How did hiring someone to press a pig image during Chinese New Year become a top trend?

We left the bustling threshing ground.

The noise seemed to be shut out behind them by an invisible wall.

Xu An followed behind his grandfather, walking unsteadily towards his fifth aunt's house.

I just ate a lot of dumplings, and now they're sloshing around in my stomach as I walk.

I feel a little full, but also a little panicked.

"Master."

"That cat...was it really born today?"

"Didn't it go to the hospital for an ultrasound or anything?"

Xu An held up his phone, pointing it at his grandfather's hunched but strong back.

The number of viewers in the live stream has actually increased instead of decreased.

Everyone is full.

I am currently in a state of extreme emptiness after a meal and in dire need of spiritual nourishment.

[ID Obstetrics and Gynecology Department Director on the Run]: Host, what are you saying? Why would you do an ultrasound when a cat is giving birth?

[ID: Second-time mom]: Delivery? I'm an expert at that! Don't panic, host, get the hot water and scissors ready!

[ID Cat Lover]: Er Gouzi? Is this name for real?

Grandpa didn't turn his head, carrying the empty enamel basin in his hand.

"Cats are smarter than people."

"It knows when to act."

"That cat of Aunt Wu's is the 'village beauty' of our village."

She's usually very aloof.

"Besides Fifth Aunt, I'll only let you touch me a couple of times."

That's because they trust you.

As they spoke, the two arrived at Aunt Wu's courtyard.

The light in the main room was still on, but Aunt Wu wasn't inside.

A dim, yellowish light emanated from the woodshed in the corner of the courtyard.

That was the light from an old-fashioned flashlight.

It smelled a bit dusty.

Xu An tiptoed over.

The door to the woodshed was ajar.

Aunt Wu was kneeling on a pile of dry straw.

The straw was laid out thickly, and a layer of old cotton wadding was placed on top of it.

That was the softest piece of clothing among Aunt Wu's closet of old clothes.

A completely black cat is lying on its side on a cotton quilt.

Her belly was so big it looked like she was carrying a pomelo.

It was breathing rapidly.

It occasionally let out two low "snoring" sounds.

That sounds a bit painful.

Xu An subconsciously held his breath.

He zoomed in, but didn't dare get too close, afraid of startling the cat.

"You're here?"

Fifth Aunt didn't even look up, her voice very low.

He wasn't as harsh as he usually was when scolding students.

Instead, it carries a calming power.

Did you wash your hands?

Xu An nodded quickly, switched the phone to the other hand, and stretched out his hand, which had been rubbed red by the well.

"It's been washed."

"I lathered with soap three times."

Fifth Aunt pointed to the stool next to her.

"Sit there."

"Light it up."

"My old eyes are failing, I can't see clearly."

Xu An obediently sat down.

Turn on the flashlight behind Huawei Master.

Although this phone is expensive, at this moment, it's just a high-end flashlight.

The beam of light hit the black cat.

"Er Gouzi" struggled to lift his head and glanced at Xu An.

There was no aggression in those eerie green eyes.

There is only one kind of wet prayer.

It recognizes Xu An.

In the past, Xu An would always secretly bring a sausage for it when he came home from school.

"Meow..."

A faint cry.

It was like a small hook, making Xu An's heart tremble.

Social anxiety?

They've long forgotten about it by now.

Right now, all he can think about is nervousness.

It was even more nerve-wracking than giving a speech to thousands of people.

The comments in the live stream were surprisingly harmonious.

No one spammed the chat; everyone was posting cautiously.

[ID holding his breath]: Oh my god, that looks so painful.

[ID加油二狗子]: Please stay safe!

[ID Veterinarian Xiaoming]: She looks like she's about to give birth. Has her water broken?

"It's broken."

Aunt Wu seemed to be able to see the comments on the screen and replied with a message.

She reached out and gently stroked Er Gouzi's back.

Start from the neck and run down to the tailbone.

The movements were as gentle as if stroking a fragile piece of tofu.

"Don't be afraid."

"good."

"Push harder."

Aunt Wu's voice carried a strange rhythm.

It's like coaxing a child to sleep.

Xu An's hand holding the phone was trembling slightly.

It's not from being tired.

I was scared.

He has seen hens lay eggs and sows give birth since he was a child.

But this is the first time I've ever seen a cat give birth so close up.

The black cat suddenly convulsed.

Its hind legs were stretched straight.

Its claws dug deep into the cotton wool.

A sharp, piercing scream escaped its lips.

"Awoo—"

Xu An's heart clenched suddenly.

My phone almost fell to the ground.

"Hold on!"

Fifth Aunt gave a low shout.

"Stop shaking!"

"The head is out!"

Xu An quickly bit her lip and gripped her phone tightly with both hands.

Force yourself to remain motionless like a statue.

In the shot, a wet little head is wrapped in a transparent film.

It was a struggle to squeeze it out.

So small.

It's as small as a walnut.

Fifth Aunt's hands are incredibly fast.

She didn't pull him directly.

Instead, it gently supported the mother cat, following the rhythm of her efforts.

"call……"

With the mother cat's final effort.

A creature resembling a small mouse slid down onto the cotton wool.

Do not move.

It doesn't call out either.

Xu An's heart was in his throat.

"Dead...dead?"

He stammered out a question.

Fifth Aunt ignored him.

Skillfully, he tore off the thin film.

Then, I picked up a clean gauze and quickly wiped the mucus from the kitten's mouth and nose.

a bit.

Two times.

The movements were so fast they were dazzling.

Followed by.

Aunt Wu picked up the kitten by the scruff of its neck and shook it gently.

"squeak--"

A sound, barely louder than a mosquito's buzz, rang out in the woodshed.

live!

Xu An felt the breath he had been holding in finally escape.

The cold sweat on my back instantly soaked through my hoodie.

The live stream chat exploded instantly.

The gift effects flew all over the screen like fireworks.

[ID: Internet Auntie]: I cried! I really cried when I heard that call!

【ID Life Miracle】: Welcome to this world, little one!

[ID Huixian Culture and Tourism]: @Xu An Congratulations! This is the newest member of our Xu Family Village!

"He's a guy."

Fifth Aunt glanced at it and casually placed the kitten in Er Gouzi's arms.

Er Gouzi was weak.

But it immediately and instinctively stuck out its tongue and licked the wet little thing.

The originally black fur became fluffier after being licked dry.

Xu An only saw it clearly at this moment.

"what?"

"Why is it white?"

"Who is this father?"

"Er Gouzi is all black."

Xu An's sarcastic remark, delivered with a heavy Henan accent, instantly shattered the solemn atmosphere that had just been there.

The style of the live stream suddenly changed.

[ID: Neighbor Wang]: Case solved! The big white cat next door, come out and take your punishment!

[ID gene mutation]: This is because there's not enough ink, hahaha!

[ID: Unlucky Gives Birth to Lucky]: This is great news! A black cat giving birth to a white cat means life is about to get brighter!

Before Xu An could even figure out this genetic issue...

Er Gouzi convulsed again.

"besides."

Fifth Aunt's eyes narrowed.

"This one is fast."

Sure enough, in less than five minutes, the second one slid out successfully.

This one is just like its mother, all black, like a lump of charcoal.

You definitely won't find it if you throw it in a coal pile.

Then came the third one.

Flowers.

His black and white outfit makes him look like a young gentleman in a tuxedo.

Three.

After giving birth to these three puppies, Er Gouzi was completely exhausted.

His belly rose and fell with his breathing, and his eyes were unfocused.

He was clearly exhausted.

Aunt Wu quickly brought over a bowl of brown sugar water that had been prepared beforehand.

There were also two raw eggs inside.

Dip your finger in the mixture and dab it little by little around Er Gouzi's mouth.

Er Gouzi stuck out his tongue and licked it.

They regained some spirits.

Xu An looked at the three little creatures wriggling in their mother's arms.

That instant.

He thought about the two thousand jin of scallions and the five thousand jin of potatoes.

Even the cafeteria that's under construction.

None of them were as shocking as this moment.

This is life.

No grand narrative is needed.

It was in this dilapidated woodshed.

On a pile of straw and old cotton wadding.

It continued quietly.

"that……"

Xu An spoke very softly, afraid of disturbing the family of four.

"Family members."

"She gave birth."

"Three."

"Mother and child are safe."

In front of the camera, Xu An's face, which usually always looked a little bewildered, was visible.

But at this moment, it was unusually gentle.

The "clear stupidity" in his eyes transformed into an almost devout light.

[Screenshot of ID for posterity]: The streamer looks really handsome at this moment.

[ID Want to Raise]: Hey streamer! I've reserved that white one! I want to virtually raise a cat!

[ID Naming Failure]: Hurry up and come up with a name! How can such an important event be without a name?

"Naming it?"

Xu An was stunned for a moment.

He scratched his head.

I glanced at Aunt Wu, who was licking brown sugar water.

Fifth Aunt.

"Netizens asked me to come up with a name."

Fifth Aunt put down the bowl and wiped her hands.

I glanced at the three little ones who were still looking for milk.

"You are a college student."

"You get up."

"Make it more stylish."

"Don't be like your grandpa, who named his child either Dog Egg or Iron Pillar."

Grandpa stood at the door of the woodshed, puffing on his pipe.

Hearing this, he was displeased.

"What's wrong with Dog Egg?"

"Dog Egg is easy to raise!"

"That's called having a humble name that brings longevity!"

Xu An felt immense pressure.

Naming?

This is a technical job.

He looked at the three kittens.

Suddenly, images of all the supplies I received today flashed through my mind.

I glanced past that pot of steaming dumplings.

The image of that honest-looking Shandong man flashed before my eyes.

"that……"

"or……"

Xu An tentatively spoke up.

"Boss, the white one."

"It looks like a scallion."

"How about calling it... Green Onion?"

There was a three-second silence in the live stream.

Then there was a series of ellipses.

[ID I don't understand]: ...

【ID This is very Xu An】: Although it's outrageous, why do I feel it's so fitting?

[ID: Scallion with Dipping Sauce]: Does that mean I can't look at scallions the same way anymore?

Aunt Wu's lips twitched.

He clearly wanted to swear.

But I held back.

Seeing that no one objected, Xu An became bolder.

Pointing to the second oldest, the one that's all black.

"It's all dark."

"It looks a bit like the cooked potato peel from the pot earlier."

"That's not right either, potato skins are yellow."

"But it grows from the soil."

"Then let's call it... Potato?"

[ID: Desperate Illiterate]: Potatoes are black? Are you colorblind, streamer?

[ID barely acceptable]: Fine, a humble name is easier to raise, Potato is a pretty honest name.

Then came the third child.

The black and white one.

Xu An smiled.

She was smiling very brightly.

"No need to think about that."

"Look at its belly, it's so round and plump."

"That's the blessing that Fifth Aunt left for us."

"Let's call it... dumplings."

Green onion.

potato.

Dumplings.

These three names came out.

Hundreds of thousands of netizens in the entire live stream room.

At first, I was stunned.

then.

crazy.

[ID's God-Level Understanding]: Absolutely brilliant! This is today's recipe!

[The ID has sentimental value]: The scallion represents the loyalty of the Shandong brother, the potato represents the enthusiasm of netizens, and the dumplings represent the reunion of the whole village! This name is brilliant!

[ID with tears in my eyes]: I thought it was just a random guess, but it turns out it was all foreshadowing! Xu An, you've finally got a brain!

Aunt Wu was stunned for a moment after hearing the three names.

Looking at Xu An, the disdain in his eyes slowly faded.

Finally, it turned into a smile.

"OK."

"Just these three."

"That sounds... awesome."

Aunt Wu stretched out her rough fingers and poked the little belly of "Dumpling".

"Dumplings."

"You were raised by the entire village, bit by bit."

"When I grow up, I'll go catch mice."

"Don't embarrass your brother Xu An."

The atmosphere in the woodshed.

It became exceptionally warm and cozy.

The wind outside has stopped.

Only a few crickets were chirping in the corner of the woodshed.

Xu An squatted on the ground, watching the three little ones who had found the nipples and started suckling.

The emptiness I felt inside was filled.

"that……"

"Family members."

"The name has been chosen."

"They will grow up well."

"Just like our cafeteria."

Xu An stood up.

My legs feel a little numb.

He staggered and quickly grabbed the wall for support.

Grandpa tapped his tobacco pipe at the door.

The sparks flickered in the darkness.

"Alright."

"I've finished watching it."

"The name has been chosen."

"Let Er Gouzi rest for a while."

"Even a cat needs some peace and quiet during its postpartum period."

Xu An nodded.

"middle."

"Then...shall we retreat?"

He waved at the camera.

"Family members."

"It's really getting late today."

"This time the broadcast is really over."

"tomorrow……"

Xu An paused for a moment.

I glanced at the small patch of starry sky outside the woodshed.

The stars are exceptionally bright tonight.

"We'll talk about tomorrow."

"By the way..."

"I blocked that guy who wanted to watch me sleep."

Done.

Before netizens could react...

Xu An cut off the live stream with lightning speed using an extremely skillful technique.

The screen went black.

The last few comments flashed by.

[ID: Still Not Quite Enough]: They're gone already? I wanted to see the green onion one more time!

[ID Goodnight]: Goodnight, green onions, potatoes, dumplings. Goodnight, Xujia Village.

Xu An put his phone in his pocket.

The phone still felt hot.

Just like his heart right now.

"Master."

On the way back, Xu An suddenly shouted.

"What?"

Grandpa walked slowly, his hands behind his back.

"I've been thinking about it."

"The address on that remittance slip."

"If only the cafeteria were built."

"My fifth aunt and second uncle are both being fed."

Am I...?

"Could we go look for it?"

Grandpa paused for a moment.

But things quickly returned to normal.

But from behind, he didn't seem so hunched over anymore.

"Your legs are yours to grow."

Where do you want to go?

That's your problem.

"Just remember the way home."

"You can go anywhere."

Grandpa's voice drifted far into the night.

Xu An remained silent.

He simply tightened his military overcoat.

I took a deep breath of the crisp night air of the Taihang Mountains.

It's so cold.

But she is also truly clear-headed.

back home.

Xu An lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

One moment my mind is filled with that newly hatched "green onion".

A moment later, there was that blurry remittance slip.