Chapter 038: Keeping Vigil on New Year’s Eve

After returning home, Gu Litang shared what he had heard with Mrs. Feng, warning her not to indulge Gu Qingmao any further. However, instead of feeling ashamed, Mrs. Feng took it as a point of pride. Within a single day, the entire village knew that her son was a man of great talent, so much so that the daughter of a town schoolteacher was desperate to marry him.

Because of this, Gu Litang scolded Mrs. Feng, but she refused to listen and ended up in a fierce argument with him. When Gu Qingmao returned home to ask for money, she emptied the family’s coffers once again to provide for him.

Gu Litang tried to talk sense into Gu Qingmao, but his son had grown up and his wings had hardened. No matter how much he pleaded or reasoned, Gu Qingmao did not take a single word to heart, continuing to act exactly as he pleased.

After repeated attempts at guidance proved futile, Gu Litang’s hope was slowly exhausted, and he no longer wished to waste his energy on useless efforts. A grown child is beyond a father’s control; whether he turns into a dragon or a snake is up to him.

If there was anything left in this world that Gu Litang still cherished, it was perhaps only the pure, innocent brotherly affection he shared with his fourth brother during his youth.

Thinking that Gu Lizong’s family would be moving away after the New Year, making it difficult even to meet in the future, Gu Litang looked up and downed the wine in his cup in one go.

The fourth branch next door was naturally unaware of these family troubles.

Zhen Mi’er finished plating the final dish, stone-pot taro. After inspecting it carefully to ensure it was visually and aromatically perfect, she picked up a pair of chopsticks, selected a piece of taro coated in minced meat from the edge, blew on it, and held it to Gu Tingzhi’s lips. "Husband, have a taste."

Gu Tingzhi opened his mouth and swallowed the taro in one gulp.

It was soft, glutinous, and fragrant. The taro had absorbed the savory flavor of the meat; it smelled delicious, and it tasted so good he felt he could have swallowed his own tongue.

"Manman, more!" He opened his mouth wide, looking like a fledgling waiting to be fed.

Zhen Mi’er chuckled and fed him another piece, which finally satisfied him.

The family washed their hands and sat around the eight-immortal table.

The Gu family’s New Year’s Eve dinner featured ten full dishes, symbolizing perfection. In terms of color and presentation, even the Wenyue Pavilion in town could not compare.

There was braised pork, beef in soy sauce, shredded chicken, garlic steamed shrimp, pig’s trotters stewed with soybeans, fish in pickled mustard greens, stir-fried yam with wood ear mushrooms, tiger skin green peppers, stone-pot taro, and old duck soup with radish. The staple food was dumplings, along with a platter of "Five Grains Abundance." Gu Qinghe had also made several pastries, which were kept on a side table for everyone to enjoy after the meal.

Mrs. Zhou lit several sticks of incense and handed them to Gu Lizong. Leading his son and daughter-in-law, Gu Lizong bowed to the center of the main hall, muttered a few words, and then placed the incense into the burner. He then placed five empty wine cups on the altar and, lifting the wine pot, slowly filled them. Following that, he poured the wine cup by cup beneath the altar, offering it to their ancestors in heaven.

Mrs. Zhou brought out five more sets of clean bowls and chopsticks, placing them at the corners of the table to invite their departed family members to share in the New Year’s Eve feast.

The Gu family was large, and the dishes were served on big platters. The table was almost too full; they had to rearrange the items to barely make enough space for everyone.

Only after Gu Lizong and Mrs. Zhou picked up their chopsticks did the younger generation begin to eat.

Wine was placed before the men of the Gu family. Being in high spirits today, Gu Lizong allowed everyone to drink a little, but warned them not to get drunk, as they still had to "stay up" for the New Year, and the rules set by their ancestors could not be broken.

Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai quickly agreed. When Gu Tingzhi saw the wine before him, he picked it up, sniffed it, caught the scent of bayberries, and licked it with his tongue like a puppy.

"Manman, tastes good!" he said, handing the cup to Zhen Mi’er.

Since he had already licked the wine, Zhen Mi’er would have drunk it if no one were watching, but with the whole family present, she felt too embarrassed. Blushing, she coaxed him, "Husband, drink it yourself."

Gu Tingzhi tilted his head, and seeing she truly wouldn't drink it, he took a large sip himself.

"Sanlang, drink slowly, or you’ll get drunk easily," Gu Lizong said, personally serving him a piece of beef.

Gu Tingzhi nodded obediently, taking only small sips from then on and closing his eyes in enjoyment as he ate the food.

The Gu family did not have a rule against talking while eating. As they chatted, Gu Qinghe stuffed several pieces of taro into her mouth. "Third Sister-in-law, this dish is so delicious, I can’t stop eating it!"

The others nodded in agreement. Although the main dishes were also popular, the taro dish was emptied in no time.

Zhen Mi’er smiled happily. "I’ll make more for everyone tomorrow."

"Good."

The family laughed and chatted throughout the meal, and by the time they finished, it was already the third quarter of the Xu hour (around 8:45 PM). Zhen Mi’er transferred the leftovers into clean plates, placed them on the kitchen counter, and covered them with a bamboo mesh. Thinking that everyone would want to bathe later, she feared there wouldn't be enough hot water, so she pulled out two large pots from the corner, cleaned them, and set them on the stove to heat water.

Su Hehua and Gu Qinghe were responsible for washing and rinsing the dishes, while Lin Huiniang swept the floor nearby.

By the time everyone finished their chores, it was already the Hai hour (around 9:00 PM).

Oil lamps were lit in every room of the Gu house. On New Year’s Eve, the lamps and candles were kept burning all night long, a practice known as "Illuminating the Void." It was said that by doing so, one would ensure the family’s wealth would be plentiful in the coming year and that it would drive away all evil spirits and pestilence.

Since there were not enough stone stools in the courtyard, Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai carried the eight-immortal table and chairs out from the main hall. They piled the table with fruits and snacks, and the family sat together, cracking melon seeds while keeping watch through the night.

Mrs. Zhou took seven red envelopes from her sleeve and gave one to each of the seven children, with five taels of silver in each.

Upon receiving the lucky money, everyone beamed with joy and offered auspicious greetings, making Mrs. Zhou and Gu Lizong laugh heartily.

The village children had gathered to set off firecrackers, and the sound of their laughter filled the air. Adults began visiting one another, one bringing a plate of roasted seeds, another a tray of winter melon candy. Before long, the table was overflowing with treats.

Reciprocating the kindness, Mrs. Zhou packed up the pastries Gu Qinghe had made and personally delivered them to the households they were closest to.

Gu Tingzhi had not touched alcohol since his head injury, but he had drunk quite a bit tonight. After insisting on staying in the courtyard with the others for half an hour, he became dizzy, his face flushed, and his eyes hazy. He leaned against Zhen Mi’er, trying to sit upright, but his head wouldn't obey, nodding off bit by bit.

Seeing this, Gu Lizong couldn't help but laugh, telling Zhen Mi’er to help him back to their room to rest.

Zhen Mi’er hesitated. After all, "staying up" for the New Year was a symbol of hope and joyful expectation for the coming year, as well as a symbol of family reunion, harmony, and happiness. With her father-in-law and mother-in-law still there, it felt improper for the two young ones to retire early.