Siheyuan, the opening gun is aimed at Yi Zhonghai

Chapter 255 Fireworks

The plump dumplings rose and fell in the boiling water, each of them like a little elf full of vitality, jumping happily. The steaming hot air rose up, forming white clouds, as if outlining a warm picture of a family reunion.

In the kitchen, He Daqing and Yang Zaixing were busy. They operated the kitchen utensils skillfully, and their faces were filled with anticipation for the New Year.

He Daqing wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hands from time to time, while Yang Zaixing concentrated on cutting vegetables and cooking, showing his superb cooking skills. Their efforts indicate that the new year will be prosperous and full of hope.

At the same time, the female relatives including Tian Xinyue, He Yushui, Ran Qiuye, Zhong Xiaolu, Yang Xiaoman and Yu Wanrong were not to be outdone. They carried the cooked dishes in and out of the kitchen and the living room one after another, their movements light and graceful, like a group of dancing butterflies.

In a short while, the table was filled with delicious dishes that made people salivate.

When everything was ready, He Daqing poured half a bucket of cold water into the boiling water, and the iron pot instantly returned to calm.

In that era, cooking dumplings had its own unique rules: put the dumplings into the pot when the water boils, then add half a ladle of cold water to cool the water down, and repeat this three times. Only in this way would the dumplings taste delicious.

Although no one can explain the reason, everyone follows this traditional practice.

This was the third time they had added water. When the water in the iron pot began to boil again, Yang Zaixing said, "Okay, if they float, it means they are cooked and can be fished out."

He Daqing responded: "Then go to the front and announce that it's time to set off firecrackers."

Yang Zaixing agreed and walked out of the kitchen.

When he returned to the living room, he happened to meet He Yuzhu and told him: "Zhuzi, the dumplings are cooked, you can set off firecrackers now."

After hearing the news, He Yuzhu turned around and went back to inform everyone in the living room that the dumplings were cooked. Then he took his son He Qizhen to meet Zhou Zheng and Xu Damao in the yard.

The young people did not wait in the living room, but came to the yard one after another.

Since there were a lot of firecrackers to be set off, Zhou Zheng re-divided the work between He Yuzhu and Xu Damao, and took out a cigarette and gave each of them a cigarette.

Using matches to light firecrackers is not very stable and can be easily blown out by the wind, so cigarettes are used to light firecrackers.

Everything was ready. The three of them looked at each other and then lit the firecrackers that were assigned to them.

With a "hiss" sound, the fuse began to burn, but you could clearly hear the order in which they burned.

Immediately afterwards, there was a crackling sound and a whooshing sound, which was the sound of the Sky-piercing Monkey shooting into the air.

The fireworks exploded in the air, bursting with colorful lights, as dazzling as fire trees and silver flowers, illuminating the entire yard like a dream.

The sound of firecrackers in Zhou Zheng's yard was like a switch opening the curtain of the sky. The sound of firecrackers here was still continuing, and firecrackers were heard from other places in the distance.

The sounds of whooshing, roaring and crackling intertwined together, echoing under the sky.

In front of the house, Zhong Xiaolu looked up at the sky, a little dazed, and muttered to himself: "It's so beautiful!"

Others felt the same way.

At this time, Yang Zaixing, He Daqing, Li Guixiang, You Liying and Yu Wanrong in the house were busy bringing plates of dumplings from the kitchen to the living room and placing them neatly on the specially customized large dining table.

On the dining table, the exquisite dishes exude enticing aroma, making people salivate.

These dishes come from all over the world and are of great variety. Although not as luxurious as the Manchu Han Banquet, they are by no means inferior.

Every dish is carefully prepared, delicious and irresistible.

All of this is the result of the joint efforts of four chefs: He Daqing, Yang Zaixing, Yang Xiaoman and He Yuzhu.

Zhou Zheng did not participate in the preparation of the New Year's Eve dinner.

During the day, he and Tian Xinyue went out to visit relatives and friends. They were so busy that they had no time to cook.

However, it is precisely because of their dedication that this special night is filled with the flavor of the New Year.

Outside the house, the sound of firecrackers was deafening.

Zhou Zheng had prepared a large number of firecrackers, which were still popping.

He Yuzhu, Xu Damao and Zhou Zheng were playing among the firecrackers. After lighting various firecrackers, they quickly ran away, followed by a deafening explosion.

The colorful fireworks bloomed in the sky, lighting up the entire night sky, like a grand visual feast.

As time passed, night fell and the sky gradually became dark.

At this time, the fireworks appeared particularly dazzling, as if they were sparkling pearls inlaid in the night sky.

People came out of their homes, looked up to appreciate the magnificent fireworks show, with happy smiles on their faces.

At this special moment, everyone felt the strong festive atmosphere and their hearts were filled with beautiful expectations for the new year.

He Qi Zheng was not idle either. There was also a pile of not-so-dangerous firecrackers next to the little boy. This was the share that He Yuzhu had fought for his son. But now it seemed that he was reluctant to set them off. He only set off one occasionally, and his perfunctory attitude was too obvious.

Maybe the weather was still a little cold, Tian Xinyue greeted the women around her.

"Come on, let's go inside."

But the firecrackers were almost finished, otherwise she wouldn't have said that.

The others also understood what Tian Xinyue meant and walked into the house.

At this time, Zhou Zheng had already lit the last firecracker, put the cigarette in his mouth, and looked at He Yuzhu and Xu Damao. Sure enough, their movements were not as fast as his.

So he urged proudly: "Hurry up, hurry up, can you two do it? Why are you firing the cannon like a woman? It's so slow."

He Qizhen was still setting off firecrackers perfunctorily.

After hearing this, He Yuzhu's face flashed with dissatisfaction, "I think you are more like a woman!"

As he spoke, he quickened his hand movements.

Xu Damao continued to arrange the firecrackers calmly, "Don't be impatient. You can't eat hot tofu in a hurry."

However, just as they were arguing, a loud noise was suddenly heard, followed by a burst of thick smoke.

Everyone was startled and looked towards the source of the sound. Zhou Zheng's face was covered in black and gray, his hair was messy, and he was holding a half-smoked cigarette in his hand, with a confused look on his face.

It turned out that Zhou Zheng felt bored, so he took out the homemade cannon he had made a few days ago, which led to the accident.

Everyone was stunned at first, and then burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha, I made you anxious. Now it's over!"

"Hahaha, Zhou Zheng, you're so awesome!"