Farming for Three Meals a Day [Farming Life] 99

Chapter 99: Daily Life Raising Children 5

The first full moon of the new year was Lantern Festival.

People valued Lantern Festival greatly. On this day, there was not only a bustling market but also all sorts of festive activities.

Before dawn, after just one rooster crow, the little one in bed started stirring, sitting up and looking out the window.

“Little Daddy, is it daybreak yet?”

He would ask Ye Xi this every now and then. Ye Xi, sleepy-eyed, patted Yu-ge’er’s back and coaxed, “Yu-ge’er, be good, it’s still dark, sleep a little longer. When it’s daybreak, Daddy will take you to the Lantern Festival in town, alright?”

Yu-ge’er had never been to the Lantern Festival. Two years ago, he had caught a cold, and Ye Xi had kept him inside for a long time. Before that, he was too young to remember. He had been looking forward to the Lantern Festival ever since they mentioned taking him.

He had heard from Lei-ge’er and Fuge’er that the Lantern Festival was great fun, with all sorts of delicious food, lion dances, beautiful lanterns, and lantern displays everywhere.

It made him very excited.

He drifted back to sleep under Ye Xi’s gentle coaxing, and Ye Xi got up, tucked Little Li’er in, and, feeling drowsy, yawned.

Lin Jiangshan, sleeping beside him, stirred, sensing the movement, and pulled his husband closer, his voice raspy. “Sleep a little longer, it’s still cold outside, we don’t have to get up so early, we can take the mule cart after breakfast, it’s fast.”

Ye Xi nestled in Lin Jiangshan’s arms, his cheek against his warm chest. “It’s not me, it’s your precious son, he’s too excited, can’t wait for daybreak.”

Lin Jiangshan chuckled, his chest vibrating, and kissed his husband’s forehead. “Children love excitement, Yu-ge’er wants to go, so we’ll take him and have some fun.”

It was still dark and cold, so they went back to sleep.

When dawn finally broke, Yu-ge’er couldn’t wait any longer, so Ye Xi got up and dressed him in his new cotton-padded jacket and tiger hat, promising to take him to town after breakfast.

The new jacket was embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns, fastened with red knotted buttons, and the tiger hat was also embroidered with colorful threads, trimmed with white rabbit fur, making him look like a round and adorable little rice ball.

Lin Jiangshan harnessed the mule to the cart and, turning around, saw his adorable son standing at the door, smiling at him, his heart melting. He picked him up. “Daddy will take Yu-ge’er to see the lanterns and buy candy, are you happy?”

Yu-ge’er nodded. “Happy. I’ll share the candy with my brother.”

Ye Xi came out, carrying the bundled-up Little Li’er, and smiled. “Our Yu-ge’er always thinks of his brother.”

Lin Jiangshan added a layer of straw and a quilt to the cart, making it soft and comfortable for his husband and children, and he sat in front, driving.

As the sun rose over the mountains, they set off. The Ye Shan family also had a cart now, and they agreed to meet in town.

It was still the first lunar month, and the wind was cold, but it was warm inside the covered cart, and they could even sleep during the journey.

Yu-ge’er, after waking up several times during the night, now dozed off again, his head resting against Little Li’er’s.

With the children asleep, Ye Xi went to the front of the cart to chat with Lin Jiangshan.

“Why did you come out, husband? It’s cold, go back inside and stay warm,” Lin Jiangshan said, his breath forming white clouds in the cold air, holding the reins.

Ye Xi held a bed warmer, his hands warm, and touched Lin Jiangshan’s cold face. “I came to keep you company.”

Even after having two children, their relationship was still as loving as when they were newlyweds.

Lin Jiangshan pulled Ye Xi closer, shielding him from the wind. “Then stay here with me.”

Many people were going to town for the Lantern Festival, the road filled with people walking, and ox carts and wheelbarrows were also common.

Ye Xi remembered how they used to walk to town, wishing they had an ox cart. Later, they bought a cow and had their own ox cart, but it was cold and drafty in the winter. Now, they could ride comfortably in a mule cart.

“I can’t believe we have a mule cart now,” Ye Xi said, smiling.

Lin Jiangshan hugged his husband tighter. “We earned it, thanks to your hard work and thriftiness at home, and my hard work in the fields, that’s how we built our family’s fortune.”

Ye Xi said, “I married a good husband.”

Lin Jiangshan smiled. “I married a good husband.”

They smiled at each other as the mule cart continued towards town.

When they arrived, Yu-ge’er and Little Li’er were still asleep, the Ye Shan family having arrived earlier. Little Lei Zi couldn’t wait to wake up Yu-ge’er.

“Yu-ge’er, wake up, we’re at the Lantern Festival!”

After calling him several times, Yu-ge’er finally woke up, dazed for a moment before realizing where they were, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

Little Lei Zi pulled him along. “It’s so lively in town today! I’ll take you to see the acrobats, the fire-breathers, and the stalls selling wooden horses and swords, so many things to see!”

Yu-ge’er’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, and he eagerly followed.

The streets were filled with stalls selling all sorts of goods, novelties from all over, colorful lanterns and lantern displays everywhere, and the crowds were dense.

Ye Xi, afraid they would get lost, warned, “There are many people, and also child traffickers, stay close, don’t wander off!”

They took the children to see the acrobatic performances, bought snacks, and even spent two wen to peek inside large boxes with intricate and ever-changing designs.

They strolled from morning until afternoon, Little Lei Zi and Yu-ge’er still full of energy, while Ye Xi and Li Ran’s feet ached from walking. Lin Jiangshan, carrying Little Li’er, and Ye Shan followed behind, keeping an eye on their wives and children, making sure no one bumped into them.

After having lunch at a restaurant, they rested, waiting for the lantern displays at night, the highlight of the Lantern Festival.

As the sun set and darkness fell, people started lighting lanterns, the town illuminated by countless lanterns, a dazzling sight.

Ye Xi bought a few lotus-shaped lanterns for the children, they would release them on the river tonight.

After lighting the lanterns, Ye Xi held Yu-ge’er’s hand, and Li Ran helped Little Lei Zi, carefully placing the lanterns on the river, joining hundreds of other lanterns, creating a beautiful spectacle.

“Make a wish when you release the lantern.”

Yu-ge’er thought for a moment, then said solemnly, “I wish for endless delicious food every day, and… Daddy, Little Daddy, my brother, and me, to be together forever and ever.”

Little Lei Zi, imitating him, said, “I wish for me, Daddy, Mommy, Sister Ling, and Fuge’er to be together forever, never separated.”

Yu-ge’er, puzzled, asked Little Lei Zi, “Lei-ge’er, should I also include Fuge’er in my wish?” Although they were good friends and played together every day, Fuge’er had his own family.

Little Lei Zi shook his head. “You don’t have to. Fuge’er said he’s going to marry me and be my wife, so I have to include him.”

Yu-ge’er, not understanding, just looked at the lantern displays.

There were stalls everywhere with lantern riddles, three wen per guess, and if you guessed correctly, you could take a lantern.

Ye Xi and Li Ran tried their luck, guessing two correctly, and then Lin Jiangshan guessed a difficult one, winning a crab lantern, intricately made, its legs moving as he carried it.

Yu-ge’er loved it and held onto the lantern tightly, Ye Xi had to carry him so he could lift the lantern higher.

At the Hour of the Pig (9-11 pm), the highlight of the night began, five lively lions dancing skillfully, leaping and twirling, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd.

After the lion dance, a magnificent dragon appeared, weaving among the lions, playful and energetic, the drums and suona creating a deafening roar, a lively and exciting scene.

As the performance ended, and the crowd began to disperse, Ye Xi, Lin Jiangshan, and the others, carrying their still-excited children, prepared to leave.

Little Lei Zi in Li Ran’s arms suddenly pointed. “Look!”

They turned around and saw two figures with buckets, their purpose unclear.

The next moment, sparks flew from their ladles, like a shower of stars, the molten iron creating a spectacular display of fireworks.

Ye Xi said, “It’s the ‘iron flower’ performance, a rare skill, we’re lucky to see it today.”

Yu-ge’er, in Ye Xi’s arms, pointed at the performers amidst the fireworks. “It’s Big Brother.”

The others didn’t understand.

Lin Jiangshan smiled. “It’s Big Brother He from the He family.”

In the flickering light, the shirtless, dark-skinned, and muscular performer was indeed Big Brother He.

As the last ladle of molten iron fell, the sparks faded, and the night sky returned to its usual tranquility.

Yu-ge’er, in Ye Xi’s arms, yawned. “Little Daddy, Yu-ge’er is sleepy.”

Little Lei Zi was also drowsy from all the excitement, and Li Ran smiled. “We’ve had a long day, let’s go home.”

Ye Xi smiled. “Alright, let’s go home and have some yuanxiao (glutinous rice balls).”

Yu-ge’er, his eyes drooping, mumbled, “I want black sesame filling.”

“Red sugar filling is the best,” Little Lei Zi insisted.

Little Li’er in Lin Jiangshan’s arms smacked his lips, he didn’t know what yuanxiao were.

Under the fading lanterns, the family headed home together.

In the countryside, life is filled with simple joys and the warmth of family.

The wind blows, the water flows, a peaceful and happy life.

-END-