Master Lin returned from the West Market and glanced up to see that the dust-covered signboard for his family's school had suddenly shone brighter. Further inside, the courtyard was swept clean: the cobwebs on the eaves, the weeds under the eaves, the dead branches on the osmanthus trees, the fallen leaves on the ground were all gone. He walked to a room and looked inside. The desks and chairs were neatly arranged, and there was not a single scrap of paper on the floor.
Before his wife became seriously ill, the three of them would clean the school inside and out like this after school.
"Brother Wenfeng, your handwriting is heavy and strong, but not flexible enough. You need to practice more."
"How dare you, Shopkeeper Xu, criticize me? Look at those two words of yours. They're so good that they could be flown like a kite if you tied them with a string."
"I think my sister's handwriting is obviously better."
"Sister, sister, you only know how to take sides."
The sound came from Bajizhai. Master Lin walked to the door and saw that three people were writing scrolls and spring couplets. Seeing that they were having a great time, he didn't say anything. He just stood there and watched for a while before going to the backyard.
The backyard was also kept tidy. The firewood and sundries that were piled up in the past were all put together. Only the newly built stove sat in the middle, with a pot of hot water boiling on it.
He went back and forth several times, moving the purchases into the kitchen before going into the house to see his wife.
Perhaps hearing his footsteps, the lady woke up from her daze and stretched out her hand when she saw him. He helped her up, but felt that her frail bones were as thin as a falling leaf, which was frightening.
"Want to sleep a little longer?"
"I've slept enough. I don't want to lie down anymore."
Master Lin helped the lady change her clothes, then helped her to the dressing table and tied her hair.
The lady touched her hair, which was neat and elegant, and smiled, "Now you are getting better and better at tying it. You are not as clumsy as before, always pulling it and making my scalp hurt."
"After decades of doing this, even the clumsiest hands will become skillful."
Mrs. Lin couldn't help but smile when she heard this.
After combing her hair, Master Lin pinned a plain hairpin on her head. This hairpin was bought for her by her daughter after she received her salary. The lady liked it very much.
"I just vaguely heard some commotion outside, but is Ajahn here?"
"Yeah, and Zeng chased that kid."
The lady smiled and said, "He's here too. I was wondering why it was so lively."
"The three of them are currently writing in Bajizhai."
"Our yard finally feels a bit like the New Year."
Master Lin put his hand on her shoulder, and they looked at each other in the mirror, as if remembering how lively and cheerful it was when they were newly married as a young couple.
"Do you want to go out and take a look?"
"good."
Lin Hongchu was chased out by Xu Jiang, holding Dou Fang. In the end, she couldn't escape her clutches and was pinched and twisted like a loach. She smiled and begged for mercy, "Oh, dear sister, I won't tease you and Brother Lou anymore, please forgive me."
"I think it's been a while since I last dealt with you, and you're itching for trouble." Xu Jiang pinched her waist before letting her go.
Zeng Zhui came out of Bajizhai carrying a stool and asked, "Where should we start?"
Xu Jiang replied, "Stick it from the outside in." Then he added, "You two should measure the size first, and I'll go mix the paste."
As soon as she entered the backyard, she saw Master Lin and Madam Lin coming out. Xu Jiang was surprised and asked, "When did Master come back? Auntie is up too."
Madam Lin smiled and said, "I woke up and heard the commotion outside so I came out to check it out. Are they going to post the scrolls?"
"Well, Hongchu and Zeng Zhui are outside. I'll make the paste."
"The bowl for mixing the paste is under the eaves of the kitchen stove."
"That's for sure."
Xu Jiang prepared the paste and went out to the outer courtyard to see four people standing in front of the door, talking and laughing. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up, "Here's the paste."
As soon as the scroll was posted, the quiet atmosphere of the school was replaced by a festive atmosphere, and the family began to prepare the evening's reunion dinner. Xu Jiang was in charge of Mrs. Lin's food, while Zeng Zhui took the overall responsibility, assigning the rest of the dishes to his own responsibility, hoping to show off.
Lin Hongchu assisted him while Master Lin went to the front yard to receive students and friends who came to bring gifts from time to time. Mrs. Lin sat under the eaves, watching them busy, occasionally helping to pick vegetables and chatting with them.
As the sun was setting, every household lit up their lanterns. Zeng Zhui took a piece of firewood from the stove and went to the door to light a fire to drive away the evil spirits.
Exorcism also took place on New Year's Eve. The imperial palace's ritual was even more grand. It's said that the burning bonfire, made of incense sticks, would soar several feet high. Sages led officials in offering sacrifices, honoring the ancestors, exorcising evil spirits, and praying to the gods to protect the people and ensure a long-lasting prosperity for the country.
The firewood burns vigorously, indicating that the coming year will be prosperous.
After lighting the watchtower outside the door, Zeng Zhui added some firewood to the stove in the backyard. The fire grew and illuminated the entire yard.
"Set the table!"
The dining table was placed under the eaves of the corridor. Master Lin and Madam Lin sat in the middle, Xu Jiang and Lin Hongchu sat beside Madam Lin, and Zeng Zhui sat next to Master Lin.
Master Lin did not observe any formalities today. He just said a few auspicious words and then asked everyone to start eating.
"We are still staying up tonight, there is still a lot of time, let's eat slowly."
Mrs. Lin was also in a rare good mood. Xu Jiang stewed chicken and tofu soup for her, steamed yam with pickled fish, and lily and lotus seed soup, all of which were to her taste.
She took Xu Jiang's hand and stroked it again and again, "These days, thanks to you." She touched Xu Jiang's thin chin and said with concern, "Thank you for your hard work."
Xu Jiang rubbed her hand and said with a smile, "I'm not looking thin because of Aunt. It's the New Year and the business is busy, so it's inevitable that I'll lose some weight. Just wait and see, by the time the fifteenth day comes, I'll be fat again, maybe even two pounds."
"A little fatter would be better, a little fatter would be better." Madam Lin kept holding her close to her, squeezing Lin Hongchu, who was sitting in the middle, and making a noise. Xu Jiang simply pressed her into her arms as well, and the three of them squeezed together, feeling intimate and warm.
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