novelraw Chapter 209
Chapter 209
Early the next morning, as dawn was just breaking, Wangjia Village was already bustling with activity.
The large threshing ground at the east end of the village had been cleaned spotless. Several thick wooden posts stood in the center, tied with sturdy hemp ropes—this was a frame specially set up for slaughtering the New Year's pig.
Around the threshing ground, over a dozen wooden tables were arranged. Villagers had brought stools from their homes, stacking them neatly.
Three large iron woks were set up at the edge of the ground. Firewood crackled in the stoves, flames licking the bottoms of the woks, the water inside bubbling and steaming.
Zheng Tongwei was leading a dozen young men in tying three black-haired pigs to the frame.
This year's harvest in Wangjia Village was good, so they had specially slaughtered three pigs, enough for the whole village to eat heartily.
The children were overjoyed, constantly gathering around the adults, waiting for the slaughter feast dishes.
"Sister-in-law Pei! Little Chu! You're here! Come sit over here!"
Yu Lanhua, wearing an indigo cloth apron and carrying a bowl of freshly shredded pickled cabbage, squeezed through the crowd to greet them.
Her voice was bright and loud, and with her shout, many villagers on the threshing ground chimed in: "Comrade Shen is here! Sit, sit!"
As they spoke, Pei's Mother and Shen Nanchu followed, carrying Pei Anchen bundled up like a little tiger-doll.
The little one wore a newly made red cotton-padded jacket, his cheeks rosy. His round eyes took in the lively scene on the threshing ground, and he occasionally stretched out a tiny hand.
Grandpa Pei and Grandma Pei brought up the rear. The elderly couple, also in new cotton-padded jackets, smiled and nodded greetings to familiar villagers.
Pei Yunxi and Pei Yunzhou couldn't hold back any longer. They had been looking forward to the slaughter since yesterday, and now they darted over to the iron woks, circling the stoves, their eyes fixed on the boiling water inside.
After a round of greetings, the slaughter began.
Three butchers worked together.
They wielded their knives, wrists turning deftly as the sharp blades plunged steadily into the pigs' necks. Fresh red blood flowed down into coarse porcelain basins placed beforehand.
Yu Lanhua and several other women quickly gathered around, sprinkling a handful of fine salt into the basins and stirring clockwise.
The pig's blood had to be stirred evenly, otherwise it wouldn't coagulate properly for making blood sausages later.
The threshing ground was a scene of busy order.
The men had clear divisions of labor: some scalded the pigs, pouring hot water over them, sending up plumes of white steam; others cut the pork, large slabs of belly meat and ribs arranged on wooden boards, gleaming with fresh fat; others set up temporary stoves to ensure every wok could stew dishes without issue.
The women gathered around the cooking stations, some picking vegetables, some shredding pickled cabbage, some soaking frozen tofu. Amidst chatter and laughter, the ingredients were quickly prepared.
Shen Nanchu sat holding Pei Anchen in a sheltered spot at the edge of the threshing ground. The little one seemed particularly curious about the commotion, his head turning this way and that, his mouth babbling "ah-ya" sounds.
Grandma Pei came over and gently pinched Anchen's cheek. "Our Anchen loves a lively scene too. When you're bigger, then you can have the meat, okay."
"Sister-in-law, look! The braised pork belly is going into that wok over there!" Pei Yunzhou ran over, pointing at a distant iron wok, his eyes shining. "It's going to smell amazing later! I can eat two big bowls!"
Pei Yunxi nodded excitedly in agreement,
"Sister-in-law, it's my first time seeing such a huge pot of stewed ribs. It smells super good."
Three pigs, over a dozen tables of food.
Assorted braised meats, steamed pork with preserved mustard greens, red-braised pork belly, stewed pork ribs...
Ten dishes, each one a substantial, hearty course.
As they waited,
Yu Lanhua pulled Grandma Pei into chatting about daily life, from children to crops, talking warmly.
Grandpa Pei sat with a few old friends, listening to Wang Jianguo talk about the village's plans for the coming year—wanting to expand the rabbit hutches and asking Shen Nanchu to help see if new vegetable varieties could be introduced. The elders listened, nodding frequently, occasionally praising the ideas as sound.
Unnoticed, two hours passed.
Rich, savory aromas of meat wafted across the threshing ground, making stomachs growl.
Wang Jianguo called out loudly,
"Time to eat!"
His words were like a signal, instantly stirring up more excitement on the threshing ground.
Shen Nanchu's family naturally took their seats at the main table.
Wang Jianguo, along with several young men, brought the dishes to the tables. Steam rose, aromas assailed the nose, and everyone's appetite was whetted.
The steamed pork with preserved mustard greens was arranged neatly, the meat glistening like amber; the red-braised pork belly pieces were perfectly square, coated in a glossy, reddish sauce, its sweet fragrance detectable from afar; the ribs were stewed until the meat fell off the bone, the broth clear and bright, a sip revealing its delicious freshness...
Shen Nanchu looked on, her eyes narrowing with pleasure.
Once everyone was seated, they began to eat.
Shen Nanchu picked up a piece of braised pork belly. It was soft, glutinous, fatty but not greasy. Delicious.
Next, a rib. Tender and fragrant.
Pigs raised by yourself really do taste better!
...
On the threshing ground, villagers sat around the wooden tables, eating dishes from the slaughter feast and chatting. Laughter mingled with conversation, creating an especially lively atmosphere on this winter evening.
Pei Yunzhou had run off to sit at a table with Dabao and Xiaobao, eating from his bowl with such gusto his mouth was shiny with oil.
Pei Yunzhou mumbled through a full mouth to Wang Dabao beside him, "Next year for the slaughter, I'm coming back to eat with you guys again!"
Wang Dabao nodded vigorously,
"Okay, but remember to bring me White Rabbit Creamy Candies when you come back."
"No problem, I'll take care of it."
As soon as Pei Yunzhou finished speaking, Wang Xiaobao squeezed in too,
"And me, don't forget my share."
"Absolutely."
...
Seeing smiles on every face in Wangjia Village, Wang Jianguo, as village chief, felt deeply happy.
What was the point of working hard from the beginning to the end of the year?
Wasn't it just to have enough to eat?
Wang Jianguo stood up, holding a bowl of liquor. Facing Shen Nanchu, his tone full of gratitude, he said,
"Little Chu, we villagers aren't good with fancy words. We just want to say thank you."
"Without Nanchu, there would be no good days for our Wangjia Village. This bowl of liquor, we offer it to you on behalf of the whole village!"
The villagers echoed in agreement,
"That's right, thank you, Comrade Shen!"
"Comrade Shen's kindness to us and to Wangjia Village, we in Wangjia Village will never forget!"
Shen Nanchu quickly stood up, holding a teacup.
"Chief Wang, and all fellow villagers, please, there's no need for such formality."
"Good days are built by everyone working together. Next year, let's keep working hard to make Wangjia Village's life even more prosperous!"
Wang Jianguo downed his bowl of liquor, the smile on his face deepening.
"Good!"
This meal was lively and joyous, lasting from morning until afternoon before everyone dispersed.
...
On the way back,
Pei Yunzhou was very excited,
"Sister-in-law, today was so much fun! The whole village eating the slaughter feast together was even livelier than New Year's!"
"It's a shame we have to return to the capital after the New Year celebrations."
A touch of melancholy colored Pei Yunxi's face.
Shen Nanchu smiled,
"Returning to the capital doesn't mean we won't come back."
"Really?"
Pei Yunxi's low spirits from a moment ago vanished, her whole demeanor brightening.
"Really."
Shen Nanchu nodded with a smile.
"Sister-in-law, you said it. We'll come back then to eat the slaughter feast again."
Pei Yunzhou was as happy as a child.
"Yes, I said it."
Shen Nanchu's gaze was firm.
Wangjia Village, this place where she had stayed for only a short while, had sheltered her whole family.
It was a good place.
...