Chapter 116: Eating at the Pot (Revised – please refresh for updated version)

Chapter 116: Eating at the Pot (Revised - please refresh for updated version)

Not a single person sat down for lunch.

After spending some time in the kitchen, Peach Blossom joined Big Tiger Wei in the courtyard. She went to the women's group, while he mingled with the men. Both sides were bustling with excitement.

The mutton soup in the pot and the rice in the steamer were self-served; no host needed to attend to them. The atmosphere was all about relaxation and ease. The children especially loved this setup, hungrily gnawing on bones with both hands. Not only could they eat while playing, but they also didn't have to worry about being scolded by their parents. Their joy was indescribable.

In the leisurely noontime, amidst howling winds and biting cold, each person held a steaming bowl of soup, providing warmth and comfort.

Children swirled around the courtyard with exuberance, while the women carried small tables outside and set out large bowls filled with mutton, offal, and succulent white radishes, accompanied by a few plates of dipping sauces. With chopsticks, they picked up a piece of lamb, dipped it into the sauce twice, then wrapped it in steaming rice before sending it into their mouths in one satisfying bite.

Rice, chili, scallions, coriander, and mutton intertwined in a symphony of flavors that danced across her palate. After finishing the dish, sipping the rich and savory mutton soup was the perfect crescendo. Peach Blossom's eyes closed in bliss; there was nothing more satisfying than this.

After the intimate conversation between Chen Erniu and his wife, Wu Zhao looked at Tao Hua sitting on a small stool and Wei Datiger joking loudly among the group of men. His eyes turned red with emotion.

She approached Peach Blossom and, with her foot, pulled over an unoccupied stool. After seating herself firmly, she took two swift sips from the lukewarm mutton soup. In a hushed tone, she said, "Peach Blossom, I won't go on with gratitude. Just remember this: whatever happens in the future, whether it's you or Big Tiger who needs help, there won't be a 'no' from either me or Second Ox. We'll listen to whatever you have to say."

"What's the point of mentioning these?" Peach noticed that the sheep fat in her bowl had solidified – a sign that the soup had turned cold. How could one eat cold soup in the dead of winter when the appeal was in its warmth? She put down her own bowl and, with some effort, took the cold one from her hand. Heading to the kitchen, she fetched her a fresh, steaming bowl instead.

Wu Zhaodi accepted the warm bowl handed to her, her eyes misted with steam. Under Taohua's gaze, she couldn't help but let out a chuckle, turning her head to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, only to find more tears welling up as she wiped: "I'm sorry, I've made a fool of myself in front of you." She had always been a person of strong character, but at the moment, she could hardly hold back. She had four sisters, yet none of them ever inquired about her or showed concern during holidays or festivals. On the contrary, it was Taohua and Dahu who not only did not distance themselves because of the firewood issue, but were even willing to include them and lend a helping hand to their family.

Second Cow revealed everything to her. She couldn't fathom the grand ambitions of influential figures, but she did understand that young men were being secretly conscripted, and that more would be recruited for future battles. The fate of those taken, as the village elders had recounted from decades ago, was known only by the sight of white banners hanging from every home. Sharing the same concern as Second Cow, she knew they couldn't afford for him to be taken – their family couldn't function without him. He was the head of the household, the pillar that held them together. If he were gone, what would become of her and Iron Cow?

To use an inappropriate analogy, one might consider how Auntie lived after her husband's death. She had it relatively easy because Peach Blossom married well. Had she not had a supportive son-in-law, she would either be at the mercy of Qi's two stepsons or have been separated with her younger son. Neither scenario would have allowed for her current leisurely life.

Moreover, the world is not yet in chaos; however arduous the times, life can still be endured.

Amidst the chaos of the world, women and children are but flesh on a cutting board. No matter how fierce and resilient she might be, she is powerless to protect her family.

How could she not be grateful, how could she not be thrilled, when Wei Datiger was willing to take their family along to seek refuge in the mountains and even allocate a piece of land beside their ancestral home for them to build a house?

She understood Big Tiger's concerns; she was more astute than the simple-minded Erniu. Her heart had been utterly broken by her parents and sisters over the years. Resolutely, she thought that if there were a path to survival before her, she would personally force her parents down a different road just to clear the way for Erniu and Iron Bull – they were the closest family she had in this world.

She would rather die herself than allow anyone to stand in the way of her son's life and their father-son bond.

"Plum Blossom, tell Big Tiger that his fears will never come to pass. My husband and I will keep our mouths tightly sealed, and no outsider will learn of this matter." Wu Zhaodi wiped away her tears and reassured with a smile, "Although Second Bull can't keep a secret, he still knows right from wrong. You two can put your minds at ease."

Seeing the tears streaming down Peach's cheeks, unstoppable despite her efforts, there was no sign of sorrow or sadness on her face; it was simply beyond her control. Sympathetic, she comforted, "Don't cry anymore, hurry and drink your soup. It'll get cold if you wait any longer."

"Okay, I'll drink the soup," Wu Zhaodi replied with a smile, though her tears fell even more profusely. She turned away, holding the bowl and drinking greedily.

Zhou Sufen glanced at her daughter, and Peach shook her head. Zhaodi was the strongest woman she had ever known. She recalled the day when Li Jia's daughter returned to the village seeking protection from her family. She knelt at the village chief's door, surrounded by a crowd pointing and jeering, while her husband was so ridiculed that he fainted. The Li family had been present, yet not one person stood up for their own daughter. It was Zhaodi who stepped forward in Li Chunying's desperate situation.

Such a resilient woman, now weeping uncontrollably, revealed the turmoil within her heart.

In this moment, no words were necessary – their affection for each other was understood in their hearts.

After the meal, Fang Qiuyan and Wu Zhaodi took charge of washing the dishes, insisting that Taohua not lift a finger. They urged her to go out to the courtyard and play. Taohua had no choice but to give in. Instead of leaving, she sat by the stove and boiled water. It was so cold; how could she let them wash dishes with cold water? It would be too much suffering, and there was no need to save a bit of firewood for such a cause.

Wai Dahu selected three pieces of meat and skewered them on palm leaves, intending to give one to each family. Uncle One and Uncle Two were reluctant to accept, and Chen Erniu was so frightened that he kept waving his hands. It wouldn't do to take and eat; it would be improper: "No, no, don't give us meat. You keep it for yourselves."

"Look at my belly, perfectly round." Uncle Chen puffed up his stomach deliberately and slapped it twice, producing a loud sound. "It's all filled up in here. No need for any more meat, you keep it for yourself."

"Listen to your uncle's advice. You can't just take meat without asking. Besides, with the cold weather, the meat won't spoil easily. If we can't finish it, we can even cure it into bacon. You won't miss out on a meaty treat later." Auntie Eldest gave him a stern look and waved at her two grandsons who were reluctantly parting from their Uncle Dog. "Duck and goose eggs, let's go, it's time to head home."

The gosling was reluctant to leave, but its father scooped it up and carried it on his shoulder, pretending it was riding a horse.

Observing this, Duck Egg also clamored to ride on someone's back, and Chen Ershi scooped up his nephew, placing him on his shoulder with a boisterous laugh. "Let's go, riding home like horses!"

Chen Eerniu promptly picked up Iron Ox as well, bolting away as if pursued by ghosts.

Each of them seemed to treat the meat as if it were a scorching hot potato, not only refusing to accept it but eager to distance themselves as far as possible.

Though they were polite, Wei Datiger found himself amused by their behavior. He raised his voice in jest but received no response. "If you don't want it, at least wait for me. I still need to visit Third Uncle..."

The courtyard gradually quieted down, even Manchu, the dog, had been taken by Wei Datiger to the village.

After washing the dishes, Fang Qiuyan and Wu Zhaodi left with smiles, addressing Zhao Sufen who saw them off. "Auntie, come and visit us when you have time, bring Peach Blossom along."

Zhao Sufen nodded cheerfully. "Of course, I'll come when I'm free. The roads can be slippery, so be careful walking."

"We know, Auntie."

Once they departed, the house was completely silent. Old Master Wei had long since gone into the forest with his hands behind his back, a habit of his to digest his food. He would stroll around, occasionally picking up firewood on his way back.

The kitchen and courtyard were spotless; Chen Eerniu had swept both areas with a broom. After finishing, he even wanted to clean up the outhouse, but Wei Datiger stopped him with a few punches.

Afternoons, whether winter or summer, induced drowsiness following meals. Tao Hua closed the courtyard door and led her mother back to the room, asking her to sit and rest. She opened the wardrobe, carefully folding the clothes her mother had brought and found a proper place to store them neatly.

Zhuo Sufen sat on the bed, not moving a muscle, and watched her daughter with a smile. "Why are you being so meticulous? In my opinion, just throw them in the basket. When it's time to take them out, they'll end up stuffed back into the basket anyway. It's all for naught."

"Tao Hua looked at her mother and smiled. Seeing that she seemed confused, Tao Hua mimicked what Dahu had said in the kitchen earlier. "This time, it's not just about bringing you over for a few days before sending you back. There's no intention of letting you return. Dahu's plan is that after a few days, you and he will take Man Cang back to our place. You can find any excuse, and like an ant carrying its load, gradually move all your belongings here, bit by bit. Bedding, utensils, anything you use regularly, everything should eventually be taken to the mountains."

Zhuo Sufen was startled. "Is it really that unstable outside?" She wasn't foolish; her son-in-law wouldn't say this without reason. Unless the situation was unfavorable and they needed to flee to the mountains, she couldn't think of any other motive.

Plum Blossom sighed and carefully placed the folded clothes in the closet, arranging her mother's garments alongside those of her two younger brothers. The wardrobe was small, so she had to make do. "I'm not entirely sure myself, but Big Tiger is a thoughtful man. Since he says so, we should listen. Although the mountains can be dangerous too, if the outside world is truly unstable, it's better to stay away from others. Nothing is more important than being together as a family."

Worried that her mother might object, she sat down beside her and held her hand, coquettishly saying, "Please don't be angry. It was due to circumstances beyond our control that we didn't consult you beforehand. Before this, we spent two months with your eldest and second sons building houses in the mountains. When Big Tiger came down from the mountains, he didn't even have time to rest; the next day, he went to the county and then came to Zhoujiacun to fetch you. He may be careless, but when it comes to filial piety, I'm no match for him. He's taken care of everything, including your and Manchu's house. He's really, really good, Mother, my husband is exceptional."

Zhao Sufen patted her daughter's hand, her eyes moist as she nodded repeatedly. "Yes, everything is good, you're all good." Then she teased her, "Why would you think Mother would be angry? I've always relied on myself for advice. Wasn't that a good thing? I've carried all the burdens alone, without anyone to discuss things with. Mother's shoulders have been heavy for a long time. Now, with a son-in-law to share the load, he's paved the way for our future, sparing me any worry. How could I not be happy? I'm thrilled, how could I possibly be angry at you! What's there to discuss? There's nothing to discuss. Mother wants to hear your plans!"

If Zhao Sufen hadn't known how to appreciate kindness, she wouldn't have reached this point in life.

Smiling, she caressed her daughter's face and suggested, "It's a shame we didn't visit the old house last time. After hearing you talk about it so much, Mother is curious about life in the mountains."

"There wasn't much to see last time, and who knows if there are still weeds lurking in the yard," Peach Blossom said with a smile. "Now it's different. The house is newly built, and there are two walls surrounding it, making it safer. You won't be as scared living there."

Regarding life in the mountains, she held her mother's hand and coaxed, "When you come with us next time and stay for a few days, you'll know it's not that unbearable."

Zhao Sufen smiled and nodded, actually looking forward to it. What was so good about village life? Gossiping about neighbors, fighting over trivial matters all day – it was lively but also annoying.

She had spent her whole life listening to idle talk and now longed for a peaceful existence.

The afternoon was leisurely. Peach Blossom accompanied her mother for an afternoon nap. When they woke up, Wei Datiger had returned with the two children, and they were all crouched in the yard cleaning wool.

The wool was intended for use as stuffing in the quilt. Country folk didn't have any special skills; they simply washed and dried the wool before filling it into the quilt just like they would with straw or cotton. If the quilt needed washing, they'd use a basket to store the wool, wait for the quilt cover to dry, and then stuff it back in.

At present, they were doing the first step: washing the wool.

In a large wooden basin, four people sat on small stools arranged in a circle. The adults were working earnestly, while the children treated it as a fun game, happily rubbing the wool with their little hands.

Peach Blossom didn't disturb them. She went to the kitchen where there was still hot water left from washing the wool. She scooped it out and thoroughly cleaned the pot Wei Datiger had brought back from her second uncle's house. While she was washing the pot, Zhao Sufen fetched water from the well and poured it into the pot, lighting a fire at the stove entrance. She then boiled half a pot of hot water.

It was cold, so they couldn't afford to skimp on firewood. Regardless of what they were washing, hot water was best to avoid the piercing chill of cold water. Especially for women, many ailments stemmed from such exposure, only to surface when they grew older.

Having endured such hardships herself, she naturally didn't wish for her daughter to experience the same.

Plum Blossom washed the pot and then went to the wooden board in the courtyard to select several pieces of meat, choosing only the tender cuts. She carefully sliced them into wafer-thin slices, as delicate as cicada wings. With ample time on her hands, she took pleasure in arranging them meticulously on the plate, each slice adhering closely to the dish in a pleasing, orderly pattern.

Knowing her family's appetite, she prepared a large basin of unarranged meat slices. Although not visually appealing, the quantity made up for it. The presentation was for the ambiance, but in terms of quantity, even combined, it might not suffice for Big Tiger Wei alone. Plum Blossom was well aware of this, thus the basin held the actual ingredients.

She sliced a substantial amount of mutton, and naturally, she didn't neglect the offal - the tripe, intestines, liver, and blood were all placed in separate bowls.

Adding solely mutton and offal to the menu would be somewhat monotonous, so she couldn't touch the chickens or ducks, but eggs were an option. She asked her mother to transfer hot water from the pot to a wooden bucket while she fetched a dozen eggs from the main room. She cracked them all into a bowl and mixed in some chopped greens.

Seeing this, Zhao Sufen added more firewood to the stove. Once the pot was heated, Plum Blossom ladled some lard into it. When the oil was warm, she poured in the eggs. After one side had turned golden brown, she carefully flipped them over. With a dozen eggs and chopped greens, the volume was considerable. After flipping them several times, she carefully transferred the eggs onto the cutting board, folding them repeatedly with chopsticks before cutting them into neat little squares using a freshly washed knife.

Once done, she wiped the knife and cutting board clean, then took the vegetables that her uncle had brought and washed and chopped them all.

Bowl after bowl, plate after plate, they filled the countertop and table in perfect order.

Thin white smoke curled from the chimney, and snowflakes began to fall, unnoticed until the sky seemed to darken abruptly.

An oil lamp illuminated the main room, with a pot bubbling in the center of the table, surrounded by an abundance of dishes: beautifully arranged but impractical slices of thin mutton, hearty but unappealing chunks of mutton, coagulated sheep's blood, and bowls of offal. On the other side, there were vegetables, along with a large bunch of cleaned wild scallions.

Each person could customize their dipping sauce with chopped green onions, coriander, soy sauce, and chili paste.

The family gathered around the table, all wearing smiles. Dogzi was the master of pleasing others; he sat closely beside Old Master Wei, addressing him affectionately as "Uncle" with each bite, causing Old Master Wei to laugh until his teeth were hidden behind his smile.

However, he didn't neglect Manchu. It's often said that a crying child gets the candy, but even though this might be true, would one candy be split into halves for two children? Wasn't it up to the adults to decide whether they showed favoritism or not? Old Master Wei was like this; he genuinely preferred the livelier Dogzi, but he treated Manchu equally well. When serving meat, he would give each brother a fair share without showing any bias.

Zhang Sufen observed from the side, her heart filled with admiration. How could one not appreciate a good son-in-law? A good man meant a good family, and with upright elders at the top, how could the younger generation go astray? Although the groom's personal qualities were crucial in marriage, if his family consisted of wise elders, their children couldn't possibly turn out badly.

The soup base in the pot was deliberately saved from lunch; Wei Da'hǔ had never tasted such a meticulously prepared hotpot before. His wife was skillful and dexterous; look how thinly those slices of meat were cut! They cooked in the broth in just a few stirs, then paired with the dipping sauce and a big mouthful of rice – the flavor was so delightful that his bushy brows relaxed, and he didn't care about the chaos in the world. He was living in the moment!

The whole family gathered around the pot, enjoying the hotpot together, adding warmth to the atmosphere.

Man Cāng had never had a hotpot in his life. With a table full of meat dishes, his mother, sister, brother, brother-in-law, and Uncle Wei were all around him. Both his brother-in-law and Uncle Wei were kind; despite being a guest, he didn't feel like one at all, not the slightest bit unfamiliar.

He felt at ease, completely at ease. No one needed to prompt him to serve himself rice, nor did he feel embarrassed to grab meat. It seemed that whatever he did, they saw it as entirely appropriate.

Since no one treated him as a guest, he didn't treat himself as one either.

These days felt like a dream, even better than one. With his bowl in hand, Man Cang's eyes grew a bit teary from the steam rising from the pot.

He adored his sister's husband's family.

Unlike Dogzi, who didn't have a mother or an older brother to share these emotions with, he not only had a sweet tongue but also imitated his brother-in-law by picking up slices of meat and dipping them. He passed them around, starting with his mother, then his Uncle Wei, followed by his sister and brother-in-law, and finally his brother sitting beside him. Last but not least, he treated himself.

The entire plate of thin meat slices fulfilled his filial intentions.

"Is it tasty?" He blinked his eyes, eagerly awaiting their response.

"It's perfectly hot, tender, and smooth," Zhao Sufen praised with a smile.

After his mother's compliment, it was his Uncle Wei's turn, albeit he wasn't articulate in expressing nice words, only muttering "good, good, good." Nonetheless, this made Dogzi's legs sway in delight, his face beaming with satisfaction.

"Look at that smug little face, you can't handle praise, can you?" Tao Hua playfully teased. "If your tail gets too big for the sky, I won't say anything anymore."

"Hmph." Dogzi pouted, turning to his brother-in-law, who naturally stood on his wife's side. Chewing on the meat with a grin, he remained silent. There was nothing he could do; the couple were always on the same wavelength. He then turned to his brother, who he was confident would be on his side.

Man Cang was indeed on the same side as him, but the shy boy, now immersed in the joyful atmosphere, couldn't resist teasing his anxious younger brother. He simply laughed without saying a word, enjoying the moment.

The dog barked furiously, causing Little Hu, who was lying on his side under the table with his head tilted, gnawing on a bone, to lift his head and bark twice in response. The group of adults laughed uncontrollably, their chopsticks nearly slipping from their hands.

Steam rose, contrasting with the fluttering snowflakes outside, while warmth and liveliness filled the interior of the house.

...

After the meal, the dishes were stacked in the kitchen to be cleaned the following day.

Water was boiled for washing faces and soaking feet. With only two rooms in the house, it was initially planned that Wei Datiger and the dog would squeeze into his father's room. However, he had underestimated his own size, not to mention his tall father. Although the bed was spacious, it was inadequate with a half-grown son like Manchu and an additional sturdy dog. There simply wasn't enough space.

The four of them tried various sleeping arrangements on the bed, but none worked. Eventually, they had no choice but to carry the dog to the adjacent room, asking him to sleep with his mother and sister.

Boys usually preferred to stay with other males, but the dog was reluctant. He clung desperately to his brother-in-law with both legs and arms, "I don't want to sleep on the bed anymore, I'll sleep on you, Brother-in-law! I want to sleep with you!"

Wei Datiger slapped his buttocks firmly, his heart as hard as iron, "What are you thinking? Only your sister can sleep on me, not you." As he spoke, he had already walked to the neighboring room and knocked on the door.

Upon opening the door, he promptly removed the dog from his back and placed him in his wife's arms, saying, "There really isn't enough space in that room. He's the extra one, let him sleep with you."

In his sister's embrace, the dog jumped around, only to receive another slap on his buttocks from her.

Plum Blossom nodded. "Okay."

In front of Dogzi, Big Tiger Wu nonchalantly pinched her cheek and, before she could react, he swiftly shut the door.

Originally, they were planning to have a child next year. But given the current situation, they couldn't even sleep in the same bed, let alone have a child with nowhere to live.

No, no, this won't do. There's no point waiting a few days. Tomorrow, he would take Full Granary back to Zhoujiacun to fetch their belongings. There was no need to wait for the snow to melt in the spring. With him as a guide, the mountain trails wouldn't be an issue. They needed to start getting into shape, lest the armed soldiers came knocking and they couldn't escape.

Yes, that's it. Tomorrow they'd go to Zhoujiacun to collect their things, and the day after, they'd ask Second Ox Chen to join them in building the house in the mountains.

The mountains were spacious, and they wouldn't have to squeeze together anymore.

If that didn't work out, there were still the stone caves – he hadn't shown his wife those yet. The location was high up, offering a panoramic view of the beautiful mountain scenery. Perhaps the magnificent landscape might inspire the birth of a child?

"Author's Note"

I'll fix any errors later.

(There were quite a few teary-eyed readers today.)