She picked up a bundle of firewood and moved it into the house. Then, she went out again. These firewood were to be used during the New Year, for Changsheng's mother to fry up some meatballs and Youtiao. It was Yan Huan's first New Year in the village, and things were about to get busy. In the past, people were busy during the New Year too, but things weren't so hands-on.
She and Changsheng's mother worked together to cook the meat and fry the youtiao. Things were much faster with an extra pair of hands around. In the past, Changsheng's mother had to toil from day to night to get things done, but everything was ready before noon this time.
They were all set for the New Year. Changsheng's mother even made meat dumplings—although the filling mainly consisted of vegetables—since meat didn't come by easy.
The villagers rarely got to eat meat, except a morsel or two during the New Year.
