On New Year’s Eve, the morning fog had yet to lift when the townspeople were jolted awake by the crackle of firecrackers.
At the first hint of dawn, everyone in the Ji family was already busy. Ji Yingjin spread paste over the doorframe while Wen Shubai carefully put up the spring couplets. Liu Dazhuang stood below, directing them the whole time.
“That’s right, that’s right—just a little to the left. Perfect.”
The couplets all featured pigs, with auspicious phrases such as “May your pigpen be filled with fat pigs.”
Liu Dazhuang had specially hired someone to come up with them.
The window latticework was covered with paper-cut decorations made by Ji Zhaoxi and Liuli. Ji Zhaoxi had changed into a newly tailored pomegranate-red padded jacket and was struggling to put up another paper-cut decoration.
The whole family spent the entire morning making preparations. By noon, an offering table had been set up in the courtyard.
A butchered pig’s head, a live fish, and dried fruits were arranged on the table.
Ji Yingjin took Ji Zhaoxi and Wen Shubai by the hand. As they burned paper money in the brazier, she chattered on.
“Ancestors above, our daughter has brought home a son-in-law. May you watch over them from the heavens and bless them with a harmonious and happy marriage. And please bless our pigs, too—may they grow bigger and bigger and never fall ill…”
Holding incense sticks, Ji Zhaoxi and Wen Shubai followed Ji Yingjin’s example and respectfully bowed three times.
The alley was bustling with life, and bursts of laughter drifted over from somewhere or other.
Wen Shubai had completely settled into the Ji family. He instinctively knew when to wash the vegetables and when to chop them, and had begun pitching in with the work.
Except for cooking.
The Ji family still didn’t quite trust him with that.
The Ji family’s custom was that on New Year’s Eve, they could make do with something simple for the first two meals of the day. The real feast was reserved for dinner.
By evening, red lanterns hung outside every household, casting a crimson glow across the snow. The alley was thick with the smell of firecrackers, and the ground was carpeted with scarlet scraps of paper.
The round table was packed with dishes. Steam rose from the food, warming everyone’s faces and making them feel toasty all over.
Ji Yingjin placed pieces of braised fish into everyone’s bowls, all the while chanting, “May there be fish every year, and abundance in every season…”
“Mother, this fish is delicious,” Ji Zhaoxi praised after taking a bite.
Liu Dazhuang was drinking his wine and hurriedly claimed credit. “I made that.”
Ji Yingjin shot him a sidelong glance and put a piece of meat into Ji Zhaoxi’s bowl. “Our daughter should eat this instead. It’s much tastier than fish.”
Liu Dazhuang was just about to argue, but when he met Ji Yingjin’s eyes, he coughed and went back to drinking.
His wife was far too domineering. She wouldn’t even let him tell the truth.
Their daughter had loved the fish he made ever since she was little…
The Ji family did not have many servants. Some of them returned home for the New Year, while others had no family left, so they stayed and celebrated with the Jis.
Ji Yingjin took out several red cloth pouches and cheerfully pressed them into their hands. “You’ve all worked hard this year. Since it’s the New Year, use these to buy yourselves something nice to eat or drink.”
The servants accepted the pouches with broad smiles. “Thank you, Madam.”
Ji Yingjin then went back inside and brought out several more pouches for Ji Zhaoxi and the others.
“Thank you, Mother,” Ji Zhaoxi said brightly. “May you have no aching back or sore legs in the coming year. May every year bring you happiness, and every season bring you more success. And may even the fastest pig be unable to escape your grasp!”
At those words, Ji Yingjin smiled so broadly her eyes nearly disappeared into slits, then pressed the brocade pouch into her hand.
When Ji Yingjin gave Wen Shubai his New Year’s money, he was utterly at a loss. “Madam, I really shouldn’t…”
He was no longer of an age to be receiving New Year’s money.
Before he could finish, Ji Yingjin simply stuffed it into his hand. With a smile, she said, “Shubai, if you want to become our family’s son-in-law, then you have to accept this New Year’s money. Otherwise, wouldn’t the generations be all mixed up?”
From nearby came Liu Dazhuang’s perpetually tipsy voice.
“This year, we really have everyone to thank. Otherwise, how could we have sold so much pork? Come on, come on—let’s have a drink.”
At Ji Yingjin’s words, Ji Zhaoxi’s ears reddened slightly. She kept her head down and ate in silence. Wen Shubai’s face had reddened as well. He rose to his feet and gave a respectful bow. “Thank you, Madam. This junior wishes Uncle and Madam lasting joy and good health, and may all things go smoothly for you.”
Ji Yingjin laughed at the two of them looking so uncomfortable, then went off to hand out money to the others.
Liuli had already tucked her brocade pouch into her pocket. Still gnawing earnestly on a braised pork knuckle, she pondered what the two had just said.
Her young mistress’s blessing had been excellent, but Eldest Senior Brother’s had been far inferior.
This round went to her young mistress.
After dinner, the alley was bustling with noise. Wrapped in a thick padded coat, Ji Yingjin stood at the doorway chatting with the neighbors.
“Yes, there’s nothing to be done about it. Our Xixi is outstanding wherever she goes—whether she stays here or goes to the Heavenly Severance Sect.”
Ji Yingjin’s laughter drifted in from the doorway now and then.
The courtyard was just as lively. Liu Dazhuang kept talking with the butchers—first about how someone’s pigs were no good, then about how another family’s pork tasted terrible.
The more they talked, the more animated they became.
In the end, they reached one conclusion: the Ji family’s pork was still the best.
Ji Zhaoxi and Wen Shubai sat on small stools with their backs against the wall. Before them, the charcoal brazier crackled once or twice.
Wen Shubai took a long jade case from inside his robes and handed it to Ji Zhaoxi with a smile.
“Little Junior Sister, a New Year’s Eve gift.”
Ji Zhaoxi froze for a moment, then opened the case. As soon as it was opened, a faint, cool fragrance filled the room.
Inside was a hairpin carved from profound ice from the deep sea. A pearl fashioned from an East Sea pearl hung from its head. In the light of the brazier, the hairpin gave off a gentle glow, making her already lovely face appear all the more radiant.
“This is called Calming the Storms,” Wen Shubai said softly. “It can ward off evil and keep your spirit clear.”
His eyes curved with a smile, his voice carrying a trace of tenderness.
Ji Zhaoxi had not expected Wen Shubai to have prepared a gift for her. Softly, she said, “Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother. But I was so focused on asking my parents for New Year’s money that I forgot to prepare a gift in return.”
Wen Shubai could not help but laugh softly. He said nothing; he merely lowered his eyes, smiling as he leaned a little closer to her.
“It’s not too late for Little Junior Sister to give me something in return now.”
Ji Zhaoxi’s face turned scarlet. What was going on? Just a few days ago, Eldest Senior Brother had not been like this.
She darted a glance toward the doorway. Seeing that her parents were still chatting with others, she gathered her courage and quickly planted a kiss on his cheek.
At that very moment, the charcoal brazier gave a sharp crackle. Ji Zhaoxi startled and immediately stepped back.
Wen Shubai opened his eyes, his fingertips lightly brushing the spot that had just been kissed, his gaze brimming with amusement.
Seeing Ji Zhaoxi’s face flushed crimson as she tried to maintain her composure, he chuckled. “Xixi’s gotten more timid.”
Ji Zhaoxi muttered, “Eldest Senior Brother has been led astray by my father.”
“Achoo!”
Liu Dazhuang, standing at the doorway, suddenly let out an earth-shaking sneeze.
Ji Zhaoxi jumped and promptly fell silent.
The sneeze also startled Ji Yingjin, who had been chatting with a neighbor outside the door.
“What are you sneezing for? You nearly scared me to death!” she grumbled. “I told you to wear more clothes, but you wouldn’t listen!”
Liu Dazhuang resentfully put on another layer, muttering, “I’m practically sweating already.”
Inside the room, Ji Zhaoxi’s body abruptly went rigid. Her eyes widened as she held her breath.
Wen Shubai was making tea. At the sound, his hand paused slightly. In the flickering firelight, their eyes met.
Watching Ji Zhaoxi’s wary expression, the corners of his lips could not help but curve upward.
Ji Zhaoxi held it in for a while, but in the end, she could not contain herself and burst into laughter.
At the doorway, Liu Dazhuang was still wondering why he had sneezed.
With practiced ease, Wen Shubai wrapped an arm around her waist and steadily caught the girl, who was laughing so hard she had gone limp. Ji Zhaoxi buried herself in the hollow of his neck, giggling softly.
“Your father’s instincts are even more reliable than the Spirit-Detecting Array of the Tianjue Sect,” Wen Shubai said with a trace of laughter in his voice, resting his chin lightly atop her hair.
