The siblings returned home, and upon learning that Sisi had learned such a skill from Miss Fan Xiaoniang, the village chief and his wife felt even more ashamed.
Li Wencai said, "These two children are truly righteous. From now on, we should consider them as an extra son and daughter-in-law, treating them like our own children."
Alas, these poor children had to grow up too quickly. Looking back at his own son, only two years younger, the difference was so vast!
Li Wencai could also see that Zehao and his wife were benevolent and also clear about favors and grudges. Their future achievements would not be as they were today; they would likely become as wealthy as that Master Wang in town.
He had paved the way for his son and daughter in advance. Even if they achieved nothing significant, just for their broadmindedness, his son's association with Zehao would not lead him astray in character!
As winter set in, almost every family in the village was hibernating.
Snowflakes fluttered outside. Wang Qian, leading her son and daughter, went to town long before the new year, rented a shop, and specialized in selling pastries and milk tea.
Zhao Jiaqi and Wang Zhaodi's families were also not idle. They hired over thirty women from the village and divided them into three groups.
One group took turns chopping meat with cleavers, filling basin after basin, with the whole yard piled high. Even the thatched houses became sausage workshops.
One group mixed the seasonings, all prepared in advance by Zhao Jiaqi.
The remaining group stuffed the sausages.
The three groups worked in cooperation, producing a significant amount daily. These were hung in the kitchen to dry before being sent to the restaurants.
A jin of dried sausage weighed only six to seven liang. She sold it at a high price, one liang of silver per jin, the same price as cured meat.
As soon as the various flavored sausages were out, Xie Kun took notice.
He brought good wine, good food, a pile of daily necessities, from ginseng to cotton cloth, from food to clothing to daily use items. Two full carts were loaded, eliminating the need to buy New Year's goods.
Upon seeing Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi, he chuckled and said, "You know what kind of person I am. I can't hide anything. I want everything your family produces. I know the rules, cash on delivery, full payment. I'm not short on money, how about we cooperate again?"
With business reaching this point, Fan Zehao couldn't refuse. Moreover, their cooperation had been quite good!
"One liang of silver per jin. Have you thought about it? This stuff is expensive!"
Xie Kun was taken aback by the price, but a plate at Tianxiang Lou only had a few thin slices, and with some braised meat added, that plate cost four to five hundred wen. A jin could be sliced into at least four or five plates!
"Yes, I want it all. If they can't afford it in town, I'll sell it in the county town, then the prefecture. If that doesn't work, I'll sell it in the capital, where there are wealthy families who won't mind this little bit of money!"
He was daring and decisive, and immediately took all these goods. Earning money without leaving home, the villagers who witnessed this scene were filled with envy.
On the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, preparations for the New Year began. Zhao Jiaqi was not stingy with the village women who worked for her. She prepared five jin of fatty pork for each of them in advance and gave an additional reward of one hundred wen.
"You have all worked hard during this time, and I have seen it. For the New Year, I have prepared meat and copper coins for you as a token of my appreciation. You can come to me to collect them after work."
"Working for the employer, not only do we get paid, but we also get rewards? Heavens, I've really met a kind-hearted person!"
"Exactly. Who said Madam Fan was stingy? She's giving us pork and copper coins. Now my family doesn't have to buy meat and can eat until after the first month!"
"Yes, yes, mine too. The reward of copper coins can also buy a few pieces of cloth to make clothes. How does this feel like a dream!"
Constant discussions could be heard inside. Zhao Jiaqi smiled and walked out of the house, looking at the overcast sky. It seemed it was going to snow again.
On New Year's Eve, the workshop completely stopped working and took a holiday. They also needed to celebrate the New Year properly.
At Fan Zehao's house.
In the kitchen, Zhang Cuihua was busy preparing the New Year's Eve dinner with her two daughters-in-law. The elder brother led the younger brother to paste couplets and hang red lanterns, creating a scene of joy and festivity.
As dusk fell, kerosene lamps were lit indoors.
On the New Year's Eve dinner table, there were a full sixteen dishes, including hot and cold, meat and vegetarian.
Outside, firecrackers crackled noisily for a while, and fireworks bloomed in the sky, instantly illuminating the small courtyard.
The wolves seemed to know it was a festive day, with two howling towards the sky.
Seeing the fireworks, the villagers stood at a distance, watching the excitement. Unexpectedly, they heard the wolves howling, and were scared back into their houses, peeking out through the windows.
This New Year was filled with mixed surprises.
At the dinner table, Zhang Cuihua's eyes welled up with tears. This was the first time in forty years that she had eaten such a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner. No longer starving, with money left over, her heart was filled with peace.
She raised her cup and said to Zhao Jiaqi with emotion, "Mother thanks you. Over the past year, you have contributed so much to our family, leading to the life we have now. Marrying you is our family's fortune. This first cup, Mother toasts you!"
Zhang Cuihua, who wasn't much of a drinker, downed it in one gulp.
This made Zhao Jiaqi very embarrassed. "Mother, it should be me thanking you. You treat me like your own daughter and don't bully your daughter-in-law. You're the only one like that in our village. Our lives will be even better in the future. Let's not talk about the past; it's in the past."
Zehao also raised his wine glass. Having studied with Murong Sheng for over a month, his words were a bit scholarly. "I wish Father and Mother, elder brother and sister-in-law, and our couple a happy New Year, filled with joy every day. In the coming year, let us build on past successes and earn a lot of money."
Everyone at the table, except Zhang Cuihua and Fan He who were seated, stood up. Without many words, they drank the cup of wine.
The New Year's Eve dinner was lively. As midnight struck, firecrackers and fireworks exploded one after another above Fan Zehao's house.
As the firecrackers continued, dumplings for welcoming wealth were served.
Everyone ate a few dumplings symbolically, hoping for great fortune in the new year, and a harmonious and sweet happy life.
On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, as the sky began to lighten, the villagers started visiting each other in groups.
The mother-in-law, leading her son and daughter-in-law, went first to the clan elder Fan Dongliang's house. Upon entering, they saw the clan elder sitting in a grand chair, in the center of the main hall, his eyes wide open and looking at the arrivals with spirited eyes.
The beard on his lips trembled slightly, and ripples appeared in his dim eyes.
With a thud, the group knelt on the prepared mat and kowtowed, "Wishing the clan elder a happy New Year, all the best, and success in all endeavors!"
Fan Dongliang's hands trembled slightly with excitement. "Good, good, good. I also wish you success in all your endeavors. Fan Biao, quickly help them up. It's cold, don't kneel."
Wang Zhaodi didn't need her uncle Fan Biao to help her mother. She nimbly helped Zhang Cuihua up and then quickly brushed the dust off her mother-in-law's knees.
Seeing this, Fan Dongliang was particularly pleased.
The grandson's wife was old and now enjoyed blessings. Not only were her own son and daughter-in-law filial, but her stepson and stepdaughter-in-law were also so. He was happy for them.
After being seated, Fan Biao placed peanuts and candies on the table, poured them water, and then sat beside Fan Dongliang.
At this moment, Fan Zehao noticed that his younger siblings were not present and asked, "Xiaofeng, Xudong, and Meichen haven't returned from their New Year's visits yet?"