From the first to the fifteenth day of each lunar month is the busiest time in the town.
When I came to the town before the New Year, there were many people selling meat and Spring Festival couplets. They would buy and leave immediately. They came in a hurry and left in a hurry. They didn't have much time to relax and stroll around.
It’s different after the New Year. Right after finishing work, it’s time for free time.
It’s still early for the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, but the lanterns have been hung up early. In the streets and alleys of the town, rows of lanterns are hung under the eaves with colorful lights.
Needless to say, there are all kinds of food everywhere, still lined up from one end of the alley to the other, including shortbread, date cakes... there are too many varieties to count.
These two days were rare sunny days in winter, but Zhao Luochuan still felt very cold and insisted that Yang Donghu wear a collar before going out.
As soon as I arrived in the town, I was attracted by all kinds of hawking sounds. The young women and boys at the stalls were not afraid of people at all, and they shouted louder than the men.
Seeing an interesting vendor selling rouge and powder, Yang Donghu took two steps closer when the enthusiastic stall owner picked up the ointment and was about to apply it on Yang Donghu's hand. He was so scared that he immediately retracted his hand.
The stall owner was a discerning person. When he saw the tall man following the boy closely, he knew that they were a loving couple. His words changed from "cheap and easy to use" to "look how well-matched they are, you can tell they are in love at first glance. It's cold and dry in winter, so buy your husband a box of ointment to moisturize his hands."
There was nothing more useful than these words. Zhao Luochuan paid the money without hesitation. Yang Donghu just sighed twice and a bottle of ointment appeared in his hand.
Amidst the stall owner's praise, Zhao Luochuan generously bought a box of rouge and a box of bath beans. The stall owner praised the bath beans to the sky, saying that they could be used for washing and bathing, and that the fragrance would remain for several days.
I have it at home too. It’s made by Zhu Cuilan from wild soapberry. It’s clean after washing, but it’s not as fragrant as this one.
When Zhao Luochuan thought of Yang Donghu lying in the bed with a nice shower, he thought it would be so comfortable to hold him while sleeping, so he happily led Yang Donghu to the next stall.
Yang Donghu felt that all the people from the city and the countryside were in the town today, and there were so many people that it was hard to squeeze in.
Zhao Luochuan held her husband's hand tightly, fearing that they would get separated if they were not careful. The more crowded a place is, the more people with ulterior motives there are, so it is always better to be cautious.
When doing business, you must keep your eyes and ears open. If you are not careful, the business will be snatched away by other stalls.
After seeing the eloquence of the rouge and powder stall owner, the vendors behind him followed suit, spouting sweet words like they were free, and their business obviously improved.
Bath beans and ointment both cost ten cents, and rouge was the most expensive, costing thirty cents for just a small box. He had spent fifty cents before he had even walked a few steps. Yang Donghu felt a little distressed, because at that time, selling several fish only cost fifty cents.
His thoughts were written on his face. Zhao Luochuan could tell what he was thinking at a glance. He thought to himself that his husband was really a man who lived a simple life. He smiled and said, "Don't feel bad. Your man can make money. When spring comes, I will go to the mountains more often. Not only can I make money, but I can also save money to marry you."
Yang Donghu felt sweet at the thought of marrying, but he lectured her, "Don't talk nonsense. Buy what you should buy, and don't buy what you shouldn't buy. Look at this rouge. I don't need it, and if I buy it, it'll just gather dust somewhere."
"Of course you don't need it. If you're embarrassed to use it during the day, then wait until night when no one is around and apply it on for me to see." Zhao Luochuan bent his body slightly and whispered into Yang Donghu's ear.
There were a lot of people around, and Yang Donghu looked around in shock. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that no one was paying attention to him. He elbowed Zhao Luochuan, turned his back and said nothing.
Zhao Luochuan took advantage of the verbal blow and was in a good mood, protecting Yang Donghu from behind to prevent her husband from being squeezed by others.
The road, which was already difficult to walk on, was even more blocked by the crowd in front. Yang Donghu stood on tiptoe and looked up curiously. It was a craftsman making faces.
It was a pity that he was short and could not stand steadily on tiptoe, so he could not see clearly what was going on inside. He could only hear the enthusiastic cheers from the people around him.
At this time, a pair of big hands supported his waist from behind and lifted him up a little higher with a force.
Yang Donghu turned around and saw that it was Zhao Luochuan, then he felt relieved. He smiled at him and turned his head to watch the man making faces attentively.
Zhao Luochuan has amazing arm strength. He can lift something steadily with his arms alone without shaking at all.
Yang Donghu was watching intently when a child in front of him, about four or five years old, was held by his mother. His eyes darted around, and when he saw Yang Donghu, he blinked excitedly, patted his mother's arm, and spoke in a slurred but loud voice, "Mom, there are two brothers hugging each other."
Everyone attracted by his voice turned around to look. Yang Donghu, whose face suddenly turned red due to the teasing voice, quickly signaled Zhao Luochuan that he wanted to get down.
The child's mother covered the child's mouth tightly, cast an apologetic look at Yang Donghu, and then scolded him: "What's wrong with you? Don't talk nonsense. I'll tell your father later and see if he spanks you."
Yang Donghu blushed and didn't want to stay any longer, so he left the crowd and walked away.
Zhao Luochuan's nonchalant voice came from above: "What are you afraid of? We are open and aboveboard. I'm not marrying anyone else."
"You think so." Yang Donghu glanced at Zhao Luochuan. It was all his fault, otherwise why would others laugh at him.
Zhao Luochuan knew that Yang Donghu was shy and would probably get angry if he continued, so he quickly changed the subject: "I'm just teasing you, I'm not that kind of person. Okay, there's more fun ahead, let's go check it out."
After the New Year, spring will come, and it is time for the busy farming season. Various farm tools are lined up for people to choose from.
The vendors selling malt cakes and pastries are the best at interacting with children, praising their delicacies to the skies. Even before the children have even taken a bite, they seem to have already tasted the sweet and delicious flavor.
This makes it difficult for parents. Many of them buy some food to try after their children make a fuss. If there are some cruel ones, they will drag the children aside and beat them up, and threaten to let the beggars take them away if they make trouble again.
There is no child who is not afraid of being beaten by beggars. They stopped sobbing and looked back at the stall every few steps before leaving. It was really pitiful to see them.
Zhao Luochuan found it a little funny and said to Yang Donghu, "If you cry and make a fuss, I'll buy it for you. Do you want to try it?"
“…………”
"You were just kidding. I would have bought it for you even if you hadn't cried."
Yang Donghu suddenly felt like teasing Zhao Luochuan. Following the crowd, he got close to him and whispered in his ear, "Really? You're so nice, Brother Chuan."
The last syllable of the words rose slightly, and the call of "Brother Chuan" seemed to have taken several turns and hit Zhao Luochuan's heart.
After saying this, Yang Donghu turned around again and distanced himself from him.
Zhao Luochuan stared at the slightly smug figure in front of him, and secretly sighed that Dong Hu had actually learned bad things. He must let him know how powerful he is when he returns home at night.
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