Looking at the little girl who couldn't even hold a plate of braised pork steadily but still hopped around, Xie An felt a different kind of open-mindedness and ease.
It had been a long time since he had seen such a cute and lively little girl.
Little Grandfather…
Although Xie An didn't like people calling him old, it was perfectly fine when such an innocent and lovely girl said it. It was truly endearing.
However, as soon as Little Red Sugar ran to the dining table and put down the bowl of braised pork, she was spanked and scolded by Tang Linshi. Tang Linshi said that Little Red Sugar was impolite for not using chopsticks and that she had gotten oil all over Xie An's face, showing no respect.
Then, Tang Linshi took a handkerchief, walked gracefully to Xie An, and offered it with apology. Because of the sworn brotherhood between Tang Old Master and Xie An, the generations were a bit confused, causing Tang Linshi to not know how to address Xie An for a moment. In her urgency, she said, "Master Xie, please don't be offended. My little girl is rash in her words and actions. Quickly wipe the oil off your face."
Tang Linshi looked to be in her forties, with some wrinkles on her face, but overall, she was well-maintained and quite charming. She dressed plainly and was unpretentious.
Xie An thanked her, took the handkerchief, and wiped his face, repeatedly saying it was nothing and emphasizing that Little Red Sugar was innocent and lovely.
Seeing that Xie An didn't mind at all, Tang Linshi breathed a sigh of relief. Returning to Little Red Sugar's side, although she didn't reprimand her daughter, she still glared at Little Red Sugar fiercely as a warning.
However, Little Red Sugar obviously didn't take her mother's "warning" seriously. She just buried her head in eating the meat, making smacking sounds, her mind full of how to escape her mother's sight and go find Little Grandfather… so she could go out and play.
The family education of wealthy families was very strict. Generally, schooling began between the ages of five and eight. By that time, there would be no time to play.
Little Red Sugar had been strictly disciplined by her parents since she was little. After the New Year, Little Red Sugar would be five years old…
She keenly realized that this newly arrived Little Grandfather had a very special status and might be a great help for her to sneak out and play. She couldn't help but start planning in her heart…
The ceremony of sworn brotherhood came to an end, establishing Xie An's position in the hearts of everyone in Tang Family Fort, and of course, also determining Xie An's responsibilities.
Overall, the atmosphere became much more lively afterwards.
Tang Qingfeng, as the eldest brother, naturally took the lead in toasting Xie An, followed by Tang Qingyun. The rest of the family members also came forward to toast and express their feelings.
Even Long Xia Yiqiu Tang and Chen Donghai all enthusiastically clinked glasses with Xie An a few times.
The New Year's Eve dinner, in a lively atmosphere, lasted until the beginning of midnight, ending with Tang Old Master giving everyone lucky money.
Xie An felt his whole body relax only after returning to the independent courtyard he had been assigned.
Although he had become the fifth brother in Tang Old Master's words, Xie An was still quite cautious in Tang Family Fort. He had to consider all aspects of etiquette carefully, such as not missing anyone when toasting, and being careful with his words, needing to remember everyone's name.
It was even more tiring than the business socializing of his previous life.
Entering this courtyard, with no outsiders around, Xie An was finally completely relaxed.
The understanding Yu He didn't ask too many questions, and quickly came over to massage Xie An's back and legs, her technique maintaining its usual high standard.
During the New Year's Eve dinner, Yu He had naturally been present and saw Xie An's socializing, knowing that Xie An was not easy, so she only focused on massaging his feet and didn't say anything.
Xie An suddenly asked, "Yu He, how did you usually spend the New Year?"
He wanted to ask if Yu He had any family, but he was afraid of touching her sore spot, so he changed to a more subtle way of asking.
Yu He frowned slightly, "My family is in a very distant place. Before, when I was in Tang Family Fort, it was like tonight, gathering for a New Year's Eve dinner and receiving lucky money. In Tiger Wolf Gate, it was roughly the same."
A very distant place…
Xie An didn't know if he was overthinking it, but he didn't ask any further after all.
Little Red Sugar struggled vigorously as resistance, but it was useless. Finally, she had a flash of inspiration, took out a piece of nougat wrapped in red paper from her little satchel, and exclaimed, "I'm giving Little Grandfather lucky candy. Mother, if you don't put me down, it's impolite to Little Grandfather."
Tang Linshi glared, instinctively wanting to teach this little girl a lesson, but unfortunately, there were outsiders present, and what the little girl said made sense, leaving Tang Linshi unable to refute. She had no choice but to put Little Red Sugar down, "Then hurry up and don't disturb your Little Grandfather's rest."
"Got it."
Little Red Sugar got down to the ground, tugged at her crotch, and then hopped to Xie An, stuffing the nougat, which had been crushed out of shape and obviously been in her pocket for a long time, into Xie An's hand.
"Little Grandfather, I specially invited you to eat nougat, so you can't go back on your word. You must take me to play."
Xie An couldn't possibly not see that this nougat was not "specially" for him at all, but he still smiled and accepted it, "Thank you, Little Red Sugar. I'll remember it. You have to be good and listen to your mother."
"Okay."
Little Red Sugar bowed very politely to Xie An, then waved goodbye, "Goodbye, Little Grandfather."
"Goodbye, Little Red Sugar."
Tang Linshi gave Xie An a Wanfu salute, then led Little Red Sugar, who turned her head back every three steps, away.
Yu He couldn't help but say, "Master, why are you so popular with little girls?"
Xie An unwrapped the nougat and found that it was full of cotton and fluff, completely inedible. He smiled wryly, "This little girl is clever. She knows I can take her out to play."
Yu He said, "Her parents are extremely strict with her, Master, you…"
Xie An said, "So we have to find an opportunity, such as… Little Red Sugar's birthday. It wouldn't hurt to take her out to play for a while."
Yu He smiled, "Master is still thoughtful. Master, the New Year is coming soon, let's start staying up late."
"Okay."
Since the Tang family hadn't come to ask him to stay up late, Xie An planned to stay up late with Yu He.
This was also very reasonable. Although he and Tang Old Master had become sworn brothers, he was not a member of the Tang family.
In this world, Xie An had no family, perhaps because of this reason, it made him feel the preciousness of staying up late even more.
Yu He was very happy to hear this and immediately busied herself.
"I'll light the candles in the room, then light the brazier, and get some melon seeds and fruits…"
Yu He was skilled in this set of procedures and quickly lit all the red candles in the room, and also lit up many of the lanterns on the doorway. Then she brought a brazier and lit it, placed a small table next to it, and placed melon seeds and snacks on it. Then she brought two stools, pulled Xie An to sit around the brazier, and quietly waited for the arrival of the New Year.
Faced with such a full sense of ritual, Xie An also felt a bit more solemn, and from time to time looked at the night sky outside the door, looking forward to the arrival of the New Year.
In his previous life, people liked to watch the Spring Festival Gala and wait for the New Year. Some people also went to shopping malls and plazas to watch fireworks and light shows, with various forms.
Da Qian didn't have so many tricks. Staying up late was a very important ritual, and it was quite particular:
Staying up late, also known as guarding the year, means that all houses are lit with candles, and the whole family gathers to welcome the New Year.
On New Year's Eve, candles are lit all night without being extinguished, which is called "illuminating the emptiness and consumption". It is said that after illuminating the year in this way, it symbolizes driving away all evil plagues and diseases, which will make the family's wealth full in the coming year and ensure peace every year.
Before, Xie An used to stay up late with his two disciples, but this year was an exception, staying up late with Yu He.
"Master, after the New Year, the Baohua Temple in the county town will ring its bell. We can hear the sound of the big bell and see fireworks too! Big fireworks!"
This was Xie An's first time celebrating the New Year in the county town, so it was naturally different from the countryside, and he couldn't help but feel a little anticipation.
"That's right, I should prepare an incense burner. After we hear the bell and see the big fireworks, we should offer the first incense of the New Year to pray for blessings and make wishes. Although we can't go to the temple, we can make do at home. The Bodhisattva will understand."
As she spoke, Yu He got up and ran out, asking the Tang family for an incense burner and a handful of incense sticks.
With everything prepared, the copper pot dripper in the room indicated that the time was approaching.
"Master, I'll help you up and go to the door."
Yu He was probably becoming more familiar with Xie An, so she rarely used the term "this humble servant" anymore. She supported Xie An's arm and helped him up, standing under the eaves.
The courtyard was very large and open. Standing under the eaves, they could see the continuous rooftops outside, offering an excellent view.
The copper pot dripper showed that the time had arrived.
Almost simultaneously—
Clang!
The loud bell sound resounded throughout the entire county town.
Clear and melodious, like a booming sound, dispelling all evil, filled with righteousness, cleansing the universe.
Xie An's heart surged as he listened.
Yu He was even more excited, "It's the bell tower of Baohua Temple, ringing the bell! Master, the New Year has arrived!"
"Yes."
Xie An was filled with emotion, realizing that he had been in this world for a full thirty-two years.
Time flies like an arrow, like a white horse passing through a crack.
Immediately following—
Clang!
The bell continued to ring, one sound after another.
According to the established rhythm: quick seven, slow eight, then tap lightly twenty times, repeat three times, and finally end with three heavy strikes.
In the end, it rang a full one hundred and eight times.
The loud, deep, and lingering bell sound that stirred people's hearts finally subsided completely.
There is a saying for the bells of Buddhist temples.
The *I Ching* believes that "nine" is the largest yang number. "Nine" is regarded as the extreme of numbers. "Nine" is homophonous with "long," meaning noble, auspicious, and lasting. And there are twelve months in a year, and twelve times "nine" is exactly one hundred and eight.
Therefore, the New Year's bell sound is set at one hundred and eight.
Buddhists also believe that there are one hundred and eight kinds of suffering in life: each bell sound represents the suffering suffered by the three realms (the desire realm, the form realm, and the formless realm). The bell sound is the sound of liberation ringing in the sea of suffering in which all beings are immersed.
Xie An had lived two lives, so he naturally knew this. Therefore, listening to the one hundred and eight rings again, he felt even more emotional.
Soon, brilliant fireworks appeared in the sky, like a giant scattering a handful of shooting stars in mid-air, turning into a sky full of meteor showers.
Under the vast starry sky, the fireworks were like shooting stars, as beautiful as a painting.
In previous years, Xie An had also seen fireworks in the countryside, but compared with the fireworks as big as shooting stars in front of him, they were much inferior.
"Master, it's time to offer the first incense."
Under Yu He's reminder, Xie An came to the position of the incense table at the upper seat.
This was the courtyard specially used by Tangjiabao to entertain distinguished guests, so naturally, no statues of gods would be pasted to avoid causing discomfort to the distinguished guests or conflicting with the gods and Bodhisattvas worshiped by the distinguished guests.
Yu He very carefully lit three incense sticks, solemnly handed them to Xie An, and then stood obediently aside, smiling, "Although we are all guests, everything is simplified, but the Bodhisattva is kind and will not mind. He will definitely hear the master's wishes and prayers."
Just as he was about to offer incense, Xie An suddenly glanced at Yu He, "Yu He, you also light three incense sticks and stand next to me."
Yu He was greatly surprised, "This is not appropriate, I am just a maid, serving the master is enough."
Xie An glared at her fiercely, "Don't you listen to the master's words anymore?"
Yu He finally did not dare to disobey, drooping her head and saying "Oh", then lit three incense sticks for herself, and stood next to Xie An very awkwardly.
"Let's make a wish and pray together."
Xie An retracted his thoughts and bowed to heaven and earth. After three bows, he solemnly inserted the incense sticks into the incense burner, gently muttering in his mouth:
May my friends and I be healthy, free from illness and disaster, have no worries about food and clothing, be rich and comfortable, and be safe every year in the new year.
Yu He, who was on the side, was probably infected by Xie An's simple voice, so she also bowed three times, inserted the incense sticks, and muttered in a low, almost inaudible voice, "Yu He greets Miss, may Miss be blessed, safe every year, peaceful every year."
Although Yu He spoke in a low voice, she was still heard by Xie An, whose five senses were excellent.
Miss?
Where did she get a miss from?
Didn't she say before that she had been following Tang Qingfeng since she was a child, and later followed Chen Qinglang?
Xie An was sure that he had not heard wrong, and couldn't help but feel a little dazed. But he quickly thought that this miss might be Yu He's family member, so he didn't think much about it.
After the prayer, Xie An and Yu He sat by the stove, eating snacks and chatting, occasionally looking at the fireworks outside and listening to the sound of firecrackers.
"That's right, this is the New Year's money for you. I also wish our girl Yu He a safe year every year."
Yu He was overjoyed, took the New Year's money and made a Wanfu salute, "Thank you, Master, may Master be healthy and live a long life."
Xie An felt much relieved.
"Master, why don't we go to the street to watch the fireworks? The city is very lively at this time. Every household will go out to set off fireworks. Let's join in the fun."
This was Xie An's first time celebrating the New Year in the county town, and he also wanted to see it, so he agreed.
Yu He was overjoyed, "I'll get a cloak for Master."
After putting a warm cloak on Xie An, Yu He took Xie An's arm and left Tangjiabao and came to the street.
Although it was past midnight, every household was brightly lit, and adults and children went out to set off fireworks and throw firecrackers.
The sound of firecrackers and the noise all entered the ears, all with the taste of human fireworks.
The bustling and prosperous county town was far from comparable to the countryside.
"Master, look at that tall building, that is the Hongxiu Building, the largest brothel in the county town. The fireworks are very big."
Xie An looked in the direction of the sound, and a huge seven-story wooden building was particularly eye-catching. Red lanterns were hung everywhere in it. Fireworks shot up dozens of meters into the air, and then bloomed, as bright as shooting stars.
For the first time, Xie An felt that this troubled world... was actually quite beautiful.
But only people living in the county town could see such a beautiful scene. And the villagers living outside the city may never see such beautiful fireworks in their lifetime.
Qingwu County has four to five hundred thousand people, and the county town only has seventy to eighty thousand people.
The vast majority are poor villagers living outside the city.
What's more, it's a snowy day, maybe many people are still suffering from hunger and cold.
Suddenly, Xie An's mind recalled a sentence from a great poet in his previous life—When will I be able to build thousands of mansions to shelter all the poor people in the world and make them happy!
After being stunned for a long time, Xie An raised his head, looked at the vast starry sky, and muttered:
"Brother Wei, the New Year has arrived, may you be safe every year!"
"And my wife, children, and parents in my previous life, I also wish you peace every year in that world..."
Just as Xie An was stunned, Yu He suddenly leaned over and looked at Xie An with concern, "Master, why are your eyes red?"
"The smoke from the firecrackers is blinding."
"Hehe, then let's stay away. There is also a peddler selling fireworks over there. Let's go buy some fireworks to set off. It is said that making a wish under the fireworks is very effective. Fireworks are shooting stars."
"Master, what wish did you make so seriously just now?"
"I look forward to finding you a good match as soon as possible. So that you won't nag by my side."
"I don't want to, I will follow Master in this life. I will stop being talkative in the future."
