Chapter 177: The New Year
Today was New Year’s Eve.
From lunchtime onward, the base echoed with the crackling of firecrackers.
Firecrackers aren’t something you can eat, and usually, people don’t specifically collect them since they’re abundant outside. With a little bit of food or credits, you could exchange for a large bunch.
For such a festive day, no household would skimp on these supplies, so the sound of firecrackers filled the air.
Xia Lu Nong’s house didn’t have children, but the rose vine and pepper tree were like kids, reacting strongly to the firecrackers.
Xia Lu Nong spent extra time keeping them company.
The rose vine complained to Xia Lu Nong, “Why do humans like something that sounds like thunder? Thunder is terrifying! A single strike could take down a whole tree.”
Xia Lu Nong laughed, “It’s about the excitement—New Year’s is meant to be lively and cheerful.”
The rose vine still couldn’t quite grasp it, shaking its branches in confusion.
After keeping it company for a while, Xia Lu Nong pinched its leaf tips and said, “Rest now, I’ve got things to do.”
The rose vine gently wrapped its branches around his foot, reluctantly saying goodbye.
Xia Lu Nong then went to check on the pepper tree.
It was also its first time seeing this kind of scene. The tree had extended its branches, almost like it was stretching its neck to watch.
Every time the firecrackers went off, its branches would jolt in surprise.
When Xia Lu Nong arrived, the pepper tree radiated curiosity.
Xia Lu Nong patted its trunk and smiled, “Don’t worry, no kids will come up here to set off firecrackers.”
Xia Hua Jiao: “Whoosh!”
Kong Zhi poked his head out from inside the house, “It’s already past three. Are we heading to the square now?”
Xia Lu Nong turned around, “Sure! When did the Spring Festival couplets get put up on the door?”
Kong Zhi came out with a scarf, wrapping it snugly around Xia Lu Nong, “Your brother and Captain Yan put them up early this morning.”
The two of them walked side by side to the small square.
It was already bustling, with a dozen or so children in bright red and yellow new clothes running around, laughing and playing. They ranged from two to twelve years old.
The children were so excited that their laughter reached a high pitch. Two of them, losing their balance, tumbled into Xia Lu Nong’s legs.
The kids weren’t scared, though. They looked up at him with grins, revealing their gap-toothed smiles, looking adorably silly.
Xia Lu Nong helped them stand up, smiling, “Be careful.”
“Thank you, Brother Lu Nong.” “Thank you, Brother!”
“Lu Nong! Kong Zhi! Over here!”
Before Xia Lu Nong could say anything more, Liao Cheng waved at them from a distance.
In the blink of an eye, the two kids had darted off, resuming their game of tag.
Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi headed over to Liao Cheng.
He was busy stewing a pot of chicken.
Xia Lu Nong peeked in, “Brother Liao, isn’t our food stall nearby?”
“Your brothers are too busy. They dropped off the ingredients, and the canteen staff is cooking for you.”
Xia Lu Nong had originally planned to take over his family’s food stall, but hearing this, he was quite pleased. “So, we don’t have to do anything?”
“Exactly! You’ve been working hard all year, so take this chance to enjoy yourselves.” Liao Cheng grinned. “Got the pepper trees taken care of?”
“Yeah, I even gave them some extra fertilizer.”
After chatting for a while, Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi went off to explore the square.
There were so many people, far more than during the autumn festival.
Back then, fewer people had joined their base, but now the population had nearly doubled.
The crowd made the place feel lively.
Participating in the same activities, everyone was slowly getting to know each other.
Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi strolled along with the crowd, feeling like they were at a fair.
Both of them were well-known, and many people greeted them along the way, offering them food.
They carried a small bowl, sampling food from one side of the square to the other.
The food was all freshly cooked, and since it was everyone’s specialty, there were dishes from all over the country. Most of it was delicious.
Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi shared the food, taking turns feeding each other bites.
With his mouth full, cheeks puffed out, Xia Lu Nong looked around and wondered aloud, “I wonder where my brothers are and if they’ve eaten yet.”
Kong Zhi said, “We can just ask around and find out.”
“Let’s not,” Xia Lu Nong replied. “I don’t want to come off like some clingy mama’s boy. Come on, let’s head towards the cafeteria. They’re probably there.”
Xia Lu Nong’s guess was right.
Xia Huo Qu and Yan Xi Nian, along with Leng Changkong and the others, were making dumplings in the cafeteria.
When Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi arrived, Yan Xi Nian waved them over. “I was just about to send someone to get you. Fresh, hot dumplings are ready—come and eat.”
“Sure thing.”
Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi greeted everyone. Each person returned the greetings with warm smiles.
They had already eaten dumplings yesterday and had just been through a feast, so Xia Lu Nong wasn’t really hungry. After eating two dumplings to be polite, he let Kong Zhi finish the rest.
After they ate, they washed their hands and joined the others in making dumplings.
Old Liu and some other familiar faces like Luo Cong Xin and Cong Lian were there as well. Even the newly joined members like Mai Dong were participating.
The cafeteria had gathered most of the key figures from the base.
They weren’t just making dumplings; as they worked, they chatted too. Leng Changkong and the others represented the Fireseed Base, and after days of discussions, most of the negotiations were settled. Now, their conversations leaned more toward base-related small talk.
Though they didn’t discuss anything too private, they still talked about the major tasks for the coming year.
Xia Lu Nong had heard these plans many times, so he didn’t have much to add. However, listening to the conversations, he could truly feel how much stronger their base had become.
After the dumpling-making session, it was time for the New Year’s Eve dinner, which would be held at the small square with everyone.
The square had a stage set up in the afternoon, complete with microphones and speakers.
Xia Lu Nong realized that even after the apocalypse, they still had to endure the ritual of square dancing.
That being said, today’s singing and dancing were particularly joyful.
Even though the songs weren’t the best, and the dances weren’t that refined, there was an undeniable vitality to the performances.
Xia Lu Nong really enjoyed the evening’s show.
People sang and danced in the small square until well past midnight, and only then did they slowly head home to rest.
Since Xia Lu Nong had slept in that morning, he wasn’t tired at all. He and Kong Zhi didn’t head home until after 2 a.m., feeling content.
His brother and Yan Xi Nian had left a little earlier. The four of them were split between two houses, so they wouldn’t disturb each other.
Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi didn’t go to bed until after 4 a.m., and the next day, they woke up around 10 a.m.
The bed was warm and soft. Xia Lu Nong turned to look at Kong Zhi.
Kong Zhi lay beside him, propping his head up with one hand, staring at him intently.
Xia Lu Nong flashed a big smile, “Happy New Year, Kong Zhi!”
Kong Zhi’s deep voice sounded in his ear, “Happy New Year, Xiao Nong.”
Xia Lu Nong gave him a kiss on the cheek, grabbed his clothes, and started to get up. “What time is it? New year, new start—we should be getting up early, right?”
Kong Zhi replied, “In the new year, let’s not be too busy. Being able to sleep in is a blessing.”
“That’s a good point,” Xia Lu Nong said with a laugh as he lay back down. “Let’s stay in bed a little longer. It’s freezing outside! Come back under the covers, and let’s tuck the blankets in tight so no cold air gets in.”
Kong Zhi, with a smile, followed his cue and lay back down.
On New Year’s Day, the two of them snuggled under the warm blankets, chatting away.
Being both lovers and partners, they talked about everything—past, present, and future, without any bounds.
The atmosphere was so cozy.
As they talked, Xia Lu Nong started to feel drowsy again. Unable to resist, he fell back asleep, cuddling Kong Zhi.
The next time they woke up, it was already past noon.
It was time for lunch.
Xia Lu Nong felt completely refreshed after his sleep, filled with a sense of relaxation and comfort.
He and Kong Zhi got up, dressed, slipped on their slippers, and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
They had boiled water the night before, and the water was still hot in the thermos, so they used warm water to wash up.
The two squeezed in front of a single sink, brushing their teeth and washing their faces together.
Looking at himself in the mirror, Xia Lu Nong said, “I hope we can get a water heater and other modern appliances this year.”
Kong Zhi replied, “Once the base’s power supply improves, it shouldn’t be a problem. We might even be able to run air conditioning by summer.”
Xia Lu Nong, full of confidence, said, “No doubt about it!”
They went outside and unlocked the front door.
Hearing them, Xia Huo Qu and Yan Xi Nian came over from next door.
Xia Lu Nong clasped his hands in a greeting, “Brother, Xi Nian, Happy New Year! Wishing you both health and success in the coming year!”
Xia Huo Qu and Yan Xi Nian, seeing his bright smile, each pulled out a red envelope and handed one to him and Kong Zhi.
Xia Huo Qu said, “Happy New Year! Wishing you both good health and a smooth year ahead.”
“Thank you, Brother! Thank you, brother Xi Nian!” Xia Lu Nong, grinning ear to ear as he held the red envelopes, teased, “Brother, Kong Zhi and I are together now, and you’re still giving me red envelopes?”
Xia Huo Qu smiled, “Even when you’re 80, I’ll still be your brother.”
Xia Lu Nong laughed, “Then I guess I should go give red envelopes to the rose vine and pepper tree.”
