LW chapter 38

On New Year’s Eve, the villagers went to the mountain to worship and then stayed home to prepare for the reunion. No one wandered around the village.

They discussed this year’s New Year’s Eve dinner and decided to make it more special than in previous years.

“We’ll make meatball soup, soak some dried mushrooms, steam braised pork, slice some cured meat, cook a stew, and make corn cakes.” Aunt Sun counted on her fingers. That should be enough for the three of them.

Chen Qing nodded. In previous years, he and Aunt Sun would only stir-fry some meat. After eating, they would go to bed early. They would go to their rooms to rest and then come out at midnight to set off a string of firecrackers, after which the New Year would be over.

This year, however, they were celebrating the New Year more solemnly, spending the entire afternoon preparing.

When night fell, the dishes on the table were ready. Aunt Sun was about to ask Chen Qing to call Zhou Yuan, but Zhou Yuan had already arrived.

He brought two jars of wine and a bag of candied fruit.

The New Year’s Eve dinner was set up in the main hall, with a charcoal brazier placed under the table. Despite the lack of floor heating, the room was warm.

In the shrine were the tablets of Pastor Meng and Meng Tao. Aunt Sun set out two sets of bowls and chopsticks.

Zhou Yuan poured wine for the three of them. Chen Qing waved his hand and said that he had never drunk before. Aunt Sun was happy thinking about the New Year, so she asked Chen Qing to try some.

Zhou Yuan also said: “This isn’t strong liquor like Shaodaozi¹Shaodaozi (烧刀子 / 燒刀子) is a type of strong, clear Chinese liquor—usually a kind of baijiu. Shaodaozi literally means “burning knife liquor.” The name comes from the strong, sharp, burning sensation when you drink it—like being cut by a hot knife.. I bought it outside. The shopkeeper said it’s osmanthus wine. It won’t get you drunk. Even after drinking it, you can still smell the sweet fragrance of osmanthus.”

After hearing this, Chen Qing also wanted to try it.

While they were eating, Zhou Yuan told them about his experiences in the capital. There wasn’t much to say about the trip itself, but visiting Xixin Mansion had made a deep impression on him.

“Have you used the seasoning you brought back?” Zhou Yuan asked.

Chen Qing shook his head. “I don’t know what it is. I’m afraid of wasting it.”

Zhou Yuan replied, “I heard from people there that it’s called chili. If you use it for cooking, it makes dishes very appetizing. I’ve tried it, and it’s really unique and delicious.”

Chen Qing shook his head. “I don’t dare.”

Aunt Sun said, “Ah Qing, you should be brave and try new things. Let’s try it next time.”

Chen Qing felt a little embarrassed. He took a sip from his bowl of wine. It still made him cough when it first entered his mouth, but the flavor lingered. It really was fragrant with osmanthus.

This time, Chen Qing didn’t stay silent like he did during the Mid-Autumn Festival. When Zhou Yuan talked about interesting things, Chen Qing asked him a few questions, and Zhou Yuan answered patiently.

Aunt Sun didn’t say much while Zhou Yuan talked with Chen Qing; she only looked at them kindly.

The two jars of wine that Zhou Yuan had brought were finished. Aunt Sun was a little drunk. She looked at Chen Qing. He had also drunk quite a bit, but his eyes were clear, as if filled with water. Zhou Yuan, on the other hand, had a red face.

“Let’s all turn in, Ah Qing. Remember to set off some firecrackers at midnight so that the coming year will be prosperous.” Aunt Sun stood up, moved the leftovers from the table to the kitchen, boiled some water, and went back to her room after reminding Chen Qing and Zhou Yuan to soak their feet before bed.

Chen Qing’s eyes were bright as he rested his head in his hand and looked at Zhou Yuan. Thinking he had a high alcohol tolerance, Zhou Yuan stood and walked over to Chen Qing.

He touched Chen Qing’s hair. “Are you going to stay up tonight?”

Chen Qing tilted his head and looked at Zhou Yuan. Then he said, “No.”

Zhou Yuan smiled. “Then what will you do?”

Chen Qing thought for a moment. “Can we go look at the stars?”

“Alright.”

Zhou Yuan fetched a thick coat for him, casually put it on him, and took him outside.

“Where are you taking me?” Chen Qing followed him. Although he seemed quite alert, he was actually dizzy and nearly fell into a ditch while walking along the path.

Zhou Yuan simply threw the man onto his back and carried him away. Only then did Zhou Yuan realize that Chen Qing was drunk but not completely out of it.

“I wanted to walk to the fields last time so you wouldn’t see me,” Chen Qing said, hugging Zhou Yuan’s neck.

Zhou Yuan laughed. “Good thing there aren’t many rats in the village, or Ah Qing would have to pass through rat holes whenever he went out.”

Chen Qing laughed too. “I just don’t like places with too many people. I don’t like strangers, and I don’t like unfamiliar things.”

“Why?”

After a moment of thought, Chen Qing said, “Back then, my father wasn’t liked by my grandmother. Some of my uncles and aunts had sons, but my father and mother had me. Whenever we gathered for the New Year, my cousins would bully me.”

Drunk, Chen Qing became talkative and almost recounted his entire childhood. “But my father and my little father were very good to me. Unfortunately, my father died suddenly.”

He spoke again about his darkest days. “We had to walk a very long way, and many people came to see me. I was too short, and they didn’t like me.”

Chen Qing laughed again. “Fortunately, they didn’t like me—otherwise, I wouldn’t have come here, and I wouldn’t have met Mother.”

Zhou Yuan listened quietly. He didn’t expect Chen Qing to say the next sentence: “And I wouldn’t have met you.”

“You know, when I first saw you, I thought you were Meng Tao.”

Zhou Yuan felt a coolness pouring into his neck, and then realized that it was Chen Qing who was crying.

“At that time, Mother was sad, and I was looking at you. I was really a bastard.” Chen Qing sniffled.

But Zhou Yuan understood.

He quietly looked at Chen Qing, unable to avoid it. Part of him was moved, and part of him felt guilty.

This little one kept everything hidden inside.

There were no stars in the sky tonight, and it was pitch dark. Chen Qing told him things he would never say when sober: how he missed his father and little father, how his mother suffered greatly, and how Li Xin didn’t marry willingly. He said a lot.

Who knew how he would react when he woke up tomorrow?

Naturally, they couldn’t see the stars. Zhou Yuan carried Chen Qing on his back, walking back and forth along the narrow path between the two houses. Finally, Zhou Yuan heard steady breathing beside him and carried Chen Qing back home.

Aunt Sun had just come out after getting dressed. She was surprised to see them back so soon. “Is Ah Qing asleep already?”

Zhou Yuan nodded. “He’s drunk.”

Aunt Sun told Zhou Yuan to carry Chen Qing back. While she changed his clothes, Zhou Yuan stepped outside.

When she came out, Zhou Yuan said he was leaving. Before leaving, he helped Aunt Sun light the firecrackers. Soon, the entire village was filled with their crackling sound.

But Chen Qing slept soundly inside.

Aunt Sun walked Zhou Yuan to the door and patted his shoulder.

On the first day of the new year, one couldn’t stay in bed. When Chen Qing woke up, he had a terrible headache. He didn’t know how he had fallen asleep.

He remembered drinking wine. As for what happened afterward, he couldn’t remember.

“Ah Qing? Are you up? If you’re awake, come out and eat.” Aunt Sun called to him from outside the door.

“I’m here.” Chen Qing rubbed his brows, got dressed, and washed up.

Aunt Sun had boiled three poached eggs in a bowl of sweet water that morning. He drank one, leaving two on the stove. “Take one bowl to Zhou Yuan later,” she said.

Chen Qing nodded.

Aunt Sun added, “I’m going to the temple with Aunt Liu today. Are you coming?”

Chen Qing shook his head. “No.” He wasn’t interested in temple fairs, and his head still hurt.

“All right, I won’t be back for lunch. You just eat on your own.”

“Okay.” Chen Qing finished eating and left the house.

After eating, Chen Qing brought a bowl of boiled eggs to Zhou Yuan’s house. Zhou Yuan was already up and feeding the cattle. “Wait a minute. I’ll be done soon.”

Today was different because there was no one else in the village. Chen Qing didn’t enter the house, but stood by the door waiting. When he saw someone approaching from afar, he instinctively wanted to run. However, as the person got closer, he realized it was Li Xin.

Chen Qing hadn’t seen him since his wedding day. Perhaps he had come to play with him, but Chen Qing didn’t see Qi Shuning behind Li Xin.

Li Xin approached with a mischievous smile. “Why are you waiting here so eagerly this early in the morning?”

Chen Qing tried to pinch him. Zhou Yuan came out after feeding the cattle. Seeing Li Xin, he greeted him. “What are you doing here?”

Li Xin replied, “Why do you care what I’m doing?”

Then, Li Xin took Chen Qing’s arm and left with him. When they arrived at Chen Qing’s house, Li Xin said, “Let’s go to the temple fair.”

Chen Qing wanted to say he didn’t want to go, but Li Xin kept tugging and shaking his arm. He had no choice but to agree.

He changed clothes in the corner while Li Xin sat on his bed waiting. “Did you make this robe yourself? It looks nice.”

The robe was made from fabric that Chen Qing had bought last time. He didn’t want to use all of it, so he mixed in some other materials. The finished product looked nice. It was the first time he had worn it since making it.

After putting it on, Li Xin offered to comb his hair and noticed several hair ties in different colors on the empty dressing table.

Li Xin smiled mischievously. “All of these were given to you by my sworn brother.”

Chen Qing was a little embarrassed. “Some of them I made myself.”

“Yes, yes, you made them yourself. You made the black and indigo ones. I know.” Li Xin tied his hair with a moon-white ribbon.

Dressed in bright clothes and with his hair neatly tied, Li Xin blinked in surprise at how handsome Chen Qing looked.

“Oh, I’m a little afraid to take you out now.”

Chen Qing was still shy. He patted Li Xin’s shoulder. “Then I won’t go out.”

“No, I’m joking. It’s the New Year—why would we stay home?” Li Xin pulled him out of the house.

Then, Chen Qing remembered that Li Xin was married. He wondered, “Where’s Qi Shuning? Why isn’t he with you?”

Li Xin pouted and looked reluctant to mention him. “He’s studying for the spring exam. He said he’s taking the spring exam, so he has to study hard.”

Chen Qing suddenly understood. “So that’s how it is.”

In truth, it wasn’t like that at all. Qi Shuning had wanted to go with him, but he scolded him for wanting to go out and play all day. How could he pass the exam like that?

Qi Shuning could only read at home while Li Xin went out to play carefree.

Chen Qing asked again, “How’s Aunt Yin?”

Li Xin’s smile faded a little. “Same as before. She doesn’t go out when it’s too cold. She stays warm at home.”

Chen Qing was still a little concerned, but since Li Xin didn’t bring it up again, he didn’t ask any more questions.

When they passed by Zhou Yuan’s house, he had already gotten into the cart and was waiting for them.

“We never said we wanted to ride your cart.” Li Xin said this, but he still climbed onto the ox cart without hesitation.

Zhou Yuan ignored him and looked at Chen Qing. Then he said, “Very good-looking.”

Chen Qing lowered his head, still embarrassed.

Li Xin couldn’t stand Zhou Yuan’s attitude. “Hmph. Even if he’s good-looking, he’s not yours.”

Zhou Yuan glanced at him. “He will be soon.”

Chen Qing kept his head down and pulled at Li Xin, who wanted to speak. “Stop talking.”

Li Xin had no choice but to drop the subject.

Zhou Yuan drove the cart while Li Xin and Chen Qing whispered in the back. By the time Li Xin realized they were taking the wrong road, the oxcart had already stopped in front of his house. Qi Shuning happily closed the door from inside.

Li Xin stared at Zhou Yuan in disbelief. “You!”

Zhou Yuan replied calmly, “You should go to the temple fair with your husband, not your brother and brother-in-law. How could that be proper?”

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  Shaodaozi (烧刀子 / 燒刀子) is a type of strong, clear Chinese liquor—usually a kind of baijiu. Shaodaozi literally means “burning knife liquor.” The name comes from the strong, sharp, burning sensation when you drink it—like being cut by a hot knife.