Chapter 67

The cheerful, laughing crowd suddenly fell silent for a few seconds—then erupted in astonishment.

“Th-this… is that Juejue?”

Years ago, the Xie family had lost a child. Xie Jun and his wife had quarreled endlessly over it, eventually divorcing in the aftermath. Hardly anyone in the compound didn’t know the story. Now, seeing Xie Tingjue, what else was there left to wonder about?

The uncles and elders of Xie Jun’s generation all sighed in amazement:
“He looks… he really looks exactly the same. These two brothers were carved from the same mold.”

“After so many years, Juejue has finally come home.”

Grandmother Xie was especially moved. She sat stunned for a long while, unable to speak. At last she said to Xie Tingjue, “Come to Grandma, let me feel you.”

Obediently, Xie Tingjue stepped forward, bent down, and let those warm, weathered hands caress his face.

His brows, his eyes, his nose, his mouth…

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“Nlv’p lyv! Rq ol esd’v, vbl ekpblp okzz ts nsze.”

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Mbl pralye clqsal vblx oyp ps ycwdeydv kv qkzzle vbl assx okvb byrrkdlpp fwpv vs zssj yv kv. Mbl aknb qaytaydnl sq vbl Llo Zlya’p Ohl qlypv qzsyvle swv, yde psxlsdl vlyple:

“Old Xie, we’re in for a treat tonight! This year your cooking’s far beyond the usual—”

And wasn’t that the truth. Some had expected nothing more than scallions with steamed buns, or pickles with porridge. Who would have thought they’d be greeted instead with a New Year’s banquet of meat, vegetables, soup, fruit, and even pastries?

This meal was so lavish it almost felt as if the Xie household had a new mistress at the helm.

Everyone hurried to their seats and dug in.

Word had spread through the compound that the Xie family’s cured pork was excellent.

One bite of the chewy, savory meat confirmed the rumor—it was full of rich, lingering flavor, storing away the essence of the pork, leaving mouths watering for more.

The golden dumplings split open in a smile, releasing steaming juices at the first bite. The taste of wild delicacies filled the mouth; the egg dumplings were smooth and tender. The soldiers—who usually craved meat above all—were quicker with their chopsticks than anyone else.

The dish called Caiyuan Guangjin (“Wealth Abundant”) was gone in no time.

Soldiers always ate quickly, but this was the one meal of the year they could enjoy without hurry or stress. Grease shone on their lips; the joy of eating meat was bliss itself.

In those days, a chance to eat meat freely came only once a year, at the New Year’s table. Normally, each guest had to contribute a pound of meat coupons and a pound of grain coupons when dining at the Xie’s.

But this year’s feast? Worth two pounds at least.

Even after the dishes were cleared, they scraped up the last of the sauces with flatbread, until the plates gleamed as if never used—if not for the towering pile of bones beside them.

Ye Qingshui glanced at the spotless plates on the soldiers’ table, then at their own table, which had only just been touched. She couldn’t help but wipe sweat from her brow.

At that moment, the grand finale dish—Nian Nian You Yu (“Abundance Year After Year”)—was brought out.

The little copper hotpot was bubbling away.

In the clear broth floated mushrooms. Simmered all day, the stock had drawn out the marrow of the bones, mingled with the earthy savor of the mushrooms, producing a rich and fragrant soup. The other side of the pot was a fiery red broth, covered with chili oil and dotted with dried peppers.

Thin slices of fish were laid neatly on a plate, translucent and even. A dip in the broth for a few seconds, and they were perfectly cooked. Grandfather Xie tasted one—it melted on the tongue, tender and fresh.

Grandmother Xie, who preferred heavier flavors, chose from the spicy broth. Soon her mouth tingled, she sucked in air with every bite, sweat beading all over her body.

Greedy children stuffed their cheeks with fish, juice dripping down their fingers, but never feared choking. The delicate slices were free of bones.

After the feast came fruit and desserts.

The crisp snow pears washed away the grease, their sweet juice refreshing as immortality itself.

The elders poured wine and reminisced, while the younger ones cleared the table and tidied up. The soldiers moved in perfect unison, scrubbing the dishes spotless before offering thanks and departing.

The New Year’s banquet stretched until eight in the evening. Grandmother Xie beamed with pride, her face glowing as everyone praised her before leaving:

“Yan Chun, your granddaughter-in-law is so capable.”

“The New Year’s feast was excellent!”

“And your lost grandson is found—tonight you’ll be too happy to sleep!”

“Looks like the Xie family’s luck has turned this year.”

After the meal, Grandmother Xie handed out fireworks and firecrackers to the younger ones to set off outside. When it was Ye Qingshui’s turn, she scooped up a big handful for her.

“This is your first New Year with our family, Shui-ya. Watch well later—the fireworks are beautiful.”

Such luxuries were rare; only the Xie family could afford them. Barrels and sticks of fireworks, bought like burning money.

On New Year’s Eve, every household in the compound was ablaze with light, filled with the aroma of meat.

After dinner, neighbors donned new clothes, faces radiant with joy. They braved the cold night air, blowing on their hands as they lit firecrackers and fireworks.

Ye Qingshui lit a few sparklers for form’s sake, joined the fun for a moment, then quickly lost interest. She passed the rest to the compound’s children.

Xie Tingyu, normally disinclined to such lively scenes, found himself surrounded anyway—children clung to him, drawn by his warmth. With him went Ye Qingshui, unable to slip away.

Exasperated, she whispered, “I’m going back.”

“Alright, I’ll head back soon too.”

In a gentle voice, Xie Tingyu told the children, “Uncle has to go home soon. If there’s anything else you want to play, say it now.”

He crouched, patiently lighting fireworks for each child, fulfilling their wishes one by one, even hoisting them on his shoulders for “horse rides.”

The brilliant fireworks lit up his face like polished jade, his dark eyes sparkling as though filled with the firelight themselves.

Overhead, the night sky burst into a dazzling bloom of color. Across the compound, other fireworks answered in unison, firecrackers crackling in a jubilant chorus.

Fiery red fragments from the firecrackers exploded and scattered all over everyone.

Just before the moment hit, Xie Tingyu reacted quickly, covering the youngest child’s ears with his hands.

Seeing this scene, Ye Qingshui couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

If that child had still been here, would he too have been cherished and protected in Xie Tingyu’s arms, just like these children?

But with that thought came a wave of bitterness surging into her heart.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want the child—it was his father who had personally abandoned him. Next year, she mustn’t come here again!

Ye Qingshui turned back toward the Xie house.

As she stepped into the courtyard, she noticed that the long-empty room in the Xie household had its lights on.

She had just opened the door when the man wrapped his arm around her shoulders from behind.

Xie Tingyu’s breathing was a little uneven, and with a teasing tone he said,
“Shui’er, why did you run so fast?”

Up close, she realized his breath carried a faint trace of alcohol, and his jade-like face was tinged with red. He paused, then asked with a light smile,
“Just now the firecrackers were too loud—was it my fault for not covering your ears first?”

When the firecrackers went off earlier, Xie Tingyu had seen the girl across from him looking at him—at the child in his arms—with eyes full of something almost like envy.

That foolish, innocent gaze really tugged at his heart.

From the wardrobe, he pulled out a set of women’s clothing—soft, smooth fabric, a plain blue-and-white dress that perfectly suited Ye Qingshui’s temperament.

It was tailored to fit, breathable and comfortable, yet not ostentatious. Just right for springtime when the weather turned warmer.

Ye Qingshui ran her fingers over the fabric, carefully inspecting the fine stitching. Instinctively, she asked,
“This must have cost quite a lot, right?”

Xie Tingyu smiled faintly.
“It’s a New Year’s gift for you.”

That was when Ye Qingshui remembered the clothes she had promised long ago to make for him, but had left unfinished, neglected while she busied herself with New Year preparations.

“I’ll finish yours soon,” she said with some guilt.

There was still plenty of time before the New Year’s eve vigil ended, and sitting idly felt dull. So Ye Qingshui brought out her needle and thread, putting her whole heart into sewing.

Xie Tingyu switched on all the lights in the room.

The bright incandescent lamps were nothing like the dim oil lamps of the countryside—she wouldn’t have to strain her eyes. Her slim shadow fell across the freshly whitewashed walls, and time seemed to pass quietly, gently.

Watching the girl carefully sewing clothes for him, a subtle warmth stirred in Xie Tingyu’s chest.

After a long while, Ye Qingshui bit off the last thread. Just as she was about to hand the finished garment to him, she said,
“I’m done!”

The words had barely left her lips when the gears of time clicked together—the old year passed, the new one arrived. Outside the window, the waiting firecrackers, like soldiers standing by for orders, burst forth in unison with the New Year’s chime, thundering across the sky.

This time, Xie Tingyu swiftly, in time, pressed his hands over Ye Qingshui’s ears.

Crack-crack-crack!

Pop-pop-pop!

The chaotic explosions roared like thunder, deafening, as if they were bursting right by their ears, sinking into their hearts.

Ye Qingshui suddenly felt warmth covering her ears. When she looked up, Xie Tingyu’s face was right there, so close.

Against the bright lamplight, his features were blurred, his brows slightly relaxed, lips curved in a smile. His chest, broad and warm, pressed against her. She could faintly hear his rapid heartbeat. His dark eyes seemed to lock onto her like magnets, burning with intensity.

When the firecrackers finally died down, Ye Qingshui suddenly spoke:
“You—”

At the same time, Xie Tingyu also said:
“We—”

He quickly seized the moment, reached out to ruffle her hair, and said with a smile,
“You go first.”

---

Sansukini: The misunderstanding will clear up soon. I know it took a bit long to clear it up, but don’t worry because there’s still a lot of chapters to develop the romance part. The first part of the novel tackles the life development of our FL. Next comes the romance and their children.

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