Chapter 22: The New Year

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The days grew colder with each passing one in the twelfth lunar month, and the New Year was fast approaching.

In the Zhao family’s schoolroom for beginners, all the children brimmed with anticipation.

Master Zhao Wenqi sat upright at his desk, his gaze sweeping over the gathering below—faces tinged red from the cold, yet shining with excitement.

“Starting tomorrow, the school will be closed for holiday, until after the Lantern Festival,” the master announced, his voice steady but softened from its usual solemn tone. “However, learning is like rowing against the current; if you do not advance, you will fall behind. Resting does not mean abandoning study. When you return home, you must review diligently and not slack off. The assigned lessons must be memorized and recited well. On the day we resume, I shall examine each of you in turn.”

His eyes lingered a moment longer on Wang Mingyuan, the deep gaze containing a barely perceptible hope.

“Mingyuan, you possess a keen intellect; you must apply yourself diligently and not waste this precious time.”

Wang Mingyuan’s heart tightened. He quickly rose and stood at attention, bowing respectfully. “I will remember your teachings, Master, and not be negligent.”

Since the master and his family decided he would pursue the imperial examinations, Master Zhao had grown stricter with him, assigning him more tasks than his peers.

After the master finished speaking, chubby Zhang Wentao made a comical grimace at him from the side. The master shot him a look that was neither harsh nor mild, prompting Zhang to shrink back sheepishly.

Amidst the eager anticipation of the students, the session finally ended. Tomorrow would mark the official start of the break. Zhang chattered excitedly about the treats and games he planned for the New Year.

———

The family’s fortunes had improved greatly thanks to the braised meat business. Daily income came not only from their street stall but also from deliveries to the Drunken Immortal Inn, yielding a profit of over three taels of silver each day. In no time, they had transformed from a poor farming household into a modestly well-off family.

After covering necessary expenses and setting aside money for Wang Mingyuan’s examination fees and writing supplies, their savings began to accumulate.

Approaching the year’s end, Mother Zhao made an unprecedented decision.

“This year, our whole family will have new clothes!” she declared decisively, her voice bright and triumphant.

She carefully selected fine, indigo-dyed cotton fabric and had a brand-new scholar’s robe sewn for Wang Mingyuan—a traditional scholar’s attire with a crossed collar folding right over left, wide sleeves gathered at the cuffs, and a matching cloth belt at the waist. Though lacking the luster of silk, it looked crisp and neat, accentuating the boy’s upright posture and the quiet scholarly air in his bearing.

“You’re looking more and more like the town’s aspiring scholar!” Mother Zhao praised joyfully.

Tiger Girl and Dog Boy each received festive crimson jackets and pants, made by Aunt Wu, their neighbor. Aunt Wu’s skill was fine, and she even trimmed the collar edges of Tiger Girl’s jacket with yellow fabric, adorned with several charming knotted buttons shaped like blossoming flowers.

The two little ones, dressed in their new clothes, had cheeks flushed deep red against the bright fabric—like two lively little lucky charms leaping straight out of a New Year painting, only their complexions were darker.

Well, a dark lucky charm is still a lucky charm.

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“Mother! Third Brother! Look at my new clothes!” Tiger Girl twirled Dog Boy around the courtyard, their red jackets like flickering flames.

“Lovely! You really look like little lucky stars fallen from the heavens!” Wang Mingyuan smiled in praise.

Tiger Girl beamed proudly. “Of course! With three of us so good-looking, I must be beautiful too, right, Third Brother?”

Wang Mingyuan couldn’t help but chuckle, smoothing the little red ribbon tied to her tiny pigtail. “Yes, yes, our Tiger Girl is the prettiest!”

Dog Boy giggled foolishly, his childish voice chirping, “Third Uncle is handsome! Tiger Girl is pretty! I’m pretty too!”

Though Wang Mingyuan knew these two dark-skinned little rascals would likely grow up to be larger versions of their elder brothers and mother, he still enjoyed teasing them.

He himself had often wondered why his complexion was so fair and smooth, unlike the rest of his family. It wasn’t until his second brother shaved off his beard that he realized their facial features were quite alike; it was just that the thick beards, abundant body hair, and imposing physiques of the elder brothers created such a contrast that their resemblance seemed faint.

After a while of playing, Tiger Girl and Dog Boy tugged at Mother Zhao’s skirt, their small mouths chattering with requests: “Mother! For the New Year, we want candy! Lots and lots of candy! The shiny rock sugar kind! And hawthorn skewers! The red ones covered in sugar, all shiny! And sesame candy, maltose candy…”

Dog Boy nodded vigorously, drooling at the thought.

“Of course, all of it!” Mother Zhao laughed, unable to hide her delight. This year, with the family’s newfound comfort, she felt especially generous. Besides candy, she bought thick new window paper, fresh bowls and dishes, incense and paper offerings for the ancestors, and even splurged on a small jar of rice wine usually too precious to touch. The courtyard brimmed with New Year supplies, filling the air with the scent of prosperity.

Pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with goods along the frozen dirt road home, the wheels crunching through thin snow, it looked from afar like a family fleeing famine. She marveled at her own purchasing zeal.

———

On New Year’s Eve, before dawn broke, the Wang family kitchen was already alive with the warmth of cooking fires.

The wood crackled sharply in the stove, casting a rosy glow on the faces of Liu and Zhao, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

A large iron pot of oil bubbled and steamed, filling the air with the rich aroma of fried goods, drawing Tiger Girl and Dog Boy like little shadows, circling the stove.

According to the old customs of the Northwest, preparing fried treats was a matter of utmost importance.

Under Mother Zhao’s deft hands, dough twisted into intricate shapes—braided twists, crispy strips, fried cakes, and oil fritters—were dropped into the hot oil, puffing up instantly and turning golden and crisp. When lifted out to drain, they emitted an enticing rustle.

On the cutting board lay chopped meat filling and risen dough, waiting to be made into dumplings—an essential dish for staying up late and welcoming the New Year’s dawn.

A separate basin held glutinous rice, to be steamed and pounded into sticky rice cakes, symbolizing “rising year after year.”

As night deepened, the cold wind was kept at bay by thick door curtains.

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The main room’s kang bed was warm and cozy, the flickering oil lamp casting light over the rare, abundant New Year’s Eve feast. Aside from steaming dumplings, glistening fried treats, and soft, fragrant rice cakes, there was a large basin of tender braised pork head and pork hocks, their rich aroma filling the room—a reward for the year’s hard work and a prayer for prosperity in the year ahead.

The family gathered around the table, faces glowing with contentment.

Tiger Girl, imitating what she’d heard at the village entrance earlier, cleared her throat like a little adult: “Second Sister from next door said you have to make wishes for the New Year! They’re very powerful! Everyone in our family has to make a wish! Hurry, hurry!”

Everyone chuckled.

Only Mother Zhao responded, smiling as she played along: “Alright, I’ll go first. I hope our Tiger Girl and Dog Boy grow up safe and sound, taller and stronger like little calves! I hope our braising pot stays fragrant forever and our days get better and better! And I hope…”

She paused, her gaze softening as it fell on Wang Mingyuan. “I hope our third son studies hard and, someday… earns his name on the imperial honor roll, bringing home the title of xiucai for our family!”

At these words, Wang Dayu, Wang Eniu, and Liu nodded with hopeful eyes.

Wang Jinbao said nothing but drew deeply on his pipe, the curling smoke smoothing the wrinkles on his face.

Tiger Girl nodded with satisfaction, her bright eyes turning to Wang Mingyuan. “Third Brother! Your turn!”

Looking into his sister’s eyes sparkling in the lamplight, warmth welled up in Wang Mingyuan’s heart. He set down his chopsticks and spoke gently:

“My wish is that our Tiger Girl grows ever more beautiful, clever, and quick-witted, prettier than any fairy in the paintings!”

“Really?” Tiger Girl exclaimed, covering her face in delight and bouncing on the kang. “Wonderful! I’m going to be a fairy!”

“Now it’s my turn! Now it’s my turn!” she declared eagerly.

“My wish is—every day I have endless meat to eat! Lots and lots of candy! Mountains of hawthorn skewers! And… and that I always get to eat my fill, happily, and never have to learn to write!”

Her last sentence revealed her secret wish, causing the whole family to burst into laughter. Lately, Tiger Girl had been so fed up with being made to study characters.

Wang Jinbao laughed so hard he nearly dropped his pipe; Mother Zhao pointed at her, scolding with a smile, “Little greedy cat and little lazybones!”

Dog Boy laughed along, his mouth full of rice cake, mumbling, “Meat! Candy!”

New Year’s Eve—a joyful gathering, warm as spring.