Chapter 683: Chapter 455: Lunar New Year’s Eve
Xiaomi hesitantly opened the door and went out, finding that everyone was already up, leaving her as the last.
Xiaoxue was busy stewing something in the small courtyard. After all, it’s the New Year, and of course, more delicious food is made. Since the kitchen wasn’t enough, they set up two stoves in the courtyard to stew dishes.
Seeing Xiaomi come out, Xiaoxue smiled and stood up.
"Xiaomi is awake. Are you hungry? I’ll cook some tangyuan for you to fill your belly; it’ll soon be lunchtime."
Liu Ze carried a bundle of firewood from the backyard and said, "Ziang has already started cooking them, saying Xiaomi would probably wake up around now."
Seeing her second sister’s expression, Xiaomi felt relieved, thinking she didn’t say anything wrong last night, and happily bounced off to the back of the house.
She had carefully recalled everything inside the house just now, and her memory assured her she hadn’t said anything inappropriate. Plus, her second sister showed no unusual expression, confirming her belief.
The backyard kitchen was bustling with activity; everyone had a task, and Xiao Wei was working up a sweat from stoking the fire.
When Xiaomi went over, Wei Ziang had just scooped a bowl of tangyuan.
"Xiaomi is up. There’s hot water outside; wash your face, and you can eat tangyuan. It’s not much, just something to fill your belly before lunch."
The tangyuan was placed on the table for her, and Wei Ziang went back to being busy.
Beside it was a fish brought back last night, kept in a water tank with Spiritual Spring water. They caught three to four hundred fish.
This morning, they kept a few fish and gave the rest to others. One fish remained in the basin, its mouth opening and closing.
Little Mi was also there, pawing at it occasionally, while Little Bai happily guarded it and wouldn’t leave.
Nevertheless, the Jiang family’s cats and dogs don’t eat raw food. Little Mi may paw, but it’s just playing and doesn’t bite.
Wei Ziang grabbed a knife to clean the fish, and Little Mi backed away on its own without needing a reminder.
Yet, it didn’t go far, only retreated about a foot away, watching Wei Ziang scale and gut the fish, then meowed at him when he was done.
Wei Ziang, helpless, said, "Alright, alright, this one’s for you guys. Go play first; I’ll call you when it’s done, okay?"
Little Mi seemed to understand and was content, swaying its tail, strutting out like a cat with pride.
Little Bai eagerly followed along.
Wei Ziang shook his head; honestly, the house pets are like children, even knowing how to ask for good food.
Xiaomi was already eating tangyuan on the side and clicked her tongue twice at this scene.
"Why is Little Bai always following Little Mi? Sometimes when I hold Little Mi for a while, it keeps barking nearby. Could it be interested in Little Mi?"
Xiaomi, like Xiao Hei, is female, but Little Bai isn’t.
Wei Ziang chuckled, "One’s a fox, and the other’s a cat. They’re different species, so how could they be interested?"
Xiaomi pouted, "In this big world, the strangest things happen."
After all, wasn’t there a story of King Zhou being fond of a fox? In a past life, I even heard about a crane that fell in love with its human caretaker.
What’s more, Little Bai and Little Mi are both furry; from a distance, they do look alike.
Especially since Little Bai likes to give Little Mi a ride everywhere, which really easily leads people to have funny ideas.
Seeing everyone’s expressions, Xiaomi silently swallowed her words.
Obviously, the rest of the family didn’t think it possible, except for her.
Xiaomi quickly finished her tangyuan, then drew water to wash her bowl before joining in to help.
Although the reunion dinner is at night, it’s still New Year’s Eve, so they needed to make something good for lunch, albeit less lavish than the evening meal.
The fish was naturally a must-have. Wei Ziang thoroughly cleaned the two processed fish, marinating one with a little salt, wine, and shredded ginger and scallion, while the other was for Little Bai, Little Mi, and Xiao Hei, simply to be cooked without any seasoning.
The fish raised in the space were not only plump but also had very little fishiness, making them exceedingly tender and delicious. Even those who don’t usually like fish might try a bite.
Jiang Hu was handling a young hen, which had plenty of meat and was very tender, suitable for cooking spicy chicken. Jiang Hu was chopping it into small pieces.
Xiao Wei was stoking the fire, and the eldest brother was cooking rice, boiling it until about seventy percent done, then draining it to steam like buns.
Such rice had distinct grains and was incredibly flavorful and chewy, especially tasty.
Erniu was picking vegetables, and after glancing around, Xiaomi went to assist her.
During this, Commander Yang paid a visit, shared that the jar of wine they drank with his brothers last night was quite potent, and he almost blacked out.
Jiang Hu invited him to join them for lunch and drinks, but Commander Yang declined, saying he’d drink tomorrow instead.
Before the meal, Jiang Hu even went out to check everyone’s lunch preparations.
Being their first New Year in Anning Village, Jiang Hu understood the different significance and hoped everyone would have a good time.
After making rounds, he saw everyone had fish and meat ready, while half of the imperial guards were already drinking, leaving the other half for the evening.
Though they had been in Anning Village for a while without encountering danger, they still remembered their duties.
When Jiang Hu returned home, the dining table was set, and Jiang Yu was pouring him wine.
"Dad, let’s drink a little less at lunch."
After all, it’s New Year’s Eve; you can’t spend it sleeping.
"Alright, just a cup to taste."
The wine glass was small, holding only about a half measurer, so even if the alcohol content was high, you’d only be slightly tipsy, not drunk.
The three women switched to cherry wine today, sweet and sour, like a wine-flavored cherry juice, and incredibly tasty.
However, Erniu still remembered Xiaomi drinking too much last night, and specifically handed her a small cup, saying one cup was enough, no more.
Xiaomi puffed her cheeks, thinking she could drink whenever in the future, obediently listened.
The weather today was a bit cloudy, the sun hiding behind thick clouds, making it very cold.
Still, everyone ate and drank in the courtyard, with a brazier below for extra warmth.
Sitting together, eating and drinking as a family, was the biggest reward of the year.
While eating, they talked, reminiscing about last night when everyone got drunk, particularly when Xiaomi passed out.
Naturally, they brought up the gifts Xiaomi gave last night.
Jiang Yu, having almost finished eating, slowly sipped some wine, "Did Xiaomi prepare gifts for all the family? Is there one for me?"
Xiaomi had just finished her bowl of cherry wine, not drunk, but her face was rosy, her spirits slightly high from the alcohol.
Hearing her older brother’s question, Xiaomi’s eyes lit up, nodding vigorously.
"Of course, everyone has one!"