Rotting Land: Survive

Chapter 832: Chapter 817: New Year’s Day

Three days later, on January 1st, China’s festival, which is also commonly known as "New Year" in most countries around the world, marks the first day of the year.

The clear sky was rare and tinged with hints of red clouds. The long-awaited sunshine filtered through the mists woven by cold air, bringing a warm vitality to this frost and snow-covered land.

Most of the survivors at the villa got up early and gathered in the courtyard, enjoying this rare winter sunshine.

Old Zhao set up a wooden round table in the center of the courtyard. Luo Baocun, who was coughing, saw this and curiously approached to greet him, "Hey, Old Zhao, morning, what are you doing?"

Old Zhao was fretting about having no one to help with the work. Seeing Wen Quanxin coming forward voluntarily, how could he not make use of him? He joyfully pulled a piece of plastic wrap out from the pocket of his down jacket, handed one end to the former’s hand, and said, "Just in time, help me spread this on the table."

Wen Quanxin, without any preparation, was caught off guard. Perhaps the warmth of the sun had dulled his thinking; he almost instinctively cooperated with Old Zhao’s work. The two of them laid down three layers in succession until the entire wooden table was fully covered, at which point Old Zhao clapped his hands and stopped.

"Hey, no, Old Zhao, you still haven’t told me what play you’re putting on here?"

"Xiao Wen, today’s performance is this."

Wei Yang, wearing a light pink cotton apron, cheerfully walked out of the villa, carrying a stainless steel basin. Once she placed the basin on the wooden table in the courtyard, Wen Quanxin quickly peered inside to confirm, "Flour!"

"Haha, yes, this was prepared by Xiao Wang last night. How does it look, Xiao Wen? Not bad, right?" For the generation born in the ’80s, not many know how to make noodles anymore, especially young people like Xiao Wang who were born and raised in the south.

Wen Quanxin examined it closely, then generously gave a thumbs-up and praised, "Not bad, Xiao Wang, great skill. But what are you going to do with all this?"

"Make dumplings!"

Making dumplings didn’t surprise Wen Quanxin. After all, making dough usually means doing such things. But why would you set up a table in the courtyard to make dumplings? Is it because there are a lot of people here and you want to show off your skills? With these questions in mind, Wen Quanxin asked, "Why aren’t you making the dumplings in the living room, why out here?"

"Haha, tell me, what day is today?" Wei Yang asked as she put on disposable gloves.

To be honest, in the post-apocalyptic world, things are so confusing, not as orderly as they once were when people had jobs and responsibilities. So now, very few people bother to remember the date. For the survivors, living one more day is considered a bonus; who knows when they might have to report to God next? So instead of wasting brain cells remembering useless stuff, it’s more practical to just have a good sleep.

After all, consuming brain cells equates to consuming one’s energy, and in this world, the most precious thing is supplies. Therefore, it’s wise to avoid such low-cost-effectiveness activities.

"Today is New Year’s Day!" Seeing Wen Quanxin look up and ponder for a long time without an answer, Luo Baocun standing beside him replied directly.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot, it’s New Year’s Day today. But what’s New Year’s Day got to do with this...?" Wen Quanxin, still in confusion, pointed at the wooden table.

"New Year’s Day is for eating dumplings, and it’s also a time for everyone to reunite. The dumplings are meaningful when everyone makes them together." With that, Wei Yang handed a stack of disposable gloves to Wen Quanxin, "Comrade Xiao Wen, I’m leaving the task of calling everyone to you. I’m going inside to get the dumpling filling."

"Uh... no..."

"Do your best, I’m going to lend Xiao Wang a hand!" Seeing Wen Quanxin looking towards him, Old Zhao quickly patted his shoulder and encouraged him, then disappeared in a flash.

"I..." Looking at the disposable gloves in his hand, Wen Quanxin helplessly shook his head and chuckled.

Soon the villa courtyard, which had been quiet, turned into a venue filled with everyone’s laughter and busyness. Amidst the excitement, Wen Quanxin couldn’t help but tease the creations of Wang and Tang, "Oh my God, what did I say? Wei Yang, making dumplings isn’t something everyone can do, right? Look at some people’s dumplings. Do they even look like dumplings? With these lackluster things, how are you going to cook them later? Comrades, I have a feeling we’re all in for boiled noodles meatball soup today."

"Boiled noodles meatball soup... hahahaha!" The more Wang Zhongyu thought about these words, the more hilariously apt they seemed. His unrestrained laughter quickly influenced everyone else, and they couldn’t help but laugh along.

As the saying goes, while some rejoice, others fret. Everyone was bursting with laughter and joy, except for Tang Xiaoquan and Wang Qiang, who were awkwardly embarrassed. Although Wen Quanxin didn’t explicitly name who he was talking about, they were well aware of their misshapen works.

"Alright, Xiao Wen, stop saying that. Today we gathered to make dumplings, and the important thing is to feel the atmosphere of reunion. It doesn’t matter how they turn out."

Tang Xiaoquan gratefully glanced at his beloved. However, Wei Yang’s comments were not merely to help him and Wang Qiang save face.

She was expressing a hopeful sentiment. This Survivor Squad had gone through so much life and death, separations and reunions along the way.

She had long considered everyone here as her family. She was afraid that in the future, as they struggled to survive, these people might leave her for various reasons.

So she cherished the time spent with everyone now, especially on this occasion of New Year’s Day reunion, bringing everyone together to make dumplings. She simply wanted to use this method to pray for everyone, wishing that heaven could allow her and all her family to keep living happily and blissfully like this moment.

Wen Quanxin’s intention was merely to liven up the atmosphere, not to embarrass Tang Wang and Wang Qiang. Wei Yang’s words served as a new source of mischief for him. He poked Wang Zhongyu beside him, saying teasingly, "Hey, Zhongyu, see that? That’s what love is. They’re already united on the same front even before getting married!"

"Oh, Xiao Wen, don’t talk nonsense." Wei Yang’s cheeks flushed with rosy embarrassment. Though her gentle rebuke suggested displeasure, inside she was overjoyed.

"Xiao Wei, don’t be afraid of Xiao Wen’s big mouth. If he dares to tease you again, take my advice and cut his food rations. Let’s see if he dares to talk nonsense again!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)