Looking forward to visiting on the morning of the first day of the lunar new year, Qiqige and Jiya climbed onto the kang after receiving their lucky money, feeling satisfied and ready to sleep.
“You go take a bath first, I’ll go wash the dishes.” Bahu soaked the dishes in water and poured two buckets of hot water into the bath barrel.
“Then it’s hard work for you?” Mi Niang pretended to be polite.
The man glanced at her with narrowed eyes, “If the shopkeeper gives some sweet rewards, I’m willing to work hard.”
Bahu, climbing up the ladder, Mi Niang carried Habul out, “I’ll give you a piece of candy later.”
As she walked, she said to her youngest son, “Your dad is just a scoundrel, a rascal.”
“I can hear it.”
“Just telling you.”
The door creaked shut, and Mi Niang helped Habul out of his thick clothes. She took a damp cloth and wiped his face, applying some ointment. During the winter, his teething caused continuous drooling, leaving his chin chapped and red, even with some broken skin.
“Ahh!” The little one twisted his body, avoiding anyone touching his chin.
“Alright, alright, who wants to touch you anyway, drool bag.” Mi Niang put him inside the kang, covering him with a blanket, and letting him play on his own. She undressed to take a bath.
During the day, the children had all been cleaned up, and the dirty clothes they changed out of had been scrubbed clean by Bahu and hung under the eaves. It was only in the evening that it was her turn to bathe with him.
At midnight, the drum at the yamen would be struck four times, signaling the arrival of the new year. Bahu poured water into a bucket and stood on the steps outside the main gate, looking in the direction of the drumming. When the drumming stopped, he glanced toward where the sun was rising, and then with a “creak,” he shut the heavy wooden door.
Mi Niang saw him come in and lifted a corner of the blanket. “Come and sleep with the shopkeeper.”
Bahu raised the corner of his mouth, took off his clothes, and sat on the kang. “To reward or not to reward, if there’s no reward, I won’t serve.”
Serve my foot. Just cleaned up, Mi Niang didn’t want to wash again. She tucked the corner of the blanket and asked, “If there’s no money, will you cover my feet?”
The man directly lifted the blanket and lay down, pulling her into his arms, his chin resting on her fragrant hair. “Let’s sleep, Happy New Year.”
“You too.”
…
Qiqige and Jiya hastily finished their meal and dragged their cloth bags out to visit for the New Year. Since Mi Niang was wearing a new robe, it was Bahu doing the dishes. She stood aside, holding Habul, and asked, “Do you want to visit the Hu family?” They hadn’t gone in the past few years, but this year, the Hu family had a new daughter-in-law, so she was considering paying them a visit.
Bahu shook his head. “There are already many people going to their house today. Even if we go, we won’t get a chance to talk. Let’s not go.”
He said they wouldn’t go, but halfway through the morning, Hu Wen Yin came with his wife.
“Come in and have a seat,” Mi Niang led the two inside. “Where are you coming from? Have some candy; this is malt candy we made ourselves.”
“Thank you, sister-in-law.” The new wife picked up a piece of candy. She was a native of the Mobei, tall with high cheekbones and deep eye sockets, giving her a commanding presence.
“We came from the Wan household to introduce Ana Ri to everyone,” Hu Wen Yin said, grabbing a handful of pine nuts. “My sister-in-law is from the Central Plains. She’s good at cooking and capable in many ways. She even knows how to raise bees. The flower honey I gave you before was all obtained from her.”
“If you like it, feel free to come and take more. We have plenty at home,” Mi Niang said, noticing Ana Ri’s fondness for malt candy. She asked, “Would you like to join us for lunch at our place? Is it not already arranged?”
Hu Wen Yin waved his hand, saying they would come over for a while. “We’re all family; you can come over whenever you want in the future. We have a lot of socializing to do during the New Year’s period, so we won’t come over these days.”
Bahu brought out the jar of candy and filled the plate. Seeing Hu Wen Yin’s wife smiling thoughtfully at him, he nodded and said, “Take some with you if you like.”
“Thanks, Brother Ah.” Ana Ri called out warmly. “Sandan married my cousin, my uncle’s son. By rights, I should address you as Second Brother.”
“Oh? I see.” Bahu pondered for a moment. Sandan was indeed of marriageable age. He didn’t hesitate to say, “You can call me eldest brother along with Hu WenYin. Sandan didn’t invite me to his wedding either.” His implication was that their relationship was closer here.
As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere chilled. Mi Niang smiled but remained silent. It was well known that Bahu’s relationship with his family was not good. Bringing up this matter, regardless of the reason, hinted at a cold and stern demeanor.
Ana Ri hesitated for a moment, then quickly changed her address, calling out “Eldest Brother.” She picked up her teacup and took a sip of water.
There was a commotion outside, with shadows of black and yellow dogs flashing past the door, followed by a group of children rushing in, all saying in unison, “Uncle, Auntie, Happy New Year.”
“The children have come to pay their New Year’s respects,” Mi Niang explained, asking Bahu to move the table with the fruit plate and candy dishes outside. In the kitchen, there was also yogurt with broom plum honey poured over it.
“Ana Ri, would you like to try some? It’s broom plum honey,” Mi Niang offered.
“Please bring me a bowl, sister-in-law,” Hu Wen Yin said, expressing his desire to try it. Seeing Bahu busy entertaining the children, he followed him into the kitchen and said, “Sister-in-law, please don’t mind. Ana Ri is a bit naive, and she didn’t mean to offend. Her family is a prominent clan in Mao County, as is my brother’s family. These big clans usually take pride in their lineage and like to strengthen relationships through marriage ties. To be honest, I’m not afraid to tell you that when I asked my brother to accompany me to receive the bride, I was hoping to use his status to save face for myself.”
“He doesn’t even contact his own family…” Mi Niang murmured.
“Not contacting them doesn’t change the fact that he’s still a member of the clan, and his mother is the matriarch,” Hu Wen Yin chuckled. “Could you help me explain to my brother that Ana Ri didn’t mean any harm? I’ve tried telling him, but he may not listen.”
Mi Niang nodded and handed him the yogurt.
Ana Ri hesitated for a moment, then quickly changed her address, calling out “Eldest Brother.” She picked up her teacup and took a sip of water.
There was a commotion outside, with shadows of black and yellow dogs flashing past the door, followed by a group of children rushing in, all saying in unison, “Uncle, Auntie, Happy New Year.”
“The children have come to pay their New Year’s respects,” Mi Niang explained, asking Bahu to move the table with the fruit plate and candy dishes outside. In the kitchen, there was also yogurt with broom plum honey poured over it.
“Ana Ri, would you like to try some? It’s broom plum honey,” Mi Niang offered.
“Please bring me a bowl, sister-in-law,” Hu Wen Yin said, expressing his desire to try it. Seeing Bahu busy entertaining the children, he followed him into the kitchen and said, “Sister-in-law, please don’t mind. Ana Ri is a bit naive, and she didn’t mean to offend. Her family is a prominent clan in Mao County, as is my brother’s family. These big clans usually take pride in their lineage and like to strengthen relationships through marriage ties. To be honest, I’m not afraid to tell you that when I asked my brother to accompany me to receive the bride, I was hoping to use his status to save face for myself.”
“He doesn’t even contact his own family…” Mi Niang murmured.
“Not contacting them doesn’t change the fact that he’s still a member of the clan, and his mother is the matriarch,” Hu Wen Yin chuckled. “Could you help me explain to my brother that Ana Ri didn’t mean any harm? I’ve tried telling him, but he may not listen.”
Mi Niang nodded and handed him the yogurt.
“Saying these things is premature. Your younger uncle won’t choose the next clan leader until he’s on his deathbed, which won’t be for many years. What I mean is, when you’re talking to Jiya about matters, don’t forget about Qiqige.” Both children followed Bahu in not liking vegetables, but if she only served vegetables to one child and left out the other, the neglected one would feel upset. It wasn’t about craving those vegetables; it was about not being treated differently.
“Okay,” Bahu agreed.
The New Year was celebrated just like the old one, with Qiqige and Jiya spending the first day out and about. On the second day, they went with Bahu to the sheep pen to see the ewes give birth to lambs. While relatives visited and guests came over, they couldn’t find any playmates.
“We’ll also go visit relatives on the fifth day. Do you still remember Auntie Wan’er’s younger sister? She’s also two years old and can talk and run. When we go to her house, you two can teach her how to ice skate,” Mi Niang reassured them.
With her words, they eagerly anticipated the fifth day, waking up each morning and eagerly announcing, “It’s the third day! It’s the fourth day! Wow, it’s the fifth day!”
This year, the only one accompanying them to Wan’er’s house was Da Huang. When it got in the Lele cart, it looked back and saw that it was the only one, its dog mouth immediately stretched into a grin, feeling pleased to be favored.
Three Lele carts from Baoyin’s family were ahead, with guides leading the way. Bahu also got into Lele’s car. Seeing Da Huang sticking close to Mi Niang’s leg, it disdainfully snorted, “Dog’s leg.”
Mi Niang glanced at him. After so many years, was this grudge still not over? He was still bickering with Da Huang, but Da Huang just ignored him, not taking his bait. Huh!
Truly a spirited Da Huang dog.
Hearing the barking dogs in the village, they knew they were getting close. Bahu got out of Lele’s cart, and even the tough steelman was gritting his teeth against the biting cold wind. “Is it colder this year than usual? Or is it colder by the big lake than on our side? It wasn’t this cold when we came over in previous years.”
The Lele cart stopped at the door, and Baoyin’s father got out of the car, shaking uncontrollably. He sat in the house for a while, drinking two bowls of butter tea before speaking, “I nearly froze to death on this journey. This year is exceptionally cold.”
“I heard that many lambs froze to death in the relief area. They looked lively when they fell to the ground, but couldn’t survive a night,” Baoyin’s mother said.
“Is that so?” Mi Niang exclaimed in surprise.
“You wouldn’t know if you didn’t come out to visit. I only found out yesterday myself. Are your lambs okay?” Bahu nodded, but because of this incident, he was eager to return home to personally watch over them.
Asyl searched inside and outside the house but didn’t see Big Spot and Little Spot. He came in and asked, “Big Brother, didn’t you bring Big Spot and Little Spot?”
“No, they’re at home keeping company with the family,” Bahu joked. He mentioned the story of the otters coming down from the mountain and compared it with his fingers. “We currently have nine otters at home. It would be too much to bring them along.”
“If they have offspring again next year, can you give me two?” Asyl sat next to Bahu, grabbing a stool and sitting beside him. “When I saw you raising them, I envied you, but since you consider them your darlings, I felt embarrassed to ask. If the female otter from the mountains has more cubs next year, can you give me two?”
Bahu glanced at him and then at Da Huang lying at Mi Niang’s feet. He pointed at him and said, “You sit up, it doesn’t look good.”
“Hahaha,” everyone in the room laughed.
Asyl’s face turned red, but ignoring the laughter, he continued to plead, “Big Brother, give me two otters next year.”
Bahu only caught the two words “next year.” “How do you know they won’t have offspring this year?”
Otters reach maturity in two years, and before reaching adulthood, they won’t leave their mother. The mother won’t go into heat as long as she has cubs by her side. “Our ancestors lived in the mountains, and records of mountain animals have been passed down.”
“The five otters that came from the mountains, not to mention the three smaller ones, the other male and female always move together. According to what you said, otters raise cubs on their own, so…”
“It should be a mother and her cub. Some mothers will accept adult cubs when they return after giving birth again, and only the biological cubs will blindly follow the mother’s actions,” Asyl affirmed, flipping through the records of the tribe.
Bahu felt a bit complicated hearing this. Finding a mother and her cub was a complicated relationship.
“Your Big Stop is amazing. I want its cubs,” Asyl insisted.
“How is it amazing?” Bahu wanted to ask further, but before he could finish speaking, his ear was twisted. “Idle enough to take your son and daughter ice skating.”
“It’s so cold outside.” But he also knew that Qiqige and Jiya had been eager for it. If he didn’t take them, they would nag for a long time. He stood up and said, “Then I’ll take them to skate for a while. I’ll come back when the meal is ready.”
He glanced at Asyl again, signaling him, “Are you coming?”
Asyl immediately got up, hugged his two nephews, and walked out. When he reached the door, he picked up his little niece. After walking a distance away, he continued to talk to Bahu, “Think about it, a man from the Central Plains comes to marry a girl from the Mobei. Would she feel more at ease marrying a local or an outsider?”
Bahu suddenly realized and exclaimed, “Big Spot is well taken care of in my hands!”
