https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-107-Returning-Home-to-Visit-the-Village/12898541/
Chapter 108: A Bustling Village
Chapter 108: A Bustling Village
"What are you all standing around for?"
As the villagers gathered at the village gate in a chaotic crowd, the old clan chief’s single sentence made everyone realize what was most important: "Go and tell Datong’s mother to kill a chicken, heat up some wine, and steam some buns..."
"The kids are back, we’re going to have a feast, everyone come and eat, everyone come and eat!"
"..."
The villagers burst into laughter and welcomed Hu Ma and the others, along with the carriage, into the village. Someone had already informed Zhou Datong’s mother and his hardworking father, who had opened the courtyard gates. Neighbors had borrowed tables and chairs, set up a tent, and prepared to lay out the feast.
Typically, because this was just their own children returning for the New Year, it couldn’t be considered a major event for the entire village, and thus couldn’t be officially organized by the village.
But the old clan chief was so pleased that he couldn’t let the children go back to their homes and eat separately. So he kept adding more and more tables, turning it into a continuous feast.
Without even needing to be invited, the families of Zhou Liang, Zhao Zhu, and Li Wa Zi brought over dishes, meat, rice, and flour to help. The village women also came to assist, steaming buns, frying meatballs, and carrying up one jar after another of wine.
Those with status in the village came over on their own, sitting at the tables, smoking their pipes, and chatting:
"Who would have thought Datong and little Hu Ma would be so good."
"In all these years in our village, the only two who dared to peep at widows bathing when they were young were those two!"
"Liangzi and Zhuzi are also great, solid and dependable. Look at how much face these two families have gained in the village."
"Look at Li Wa Zi, with such a good fortune. He survived a great calamity and will surely enjoy a life of happiness in the future..."
"..."
Not only was the village bustling, but even the cart driver who had brought Hu Ma and the others back was invited to the table. He was a straightforward man, blushing and insisting that he was just a driver who had been paid by the Young Master to bring them back, and that it wasn’t appropriate for him to sit at the table.
But the villagers were so happy that they insisted, treating him as a guest for bringing the children back, which was a great deed.
People who were hosting a happy event were generous, and even beggars could get a bowl of meat.
In the past, children like Hu Ma and Zhou Datong wouldn’t have been allowed to sit at the table. Zhou Datong could only sneak a few pieces of meat, thanks to the clan chief’s favor.
But this time was different. Hu Ma, Zhou Datong, and even Li Wa Zi were all seated at the table, accompanied by the clan chief, Second Uncle, and several village elders. Wine bowls were even placed in front of them.
When the dishes started coming, the village’s respect was even more evident.
Although the village was poor, a proper feast couldn’t be without chicken, fish, and meat. But usually, the village’s limited conditions meant they couldn’t afford such luxuries. These dishes were often wooden chickens and wooden fish, with a bit of sauce poured over them for good luck.
But today, the old clan chief had ordered real chickens to be killed, real fish to be served, and a square piece of meat was placed in the center of the plate, though small, it was genuine White Ta Sui, a hearty dish!
In terms of grandeur, this feast was no less impressive than when the village had hosted a manager from the Lady Society.
Well, the only thing missing was Widow Li, who was now in Zhou Datong’s kitchen, helping to fry the fish...
After a short while, three dishes were served, and the old clan chief led the toasts, starting the feast.
The villagers crowded around, sitting at about six tables. Even those who couldn’t get a seat watched from a distance.
The old clan chief was incredibly happy, toasting one after another. When the wine started to take effect, he began to show off the things Hu Ma and the others had brought back, praising each item.
The pork brought back from the city looked so fatty, the rice so white, clearly the kind eaten by wealthy families.
The cloth...
...no one should touch it; it’s what Datong brought back to show his filial piety. I’ll keep it to make my funeral clothes.
Even those who initially doubted that Hu Ma and the others had returned so soon with someone as a manager were convinced when they saw these fine items.
In the past, some had left the village to seek a living in the city, but if they could support themselves and bring back some grain for their elderly mothers and wives, it was already considered good.
Who would have thought that these children could bring back so many good things after just one year?
No amount of boasting could be as convincing as these tangible items. Each one was something the villagers cherished deeply.
When Hu Ma’s items were shown, the villagers saw cloth, sugar, high-quality tobacco, and wine, and were both envious and confused. The Hu family had no one left in the village, so who were these items for?
Seeing this, Hu Ma smiled and said, "The things I brought back are naturally to show my filial piety to Second Uncle. He has worked so hard to teach us, shouldn’t we show our respect?"
These words moved Second Uncle to the point that his eyes almost welled up with tears. Even the clan chief became solemn, raising his wine bowl:
"Old Two, you’ve been teaching our village children to worship Ta Sui year after year and have raised some capable ones."
"You are a great contributor to our village. I must toast you..."
"..."
Second Uncle, a rough and tough man, was both moved and at a loss for words, feeling somewhat flustered:
"Are they not our own children? Isn’t this what we should do?"
"Don't be so polite with me, you damn brat?"
"……"
The Old Clan Leader's face darkened as he heard this: "My elder brother is not your elder brother?"
The villagers burst into laughter.
Normally, who would dare to laugh at Second Uncle and the Clan Leader? But today, anything goes.
With the Old Clan Leader leading the way, many people came to toast Second Uncle. Even Hu Ma and the others who had just returned were forced to drink a few bowls.
Second Uncle's dark face turned red from drinking, and he sighed while looking at the things Hu Ma brought back to show respect. "I knew you had a heart, and that you would be filial once you became successful. But I didn't expect you to be so successful that I would see it this year."
Hu Ma smiled and said, "It's just the beginning. In the future, I will always show respect, how could I forget you?"
"Don't just come back to show off."
Second Uncle put on the air of an elder and scolded Hu Ma, saying, "Is it easy to make a living outside?"
"Focus on your work, and don't skimp on spending money."
"……"
But after scolding, he sighed softly, "However, it's good that you came back this year."
"Your grandmother was just inducted into the Ancestral Hearth this year, and there was no younger generation to burn paper for her in the first year. It's not a good look."
"If you hadn't come back this time, and everyone knew you were learning skills outside, it would be understandable, and your grandmother probably wouldn't blame you. But in the eyes of the villagers, it would still seem a bit off. Now that you've come back, I'm relieved..."
"……"
Hu Ma nodded and said, "I understand."
In fact, Second Uncle didn't know the true situation of his grandmother, he just assumed she was really gone. He placed great importance on the incense and offerings.
If Hu Ma didn't return, he wouldn't mention it, but he would feel a sense of regret.
As for the villagers, who knows what kind of gossip would spread. If an elder who died in the first year had no younger generation to burn paper for them, it would invite ridicule.
The drinking session lasted until nightfall, and the villagers dispersed. Hu Ma returned to his small house.
After being away for just a few months, the small house seemed somewhat desolate and dusty. Hu Ma cleaned it up and slept in it that night.
In his drunken daze, he vaguely felt as if his grandmother was still outside, reciting incantations to protect him.
Thinking about it, he had been in this world for quite a while and had experienced so much, yet it all seemed like a dream.
But no matter what, he had already taken the first step on his path and needed to continue walking it well.
The next day, the village was still very lively.
It was as if the group of children who returned from the city had injected a breath of fresh air into the village.
Of course, Hu Ma and the others didn't actually return from the city. The village they stayed in was at most just a town. But the villagers didn't care about that. The Red Lantern Lady Association was in the city, and those who returned from the Lady Association were considered city people.
It was now the end of the year, and the farming work had slowed down. The villagers, who were busy all year, were only free for these few days.
There were people drinking, playing Pai Gow, everywhere.
Only Cui Family's Third Son was missing, so the Pai Gow games were a bit less lively.
But because these apprentices had returned, there were many more people visiting and chatting. The thresholds of Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, Zhao Zhu, and Li Wa Zi's houses were almost worn out.
Families with children came to inquire about the city and how to learn skills, hoping that their own children would work hard and be able to work in the Lady Association like these successful people.
Hu Ma didn't get this treatment because he had been invited to eat and drink almost every day.
On New Year's Day, when they heard that Hu Ma had become a manager in the Red Lantern Lady Association, the villagers found it hard to believe. But after Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, and Zhao Zhu explained what had happened in the village, they finally believed it. The Hu family boy wasn't just successful; he was incredibly talented.
Thinking about their own children being cared for by him in the future, and perhaps even the whole village, everyone vied to invite him to eat and drink.
This was rare in the village. In the past, the lively activities near the New Year were mostly centered around the few wealthy families in the village.
But this year, the most lively place was the Hu family.
Although Hu Ma understood the villagers' thoughts, he was really not used to being invited to eat and drink every day.
He could only blame himself for not becoming a security captain in his previous life and not learning how to socialize with important people.
Fortunately, Second Uncle saw that too many people were inviting him and scolded them, saying, "Don't be so polite. Hu Ma may have become a manager in the Red Lantern Lady Association, but he's still a child, not even fully grown. What are you inviting him to eat every day?"
"If you keep inviting him, will you invite him to the widow's bed next?"
"……"
Hearing Second Uncle's words, the villagers finally restrained themselves.
Now, Second Uncle's status was no longer ordinary. Hu Ma had become a manager in the Red Lantern Lady Association.
Second Uncle was the one who had taught the manager of the Red Lantern Lady Association.
Because of this, Hu Ma had some free time to clean his house inside and out and learn about the Ancestral Hearth Ceremony from Second Uncle.
This was the most important thing for him when he returned to the village.
(End of Chapter)
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