Chapter 65 The First Snow Festival
After this Sunday, they no longer came to the "sprint class" in such an orderly manner. Occasionally, Xia Yu would come to exchange the cursed jade.
On the first day of December, Geto Suguru came again with the Cursed Spirit Jade.
Gong Zhili was surprised: "How much have you eaten? Is it really okay to eat so much? Otherwise, can you give me some?"
Xia Yujie was helpless: "Have you not given up trying to eat the Curse Jade?"
Gong Zhili: "I asked Nitro, and she said if I really wanted to try it, I could eat a fly head. Fly heads are pretty low-class anyway."
Xia Yujie's head began to hurt: "No, how could Glass say such a thing? Was it really Glass who said that? Wasn't it just something you made up to fool me?"
Gong Zhili's eyes shifted slightly: "Well..."
Xia Yujie was so angry that he almost laughed: "You really just made it up!"
Gong Zhili argued confidently, "It's not a fabrication. I discussed this with Xiaozi, and she said there's no precedent for this kind of thing, no trials, so it's important to put it into practice!"
Geto Summer Oil: "What if it explodes after I eat it?"
Gong Zhili: "You look like you're trying to scare a child."
Xia Yujie sighed, rubbing his forehead in distress: "In a sense, you are a child!"
Gong Zhixiang smiled and said to Xia Youjie, "Don't treat me like a fourteen-year-old. I know exactly what I'm doing. Although I can't guarantee it, you can trust me."
After hearing her words, Xia Youjie held out his hand and said, "Give me the Curse Spirit Jade so I can choose some. I remember there were some low-level Curse Spirits mixed in this time."
Gong Zhili pursed her lips, took one of the items out, and said, "You don't have to bear this responsibility. I did it myself. You..."
It was obvious that this was her idea from the beginning to the end, and he had tried his best to stop it, but he still had to intervene at the last moment. She could imagine that if she really had an accident because of swallowing the curse, Gouyu would definitely take the responsibility on himself, and maybe he would immediately take over and raise these children.
"Although this is a good part of your character, sometimes you have to accept the kindness of those around you," Gong Zhili winked at him, "and trust me."
She swallowed the Curse Jade in her hand without hesitation.
She originally thought that such a large Curse Spirit Jade might get stuck in her throat. The moment it entered her mouth, she was still wondering whether her throat would hurt when Xia You swallowed it. But after a brief sweet taste, the Curse Spirit Jade disappeared in her mouth, turning into a faint warmth, replenishing her strength.
——Neither of them expected this result.
"So you're the only one who can swallow it," Gong Zhili reported to him, "I absorbed it completely. I didn't even sense the slightest trace of the cursed spirit."
Xia Yujie calmly breathed a sigh of relief and began to swallow the Curse Spirit Jade in his hand. Gong Zhili watched eagerly and asked, "Is this thing stuck in your throat?"
After swallowing one, Xia Yujie said, "A little bit, but you'll get used to it."
Seeing that he couldn't subdue the curse spirit, Gong Zhili had lost interest in the Curse Spirit Jade and said unhappily, "When can I catch a live curse spirit and take a look?"
Geto Summer Oil: "Didn't Satoru invite you before? He said he wanted you to be a teacher at the technical high school."
As a teacher, of course I have to go out to clear away the cursed spirits.
Gong Zhili waved his hand. "Wouldn't that just be work? I'm thinking of some blind cursed spirit breaking into the village someday and letting me capture it—but I know the cursed spirits near the village have been gradually absorbed, and I haven't even seen them!"
Xia Yujie's expression became unpredictable: "Has your barrier also affected the area near the village?"
Gong Zhili stretched and said, "That's about right. Ultimately, it's a gradual influence... The mountain at the affiliated middle school, which is even further away from me, doesn't have this kind of situation. Wherever I live, the barrier there changes with my mood."
Perhaps after her life became stable, she wanted to expand outward, so the barrier was also ready to move.
Geto Xia Yu thought about her words and recalled what he felt when he was sitting in the air on the Rainbow Dragon: indeed, the reactions of the cursed spirits were much less. At first, he even wondered if Zhili was secretly destroying the cursed spirits.
In a sense, that's true?
After swallowing the last Curse Jade, he asked her, "How's your life in the village lately?"
Gong Zhili actually had some thoughts to share with him about this matter.
"Everyone is waiting for the first snow," Miyajiri said enthusiastically. "Tsumiki and the others will definitely talk about it when they go to the village to play."
Geto: "Is it because when it snows, no one can go out, so you take it very seriously?"
Gong Zhili: "That's one of the reasons. They hold a winter festival after the first heavy snowfall. They prepare winter food together in the elementary school building. The children dance and sing, and after eating their fill, they go back to their homes to prepare for winter. The children really look forward to it."
This is a very interesting event, thought Xia Yujie: "Then send me a message after the first snow. I think other people will be interested in such a festival."
Gong Zhili made an "OK" gesture and asked, "Are you staying here tonight?"
Xia Yujie got up from the sofa and said, "Thank you for your help. I'll stay in the tree house for one night."
Their accommodation here was taken care of by Miya Chiri, and Gojo Satoru specially bought a washing machine and dryer and sent them over for this purpose.
Of course, these items are written into the contract and paid for.
But Gong Zhili herself does not lack the money, and is willing to do these things only because they need it.
The first serious snow arrived one night in early December.
The people in the village had a rough guess about when the snow would come, so the night before, the village chief used a newly installed loudspeaker to notify everyone that it was very likely to snow tonight, and they should quickly move the animals that needed to be brought home and the livestock sheds that needed to be insulated.
Gong Zhili finally checked the chicken and duck shed and added some feed.
She returned to her warm home with a lantern in hand and said, "Fortunately, we prepared enough firewood this year, otherwise it would not last long."
As she said this, she shut out the biting cold wind outside, and the children came over and asked if it was snowing outside.
Miyaji said, "There are thick clouds in the sky, it must be a heavy snowfall. Tsu Miki will sleep in the same room with us today, and Hui and Hisahito will sleep in the study. I have made the bed in the study."
What made her most dissatisfied with this house was that the stairs were outside the house. She only realized a few days ago that if it snowed, the three children living on the second floor would have to walk down the snow-covered stairs in the morning. She thought of several plans, but rejected them all because they were not safe enough. Finally, she decided to let them all live on the first floor.
The study used to be a storage room, but now there was only a shelf on one side to store some commonly used items, and the rest were placed in the basement; on the other side was a long desk. She placed two camp beds at the innermost part of the room, with thick enough mattresses and bedding. Moreover, the living room and study were adjacent, and the residual heat from the heater allowed them to sleep warmly.
While Tsu Miki slept in their bedroom, Miya Chiri added a narrow bed to the edge of the bottom bunk bed so that the three children could sleep together.
"Have a warm sleep tonight, and you'll see snow tomorrow." Miya Chiri watched Kei and Hisahito lie down in the quilt, checked the windows and curtains again, and helped them turn off the lights and close the door.
The first heavy snow came quickly and sharply. In just one night, it completely covered the village surrounded by mountains. Only a monotonous and majestic white remained between the sky and the earth, as if it had absorbed all the sounds.
When Gong Zhili got up in the morning, she first went to the living room to light up the heater. When she felt warm, she went to call the children to get up.
The actual snow was colder than she had imagined. Fortunately, she did not leave the children on the second floor last night. The living room was warm, and the study soon became warm as well. The two boys got up by themselves, but after walking around the snow-covered courtyard and returning to the bedroom, Gong Zhili sighed as she looked at the three girls huddled together who had no intention of getting up.
"No matter how cold it is, you have to get up. You can't stay in the quilt all the time, or it will get even colder." Gong Zhili urged them, "The heater in the living room is on, it's warm. How about we have some hot red bean rice cake soup in the morning?"
Tempted by warmth and food, Tsu Miki got up first. She put on her clothes, opened the door, and saw the snow in the courtyard. She screamed in surprise, which made Nanako and Mimiko unable to stay still, and they got up one after another.
Gong Zhili kept her promise. She made red bean soup in the morning, added soft and glutinous rice cakes, and steamed the buns she had made earlier.
The children ate very carefully. They chewed the rice cakes thoroughly before swallowing them. After finishing breakfast, they started to make a fuss about going out.
Gong Zhili checked the water pipes and other facilities in the house, and cleared the snow on the roof and the barn. Although she was not very affected by the temperature, she just wanted to stay at home and warm herself by the fire.
"It's all snow outside today, and the bridge is also covered with snow. I haven't had time to clear it yet. Let's walk on the lake after it's completely frozen."
At this rate, the lake will be frozen in three to five days.
The children knew they couldn't go out, so they stopped making a fuss and just got dressed and went to the stairs outside to play with the snow, and also cleared the snow off the stairs.
The house was very quiet. Miya Chiri was lying on the sofa with a blanket covering her body, feeling a little drowsy. She took out her cell phone and started sending messages to Geto Suguru.
The children played outside for a while, and probably because they felt cold, they came back home laughing.
Gong Zhili looked at his phone and said, "Go to the bathroom to change your clothes, hang the wet clothes in the clothes drying room, and put the shoes next to the oven to dry."
The clothes drying room is also a newly opened corner in the living room. There is a smoke pipe on it, and clothes can be dried quickly by hanging them there.
The children lined up themselves and took their clothes to change one by one. The shorter ones, Hui and Yuji, held the hangers and waited for Tsumiki to help them hang their clothes.
In winter, human activities come to a halt with a single snowfall, but preparations for the long-awaited festival in the village begin in full swing after the snow stops.
The next day, friends from the magic world braved the cold wind to come and participate in the winter festival with them.
They walked on the wooden plank bridge, holding their children in their arms, and arrived in front of the primary school building.
The weather is a bit gloomy today, and the lights in the school building are on. An orange halo of light shines through the windows, emitting an irresistible attraction in this snowy world.
They stomped off the snow from their feet at the door and opened the thick cotton wind curtain first. A hot air mixed with the aroma of food and the steaming breath, wrapped in the noisy sound waves, suddenly rushed out, and the cold air was instantly dispelled. Tenriko felt that the numbness on her cheeks was replaced by warmth, and even a little hot.
They put the children down and let them eat something first. Miya Chiri found an empty classroom and talked to another guest who came today - Grandpa Itadori, who came here by car with Getsu and others to visit Hisahito.
The old man in front of him didn't look like he had been on a long journey at all. He was still in good spirits. Facing the ten-year-old child, he didn't put on an adult's airs: "I am Yuji Itadori's grandfather. My child has caused you trouble during this period."
Miyaji smiled: "How could that be? Hisahito is capable and cute, everyone likes him very much."
The two of them briefly talked about Hisahito, and without discussing further, went to the school building.
"Sister Chiri!" Tsumiki pulled Hui out of the crowd like two happy little deer, handing over a piece of freshly baked soy sauce rice cake with slightly burnt edges: "This is delicious!"
Megumi Fushiguro stood behind his sister. Perhaps he had just taken off his hat, and his black hair stood upright. Although his little face had no expression, his eyes were bright. He nodded following his sister's words and his gaze shifted to Grandpa Itadori.
"Grandpa!" Tiger Stick also came over, "Look at this, this is absolutely delicious." He was holding a string of round glutinous rice balls in his hand and wanted to share them with his relatives.
Grandpa Yuji took his hand, took the bunch of dumplings, and a smile appeared on his face.
The twins Nanako and Mimiko were eating natto rice cakes mixed with sweet soy sauce, but the taste didn't seem to be to their liking, so they took the bowls and went to find their grandmother who cooked the dish.
Gong Zhili took the soy sauce rice cake from Tsu Miki's hand, took a bite, and praised: "It's delicious."
She bit into the rice cake and her eyes were attracted by Gojo Satoru in the crowd.
He stood out from the crowd in height. He never wore glasses in the village. His pale blue eyes were unobstructed, like crystal clear ice crystals, scanning the lively scene with curiosity and interest.
In his hand, he was also holding the rice cake that an aunt from the village had just stuffed into his hand. All the children were good-looking, and Gojo Satoru's appearance was particularly eye-catching. The female elders in the village were very enthusiastic towards him. Seeing him standing by the table where radishes were cut, they took the initiative to ask him if he wanted to experience cutting radishes, and treated him like a child.
Gojo Satoru finished the roasted rice cake in a few bites, then picked up a kitchen knife and started chopping radishes.
Glass wandered around the oden counter for a while, then sat down under the podium in the stadium with some hot fish cakes and beef tendon.
The show was being prepared on the stage. Kuroi Misato and Tenno Riko were helping the villagers, helping the children who were going to perform put on colorful kimonos. After a while, Kuroi Misato was probably asked to do other things, so she went backstage and came out with the shamisen.
Glass whispered, "It turns out she can play the shamisen." The children jumped and danced on the stage to the tune of the shamisen. Although it was hard to tell what kind of dance it was, the lively and happy energy was very contagious.
There were two people sitting on a bench next to the stage. Geto Suguru leaned back in a relaxed posture, his narrow eyes holding a gentle smile as he focused on watching the dancing small figures. Kento Nanami was holding a cup of hot tea, seemingly enjoying the atmosphere. His eyes were not focused on any one point, and he sipped the tea quietly.
Yu Haihara was "enthusiastically held hostage" by Miki Tsugami and Yuji Itadori on the left and right, and was dragged to a low table piled with snowballs. There was also a carrot given to them by an adult and a pile of pebbles on the table.
There were other children from the village gathered around the low table. They were all about the same age as Yuji and the others. When they saw Huiyuan Xiong coming, they all came over chattering, "Brother, can you help us make a big snow rabbit?" "The snow rabbits we make always collapse!" "Brother, please!"
Haibara Yu quickly fell into the child's sweet talk and patted his chest and said, "I will definitely give you the best one."
Miya Chiri's gaze once again shifted to the cooking table. Grandpa Itadori was standing quietly beside the porch pillar with a cup of tea in his hand. His eyes always passed through the crowd and were firmly locked on Itadori Yuji.
"Chiri-nee," Mimiko took her hand, "what are you looking at?"
Gong Zhili lowered his head and said with a smile, "They are making snow bunnies. Do you want to join in?"
Nanako noticed that Kei was approaching the group of people making snow rabbits, and she immediately became alert and pulled her sisters over there, "We can't fall behind!"
At this moment, Hisahito was standing on tiptoe, concentrating on inserting the thin carrot stick into the huge snowball that everyone had worked together to reinforce. His face was covered with glutinous rice flour from the rice cake he had just eaten, and his eyes were curved into happy crescents with excitement and dedication. His cheeks were flushed, and he was full of energy and commanding: "Haibara-nii, this side, this side, press it a little tighter!"
The old man looked at his grandson's smiling face, which was full of energy and surrounded by his friends. The corners of his mouth lifted and the wrinkles on his forehead relaxed a little. The worry that had been hidden in his heart since his grandson was born was diluted a lot by the satisfaction and trust at this moment.
Gong Zhili saw clearly that after this short and warm reunion, he still would not bring his grandson with a bright smile home to celebrate the New Year, but he would not be alone at home worrying about whether his grandson was doing well.
Gong Zhilixiang: Why not let Grandpa move to the village too? They don't have any relatives in Sendai anymore.
She did it as soon as she thought of it, and went to talk to Gojo Satoru about it.
Gojo Satoru finished chopping radishes and was now sitting under the stage watching the performance. Hearing this, he said, "I've considered this before, but you're the only one who owns the village now, and you hold the title deed. Plus, Grandpa Yuji has some concerns about this—"
Gong Zhili: "So you brought him here this time? After seeing all this, if you negotiate with him, things should change."
Gojo Satoru smiled and said, "Did you figure it out?"
Gong Zhili: "New Year's Day is coming soon... He came here at this time, and it doesn't look like he took Yuji home for the New Year. He must still be worried about him."
She grew up in a happy family and knew how her family expressed their love.
Glass stood beside her and put his hand on her shoulder: "Why did you come to Gojo to discuss this first?"
Gong Zhili pondered for a moment and then said, "I have to admit that in my heart, he is the one who takes on a lot of things - no matter who he entrusts the task to, he will always make sure it goes forward."
Ieiri Naoko was surprised: "That's a very high evaluation, but what do you think of me?"
Gong Zhili changed her attitude in a second: "Nanny never has to participate in the rankings!"
Gojo Satoru was still smiling when he heard the first part of the sentence, but he was speechless when he heard the second part: In short, it’s just that I’m partial to her.
"Since you mentioned it, I certainly can't let you down." Gojo Satoru said, "Leave it to me."
Gong Zhili smiled. At this time, the children's singing and drumming on the stage came to an end. The parents in the audience applauded enthusiastically. Gong Zhili and the others also clapped their hands. They heard someone in the crowd shouting, "Bonfire, it's time to light the bonfire!" The crowd began to laugh and rushed to the open space outside the school building that had been specially cleared.
They had a full morning, had fun, and watched performances. At noon, they lit a bonfire, gathered around it for warmth and laughter, and then went home.
Gong Zhili wrapped his coat tightly around him and followed the cheerful crowd out of the warm school building. The crisp air, tinged with the scent of snow, invigorated him. In the center of the playground, thick pine logs and dry firewood were already piled high. The village chief asked Gong Zhili to light the fire. He took a flaming stick and ignited the dry grass, stirring the pile to allow for better ventilation. Soon, with a whoosh, a vibrant orange-red-gold flame leaped up, its warm, bright light enveloping everyone.
After lighting the fire, Gong Zhili stepped back a little and watched people start dancing around the fire. The ground might be a little slippery, and their clothes might be a little bulky, but everyone had a smile on their face, smiling for the luck and harvest of the year, and also for the happiness of the moment.
Gojo Satoru and Miya Chiri stood together. He said something to Miya Chiri, who rolled her eyes at him. The expression on Ieiri Shoko's face turned into disgust again, but his own smile was very ostentatious, and his blue eyes were dazzling in the firelight.
Tennenoriko took Kuroi Misato's arm and wanted to pull her to dance, with a carefree smile on her face.
Nanami Kento stood at the edge of the crowd, reminding Haibara Yu beside him to pay attention to his wet cuffs. Haibara Yu stretched out his hand to warm the fire, with a smile on his face, not caring.
The children had already started jumping around the campfire hand in hand. Megumi Fushiguro's face was red, perhaps because of the fire or because she was embarrassed. Hisahito held his hand and laughed loudly and clearly.
Grandpa Yu Zhang stood under the eaves of the porch, the warm glow of the campfire brushing across his wrinkled face. He looked at his grandson jumping around the campfire, and the group of young boys and girls surrounding his grandson, each with their own characteristics but equally reliable. The haze in his eyes gradually dissipated, and his face showed the most relaxed and gratified smile of the night.
As they set out on their return journey, the snow started falling again. Fine powder snow danced silently in the air, and the snow under their feet made a slight "crunching" sound.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: I feel like I’m gradually getting back to normal. I write more when I’m resting. It’s very important to get a good rest!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
