Chapter 76: Sleeve Furnace
"Okay, I'll go with that kid later." Yan Xing took a dumpling and threw it into his mouth, nodding and giving a thumbs up, "It's delicious."
"As long as it tastes good, I won't disturb you anymore. See you in the evening." Liang Jinyu waved and left the yard.
After returning home, Liang Jinyu told Grandma San to make another serving of Eight Treasure Rice Pudding.
The third wife said awkwardly, "We didn't prepare anything before, and we don't even have any preserved fruits at home."
Seeing that it was still early, Liang Jinyu said she would go out and buy it herself.
Across the stone bridge at the gate is the main street by the river, with pedestrians coming and going.
Although it is already New Year's Eve, there are still many stalls along the street, selling everything from food to drinks and entertainment.
From time to time, there would be a "bang" sound on the roadside, and pedestrians would scream in fear, while children hiding nearby would clap their hands excitedly.
It may be difficult to see such a prosperous and bustling scene again in the next few years, Liang Jinyu thought regretfully.
"Line up, everyone line up! Don't crowd, we have them all!"
"In order to thank everyone for their support to our Fusheng Bank over the past year, our manager has decided that any customer who deposits 100 taels of silver in our bank can receive a pound of sesame oil by borrowing the banknote number. Customers who deposit 500 taels of silver can receive a piece of silk cloth from Jinxiu Bank..."
There was a long table at the entrance of Fusheng Money House. The waiter was shouting hard and there was a long line at the door.
Someone asked: "Does saving now count?"
The clerk said happily: "Of course it counts. Not only does it count, but you can also get an extra pair of big red lanterns."
After hearing this, the pedestrians who were originally watching the excitement also started to line up.
Liang Jinyu looked at the increasingly long line and thought that the Xie family really knew how to do business.
After walking a little further, I came across several stores that were also having promotions, either offering discounts or giving away gifts. Without exception, there were a lot of people gathered at the door, and it was very lively.
"...buy one get one free, there is no better deal than buying at this time, whether you are eating at home or sending it to relatives and friends, it is perfect."
When Liang Jinyu walked into the shop, she heard the waiter busy introducing the food to the customers.
When they saw her come in, a waiter came over to greet her, and what they said was similar.
Liang Jinyu selected the items specified by Mrs. San and wanted to pay and leave, but the waiter refused to give in.
"It's Chinese New Year, you don't eat at home, you have to entertain guests, and you have to pay New Year's greetings to relatives and friends, right?"
Liang Jinyu wondered where the customer came from. But after thinking about what the other party said later, she thought about it and bought two packs. On the way back, she went to the wine shop to buy a few bottles of good wine.
Seeing Liang Jinyu coming back with a lot of bags, Grandma San quickly wiped her hands and took all the bags.
"Why did you buy so much, young lady?" asked the third wife.
Liang Jinyu explained, "Isn't it New Year's Day tomorrow? I was thinking of giving one to both Manager Tang and Boss Li, and I still have some left."
After hearing this, Grandma San didn't ask any more questions.
In the evening, it started snowing again.
The lantern at the doorway illuminated the silvery-white steps. In the courtyard, two yellow dogs were chasing and playing with each other.
The hall was brightly lit, and the table was filled with steaming food and wine.
"The last dish, Eight Treasure Rice Pudding, is now ready." Grandma San came out carrying the Eight Treasure Rice Pudding.
Yan Xing sniffed it, nodded and said, "Yeah, that's the smell!"
The third wife looked at Liang Jinyu anxiously and said jokingly, "Oh, it turns out that this is the dish ordered by Master Yan. I was wondering why the girl suddenly changed her taste."
Yan Xing crossed his arms and looked at Liang Jinyu with a smile.
Liang Jinyu's ears turned red unconsciously, and she said unhappily, "Why are you talking so much? Come to the table and eat."
It was strange. As soon as they sat down at the table, everyone naturally left the seat to Liang Jinyu's left vacant, and Liang Dingfang sat to his right.
"Hurry up and sit down, otherwise the food will get cold and won't taste good." Grandma San pulled Juan'er to sit next to her.
Wang Youze sat next to Juan'er.
The seats were numbered and everyone took their seats, so Yan Xing could only sit on the left side of Liang Jinyu.
There was a crackling sound of firecrackers outside, and Liang Jinyu urged Ding Fang, "Go light the firecrackers."
Liang Dingfang glanced at Yan Xing, then stood up and walked out. Yan Xing was concentrating on the food and wine on the table, as if he didn't notice anything.
Following a burst of firecrackers, Liang Dingfang closed the door and returned to the hall.
"Let's eat." Liang Jinyu picked up the chopsticks.
"Why, you don't want to drink?" Yan Xing picked up the wine pot and asked everyone.
Grandma San smiled and said, "Drinking is a mistake. I never drink alcohol."
"Let me drink with you." Liang Jinyu handed over the wine glass.
Yan Xing said happily: "Luckily I have you, otherwise it would be so boring for me to drink alone."
He came over, picked up the wine jug and poured wine for Liang Jinyu.
Liang Jinyu turned to look at him. This man had long hair like a waterfall. When he was at home, he never wore a crown. He only tied his hair loosely with a headband. Through the scattered hair, his profile exuded a luster like white jade porcelain.
"It's rare that you are so kind as to invite me to dinner. I'll drink this glass of wine first as a token of my respect." Yan Xing raised the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Liang Jinyu quickly retracted her gaze and said, "You are always included in the food prepared by Third Aunt. If you want to toast, you should toast Third Aunt."
Yan Xing thought this made sense, so he filled his glass again and toasted to the Third Granny.
"Aunt, can we eat now?" Juan'er asked eagerly, staring at the table full of delicious food and swallowing her saliva.
Liang Jinyu laughed and said, "Of course you can eat it. Pick up your chopsticks. After we finish eating, let's go for a walk on the street."
Today is New Year's Eve, so the city is very lively, with firecrackers and fireworks being set off everywhere, and the lantern shows are a feast for the eyes.
Because she was in a hurry to get to the street, Juaner ate very quickly. After a while, she covered her stomach and said she was full.
Liang Jinyu had eaten fried dumplings in the afternoon, so she wasn't hungry at the moment.
"There's nothing wrong with shopping, but there are a lot of people on the street now, and there might be beggars, so you all have to keep close eyes when you go out later, okay?" Liang Jinyu warned, especially to Juan'er.
Juan'er nodded and held her brother's wrist tightly to show that she would not run around.
"How about, do you want to go out for a walk together?" Liang Jinyu turned and asked Yan Xing.
Yan Xing drank some wine and was in a good mood: "It's a beautiful day, of course I have to go."
A group of people closed the door, crossed the bridge, and went to the street.
The streets were bustling with more people than during the day, and the lanterns from the surrounding restaurants and teahouses lit up the streets like daylight.
"It's so lively." Juan'er exclaimed, unable to take in everything.
Wang You was afraid that bad guys would kidnap his sister, so he was nervously paying attention to his surroundings the whole time, and hurriedly pulled Juan'er to his side as soon as someone approached.
"Sister, look at this." Liang Dingfang would bring anything interesting he found to show Liang Jinyu.
Liang Jinyu had no interest in these little gadgets and sent Ding Fang to find Wang You and his sister.
"How about this?" Yan Xing caught up and handed Liang Jinyu a copper sleeve warmer.
The sleeve stove is only the size of a palm, but its shape is very novel, it is actually a little cat with a round belly.
"It's quite unique." Liang Jinyu looked at it and asked, "Where did you get it? I'll go buy it."
Yan Xing put away his fan and tucked it around his waist. He then took out a velvet stove cover from his sleeve, took the stove back and said, "There is only one of this kind in the world. There are no more. Consider it my thank you gift to you."
"What do you want to thank me for?" Liang Jinyu followed him to the pancake stand next to him.
Yan Xing threw a few coins to the stall owner, and without waiting for him to take the steamed cakes, he picked up a few pieces of charcoal and put them into the embroidery stove as usual.
"What else can I thank you for? Of course it's the New Year's Eve dinner tonight." Yan Xing said as he put on the stove and handed it to Liang Jinyu.
Liang Jinyu took it, and the warmth instantly transferred from the embroidery stove to her palms.
"Do you like it?" Yan Xing asked with his head down, a smile in his eyes.
Liang Jinyu took the embroidery stove into her arms, pursed her lips, turned around and said, "It's okay."
Liang Jinyu, who was leaving quickly, did not notice that behind her, the smile in Yan Xing's eyes gradually faded, leaving only a deep and profound look like an ancient well, with an expression that was difficult to tell whether it was sad or happy.