On New Year’s Eve, the He household was lively from early morning.
Before dawn, Aunt Wang was already busy in the kitchen. Madam He had risen early too, directing He Qingqing to put up paper cuttings on the windows. When Chen Shuang woke up, she smelled the aroma of stewed meat wafting from the kitchen, mingled with a faint scent of firecrackers—some eager children had already started setting off small firecrackers in the yard.
“Awake?” He Yanzhi had woken unusually early as well, leaning against the headboard reading. Seeing Chen Shuang open her eyes, he put down his book and bent to press a kiss to her forehead. “Happy New Year, Shuangshuang.”
Chen Shuang blinked, only then realizing it was New Year’s Eve. She smiled. “Happy New Year, Yanzhi.”
As usual, He Yanzhi brought her a cup of warm water, but today a few goji berries and red dates floated in it. Chen Shuang took a sip; the sweetness warmed her heart.
“Today’s New Year’s Eve, so we drink red date and goji berry water—symbolizing prosperity and good fortune,” He Yanzhi said earnestly.
Chen Shuang couldn’t help laughing. “Where did you learn all these traditions?”
“Mom told me,” he replied, helping her put on her clothes. “You’re wearing something new today. Mom prepared a set for you.”
Indeed, Madam He had chosen a bright red maternity outfit, embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns in gold thread. Chen Shuang looked especially radiant once dressed.
“You look beautiful,” He Yanzhi’s eyes shone. “Just like the lucky children in New Year paintings.”
“Who talks about their own wife like that?” Chen Shuang teased, but her heart felt sweet.
Downstairs, the living room was already transformed. Delicate paper cuttings adorned the windows, hand-written Spring Festival couplets hung on the walls, and candies and sunflower seeds were neatly arranged on the coffee table—everywhere there was a festive air.
“Shuangshuang’s awake?” Madam He peeked out of the kitchen. “Come have breakfast! Today we have niangao, symbolizing yearly progress.”
Breakfast included red date rice cake, eight-treasure porridge, and a few side dishes. The family sat together, chatting and laughing in a warm, cozy atmosphere.
After breakfast, He Yanzhi was called by his father to put up the Spring Festival couplets. Chen Shuang wanted to help but was gently held back by Madam He. “You’re the priority today—just sit and watch.”
So she sat by the window, watching father and son busy at the door. He Yanzhi, tall, handled the top sections while his father directed from below.
“Move a little to the left… no, too far… right… perfect, right here!”
The father and son worked in perfect harmony, and soon the couplets were up: red background, black characters, reading “Spring returns to the earth, scenery is fine; blessings fill the human world, joy is abundant,” with the horizontal banner “Welcoming the New Spring.”
“Well written!” Grandpa Li, passing by, gave a thumbs-up.
Madam He chuckled. “Old Li, come in for a bit?”
“No, no, I have to put up ours at home too,” he waved, then turned to Chen Shuang. “Shuangshuang, Happy New Year! I wish you peace and three big, healthy boys!”
“Thank you, Grandpa Li,” Chen Shuang replied with a smile.
After the couplets were done, He Yanzhi came back inside, a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead. Chen Shuang handed him a handkerchief.
“Wipe your sweat,” she said.
He took it but didn’t wipe; instead, he poured her a glass of water first. “Sit still. Call me if you want more.”
Chen Shuang laughed. “I’m not a porcelain doll.”
“You’re even more precious than one now,” He Yanzhi said seriously.
By ten in the morning, Zhao Jianguo and family arrived to pay early New Year’s greetings. The living room was soon filled with people; children ran around excitedly, making the house lively.
“Uncle He, Aunt Qin, Happy New Year!” Zhao Jianguo brought two bottles of wine. “New Year greetings to you!”
“Happy New Year, Happy New Year!” Madam and Mr. He replied warmly.
Liu Hui held Chen Shuang’s hand, saying enviously, “Sister-in-law, Yanzhi treats you so well! Mine hasn’t even washed a bowl in years.”
Zhou Xiaomei added, “Right, my Li Weidong almost burned the kitchen last time he tried to cook noodles for me.”
The women laughed together, while the men circled He Yanzhi, asking for advice.
“Brother He, teach us—how do you make your wife so happy?” Wang Tianyu asked.
He Yanzhi glanced at him. “With sincerity.”
“Ha! That’s like saying nothing at all,” Zhao Jianguo shook his head.
Li Weidong asked seriously, “Brother He, you really learned to cook?”
“I learned one dish,” He Yanzhi said proudly. “Sweet and sour ribs.”
“Impressive!” Zhou Ming patted him on the shoulder. “Teach me next time—my wife loves that too.”
The living room was bustling with laughter. Children played, adults chatted; the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
Before leaving, Zhao Jianguo suddenly remembered something and pulled out a small box. “Here, Sister-in-law, this is for you.”
Chen Shuang opened it—beautifully packaged chocolates.
“A friend brought them back from Shanghai,” Zhao Jianguo said. “They say chocolate makes pregnant women happy. Try some.”
“This is too precious…” Chen Shuang knew chocolate was rare at this time.
“Not precious, not precious,” he waved her off. “Your happiness is enough.”
Others also presented small gifts—Zhou Ming brought homemade sesame candy, Li Weidong brought a tin of malted milk, and Wang Tianyu brought a bag of walnuts.
After the guests left, Chen Shuang looked at the pile of gifts. “Everyone’s so kind.”
“You deserve it,” He Yanzhi said, holding her shoulder. “Shuangshuang, you deserve all the good things.”
After dinner, He Yanzhi massaged her as usual. Today he had learned a new technique that felt especially comfortable.
“This technique today…” Chen Shuang murmured with her eyes half-closed, “feels different?”
“Learned from Doctor Sun,” he said while massaging. “She said it’s effective for relieving lower back soreness in pregnant women.”
It turned out he had gone to the hospital that afternoon to learn pregnancy massage techniques from Dr. Sun in obstetrics.
Touched, Chen Shuang turned to him. “Yanzhi, you don’t have to work so hard…”
“It’s no trouble,” He Yanzhi said earnestly. “I’m happy to do anything for you.”
After the massage, he brought foot-washing water, this time infused with mugwort to drive away the cold.
Chen Shuang sank her feet into the warm water, sighing comfortably. He Yanzhi knelt beside her, washing carefully, even between her toes.
“Yanzhi,” she whispered.
“Hmm?” he looked up.
“I’m so glad I married you,” Chen Shuang said sincerely.
He Yanzhi smiled, eyes full of tenderness. “I’m the lucky one, to have married you.”
Outside, night fell, stars twinkling. Inside, the warmth and love enveloped the home.
That winter, though cold, every day in the He household felt like spring. And this warmth would continue, welcoming new life and a brighter future together.