Big red lantern

 

When Jing Yi came to this stall, he realized that the lantern looked even better up close. The details were exquisitely done, and it was evident that high-quality materials were chosen, with superb craftsmanship. It was captivating to behold.

 

“Boss, how much are these lanterns?” Jing Yi asked the shopkeeper, a man who appeared to be around thirty years old.

 

“Hello, young man! These traditional-style lanterns, the small ones are thirty-five wén each, the big ones are forty wén each. The ones with designs are all fifty wén. Don’t hesitate, pick them up and take a look. We only use the best materials.” The shopkeeper warmly greeted Jing Yi.

 

“Okay, thank you. Let me take a look first,” Jing Yi replied.

 

After saying that, he discussed with Xiao An and Xiao Shu what they should buy. The shopkeeper continued to smile and warmly attend to them. He didn’t rush them, even though Jing Yi and his brothers took a long time to consider. He patiently picked up the lanterns they mentioned and let them examine them carefully.

 

After finalizing their choices, Jing Yi asked, “Boss, can we get a discount if we buy more?”

 

“Um…” The shopkeeper was a bit uncertain because usually, customers who came to the stall would only buy one or two lanterns. Their lanterns were not cheap, despite the exquisite workmanship. Although they attracted many onlookers, not many people actually made a purchase.

 

“How many do you want?” At that moment, the shopkeeper put down what he was doing and gently pulled his partner behind him. He patted his hand, signaling him to attend to other customers. It was evident that they had a good relationship.

 

“I want two pairs of these large traditional red lanterns, one with a rabbit, one with a tiger, and also this square one with bamboo pattern.” Jing Yi pointed and spoke, ordering a total of seven lanterns.

 

While speaking, Jing Yi also thought about the shop in town. Although it had only been open for half a year, it was not doing well on cold nights during the Chinese New Year.

 

He then said to the shopkeeper, “I also want six small traditional red lanterns, but there’s no rush for these six. When you set up your stall again in a few days, we’ll come and collect them.”

 

The shopkeeper immediately realized it was a big order and started calculating the total. “For the two pairs of large red lanterns, that’s four in total, it’s one hundred and sixty wén. Three special-design ones are one hundred and fifty wén. As for the six small red lanterns, it’s two hundred and ten wén. In total, it’s five hundred and twenty wén. Please understand that we are a small business, so I’ll round it down to five hundred wén and also give you a small fish lantern as a gift. How does that sound?”

 

Jing Yi thought it was a good deal, mainly because the lanterns were genuinely well-made.

 

“No problem. I’ll pay you four hundred wén now, and I’ll pay the remaining one hundred wén when I come to collect the six lanterns,” Jing Yi proposed.

 

“Sure, young man! You’re straightforward! Our stall will be open until the end of the fair. If you’re not in a hurry, you can come to Dongkuan Village after the fair and find me. My surname is Dan, Dan Tian.

 

When you enter the village, just ask for the Dan family, who makes lanterns.”

 

“No problem. There’s a lot going on during the Chinese New Year, so I’ll come to your village directly on the eighth day,” Jing Yi confirmed.

 

After setting the time, Jing Yi handed over the money, and the young man helped Jing Yi load the lanterns onto the donkey cart.

 

Once they were out of sight, Jing’s mother noticed the unexpected load in the cart. Unable to contain her temper, she stared and pointed at Jing Yi, ready to scold him.

 

Jing Yi quickly took the initiative upon seeing his mother’s expression. “Mother! Look at these lanterns, so bright and festive. I thought hanging two of them would bring us good luck! It signifies that our family will definitely thrive next year.”

 

Jing’s mother was speechless. She couldn’t argue against the prospect of good luck. However, she still had a point to make, “Are there only two? Huh? There are eight of them!”

 

Jing Yi replied, “There are two for Uncle Lin’s family. Your son-in-law’s family should also thrive. These two animal lanterns are bought by your eldest son for Xiao An and Xiao Shu. And this small fish lantern will be given to Dou Dou when we visit Third Uncle’s family. Isn’t it a lovely gesture?”

 

Jing’s mother huffed and said, “Hmph! Can’t argue with you!”

 

Then, after thinking about it, Jing Yi considered it thoughtfully and added awkwardly, “In the afternoon, I’ll quickly deliver them to your son-in-law’s house and your third uncle’s house! Hang them up early!”

 

“Alright!” As for the remaining six lanterns, Jing Yi decided not to mention them to his mother for now.

 

After finishing buying New Year goods, it was almost eleven o’clock. The whole family hurriedly headed home, chatting and laughing along the way. Xiao An and Xiao Shu sat in the cart, chatting and occasionally touching the food and toys placed beside them, their spirits high and smiles on their faces.

 

Because there were too many things in the cart and not enough space to sit, Jing’s father, Jing’s mother, and Jing Yi would occasionally get off and walk. By the time they arrived home, it was already past twelve o’clock.

 

Jing’s mother hurriedly went to the kitchen to prepare lunch, cooking a pot of hot noodle soup, which was delicious and warm. The others started unpacking the New Year goods from the cart and each went to their respective places.

 

Taking advantage of the rare break, the whole family took a short nap after lunch to rest and recharge. There were still many things to do for the Chinese New Year.

 

After waking up, they looked at the sky and estimated that it was already past two o’clock. Jing Yi took the small fish lantern for Dou Dou and went to his third uncle’s house.

 

“Brother Yì, what’s this? Hey, this lantern looks really nice!” Seeing Jing Yi enter with something in his hand, Jing Feng came bounding over to see what was happening.

 

Jing Yi quickly dodged and said, “Don’t touch it and break it. It’s for Dou Dou!”

 

Jing Feng, acting like a crazy person, jokingly said, “Ah! I thought it was for me to play with. Brother Yi, you’re biased!”

 

“What about it? Then come to my house at night. I’ll feed you, put you to bed. How about that?” Jing Yi smiled kindly, unable to resist teasing Jing Feng.

 

Jing Feng quickly shut his mouth.

 

Dou Dou’s father, Jing Zheng, took it from Jing Yi and jokingly kicked Jing Feng, asking Jing Yi to go inside and chat.

 

Jing Yi chatted with Jing Zheng about the local business and suggested planting more vegetables after spring, as their hot pot restaurant could buy them at the town’s price, benefiting their own relatives.

 

Then, he listened to his third uncle and aunt’s advice, asking him not to buy such expensive toys for the children in the future, as doing business was not easy.

 

After sitting for a while, Jing Yi remembered that he still had to visit Chuxia’s house, so he told his third uncle and aunt that he was going home.

 

Upon returning home, they loaded the three lanterns for Chuxia’s house onto the donkey cart and hurriedly set off.

 

Jing’s mother hurriedly followed, “Eldest son, wait a moment! Take this bag of snacks for Xiao Shan and Xiao Jiang. Oh, and tell your Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin that we’ll visit their house on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year!”

 

After giving the instructions, Jing Yi drove the donkey cart away. Only then did his mother return to the yard to continue her busy work. As the saying goes, on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth Chinese month, kill the chicken and rush to the market. The market had been rushed, but the chicken had not been killed or stewed yet.

 

The big red lanterns were indeed festive.

 

Three bright and eye-catching lanterns were placed on the donkey cart, attracting a lot of attention as they passed through the village road of Wangjiazhuang Village. Even when the cart entered Lin’s house, people kept looking inside.

 

“Xiao Yi is here. Have a cup of tea.” Mother Lin greeted Jing Yi.

 

As the two families spent more time together, the patriarch of the Lin family became more satisfied with Jing Yi. There was a sense of closeness in his words.

 

“This lantern is really beautiful! It must have cost a lot. Take it back and hang it in your own house.” As she spoke, she couldn’t help but nag, “Don’t spend so much money, be more thrifty and save some.”

 

“You’re right, Auntie. But I thought if I hang the red lantern in your house, everyone will know that there’s a happy occasion in your family. I’m afraid others will try to snatch Xia Xia away from me!” Jing Yi flattered and complained at the same time.

 

“What nonsense is he talking about?” Just as Father Lin came out of the bedroom, he heard Jing Yi’s words and was completely dumbfounded. If he didn’t know this kid’s character and abilities, he would have almost wanted to call off the marriage.

 

“What’s wrong? I think he said it quite well. Xiao Yì, don’t worry, we’ll hang it up later.” Aunt Lin actually thought Jing Yi’s suggestion was good.

 

“Hehe! Thanks, Aunt.” Jing Yi took advantage of the situation and gave Mr. Lin a meaningful look, smiling.

 

“Hmph! You brat! Is this for Xia Xia? He’s in the kitchen, go find him quickly.” Lin Mother hurriedly sent Jing Yi to find Chuxia.

 

Lin’s father: “With this brat around, in the future, Xia Xia will probably start finding his words unpleasant.”

 

“Xia Xia, take a look at this lantern. It’s in the shape of bamboo, and there are embroidered bamboo forests and streams on it. You can hang it in your room.” Jing Yi hadn’t even reached the kitchen yet and started showing off the lantern to Chuxia, chattering non-stop.

 

“Okay, thank you. I really like it, but next time, don’t spend so much. You work so hard to earn money.” Chuxia took the lantern, and it was indeed very beautiful. Despite having a white base, the embroidered bamboo forests, streams, and rocks made the lantern look full and fresh, rather than empty and pale.

 

“It’s not hard for me to spend money that I earn for my husband. I’m willing to!” He then started giggling.

 

“Hey, you! Don’t say that! It’s not like I’m your husband yet!” Chuxia felt both embarrassed and flustered.

 

“Alright, alright, I won’t say it anymore.” Jing Yi started to feel a little anxious and quickly tried to appease him.

 

They continued talking for a while, and suddenly, Chuxia noticed that Jing Yi’s sleeve was torn. He grabbed his sleeve and asked worriedly, “What happened to your sleeve?”

 

Jing Yi looked at his sleeve and honestly couldn’t remember where it got torn. Seeing Chuxia’s concern, he explained, “I’m fine. I probably got it torn somewhere at the market this morning. It was crowded, and I didn’t pay attention.”

 

Saying that, he couldn’t resist pinching Chuxia’s tender cheek. “Don’t worry.”

 

With a crisp sound, Chuxia lightly slapped away someone’s wandering hand. “Wait for me, I’ll get a needle and thread to stitch it up for you. Let’s go to the yard; it’s brighter there.”

 

“Okay!” Jing Yi obediently responded.

 

The yard was bright with sunlight. Chuxia took out a needle and thread and started bowing his head to mend Jing Yi’s sleeve.

 

They were close to each other, and as Jing Yi lowered his head, he saw Chuxia’s smooth and soft black hair tied simply behind his neck, revealing a slender and white nape. There was a unique charm to it.

 

Jing Yi felt that something was off in broad daylight. Had he been holding back for too long? This white and tender neck seemed to be sending him an irresistible invitation. What kind of man was he if he didn’t go up and give it a bite!

 

Well, he wasn’t a man! He remembered that!

 

“Done!” After Chuxia finished mending, he raised his head and said to Jing Yi, who seemed absent-minded and confused, looking at him questioningly.

 

“Oh, thank you, Xia Xia. Hehe.” Jing Yi came back to his senses and wanted to grab Chuxia’s hand to thank him.

 

Chuxia quickly moved his hand behind his back, pursed his lips, and blushed with shyness. It was broad daylight, and not only the villagers passing by outside the yard could see, but also his parents inside the main hall.

 

Once they finished in the main hall, Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin acted as if they hadn’t seen anything, allowing Chuxia to breathe a sigh of relief.

 

After chatting for a while and agreeing to visit on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year, Jing Yi got up and went home, politely declining the Lin family’s dinner invitation. It was the end of the year, and there were many dangers on the road, so it was better to return home early and stay safe.