The second day of New Year

 

The second day of the Lunar New Year, also known as “Gu Ye Festival” or “Welcoming the Son-in-Law Day,” arrived. Today, Jing’s mother was taking the whole family to her hometown in Xishan Village.

 

Jing’s father had been preparing since early morning. Since he couldn’t visit last year due to illness, he had prepared ample gifts this year. Besides, it was a way to show respect to his wife’s family.

 

On the Gu Ye Day, it’s a tradition for married sons and daughters return to their parents’ home with their spouses and children to offer New Year’s greetings. One essential item they must bring is candies and snacks, which will be shared with relatives and friends in their parents’ home. It symbolizes that even though they are married, they still think of their parents.

 

With bags and packages neatly packed, the whole family set off on a donkey cart to Jing Yi’s eldest uncle’s house.

 

Jing’s mother’s family was in Xishan Village under Fuyang Town, also close to Fengshan, not far from Jing’s home, similar in distance to going to the town. However, the roads between rural villages were unpaved, unlike the smooth official roads, so it took longer.

 

Today, under the bright sunshine and with no wind, although it had snowed a couple of days ago, everyone was dressed in new cotton clothes with plenty of cotton filling. They didn’t feel cold.

 

Jing’s father and Jing Yi walked side by side on the small road, leading the donkey cart. Jing’s mother and Xiao Shu sat on the cart, while Xiao An ran around the cart. When they entered Xishan Village, most people greeted Jing’s mother and father, exchanging smiles and laughter.

 

Some sharp-eyed villagers, upon seeing the donkey cart and its contents, knew that the Caiyun family had improved significantly in just one short year and was living well.

 

Upon reaching the Liu family’s doorstep, Grandma and Grandpa, along with the eldest uncle, were already standing there to welcome them.

 

The Liu family had a total of three siblings, and Jing’s mother was the youngest daughter. She had two older brothers. Due to the fact that the grandchildren were getting married and moving away, the Liu family had divided into separate households a few years ago. Grandma and Grandpa lived with the eldest uncle. The second uncle’s house was right next to the old house, making it very convenient for daily interactions.

 

The Liu family was an ordinary rural family, making their living from the land, so they could eat their fill, but they weren’t wealthy.

 

Jing Yi’s grandparents and uncles were all reasonable people and took good care of their youngest daughter/sister. Although the two aunts had their own ideas at times, they were not confused about important matters, and they were fundamentally kind-hearted, so they got along well.

 

Two years ago, when trouble struck the Jing family during the winter, the news reached Xishan Village the next day. Jing Yi’s grandfather, eldest uncle, and second uncle quickly gathered thirty two silver  to send to the Jing family. They made it clear that this money was for medical expenses for their son-in-law, and there was no need to repay it.

 

At that time, the two aunts weren’t very pleased because this money was like throwing it away, with no expectation of repayment. However, due to the importance of the matter, they didn’t want to argue with their in-laws.

 

Jing’s mother, holding the money at the time, had tears in her eyes, feeling both moved and uncomfortable. She knew that her parents’ family lived an ordinary life, and these thirty two silver were hard-earned.

 

So, when she returned to her parents’ home on the second day of the Chinese New Year last year, the two aunts didn’t treat her as warmly as before because of the money they had given. Jing’s mother understood and didn’t take it to heart. She knew her parents’ and brothers’ intentions and would repay them in the future.

 

When their family business began to prosper in the summer, she and Jing’s father took the opportunity to return the money and also bought meat and candies for her parents and her second brother’s family.

 

At that time, the aunts’ change in attitude had become a source of laughter in Jing’s mother’s home for several days.

 

“Dad! Mom! Big brother! Happy New Year! Why did you come out? It’s cold and slippery outside. Quickly go back inside,” Jing’s mother said, her eyes moist, as she helped her mother inside.

 

Seeing this, Jing’s father also greeted his father-in-law and then personally helped him into the courtyard.

 

The two aunts came out of the kitchen to say hello as well. They immediately noticed the donkey cart from the Jing family and saw Jing Yi and Jing An carrying down bags and packages. They must have brought quite a lot. Their faces lit up, and although they were eager to ask about the business, they held back, itching with curiosity but not saying anything.

 

In the main hall, everyone was chatting and having a lively time, while the two aunts in the kitchen were busy. Today, the younger sister-in-law’s family not only brought a cartload of items but also gave red envelopes to the grandchildren. Seeing the bulging red envelopes, it seemed like a substantial amount.

 

They weren’t genuinely selfish or stingy, so they willingly offered good treats. After enjoying a hearty meal, it was already past 2 o’clock in the afternoon when the Jing family bid farewell and returned home.

 

On the way back home, Jing’s father noticed Jing’s mother’s reddened eyes and consoled her, saying, “Don’t be sad. We have a donkey cart now, so visiting your parents is very convenient.”

 

Jing’s mother, with teary eyes, replied, “Well, it’s just that today I suddenly realized that they’ve both aged so much. It makes me feel sad.”

 

In ancient times, a daughter couldn’t openly show filial piety to her own parents in front of her husband’s family.

 

Jing Yi heard this and thought it wasn’t a big deal. He said, “It’s simple, Mom. Let’s bring Grandpa and Grandma over to our place for a while.”

 

Although Jing’s mother was somewhat tempted, she said, “That won’t work. If we bring my parents to my husband’s house, that would be seen as disrespectful. Besides, they’re afraid of causing trouble and won’t come.”

 

Jing Yi raised an eyebrow and said, “Mom, what’s more important, showing filial piety or worrying about what others say? Have they eaten their share of our rice? Don’t be overly concerned. Good-hearted people will see your filial piety, and the ones who gossip don’t matter.”

 

Jing’s father nodded in agreement and added, “If you’re really worried, after we open the shop, we can bring them to town and find an excuse like being too busy with business or saying that Xiao An just started school and needs some help. We can have them stay for a month or something.”

 

Seeing her husband and son actively suggesting and persuading her, Jing’s mother wiped away her tears, feeling a mix of emotions. She then quietly discussed with Jing’s father when they should go to pick up her parents.

 

It was a tradition not to go out for New Year’s greetings on the third day of the Chinese New Year. They would take a break from the busyness that started from New Year’s Eve until the second day.

 

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the weather was clear, and the sky was filled with pinkish clouds, as Jing Yi described it.

 

Once again, the family loaded up the donkey cart with bags and packages. The load on the second day was an expression of Jing’s father’s feelings for his in-laws. Today’s load, however, expressed Jing Yi’s feelings towards his in-laws and exceeded the previous one.

 

Even Jing’s mother occasionally felt a bit upset because Jing Yi was too good to his wife, and this annoyed Jing’s father, the typical “straightforward” man. Yes, she felt irritated with her husband because he couldn’t express his feelings nicely and couldn’t be gentle. She understood that grievances had causes and someone was to blame, but she couldn’t blame the young couple for it.

 

As their homes were nearby, they didn’t need to leave too early. As the sun slowly rose, the Jing family had just entered Wangjiazhuang Village, and they saw a crowd gathering at a small courtyard near the main road, probably conducting business.

 

“Xia Xia!”

 

Jing Yi spotted Xia Xia amidst the crowd of people who all looked similar. He couldn’t control his excitement and called out loudly.

 

This affectionate address combined with his voice, which evoked longing, made Xia Xia immediately turn around. He saw Jing Yi’s family had arrived. He felt shy and his cheeks turned pink, his eyes watery, trying to appear composed.

 

“Heh, Xia Xia, Happy New Year. Are you here to buy something?” Jing’s mother looked at her with affection.

 

“Yeah, I came to buy tofu. There are so many people; I’m waiting in line. You and Uncle can go home first. My dad is waiting for you.” Xia Xia quickly asked Jing’s parents to go home, as she would buy tofu and follow shortly.

 

“Alright, we’ll go home first. Let Jing Yi carry the tofu for you when he comes. Tofu is heavy, so make sure to have him carry it.” Avoiding the eager eyes of the eldest son who was trying to collect a debt nearby, Jing’s mother quickly gave an excuse.

 

“No problem! Don’t worry, Aunt!” Xia Xia said as he watched the Jing family’s donkey cart slowly move toward the village. Then, he turned back to the tofu stand, joining the line once again, his cheeks still rosy, and a blushing appearance.

 

“Xia Xia, is this the young master of the Jing family? He’s quite a match,” said a friendly and gossipy lady, who liked chatting and appeared approachable. She looked at the young couple who were not yet married and felt content, not missing an opportunity to tease and gossip.

 

“He’s not even married yet, but you’re already so close. It’s really young people.” she remarked.

 

There were also some nit-picking and troublemaking people among them. One lady with a squinted eye praised the couple’s affection openly but indirectly accused them of not understanding etiquette and lacking manners.

 

Jing Yi didn’t give the second person a glance but instead smiled and chatted with the first lady, “Yes, ma’am, my name is Jing Yi, but you can call me Xiao Yi.”

 

He casually explained, “We came to visit Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin today. It just so happened that my mother saw Xia Xia wanting to buy tofu, and she thought it was too heavy, so she asked me to help Xia Xia carry it back.”

 

“Oh my, our Xia Xia has really hit the jackpot. Not only is Xiao Yi tall and handsome, but his in-laws also seem to be the kindest people.” The lady praised them loudly, clearly trying to overshadow the squinted-eye lady, who was still being given side-eye glances.

 

“That’s right, this mother-in-law who dotes on her son-in-law will surely have good karma in the future.” Another man, who was on good terms with the friendly lady, chimed in. Everyone knew that the squinted-eye lady was always causing trouble at home, particularly with her several daughters-in-law.

 

“Humph! You all understand nothing. Just wait, you will see when they climb over your heads in the future.” The squinted-eye lady, seeing that her attempts to provoke conflict had failed, muttered a few words and quickly left with the tofu.

 

After that, no one said any annoying words. It was New Year’s, and no one wanted to spoil the mood. Instead, they exchanged auspicious words for the holiday and briefly inquired about Jing Yi’s family. Some people even asked a bit about Jing Yi’s family situation.

 

Later, when some enthusiastic folks heard that Jing Yi had an eleven-year-old brother, they began to tease and offer matchmaking help. In no time, they had suggested over ten potential matches for Xia An.

 

Jing Yi was startled by this and quickly carried a block of tofu, leading Xia Xia away from the “battlefield.”