Yu Ge'er was very happy and pulled Lin Yan to the candy figurine stall. The old man selling candy figurines was making a koi, which was in the final stage. It looked lifelike to everyone.

Yu Ge'er wanted a big tiger because he was born in the Year of the Tiger. He tugged at Lin Yan's sleeve. Seeing that the boss had finished making the koi, Lin Yan quickly said, "Old man, make me a tiger."

The old man worked very quickly, creating a rough shape in just a few strokes. He then slowly worked on it, and it was ready in a few minutes. Zhao Shiyun took out four coins and handed them to the old man, asking him to make another swallow. He then took the candy figure and handed it to Yu Ge'er, who smiled brightly. He carefully licked it and then handed it to Lin Yan, who shook his head. "I don't want to eat it. You eat it."

Zhao Shiyun tapped his forehead and said, "Eat less sugar, or you'll damage your teeth." Yu Ge'er muttered softly, "My brother-in-law eats it too."

Soon, the swallow sugar figurine was ready. Lin Yan took it from the old man. The swallow was so delicately made that it looked as if it was about to flap its wings and fly away. Lin Yan couldn't help but admire the sugar figurine and said, "The old man's craftsmanship is really amazing." Then he took a bite of the swallow's wing.

"It's so sweet. Brother Shiyun, you can try it too." Lin Yan handed it to Zhao Shiyun's mouth.

Zhao Shiyun didn't refuse and took a bite of the wing that Lin Yan had bitten. Lin Yan's ears were burning when he saw it and he quickly retracted his hand. Zhao Shiyun looked at him with a sweet smile and didn't say anything. Lin Yan became even more shy and pulled Yu Ge'er away.

A few of them continued to stroll down. It was different now that the New Year was approaching. The market was full of red. In addition to those selling Spring Festival couplets, blessing characters and red lanterns, there were also those selling all kinds of snacks and gadgets, which were dazzling to look at.

Yu Ge'er looked around curiously until he spotted a small stall filled with various clay figurines. These figurines were brightly colored and varied in shape. There was the God of Wealth holding a gold ingot, and a cute little piglet.

Yu Ge'er was immediately attracted by it, letting go of Lin Yan's hand and running over. He picked up a small clay figurine and looked at it from left to right, unable to let it go. The stall owner smiled and said, "Little brother, this clay figurine is made of the special clay here, it will last a long time."

Lin Yan also came over and asked the stall owner the price. The stall owner said only three cents each. Lin Yan paid, and Yu Ge'er took the God of Wealth one and jumped for joy.

Walking further, I was greeted by a fragrant aroma. It turned out to be a newly opened braised food shop offering free tastings. The shop wasn't very big, with braised chicken and duck hanging above the counter, and two large basins of braised offal and vegetables below. The aroma was so overpowering it carried for miles. Business seemed brisk; they'd already sold several portions in a short while, leaving only half the large basin empty.

The three of them came forward to taste it, and the fresh, fragrant and spicy taste instantly conquered their taste buds. They discussed and bought half a pound of offal and half a pound of vegetables. They had a chicken at home, which would be slaughtered on New Year's Eve, so they didn't buy any more. They could buy half a duck.

Lin Yan wanted to buy an extra portion for his mother, but while he was hesitating, the braised duck was sold out and there wasn't much offal left. Zhao Shiyun stopped him and said, "There's only half a duck left. Go home and chop half for your mother, and give her a bowl of offal and vegetables."

Lin Yan thought about it and agreed.

Passing by West Street, Lin Yan saw many familiar vendors setting up their stalls. He greeted them one by one. Seeing everyone busy, he didn't exchange many pleasantries. Zhao Shiyun bought two kilograms of oranges at a fruit stall. These oranges are common in winter, delicious and sweet, and everyone loves to buy them.

After buying it, he turned around and saw that Lin Yan was staring at a stall selling sesame cakes. The sesame cakes looked thick, with sesame seeds sprinkled on the surface, and baked until golden and crispy. After baking, the vendor even brushed chili sauce on the outside, which made him salivate.

Zhao Shiyun thought he wanted to eat some, and just as he was about to ask the boss to get two, Lin Yan pulled him to the other side and whispered in his ear: "Brother Shiyun, I don't want to eat it, I just want to see what others are selling and get some inspiration."

Zhao Shiyun remembered what he said about researching food, and he understood and stopped worrying about it.

It was almost noon, and the three of them had their backpacks full of harvest. They did not choose to have lunch in the town, but went to the town entrance to wait for their father and mother.

A few people squatted at the entrance of the town, peeling a few oranges and eating them. When Zhao Qiming and Li Yuemei arrived, there was a pile of orange peels on the ground. Lin Yan smiled guiltily, "Dad and Mom, you are here."

Li Yuemei looked at these debt collectors and slapped Zhao Shiyun on the back, "It's not even Chinese New Year yet, and you've already eaten half of it."

Zhao Shiyun hid and said, "It's delicious. I ate so much without noticing. I can just buy more."

Lin Yan and Yu Ge'er covered their mouths and laughed beside them.

Li Yuemei wasn't really angry, she was just worried that the children would get upset from eating too much, so she started laughing too. They put on their backpacks and headed home, while Yu Geer chattered about interesting stories about sugar figures along the way.

*

After returning home and sorting out the backpack, Lin Yan took out the braised food and planned to heat it up before eating it with porridge. Dad and Mom had finished their New Year shopping and rushed to find them. They hadn't eaten in town, so everyone was hungry.

Zhao Shiyun explained to Amo and followed Lin Yan into the kitchen. He helped chop the duck, eating half for himself and putting the other half in a bowl to send to Zhou Chunlan after he was done.

Lin Yan made some hot porridge and added water to the other side to prepare the steamed food. Zhao Shiyun saw that he only picked up a small bowl, so he went to get a bigger bowl, picked up some more, and poured the water into the small bowl.

Lin Yan stopped him: "That's enough." Zhao Shiyun raised the bowl to prevent him from touching it: "You took too little, I'll add some more. I've told Ah Mo, don't worry."

Lin Yan had no choice but to stop.

The braised food was steamed, and the aroma filled the whole house. The family sat together and began to enjoy their late lunch.

Yu Ge'er's cheeks were bulging with food, and he mumbled, "This braised food is better than the one we used to have in town." Li Yuemei smiled and wiped his mouth, "Eat slowly, don't choke."

Halfway through the meal, Zhao Qiming suddenly sighed, "This year has flown by so quickly. Our family is safe and sound, and we have so much delicious food to enjoy. It's wonderful." The others nodded. After the meal, everyone cleared the table. Lin Yan stood in the yard, gazing at the mountains in the distance, his heart filled with warmth. He knew that this kind of ordinary and happy life was what he had always longed for.