066 – Henceforth, Celebrate the New Year Together (2)
“How is it?” Qin Mian said with a look as if presenting treasure, “Are they all the things you haven’t seen or eaten before?”
Lei Tie put his arm around his (QM) waist and whispered, “I’ll never forget this.”
Qin Mian did not like his expression of being immersed in memories. He waved a hand and said, “Don’t think about the past. The more people dislike you, the more you’ve to live a hundred, thousand times better than them.” He picked up a fried dough twist and put it into Lei Tie’s mouth.
Lei Tie’s two fingers held the fried dough twist and shook his head, “I didn’t think of those people.” He had long been indifferent to them. As long as there was his little wife, it was enough for him.On the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, other villagers were still busy boiling, stir-frying, and deep-frying. Qin Mian and Lei Tie took White Spot to visit Zhang Dashuan and Wu Di’s houses.
During the New Year’s Day, the households in the village treated their guests with their own fried melon seeds, fried peanuts, and fried broad beans. People who were willing to spend money would buy fried food in the town, or buy some other snacks, dried fruits, and so on.
To save trouble, Qin Mian bought fried melon seeds, fried peanuts, and fried broad beans. That was why he and Lei Tie were so leisurely. Intentionally or unintentionally, the two did not pass by the old house.
In the morning on the 30th of the twelfth lunar month, Lei Xiangyi, Lei Xiangli, Lei Xiangzhi, and Lei Chuntao walked into the courtyard gate of Qin Mian’s house in cotton-padded jackets, bringing along cold air.
The snow stopped two days ago and started to fall again in the middle of the night yesterday. The accumulated snow could drown up to the ankles. The four Leis walked such a short distance from the old house to Qin Mian’s home, but a layer of snow soon fell on them that their heads looked like wearing a white velvet hat.
White Spot ran over and inspected them with a scrutinizing eye before walking away.
The three Lei brothers slapped the snow on their bodies and looked at each other with a wry smile. Supposedly, a house pet resembled its owner. White Spot did not like the people from the old house. It only had a little affection for Lei Chuntao.“Go inside the bedroom and sit on the heatable brick bed.” Qin Mian waved.
As soon as they entered the bedroom, the siblings felt faint warmth and looked around secretly. This was the first time they entered this room.
The bedroom was very spacious. On the left side of the door was a wardrobe and on the right side were a two-person settee and a tea table. There were two brown cushions on the settee. The heatable brick bed was opposite the wardrobe. There were four red bolsters with black stripes and a printed thin blanket casually lying on the heatable brick bed. In the middle of the bed was a small table. On the table were chessboards with no more than a dozen pieces that had just been dropped. There were two cups of hot tea across the chessboard, braving hot steam. On the wall above the bed was a landscape painting and on the right was a bookshelf with some books scattered, one of which was opened and put in the lattice. The room was very clean, but not neatly arranged. Even so, there was a sense of warmth and comfort in the middle of casualness.
“Sit on the bed.” Qin Mian let Lei Tie greet them first. He turned around and went out again.
White Spot rubbed its feet on the mat on the floor, leaped up, and landed on the heatable brick bed. Then, it nestled in a corner.
Lei Xiangyi and the others hesitated for a moment before taking off their shoes and climbing up the heatable brick bed. The warmth under the buttocks made them felt so comfortable that they wanted to heave a sigh. Their frozen faces also softened down.
Although they were siblings, after all, between the sexes there should be a prudent reserve. Lei Chuntao did not take off her shoes. She sat on the edge of the heatable brick bed with her legs bent as she touched the warm quilt. She enviously said to Lei Xiangyi: “Brother, if our home makes this kind of heatable brick bed, we don’t have to be scared of cold in winter.”
Lei Xiangyi rubbed his face after warming his hands on the heatable brick bed, “Yes. When the villagers heard that eldest brother made such a heatable brick bed at home, they even disapproved of it. This winter, I’m afraid that eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law have the most comfortable living in the whole village.”
Lei Xiangli shook his head. “At the beginning, father and I mentioned that we should also make a heatable brick bed, but unfortunately mother disagreed.” They were very clear that Du Shi was reluctant to spend money.
Lei Xiangzhi pondered: “This kind of heatable brick bed is really practical. When the weather gets warm, I’ll convince father and mother. They’re getting old. When the heatable brick bed is built, they can have an easy time next winter.”
Lei Tie did not join in their conversation and flipped through a book.
Lei Xiangyi and the others were used to his quiet nature and did not mind.
Qin Mian came in with a tray. Lei Tie looked up and put away the chessboard.
Qin Mian put four cups of hot tea on the small table and placed the tray directly on the heatable brick bed.
The four Leis were attracted by the plates of snacks in the tray; a plate of fried hemp leaves garnished with black sesame seeds, a plate of rounded small dough twists, a plate of crisp yellow and attractive sangzis, a plate of plump sweet guozis[1] with visible sugar granules, and a plate of tofu dregs balls with six toothpicks stuck on them.
“What are these, eldest sister-in-law?” Lei Chuntao asked curiously.
Qin Mian took off his shoes and sat down next to Lei Tie. He rubbed his feet next to him to make it warmer. “These are the snacks that Lei Tie and I made together. They’re fried hemp leaves, fried dough twist, sangzi and sweet guozi. Tofu dregs ball was originally made for cooking, but it tastes good. I like it very much. You can try them, too. But there’s meat in it, you can’t eat too much if it’s cold.” With that, he poked a tofu dregs ball with a bamboo stick and ate it. This kind of food ball was delicious and chewy.
Lei Tie said: “Eat less.”
“I know, just eat two.” Qin Mian smilingly said, “I still have to leave a space in my stomach to eat better food in the evening.”
Lei Xiangzhi also poked a ball and said with a smile: “It seems that we’ve come to the right place today.”
Lei Xiangyi, Lei Xiangli, and Lei Chuntao tasted every kind of snack, and they were full of praise.
Lei Xiangyi secretly lamented that although eldest brother married a male wife, his life was much better than them.
“How is the preparation on your side?” Qin Mian asked thoughtlessly.
Lei Xiangyi reached out and took a sangzi, which was crispy and aromatic. “In the middle of stewing the meat. Everything else is ready.”
“Is there something for all of you to come here?” Qin Mian went to pick the tofu dregs ball again but was stopped by Lei Tie. He had to put down the toothpick and took a fried hemp leaf to eat.
Lei Xiangyi, Lei Xiangli, Lei Xiangzhi, and Lei Chuntao looked at each other. Lei Xiangyi took a look at Lei Tie, drank a sip of hot tea, and said hopelessly: “Father and mother asked you two to over to eat New Year’s Eve dinner and celebrate New Year together.”
Qin Mian looked at Lei Tie without comment.
Lei Tie said in a low voice: “My wife and I celebrate the New Year in our own home.”
Lei Xiangyi and the others did not speak to persuade them but chatted about other topics.
Both Lei Xiangli and Lei Xiangzhi were good talkers. Qin Mian was also a glib and nimble talker. He had hundreds of years of knowledge than them. The conversation between them was very lively.
Later, even Lei Tie also occasionally put in a few words. Although he popped up with a few words, he was not being so quiet at last.
Unconsciously, the few plates of food had been completely eaten.
Lei Xiangyi and the others were a little embarrassed. Upon seeing that Qin Mian picked up the tray and was going to load food, they quickly got off the heatable brick bed.
“Don’t be busy, eldest sister-in-law. It’s almost noon. We should go back.” Lei Chuntao said first.
Qin Mian paused and nodded, “Right. Today is New Year’s Eve, it’s inappropriate to make you stay for lunch. Wait a minute. I’ll get some snacks that you can take home for the children.”
Lei Xiangyi’s heart felt warm. He hastily said: “Thank you, eldest sister-in-law.”
Qin Mian found a small wooden bucket and put some of each kind of food into it, adding up to half of the bucket.
On the way back to the old house, Lei Chuntao could not help but take a tofu dregs ball to eat.
Lei Xiangyi, Lei Xiangli, and Lei Xiangzhi were unable to restrain their laughter.
Lei Chuntao was embarrassed and said in a low voice: “The tofu dregs ball is really delicious.”
Lei Xiangzhi patted her on the head, “Don’t worry, there’s your share.”
Lei Chuntao’s face turned pink and promptly waved a hand, “How can I do that? Give Dabao, Erbao, and Xinxin to eat.”
Lei Xiangyi also laughed, “What to be embarrassed about? In our eyes, you’re also a child.”
Lei Xiangli and Lei Xiangzhi both nodded with a smile.
Lei Chuntao’s lips could not stop rising. She had a few good older brothers.
They stepped on the snow all the way through the door. When Du Shi and Wei Shi saw the bucket in Lei Xiangyi’s hands, the look in their eyes changed.
“What are you carrying?” Lei Xiangren was eating melon seeds with his legs crossed. He spat the skin of the melon seeds all over the ground. When he saw them coming back, he went over and reached out a hand.
Lei Xiangyi went to the side to avoid him, “It’s given by eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law for the three children to eat.”
“Let me see what good things they are.” Lei Xiangren approached again.
Lei Xiangyi handed the bucket to Lei Xiangzhi.
“What’s wrong with looking? Are you afraid I’ll eat it?” Lei Xiangren’s tone towards Lei Xiangyi was bad, but he dared not snatch it from Lei Xiangzhi. Although this youngest brother was young, his appearance of fixedly looking at people without saying anything always made people had a guilty conscience.
Afraid of losing out, Zhao Shi called out: “Dabao, Erbao, come here quickly, there is delicious food.”
Qian Shi had already come out of the house silently with Xinxin in her arms.
Wei Shi asked Lei Chuntao, “Why don’t I see your eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law?”
Lei Chuntao responded: “This year is their first year after they got married, it’s more appropriate to celebrate the New Year by themselves.”
Wei Shi said: “How can this be? It’s too lonely for them to celebrate the New Year. Husband, why don’t we go there in person?” She asked Lei Daqiang with a smile.
Without waiting for Lei Daqiang to open his mouth, Lei Xiangzhi smilingly said: “Father, little sister is right. This is the first year for eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law after they got married. Let’s not bother them. You try the snacks made by eldest sister-in-law and eldest brother.”
He gave one for each kind of snacks to Lei Daqiang, Lei Xiangren, Du Shi, Wei Shi, Zhao Shi, and Qian Shi. The rest was divided equally among Lei Dabao, Lei Erbao, and Lei Xinxin. Although the adults felt that these snacks were delicious, they were also embarrassed to compete with the children.
Lei Xiangren felt that the tofu dregs ball was delicious. After eating one, he still wished there was more. He murmured to Zhao Shi in a low voice, “Old Three and the others must have eaten a lot over there. If I knew it earlier, I’d have gone with them just now.”
Zhao Shi also nodded, “If I knew, I’d also follow.”
Lei Chuntao heard it and silently sneered.
Qin Mian and Lei Tie did not care who got what they gave. After lunch, they took a nap. When they woke up, they played chess for a while and begin to prepare for the New Year’s Eve dinner.
After the rice was cooked, it was kept warm on the charcoal stove. The ribs, chicken, meat, trotters, and so on were cooked in advance. After Qin Mian’s reprocessing, they were put into the pot to keep warm. Then, he made several dishes that needed to be cooked immediately.
Lei Tie was holding a bowl of sticky paste and a small bamboo brush, sticking the Door Gods[2] and Spring Festival couplets.
Qin Mian ran out while the food in the pot was still cooking and began to admire it from the courtyard gate.
He saw that the couplets at the gate of the courtyard were: “Welcoming The Spring, Welcoming Happiness, Welcoming Riches And Honor”; “Receiving Wealth, Receiving Luck, Receiving Peace”. The horizontal scroll was written with “Happy Spring Festival” and there was also a [door] push plate – “Peace Wherever You Go”.
“The couplets you selected are quite good.” Qin Mian praised Lei Tie with a happy smile.
Lei Tie looked at him for a moment with profound meaning. There was an indistinguishable emotion in his dark eyes. He nodded slightly, “They’re pretty good.”
Qin Mian inexplicably looked at him for a few seconds and stepped into the door.
The side of the well was also pasted with “A Small Stream Flows Far”. The Spring Festival couplets in the central room door were as followed: “Sweet-Tempered Family Increases All Kind Of Luck”; “The Peace Word Worth Thousands Of Gold”; and the horizontal scroll wrote “May All Go Well With You”. The Spring Festival couplets in the kitchen were also appropriate: “Firewood, Rice, Oil, Salt, Soy Sauce, Vinegar And Tea”; “Sour, Sweet, Bitter, Spicy, Salty And Spicy”; and the horizontal scroll was “All Tastes Of The World”. Qin Mian also noticed that there were two additional red “福”[3] characters on the wall of the central room, opposite each other at a distance.
Then, he came to the door of their bedroom and saw the contents of the Spring Festival couplets. He could not help but pause and his heart trembled. He was shocked to see the spring couplets in the bedroom:
A harmonious union lasting a hundred years.
Till the seas dry up and the rocks decay, with one heart forever bound
The earth is wide and the sky is high, fly wing to wing[4]
The characters’ strokes were like swimming dragons[5], full of domineering and wanton. The font of these spring couplets was obviously different from the other spring couplets.
Qin Mian had a guess in his heart and stared at Lei Tie, who stood beside him.
Lei Tie was expressionless. His eyes scrutinized the spring couplets and nodded as to emphasize, “The couplets I chose are good.”
Qin Mian: “………”
Lei Tie turned his head and looked towards the kitchen, “The food is scorched.”
Qin Mian looked at him in surprise, “Don’t tell me that you wrote these couplets.”
—–END OF VOLUME 1—–
Volume 2: Cannot Bear to Part from Each Other
Note:
[1] Literal translation is sweet fruit. A small ball of dough that was fried in melted sugar
[2] Paintings of Door Gods posted on the door during the Lunar New Year. As the guardian spirit of folk beliefs, people put their gods on the door to drive away evil spirits, guard the house and etc.
[3]福 Fú = good fortune/happiness/luck
[4] (idiom); two hearts beating as one; (of a couple) inseparable
[5] Vigorous and lively calligraphy
