Early in the morning on New Year's Day, Gu Ruhai woke up, startled by the sound of firecrackers.
His head was still a bit dizzy, but he didn't have a headache from the hangover. Seeing him awake, Li Xuemei asked with concern, "How is it, does it still hurt?"
It was probably the first time in Gu Ruhai's life that he got drunk.
In the past, the family barely had enough to eat, let alone spare money to buy alcohol. During the festive season, the little bit of liquor at Mr. Gu's New Year's Eve dinner was all claimed by Gu Rushan, Gu Ruhe, and Mr. Gu; there was none for Gu Ruhai.
Gu Ruhai, embarrassed, lifted the quilt, "It's fine, have we set off our firecrackers yet? I drank too much yesterday, the kids must have laughed at me, right?"
On New Year's Eve at midnight, one must drive away poverty. Since he was passed out drunk, the family surely hadn't set off the firecrackers yet. Gu Ruhai hastily got up, tidied up, and prepared to set them off.
