutting the "dragon's head." So, Chen Lan brought the siblings to the living room early.
Chen Lan knew that cutting the "dragon's head" symbolized ushering out the old and welcoming the new, and it also represented being full of spirit and vitality in the new year.
Among the folk customs for giving little boys the "dragon's head" haircut, a lock of hair was intentionally left at the nape of the neck, known as the "dragon's tail." It was said that children with this hairstyle were less fussy, easier to raise, could ward off evil spirits, and avoid misfortune, ensuring a smooth year ahead.
Chen Lan was not very familiar with the specific customs of "Er Yue Er" in the Northeast, as this was the last festival after the Spring Festival.
Looking up, she saw Chun Cao just bringing out Xiao Douzi. She asked, "Sister Chun Cao, today is (Er Yue Er). Are there any special customs in the Northeast?"
Chun Cao, holding Xiao Douzi, sat down on the sofa next to Chen Lan and said with a smile, "Besides cutting the children's dragon heads, there's also knocking on the dragon's head to drive away pests. We also eat pork head meat and dumplings with pickled cabbage filling. Nothing else."
Chen Lan nodded. Eating pork head meat was also a prayer for the new year and a symbol of good fortune. Eating dumplings signified eating "dragon ears," hoping the Dragon King would bless the family with good health.
This was also the public's hope and yearning for a better life.