Chapter 1059 Close Your Eyes
The days fly by as the year draws to a close, and before we know it, it's Lunar New Year's Eve.
In Yingcheng, there is a custom of paying respects to deceased ancestors on the 30th of the lunar month. On the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, Lin Yuesha brought paper money, incense, and other items to that secluded island.
Hongtao was buried on the island. Baiying said that this way Hongtao could watch the sea every day, and when he was not around, Hongtao would not be lonely listening to the sound of the waves.
"Red Heart, if only you were still here."
Lin Yuesha made silk peach blossoms by hand, stuck them in the soil, and said wistfully.
Prince Zhenbei, Xiao Su, has already received his just deserts. Most of his subordinates have defected to Qi Heng, and the northern lands are now completely under his control.
Before you know it, it's Lunar New Year's Eve again.
“When we first met, there were many misunderstandings. You loved to shirk your responsibilities and pushed all the work onto me.”
Thinking back to how she first met Hongtao, Lin Yuesha couldn't help but tear up.
In her eyes, Hongtao was opportunistic and selfish, yet she was also very loyal and trusting towards her sisters.
Red Peach is such a fool, stubborn and determined, willing to give her life for her sisters and her beloved.
"My wife, life is short, only a few decades. We will meet again someday."
Qi Heng patted Lin Yuesha on the shoulder. Lunar New Year's Eve is a good day. He had been trying his best to do everything so that Lin Yuesha wouldn't shed tears, but the girl was saddened by her close sister.
He cannot control the life and death of others, even if he sits in the highest position.
"But if we meet again, will Sister Red Heart still recognize me?"
Lin Yuesha dabbed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, sniffed, and said, "Sometimes, there really is this feeling of helplessness."
The tragic death of Cousin Chen Dahua, and the passing of Hongtao, will cause many people to slowly and quietly depart, leaving the survivors heartbroken.
"Definitely."
Qi Heng curled his lips into a rare, faint smile and said, "My wife is so beautiful that even when she's seventy or eighty, she'll still be a wrinkle-free old lady, so Hongtao will definitely recognize you."
"Husband, you're so irresponsible!"
Lin Yuesha burst into laughter through her tears and solemnly bowed three times before Hongtao's grave.
Returning from the small island, the fishing village was already bustling with activity.
This year's New Year's Eve dinner was held in a newly built brick and tile house, where dozens of round tables had already been set up, decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and red cloths were laid out on the tables. The drinks had been prepared in advance.
Tian Dali's wife, Zhao, got up early and started working with the other women in the kitchen.
As Lin Yuesha entered, she happened to see several children from the craftsman's family helping to pick chives.
The little rabbit was wearing a red jacket and was working diligently with her head down. To her left was a large stack of freshly picked chives.
"Young Madam, we don't have enough manpower today, so we can only hire some young children. We'll give each of them a red envelope later to help with the work."
Zhao added a little flour to the chopped minced meat and mixed it well, preparing to fry the meatballs over high heat.
In the north, fried meatballs are a must-have dish for the New Year's Eve dinner, and farming families only make them once a year.
In the past, the old lady Tian was stingy. She would only put a little bit of meat filling in the fried meatballs, and most of them were flour, so the taste was not good.
This year, there was an abundance of ingredients in the fishing village. There was so much pork that they couldn't finish it all. For the first time, Zhao was so generous with the meat, using the best cuts of pork with a good balance of fat and lean, and adding chopped scallions, minced ginger, and her own shrimp oil.
Zhao washed her hands, grabbed a handful of minced meat, squeezed it out from between her thumbs, and deftly put it into the pot.
The oil temperature was just right, and the meatballs were immediately coated in oil, turning golden brown. A moment later, the aroma of meat wafted out.
"People in the south eat light food and rarely eat fried food. It wasn't until I came to the north that I realized how delicious fried meatballs are."
Little Rabbit Mother Qian swallowed hard, staring intently at the meatballs and smiling.
This year has been the most comfortable one yet. Qian never imagined that in the past, because of the rabbit's mouth, the three of them would hide in the yard during the New Year and could only eat some cold dishes brought from the kitchen.
The three of them were in a gloomy and listless atmosphere.
Later, the family wandered from place to place, and they were always worried that the little rabbit would be ostracized and isolated. They always had something on their minds.
Spending the Lunar New Year in the fishing village, Qian felt joy for the first time.
Content with the present and looking forward to the future, Qian even believed that there would be better days ahead.
It turns out that the saying "Those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune" is true.
"We have so many delicious foods in the north. You've tried them all these days. How come you still act like you've never seen the world before?"
After mocking Qian, Zhao noticed that the meatballs had changed color, so she scooped them out with a strainer and placed them on a tray lined with oiled paper.
"You guys try it first and see how salty it is."
Zhao was unsure, as most of the craftsmen were from the north and had a stronger palate; she worried that the Qian family would find the food too salty.
Since it was still early for the New Year's Eve dinner, the fried meatballs were sent to everyone first so they could have a little something to eat.
In addition, there are spring rolls, sweet potato fries, dates, fried cakes, crispy pork, and fried peanuts.
"Sister Zhao, this tastes just right, not salty at all. The meatballs are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The ginger removes the meaty smell and adds a fresh aroma."
Ms. Qian blew on it, not caring that it was too hot to eat; the meatballs smelled delicious!
"Hmm, looks like you have good taste."
Without stopping, Zhao started the second batch, first frying the meatballs until they were a light golden brown, then taking them out and frying the ones meant to be eaten immediately a second time.
"It tastes really good."
Lin Yuesha picked up two meatballs, nodding repeatedly, savoring the long-lost taste.
You can fry more meatballs; any leftovers can be stored in the storeroom for use in soups, stir-fries, or other dishes. There are many ways to cook them.
Lin Yuesha's favorite food is deep-fried jujube balls. The jujubes are soaked, pitted, coated with a layer of flour, rolled in sesame seeds, and deep-fried. They are soft, chewy, and very sweet.
With dozens of tables of food to prepare, the kitchen staff were constantly on the go, so Lin Yuesha left early.
On Lunar New Year's Eve, the guards continued to take turns on duty, with no one resting.
To ensure that the guards could also have a New Year's Eve dinner, several tables were set up in tents, where the guards took turns eating before continuing their night watch.
Lin Yuesha left the kitchen and returned to her courtyard, where Qi Heng was sitting inside drinking tea.
The heated floor was warm, and Qi Heng was only wearing a thin white shirt, revealing his straight and thin back.
"My wife, you've come at the perfect time."
Qi Heng was still unaware of being ripped off when buying face powder. He only realized that a box of face powder as a gift wasn't thoughtful enough, so he prepared a New Year's gift for his wife.
"What's wrong?"
Lin Yuesha took the teacup Qi Heng handed her and asked.
"Come on, close your eyes."
Qi Heng stood up and said mysteriously.
"Why are you closing your eyes? You're not thinking of stealing a kiss from me, are you?"
"Beware of fire, theft, and Qi Heng," Lin Yuesha thought suspiciously. After discussing it with Wuya, who had been through similar experiences, she concluded that the mark on her lip earlier was most likely from a forceful kiss, rather than from a sore throat.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
