After turning two corners outside the small gate, the two girls gathered near the grass. Before Xu Chenger could say anything, rustling sounds came from the grass, and the dense blades swayed vigorously.
A majestic big orange cat, with its tail held straight upright, passed between Yuan Niang and Cheng’er. Instead of walking on the proper path, it insisted on pushing the two apart, truly looking down on everything—a proud, haughty cat.
And the culprits causing the rustling in the grass finally revealed themselves.
They were several adorable little kittens, only about the size of a palm, even walking wobblingly, occasionally stumbling and rolling their round heads in the grass. Even so, they were still fighting among siblings.
The fiercest fighter was a little calico, almost beating up another little black-and-white cat. Its soft pink paw pads didn’t seem painful when hitting, but the black-and-white kitten kept meowing in a milky voice, shrinking its round head, occasionally tentatively extending its paw, only to be beaten even harder.
Beside them was a little orange kitten, dumbly watching its siblings fight. Its eyes were round and black, with a circle of white fur around its mouth, looking as if it had returned from hunting with a cicada in its mouth. But it was a silly kitten—how could it possibly hunt?
Even while standing there staring at the fight, its round head kept drooping downward, and then it stumbled.
Yuan Niang couldn’t help but chuckle at the clumsy little orange kitten.
Then the little orange kitten slowly lifted its head, its round eyes moist, looking toward the hairless ugly giant who made the sound, its black round eyes filled with confusion.
Meanwhile, the big orange cat, carrying animal entrails it had snatched from somewhere in its mouth, glanced back at Yuan Niang with a very haughty and subtly warning look, as if reminding her not to laugh at its child.
Yuan Niang guiltily covered her mouth.
Xu Chenger took out the dried fish already placed in her small He Bao and carefully placed it near the grass, next to the big orange cat, nodding and smiling awkwardly, as if apologizing for Yuan Niang’s rudeness.
The big orange cat sniffed the dried fish and finally raised its noble eyes, forgiving the humans who had disturbed them.
Xu Chenger pulled Yuan Niang farther away, to a distance where they could still see the kittens but wouldn’t make them feel threatened.
Xu Chenger lowered her voice, whispering into Yuan Niang’s ear, “How about it? Aren’t they silly and tempting to touch? Especially that Li Mao with the beautiful face—its fur is so bright and vibrant. If taken home, it definitely wouldn’t be bullied by other kittens.”
The Li Mao with the beautiful face was the little calico, beating up the black-and-white kitten, both beautiful and fierce.
Chen Yuanniang recalled the little calico’s vigorous paw strikes and nodded in agreement, but her first glance had caught the little orange kitten—round, clumsy, seeing people only to stare blankly with round eyes, dumbly not blinking—how adorable.
“I like that little yellow Li Mao,” Yuan Niang said proactively.
Xu Chenger tilted her head, recalling, the pearl ribbon tied to her hair swaying along. She cooperatively praised, “The little yellow Li Mao is also pretty, better than the black-and-white fur. My mother says black-and-white Li Mao tend to be restless and love knocking things over.”
“Is that so?” Yuan Niang began recalling the black-and-white cats she had seen in the countryside and couldn’t help but agree, “It does seem that way.”
Other cats were elusive, but black-and-white ones would suddenly start playing while walking, chasing their own tails, puffing up their fur and dashing around in place—yet they were also the bravest.
Xu Chenger continued, “I’ve been feeding them for over a month now. In a little while, the little tabby cats can be taken home to raise. Mother has already agreed to let me bring that jade-faced cat home. Do you want to take one home too? Weren’t you quite fond of that little yellow tabby?”
Chen Yuanniang thought for a moment, “I need to go back and discuss it with Grandma first. By the way, are there many roadside inns selling food around here?”
Xu Chenger nodded, puzzled, “Yes, there are.”
Yuan Niang, however, revealed a sly smile.
It was already nighttime by the time the new house was completely tidied up.
For the evening meal, Granny Wang decided to buy some fish dumplings and pork pancreas Hubing from a shop—things without much broth, simple and convenient, yet filling.
Pork pancreas Hubing had pork offal stuffed inside the flatbread; the taste was decent, mainly providing enough grease to feel satisfied and full. For a country girl like Yuan Niang who hadn’t seen much of the world, it was still quite tasty.
But the fish dumplings were truly delightful.
There were many kinds of fish dumplings; the ones their family bought were carp dumplings. The filling inside was stir-fried, wrapped in rice flour skin, and steamed in a steamer, served with vinegar—the flavor was exceptionally fresh and delicious.
Yuan Niang hadn’t experienced much of the world, but living off the mountains, she could tell with one bite that diced mushrooms and bamboo shoots were added inside. Mountain delicacies mixed with river fish created an ultimate freshness and sweetness upon entering the mouth. The amber-colored vinegar made the carp dumplings savory without being greasy, tempting her to eat more and more.
Apart from a whole pork pancreas Hubing, Yuan Niang was given as many as five fish dumplings.
It was her first time tasting such delicacies, and she couldn’t bear to finish them all at once, secretly saving two to take a bite whenever she craved them.
By the time Yuan Niang finished eating, the sky had turned completely dark, and the whole family was sitting in the main hall resting.
The main hall of the new house was too large; Granny Wang had to light two oil lamps to barely illuminate the room, but the surroundings remained dimly yellow. One had to be careful while walking, looking around, or else it was easy to trip.
One oil lamp was placed on the high table facing the door, where Granny Wang held an account book, recording all the recent expenses and starting to list what was still lacking.
The other oil lamp was placed between Madam Cen and Chen Kuocang. Madam Cen leaned close to the lamp, mending clothes.
Chen Kuocang held a slightly worn copy of the Three Character Classic that Granny Wang had acquired, reviewing what she had taught him before. Of course, this was just for show. Although there were differences between traditional and simplified characters, he had already memorized most of the book—he was merely pretending.
Being clever and quick to learn was one thing; being a monster who didn’t need to learn at all was another. Chen Kuocang knew well how to navigate the distinction.
In any case, on the first day living in the new house, although the room was quiet, the atmosphere was excellent.
Chen Yuanniang’s eyes darted around, sensing the timing was right.
She walked over to Grandma, who was rubbing her forehead tiredly from bookkeeping, clenched her small fists, and began massaging Grandma’s shoulders.
Left tap, right tap, quickly alternating, creating the appearance of hard work and enthusiasm.
She thumped Granny Wang’s shoulders so hard that her head shook along with them, but this force was just right. Granny Wang felt so comfortable that her brows relaxed, and she hummed twice, opening her eyes to glance sideways at the person behind her, speaking unhurriedly, “Speak up, what do you want?”
Yuan Niang giggled, revealing her white teeth, looking innocent and adorable.
“Grandma~” she protested sweetly, “I just think you’re so hardworking, don’t think of your granddaughter as so bad.”
Granny Wang snorted, but her expression was quite pleased, squinting her eyes and saying, “If you don’t speak soon, I won’t listen anymore.”
Yuan Niang hurriedly begged for mercy, “Grandma, you’re still the best, nothing can be hidden from you. It’s like this, I see there are many roadside inns near our home, lots selling food, and many vendors, so mice are unavoidable. Why not raise a cat?”
Granny Wang slowly opened her eyes, and just one glance made the smiling Yuan Niang tense up a bit.
“Hmph.” Granny Wang looked as if she had seen through everything, “You want to hire the stray cat that Xu Chenger next door feeds?”
“How did you know, Grandma?!?” Yuan Niang exclaimed in surprise, her eyes unconsciously rolling upward, recalling what she had just said.
She definitely hadn’t slipped up!
How had her grandma become so sharp? Could it be that after getting older, she could see through what people were thinking?
Yuan Niang’s thoughts gradually drifted off, filled with all the supernatural tales she had heard.
Granny Wang could tell with just one glance that Yuan Niang’s little brain had wandered off somewhere strange. If she didn’t speak up soon, this silly girl might think she had turned into an old monster.
“During the day, Madam Hui mentioned in idle chatter that her Cheng’er was clamoring to hire a Li Mao to bring home.”
After hearing Granny Wang’s explanation, Chen Yuanniang felt reassured.
It seemed her grandma hadn’t become that powerful yet; otherwise, she would have to behave honestly from now on.
Yuan Niang secretly sighed in relief.
Then, she threw herself into Grandma’s arms, shaking her arm and putting on a full act of childish pleading, “Let’s raise it, let’s raise it, Grandma!” From now on, I’ll definitely listen to you, and I’ll do all the feeding myself!”
Granny Wang pretended to look disgusted on her face but didn’t push Yuan Niang away, feeling extremely pleased inside.
“Alright then, hope it’s a good cat that catches mice, not like its owner, only sweet-talking and making noise.”
Yuan Niang looked up in surprise, jumped up cheering, and eagerly poured water for Granny Wang, continuing to thump her back, calling her “good Grandma” repeatedly, saying she loved Grandma most.
Not only Granny Wang, but even Madam Cen and Chen Kuocang watching nearby couldn’t help secretly laughing.
In this dim, yellowish room, Yuan Niang was the most vibrant color. With her there, no You Deng was needed to illuminate the surroundings brightly and brilliantly.
Since she had already agreed to Chen Yuanniang’s request, Granny Wang naturally arranged everything properly to avoid mishaps, “Wait a few days, I need someone to calculate auspicious dates and ask how the contract should be written.”
Yuan Niang widened her eyes. In the village she used to live in, there was also the custom of hiring cats, but it wasn’t so complicated. At most, they prepared some small fish caught from the stream for the original owner. After all, few people in the village were literate, and hiring someone to write a contract would require a fee. Who would want to spend so much just to raise a cat?
Coming to Bianjing, she felt she had gained a lot of knowledge and discovered many differences in her grandma, such as…
She never knew Grandma was literate before and had never seen Grandma display it in front of others.
While Yuan Niang was distracted, Granny Wang had already begun to make thorough considerations for the little yellow tabby cat that was about to enter their home.
“Right,” Granny Wang lifted her cloudy eyes and gave instructions in an orderly manner, “Find the tattered bedding and worn-out clothes you brought all the way to Bianjing. Since we’re welcoming it into our home, we should at least give it a proper nest.”
Chen Yuanniang was notoriously stingy. If Granny Wang had suggested giving away the old bedding, she would have felt heartache, thinking it could still be used. But if it was for the little yellow tabby cat, she was more than willing, nodding eagerly in agreement.
She even took the initiative to ask, “Cheng’er said she made a small banner for the cat. When we sew the nest, can we also cut some fabric scraps? I can glue them on myself!”
Seeing Yuan Niang so overjoyed, Granny Wang smiled as well. “Alright. In a few days, Xiangguo Temple will be open. Our whole family will go to burn incense and buy whatever we’re missing. You can also see if there’s anything you need to get for the little tabby cat.”
Yuan Niang cheered with delight, her smile never fading from her face.
However, Madam Cen, worried that she might get too excited and have trouble sleeping, called her over and taught her some tedious needlework techniques.
Before bedtime, Madam Cen also cooked Yuan Niang a bowl of sweet longan soup.
Only after finishing it did Yuan Niang go up to the Gelou.
Though it was still empty, with only a Jiazi Chuang and a Dressing table holding a Bronze mirror, this large room was entirely hers!
She couldn’t help but spin around on the spot, admiring the clean and tidy room.
The paper covering the window was somewhat torn, allowing sporadic gusts of wind to drift in at night. There wasn’t much to be done about it for now—they would have to wait until tomorrow to buy new window paper and paste it on. Enduring it for one night wasn’t a big deal.
A little further inside the door, she could place a full set of tables and chairs. In the future, she could invite Cheng’er up to the Gelou to share some snacks together.
Under the window facing the street, Grandma said she should set up a daybed and a small table. Having a carpenter make these would be cheaper, so there was no rush.
Further inside was a Semi-circular archway, which should have been hung with a curtain, but they hadn’t had time to buy one yet. Along with the canopy for the Jiazi Chuang, these would have to wait until their trip to Xiangguo Temple to purchase.
Grandma said they would also buy some silk thread and a Tie Guo, among other daily necessities.
The family had never used a Tie Guo before. Grandma said dishes cooked in a Tie Guo were especially delicious—would they be as tasty as the fish dumplings she had eaten today…
Lost in her drowsy thoughts, Yuan Niang unknowingly lay down on the bed and fell asleep.
Moonlight slanted through the torn window paper, casting a silvery glow across the floor, accompanying her into slumber.
Outside, the clear voice of the night watchman dispelled the cold night breeze.
Not far away, by Zhouqiao, the clamor of voices filled the air.
And the liveliness of Zhouxi Wazi had only just begun!