8
Celebrating the New Year
A few days before the New Year, every household in the village began bustling with preparations to decorate their homes. Red candles, couplets, and New Year pictures in the main hall were essential.
Each family would hang red lanterns on their doors, adding warmth to the cold winter.
The women started preparing New Year’s goods early—steaming, frying, stewing, deep-frying… all kinds of delicacies. As you passed by their doors, you could smell the fragrant aromas wafting from every household.
On New Year’s Eve, Liu Shuhuai was the busiest, diligently cleaning every corner of the house.
He was busy cooking, serving each dish to the table, much like a servant in the household.
Watching the family enjoy themselves in harmony, he could only observe from a corner. They feasted on the lavish meals he had prepared, yet no one gave him a second thought.
Grandpa Liu would share stories from his childhood and family tales, and everyone listened intently, with laughter occasionally filling the room.
Liu Yao Zong could also be heard confidently recounting amusing incidents from the private school, occasionally reciting a few lines of poetry effortlessly.
Whenever this happened, Grandpa Liu would always praise him.
After the meal, the Liu Family gathered at the temple to pay respects to their ancestors, offering incense and praying for the family’s safety and a bountiful harvest.
Liu Shuhuai waited at home.
As night fell, the theater stage in the village began its performances with melodic singing. The opera troupe, dressed in splendid costumes, sang, recited, acted, and fought—every movement full of vigor.
The audience below listened, entranced. The older generation loved this the most, their eyes brimming with tears, filled with nostalgia.
At night, Liu Shuhuai finally sat at the table. Faced with a spread of delicious dishes, he dared not eat meat and could only have some vegetables. He knew the meat wasn’t meant for him—Aunt had warned him.
Only on this night would Grandma and Grandpa Liu look at him kindly and allow him to sit at the table.
He knew it was probably because of his father. Grandma resented his father but also wanted to use him as a puppet.
Hah!
As if she could have her way.
Although Grandpa Liu didn’t involve himself in much, he still had the final say in the family. It was just that Grandma took charge at the forefront. Grandpa observed from the sidelines, only stepping in when matters concerned his reputation.
He cared deeply about face and had strong self-esteem.
During the New Year, lucky money was given to symbolize protection and peace.
He knew Grandpa and Grandma gave each of his cousins five coins. He envied them—that was almost the price of a bundle of firewood, something others obtained so easily.
Meanwhile, he had to secretly sell firewood to earn money.
But there was no need to feel sad. A few days ago, Uncle Wang had settled the payment for the firewood—a total of one hundred and fifty-six coins, thanks largely to Da Hei. In a few days, the whole family would go out for New Year visits and wouldn’t return for about three days.
That would be his chance to sneak out and buy things.
Three hundred and fifty-six coins—the thought alone made him happy. Liu Shuhuai narrowed his eyes as he ate his half-bowl of rice.
Liu Zhi noticed with surprise that Liu Shuhuai seemed to have grown taller and had filled out a bit. “Liu Shuhuai, you haven’t been sneaking food from home while we were away, have you?”
Her words made everyone look up at Liu Shuhuai. They hadn’t noticed before, but he did seem slightly plumper than before, though his frame still looked frail.
Gripping his chopsticks, Liu Shuhuai retorted, “How could I? Everything is locked up. How would I get to it?”
Unconvinced, Liu Zhi argued, “Then what have you been eating?” If he hadn’t eaten anything extra, he wouldn’t have gained weight.
“I…” Liu Shuhuai started to explain but was cut off by Grandpa Liu.
“Enough. It’s the New Year. Just confess—what did you steal to eat?” With those words, Grandpa Liu had already convicted him, never believing him in the first place.
“Grandpa, there’s a river in the village. When I was starving, I caught catfish in the river to eat. How would I dare steal from the family?” He didn’t even want their things anyway.
“Catfish has little meat and many bones, and the taste isn’t good either. It’s so fishy and you still eat it? You must be truly desperate with hunger.” Liu Quan said with a disdainful expression.
“Hey!” Liu Quan was shoved by his mother, feeling somewhat indignant. He muttered under his breath, “I wasn’t wrong, why won’t you let me say it?” Another glare from his mother shut him up immediately.
Everyone looked at Grandpa Liu.
“Did anyone see you?” He asked sternly, looking at Liu Shuhuai. No one dared speak at that moment, the room falling completely silent.
“No, I always went secretly.” How could I dare embarrass you in public.
“Mm, everyone eat now.”
“Ah, Grandpa, don’t mind him. Let me tell you, my teacher said I’m definitely going to pass this time.” Liu Yao Zong quickly changed the subject to ease the tension.
“Hahaha, truly my grandson Liu Yan’s descendant!”
Liu Quan didn’t dare say anything, only hoping Grandpa wouldn’t ask him any scholarly questions that he couldn’t answer.
Soon the atmosphere gradually became lively again, as if the earlier incident had never happened.
Catfish really weren’t delicious, with too many bones that could easily get stuck in one’s throat. So except for poor families, no one would catch them to eat. But for those who couldn’t even afford regular meals, any meat was better than none.
Liu Shuhuai quietly listened to them flattering each other and exchanging pleasantries.
He missed Da Hei a little.
“Grandpa, Grandma, I’ve finished eating.”
“Mm, go back to your room by yourself.” Grandma only replied after checking Grandpa’s expression.
When Liu Shuhuai opened the door, he saw Da Hei sleeping on the dry grass.
Hearing the noise, he slowly woke up, tilting his head to look at him.
“Meow~” You’re back.
Ahhh!
I really want to hug him.
Liu Shuhuai happily held Da Hei, even burying his face in the cat’s belly for two deep sniffs.
He Xunzhou looked with utter resignation at the head buried in his stomach, giving it a light pat.
When Liu Shuhuai looked up, He Xunzhou thought he saw a red mole between his eyebrows. He blinked and looked again – it was gone.
Had he imagined it?
“Meow meow~” Happy New Year!
Liu Shuhuai mimicked with two meows of his own.
This made He Xunzhou so angry his fur puffed up, his eyes round and wide.
“Hahaha, don’t be mad Da Hei. Let me give you a kiss, okay?” Liu Shuhuai kissed Da Hei’s forehead.
Opening the window to look at the scenery outside, Liu Shuhuai sighed with emotion.
With you here, I look forward to every day.
He Xunzhou, nestled in Liu Shuhuai’s arms, looked up at him.
I’m willing to spend the rest of my life watching the world’s splendor with you.
“Da Hei, I can’t eat more meat anymore. They’ve already noticed, but I know they just can’t be bothered to care since they’re not losing anything.” Looking at the kitten in his arms, having someone to spend the New Year with was a blessing.
“Meow.” You can’t stop eating meat, you’re so thin. He Xunzhou felt heartbroken. What kind of family was this? He’d be better off on his own.
“Just three more years. After three years I can live independently. Da Hei, I really look forward to building a home with you. It’s just meat – I won’t die without it.” Liu Shuhuai’s eyes showed stubborn determination. He didn’t want to stay here any longer.
Only by becoming dark and ugly could he leave this place. After all, he was a Ge’er who could be traded for bride price.
“Da Hei, if you’re good-looking, you’ll be married off to some old man for bride price.”
“Meow.” I know, I support you!
He Xunzhou found the word “married” somewhat strange.
But lying in Liu Shuhuai’s arms was really warm. Why overthink things?
Just cherish the present.
Liu Shuhuai usually got up at six to cook and feed the pigs and chickens.
He Xunzhou always waited until Liu Shuhuai had left before returning to Great Black Mountain.
Ahem, there was a good morning kiss every single day.
The kid wasn’t reserved at all, making him, as the father, feel somewhat shy.