After a flurry of activity at home, it was quickly the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month—New Year's Eve. This day traditionally called for eating jiaozi (dumplings), so the morning was dedicated to preparing the midday feast, and the afternoon would be spent wrapping dumplings. Despite being a holiday, it was busier than any other day.

Early that morning, Lin He and the other little ones were roused from sleep with instructions to clean the house before eating, though since it was a new house, cleanliness wasn't much of an issue. They wiped down the furniture, swept the floors, and arranged the items in the courtyard neatly.

On this day, Elder Qin and Xiao Jun also stayed home to help. Since Xiao Jun was only five and couldn't do much, she was told to play with Xiao Bao, with the main task being to keep Xiao Bao from causing trouble.

After breakfast, they began preparing the midday meal: washing everything that needed washing and chopping everything that needed chopping, so that by noon, they only needed to focus on the cooking. Most of the midday dishes were left to Lin He by Madam Huang. Lin He actually enjoyed cooking, but her small stature and the towering height of the stove made it quite difficult.

In the end, Lin He placed a small wooden stool beneath the stove, standing upon it while having Da Bao and Xiao Chen assist by passing ingredients. Er Niu managed the fire, and Madam Huang focused on chopping vegetables. With everything clearly delegated, Lin He prepared to showcase her skills.

First up was braised spareribs. The ribs were cut into rather large chunks. Lin He started by pouring some oil into the wok, waiting until it was hot before adding the ribs, along with chili peppers, garlic, and other aromatics. She stir-fried them until the moisture evaporated from the meat, then transferred them to a smaller pot to steam until tender.

The remaining dishes were simple stir-fries, and within half an hour, several small dishes were quickly completed. Finally, Lin He stir-fried plates of cured chicken and cured duck that Uncle Wen had sent over, using chilies in both. The courtyard filled with the scent of cooking food. Elder Qin, seated in the courtyard, inhaled deeply and chuckled, "He'er’s cooking is excellent! Just smelling it makes one’s mouth water."

Er Niu chimed in with a smile, "Wife, look at that. He'er, at such a young age, handles the wok like a seasoned cook. In a short while, I fear your culinary skills won't even measure up to hers."

Madam Huang playfully chided him, "That would be wonderful! From now on, He'er can cook for us, and I can finally relax. I can dedicate myself to my embroidery work; I wouldn't mind that at all."

The whole family ate lunch amidst laughter and cheerful conversation. In the afternoon, they busied themselves wrapping dumplings again. They needed to prepare a large quantity, as they would be eating dumplings every morning until the third day of the new year, meaning the large household would require many platters.

There was a flurry of activity washing vegetables and chopping the filling. Lin He knew how to wrap dumplings and had even learned several different decorative folds. Lin He wrapped some goldfish-shaped dumplings and placed them on a platter, which was a huge hit with the younger children, who immediately declared they wanted Second Sister's dumplings for dinner.

Lin He prepared the dumpling filling entirely herself, making it quite different from what most other families prepared. At that time, most households only added a tiny bit of meat, filling the rest with radishes or cabbage, resulting in a strong radish taste that barely resembled a proper dumpling.

Lin He’s filling, even for vegetable dumplings, included a dash of lard, making them incredibly fragrant.

On New Year's Eve, the entire family ate dumplings until their bellies were tight, all exclaiming how delicious they were and asking for more the next day, especially Lin He’s popular goldfish dumplings.

After the meal, the family gathered to stay up through the night—a custom requiring them to remain awake until dawn. They chatted while snacking on treats. The first half of the night was quite lively for Lin He and the younger children, enjoying the rare sight of the house brightly lit late into the evening. But as the night deepened, Lin He and the others simply couldn't stay awake; heads lolled, and they eventually drifted off to sleep on the kang (heated brick bed).

Only Da Bao, Elder Qin, and the couple Er Niu and Madam Huang remained awake. Seeing Xiao Jun asleep beside him, Elder Qin declared he was turning in too; being older, he couldn't keep up with staying up all night, and he took Xiao Jun to his room.

Meanwhile, Madam Huang was helping Lin He sew a hand warmer. Madam Huang knew the basic construction, but the embroidered toy figures still required Lin He’s personal touch.

The next morning, the sudden roar of firecrackers startled Lin He awake. It turned out her father was setting them off at the courtyard entrance. Firecrackers were expensive in those days, and ordinary families usually wouldn't buy them, but Er Niu insisted that since they had built a new house this year, they should spend a little money to usher in good fortune.

Soon after, Madam Huang also woke up the little ones, urging them to hurry so they could go pay respects to their elders. Lin Chen immediately scrambled up, exclaiming, "We have to wish Mom and Dad a happy new year so we can get our yasui qian (lucky money)!"

He then rushed Lin He to get up to claim her money. By the time they reached Madam Huang’s room, she and Er Niu were already up, and even Da Bao had been awake for a while.

Lin He put on her new clothes. It was customary for the children to wear new outfits for the New Year. Madam Huang had made new clothes for each of the younger ones. Xiao Bao was dressed in a vibrant red outfit; although it was plain cotton, his plump figure made him look like a charming doll from a New Year’s painting.

Da Bao’s clothes were the plainest, as he was older; he wore a simple scholar’s robe, and his hair was tied up with a headband, making him look exceedingly smart.

Lin He’s outfit was one she had made herself. Her attire was unique: a long changyi (long gown) and trousers pieced together from pale yellow and pink silk cloth, with an additional long jia (armor-like outer garment) worn over the top. Since Lin He's embroidery wasn't yet perfect, she used the art of knot-buttoning to adorn the edges with large, distinct floral patterns. For a girl her age, the ensemble looked lively and playful.

Lin Chen’s clothes were of the same cut, but in a soft green, and they were equally beautiful. Madam Huang smiled happily, looking at her two lovely daughters.

Lin Chen and Lin He went to pay their respects to their parents. Lin Chen knelt before them, bowed, and recited auspicious New Year greetings. Madam Huang and Er Niu smilingly handed each of them an embroidered pouch. Lin He felt a little stunned; in her previous life, paying respects wasn't this formal—a simple "Happy New Year" to the elders sufficed. Da Bao nudged her when he saw her zoning out, and Lin He snapped back to attention, kneeling down like Lin Chen to bow to her parents. Madam Huang and Er Niu handed her a pouch as well. Lin He pressed it lightly, sensing the feel of several small silver jiaozi inside.

Back in her room, Lin He saw Lin Chen examining the silver pieces from his pouch. Xiao Bao, however, had already tied his pouch around his neck, the small bag bouncing up and down with every run and hop.