Chapter Fifty-Five Rice Wine
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, early in the morning, Old Man Xiong walked to the gate of Zhang Yili and Xiong Zixiang's courtyard with his hands behind his back and a roll of brand-new, thick red paper in his hand.
"Listen up! Zixiang! Are you up yet?" he called loudly at the door.
"Dad, you're up early!" Zhang Yili answered and opened the door.
Old Man Xiong shoved the red paper into Xiaoyi's hand and said with a smile.
"Here you go. This year's red paper is really good, it's very durable. In previous years we would just buy ready-made couplets to paste up, but this year our family will be more particular and write them ourselves. Just the two of you will write them!"
"Huh? I...I'll write it?"
Zhang Xiaoyi was stunned and waved his hands repeatedly: "Dad, I... I don't know how to write this! I can't even recognize all the characters, let alone write them! I just bought ready-made stickers!"
A blush rose to her face; she was truly perplexed.
Xiong Zixiang took the red paper from his wife and accepted it with pleasure: "Dad, I do know a few characters and have seen some simple couplets. I can write them, but I'm afraid I won't write them well and will waste the paper."
"What's there to be afraid of!"
Old Man Xiong waved his hand and said, "It's something we put up ourselves, meant to bring joy and good fortune. No matter how badly it's written, it's still our family's good intention, and it's better than buying it! You two write it, Zixiang, you hold the pen and watch from the side, it's good to get some ink on it!" The old man was in high spirits and didn't allow any further discussion.
Zhang Liuyi couldn't refuse, so he went to the kitchen to boil water and prepare to grind ink.
Xiong Zixiang carefully wiped the eight-immortal table in the main room clean, and then carefully spread out the large red paper.
The water boiled, and Zhang Liuli brought over the hot water and a clean inkstone. Xiong Zixiang picked up the ink stick and carefully ground it in the warm inkstone.
The scent of ink gradually filled the air, mingling with the aroma of red paper.
The ink gradually thickened, becoming jet black and glossy.
Xiong Zixiang found the dusty sheep hair brush, washed it clean, and dipped it in ink.
He took a deep breath and was about to put pen to paper when he saw Zhang Xiaoli standing to the side, watching him expectantly.
Xiong Zixiang's heart stirred. He put down his pen and said gently, "Pay attention, come on."
"Huh?" Zhang Yi was confused.
Xiong Zixiang reached out and embraced her, holding her slightly cool hand. He placed the calligraphy brush steadily in her hand and then completely enveloped her hand holding the brush with his large hand.
“Dad is right. It’s something we put up ourselves; it’s just a token of our appreciation. Let’s write it together.”
Zhang Xiaoli's heart pounded as her hand was enveloped in her husband's warm, broad palm, holding the pen.
Xiong Zixiang leaned down slightly, his voice low and reassuring: "Don't be afraid, I'll take you with me. What should we write?"
“Then… let’s just write the character ‘福’ (fortune/blessing), keep it simple,” Zhang Yili whispered to Xiong Zixiang.
"good."
Xiong Zixiang responded, his arm steadily guiding her hand, the pen tip gently landing on the red paper.
Zhang Liuyi felt a force carrying him, the pen tip moving across the paper, the ink spreading on the bright red paper.
A neat and rounded "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character gradually took shape.
With this start, the two of them became bolder.
Xiong Zixiang then helped Zhang Liuyi write the couplet: "Spring fills the world and blessings fill the door; Heaven adds years and people add longevity," and the horizontal scroll reads "Peace and safety year after year."
Although the handwriting wasn't particularly beautiful, every stroke showed care, which was a way of bringing some good luck.
After finishing writing the last "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character, Zhang Liuxin's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and he wore a relieved smile.
The ink needed to dry, so while it was drying, Xiong Zixiang cut a few more narrow strips of red paper.
Zhang asked curiously, "What's this for?"
"Let's put a red sticker on the livestock trough too," Xiong Zixiang explained, "so that Dazhuang and the others may have a smooth and healthy year ahead."
“I’ll do this!” Zhang Yili perked up, picked up a strip of red paper, wiped the remaining ink from the bottom of the inkstone, drew a round black ingot on the red paper, and then drew a few crooked copper coin shapes next to it.
"Just for good luck, hoping we'll have plenty of income next year." She smiled sheepishly as she spoke, realizing she'd become a money-grubber again.
The ink finally dried, and the family went to the gate of the courtyard to paste up the couplets. They pasted them up in their own courtyard, and the Xiong family's courtyard couldn't be left out.
Xiong Zixiang was in charge of applying the paste, while Xiong Laohan and Zhang Yili were in charge of pasting it.
On the kitchen doors of each household, there was a large "福" (good fortune) character written by the two of them.
Zhang Liuli drew red paper strips of ingots and copper coins, which the two of them solemnly pasted on Dazhuang and Yangyang's troughs and the old hen's coop. They walked quite a distance just pasting the couplets that morning.
After pasting up the couplets, I suddenly had some free time.
Xiong Zijuan was already busy in the Xiong family's kitchen, with pots and pans clattering and clanging.
Song helped out inside, washing and chopping vegetables with quick and efficient movements.
When Zhang returned, he habitually rolled up his sleeves, wanting to go in and help, but Song quickly stopped him at the kitchen door.
"Oh dear, my good friend, take a break!"
Song's hands were still wet, but her face was beaming as she helped her pull down her sleeves: "You've been busy all year, from morning till night without a break! Today is New Year's Eve, so don't worry about anything, just rest and play chess with the old man! Your sister and I are here!"
Zhang Liuyi was pushed out and stood in the courtyard, his sleeves still damp, and he was momentarily at a loss.
Having grown accustomed to a busy schedule, this sudden leisure time made her feel somewhat uneasy.
Old Man Xiong watched this unfold, chuckled, and brought out his well-worn wooden chess set, setting it up on the dining table in the main room: "Come on, pay attention! You're just idling around anyway, play a couple of games with your dad!"
Zhang Yili declined, saying, "Father, I...I didn't play well..."
"Hey! Just playing around! Just having some fun!" Old Man Xiong enthusiastically set up the chess pieces: "Come on, red goes first, black goes second, you go first!"
Zhang Liuxin reluctantly sat down.
She certainly didn't play well; she understood the rules, but her strategy was practically nonexistent.
What about Old Man Xiong? His chess skills are really not very good either.
The two sat facing each other, and once the game of chess began, it became a close contest.
"Hey, Dad, how can you let the horse walk like that? It's got a leg injury!"
Zhang noticed that Old Man Xiong wanted to jump the horse across the river and couldn't help but remind him.
"Oh, oh, oh! I forgot, I forgot!"
Old Man Xiong quickly brought the horse back.
A short while later, it was Zhang's turn to pay attention. She stared at the chessboard, hesitant to make a move.
"Watch out, aren't you waiting to be eaten by me? Move it, move it!"
Old Man Xiong couldn't help but offer some advice.
"Dad, who would give advice from an opponent?" Zhang Liuyi said, both amused and exasperated.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more!" Old Man Xiong replied.
Zhang Liuyi had barely taken a step when he delivered his car right under Old Man Xiong's cannon. Old Man Xiong immediately beamed, "Haha, I'll take your last car too!" He showed no politeness whatsoever.
Zhang Liuyi slapped his forehead in frustration: "Oh dear, I didn't see it! Dad, this step doesn't count, I regret it!"
"No, no! Once a move is made, it cannot be taken back!" Old Man Xiong immediately protected the chessboard.
“You just regretted it!” Zhang Yili argued forcefully.
"That's...that's because Dad's old and his memory isn't good, it doesn't count!" Old Man Xiong retorted, trying to deny it.
The two of them got into a lively argument amidst their bickering: "If I regret it once, you ruin it once," and "If I offer a suggestion, you make a counter-argument."
Xiong Zixiang initially sat and watched, but as he watched, his brows furrowed.
Seeing that the two were playing increasingly outrageous games, even inventing their own method of moving diagonally like soldiers, he couldn't stand it anymore. He silently got up and slipped into the kitchen.
"Sister, Mother, is there anything I can help you with?" Xiong Zixiang asked.
Xiong Zijuan was deftly slicing cured meat without looking up: "Go, fill the vat with water, we'll need it for stewing the meat later."
Song added firewood to the stove: "Zixiang, you've come at the right time. After you fetch the water, help your mother keep an eye on the fire. Don't let it get too hot. This old hen needs to be stewed slowly to absorb the flavor."
The kitchen was steaming and filled with delicious aromas. Xiong Zijuan and Song Shi worked together seamlessly, chatting about everyday matters, while Xiong Zixiang quietly assisted, adding water, tending the fire, and occasionally handing over a plate.
As darkness fell, twilight descended.
The lanterns in the courtyard and the main room were all lit up, glowing red.
The sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner was finally laid out on the Xiong family's table: a stewed, fragrant old hen soup, glistening and tempting braised pork, golden and crispy fried meatballs, a platter of homemade cured meats, tangy stir-fried cabbage, and a large plate of steaming hot cornmeal dumplings.
The small main room was filled with the aroma of food.
The group sat around, laughing and chatting.
Old Man Xiong picked up his wine glass, cleared his throat, and glanced at everyone before finally settling on Zhang Liuxin's face: "Liuxin, you've worked hard these past six months, getting up early and working late, worrying about making money and taking care of the family. Your father and mother have seen it all and remember it all." He nudged Song Shi's arm beside him.
Madam Song quickly picked up her wine glass, her eyes full of affection: "Yes, please take care. This glass of wine is for you, thank you for your contributions to this family. From now on, you should rest when you need to, don't overwork yourself." The old couple drank the wine in their glasses together.
Zhang Yili was completely taken aback by her in-laws' solemn toasting. Overwhelmed with gratitude, her nose tingled with emotion. She quickly stood up, raised her glass, and said, "Father, Mother... this... this is all I should do! You two are too kind. I... I also want to toast you two."
She tilted her head back and drank the wine in her glass. It was homemade rice wine, sweet and warm, and a feeling of warmth welled up in her heart as she drank it.
Just as she put down her glass, Xiong Zijuan raised hers as well: "Shoulder, I'd like to toast you too, on behalf of Xiaobao and myself. This year, with the autumn harvest and all that, I've been so busy I haven't had a moment to spare, and I haven't been able to help you with your stall. I'm so sorry. Thank you for your understanding and for never holding it against me; I remember it all! Once spring arrives and the planting is finished, I'll definitely come and help you! This glass is for you!" She downed her drink in one gulp.
Zhang Liuyi quickly poured another glass of wine: "Sister, you're being too polite. It's only right for family members to help each other out. Parents are also dealing with important matters, and I can manage on my own, so don't worry about it! I'll drink this glass!"
The two women smiled at each other and finished their drinks.
Finally, Xiong Zixiang also raised his glass, looking gently at his wife beside him, whose cheeks were already flushed.
Zhang Liuyi also picked up her glass and met his gaze.
Neither of them spoke, but they gently clinked their glasses. All the gratitude, understanding, and warmth of companionship were contained in that glass of wine. They smiled at each other and drank it all down.
After three cups of rice wine, Zhang Yi felt a warm sensation rising from his stomach and spreading rapidly.
She wasn't a strong drinker to begin with, and she hadn't eaten anything before drinking these three cups. Suddenly, her eyelids felt heavy and her head was spinning.
I forced myself to eat a few bites of vegetables, then picked up a dumpling, but before I could even put it in my mouth, my head started to droop.
Xiong Zixiang had been watching her closely, and upon seeing this, he immediately reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder: "Tired?"
Zhang Xiaoyi nodded groggily, "Um... dizzy..."
Old Man Xiong and Mrs. Song understood immediately and laughed; this guy was a triple drinker.
"Hurry up and help her go back to rest. Take the dumplings away and heat them up for her when she gets up. We don't have that kind of tradition of staying up all night. She's tired enough all year round. She should get a good night's sleep."
Xiong Zixiang nodded, said goodbye to his family, and squatted down with his back to Zhang Xiaoli: "Come on, I'll carry you back."
Zhang Liuyi obediently climbed onto her husband's back, her arms softly encircling his neck.
Xiong Zixiang stood up steadily, carried her on his back, and walked step by step out of the warm and noisy main room into the night.
The red glow of the lanterns in the village helped them light their way home.
Back in the cabin, Xiong Zixiang carefully placed Zhang Xiaoyi, who was half asleep, on the kang (a heated brick bed).
She groaned incoherently, and Xiong Zixiang brought hot water, wrung out a warm towel, and carefully wiped her face, neck, and hands. Zhang Liuyi sighed comfortably and drifted off to sleep.
Xiong Zixiang quickly finished washing up, blew out the light, and lay down on the warm kang (heated brick bed).
In the darkness, listening to my wife's even and long breathing beside me, I felt the completeness of this New Year's Eve.
Outside the window, the occasional sound of firecrackers could be heard. Xiong Zixiang pulled the blanket up a little to cover Zhang Yili's ears, and then closed his eyes himself.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com