North Family Letters

Several nights passed peacefully like this, and the initial anxiety about the earthquake was completely worn away by the warmth of the sisters' companionship.

During the day, the small shop remains open as usual, the aroma of stewed food still wafting through the street, customers coming and going, bustling as always. As night falls, after tidying up the shop and turning off the main lights, the six sisters light candles and turn on emergency lights, gathering around the table to spend their days in lively conversation. Chunyan will reheat the leftovers from the day, cook a pot of hot porridge or soup, and set out a few dishes of pickled vegetables and snacks. They eat and chat around the table, the aroma of food mingling with laughter, dispelling the chill of the night.

After a hearty meal, the mahjong table was set up, and the playing cards were laid out, creating another lively atmosphere. Eldest Sister Chunyan remained a master at the mahjong table, winning several hands effortlessly. Qiuju stood by, occasionally joining in, but her mind was still on the food, her conversation inevitably drifting to the cooking time of the stew in the iron pot. Xiahe had gradually mastered the ins and outs of mahjong, no longer a novice, occasionally winning a hand, her eyes crinkling with delight. The fourth, fifth, and sixth brothers were the most boisterous, playing cards noisily, resorting to all sorts of tricks and coquettishness, filling the room with their clear laughter.

The glass, upside down on the corner of the table, remained perfectly still, never wobbling, becoming the most reassuring anchor. If they got sleepy at night, they would take turns leaning against the back of their chairs for a while; no one felt anxious. With their sisters by their side, even the darkness seemed gentle. No one spoke of worries anymore; they simply cherished this rare time together, turning these special days into a leisurely and beautiful period.

That evening, the television broadcast a message that the earthquake warning had been officially lifted and the power supply in the surrounding area had been completely restored. Bright lights instantly filled the small shop, illuminating the interior.

Old Six clapped his hands and jumped around, laughing and shouting, "The alarm's off! We don't have to be so worried anymore!" Qiu Ju looked at the steadily placed glass on the corner of the table, then at the familiar smiling faces around her, her heart filled with warmth. Chun Yan turned off the emergency light, blew out the remaining candle, and said with a smile, "It's alright now, everything will be peaceful from now on."

The sisters exchanged smiles. These days and nights spent together by candlelight, playing chess and cards, and relying on each other, became precious memories unique to the six of them. There were no storms, no fears, only the peace and warmth of a family sitting together. This made them understand even more that being together as a family is the most steadfast happiness in the world.

The smoke from the small shop still rises, and the sisters' united lives are slowly moving towards a warmer and better future. The morning after the earthquake warning was completely lifted, just as dawn was breaking, Song Chunyan habitually got up first to check the ingredients and tally the accounts in the kitchen. Having slept poorly for the past few nights, she was more meticulous than usual.

Qiuju also got up, lifted the pot lid to look at the soup left over from yesterday, and then pondered how to add two new dishes today.

"The alarm has been lifted, so the store should be tidied up and restored to its usual state," Qiuju said.

Chunyan nodded: "It's time to tidy it up. We've been playing mahjong in the dark these past few days, and the table is covered in dust. Wipe it clean inside and out, and it'll look much brighter."

By the time the fourth, fifth, and sixth brothers got up, the shop was already filled with the aroma of breakfast. The group sat together, drinking porridge and chatting, laughing about the absurd things they'd done the past few nights.

Some people fell asleep in their chairs while playing cards, some woke up once in the middle of the night to check if the upside-down cup had moved, and some dreamed of an earthquake, only to find out that there was just a strong wind outside the window.

Watching this scene, Song Xiahe felt both tender and at ease.

During her years abroad, she had seen all sorts of situations, but never before had she felt so at ease, even though these past few days had been filled with anxiety and trepidation.

"Sister," Xia He put down her bowl, "I've thought it through these past few days. No matter how good things are outside, nothing beats the peace of mind at home. From now on, I can help with anything that needs organizing, accounting, or paperwork at the shop."

Qiuju's eyes lit up: "That's exactly what I was thinking of telling you. We used to run a small restaurant, and we want to make it more stable in the future. You've seen the rules outside, so you can help us make the restaurant more respectable."

The group immediately agreed.

From that day on, the shop no longer relied solely on the old methods to make a living:

Chunyan still manages the kitchen and accounts, and she is meticulous about every penny.

Qiuju focuses on preserving the flavor, refining the cooking techniques and taste of Northeastern cuisine.

Xiahe used her experience to gradually develop a standardized service and hygiene process.

The smaller staff also had clearly defined roles: some were in charge of cashiering, some were in charge of taking orders online, and some were specifically there to greet customers.

The shop still had that warm, lively atmosphere, but now it was more organized and full of hope.

When regular customers come back, they all say:

"Your shop still tastes the same, but it looks cleaner and tidier than before."

Qiuju stood in front of the stove, listening to the laughter of her sisters in the front hall and smelling the aroma of the dishes filling the house. Suddenly, she remembered the journey her mother took them to Yunnan to visit her father when she was a child.

Back then, I felt the mountains and rivers were high and the journey was long, and life was difficult; now I understand:

When a family stays together and their hearts are united, even the most difficult road will gradually become wider.

The sunlight outside the window was perfect, and the shop was bustling with activity.

The glass that had once been upside down on the table to warn of earthquakes was now clean and neatly placed on the corner of the table, filled with warm water.

The anxiety and unease of the past have turned into the steady and peaceful life we ​​have now.

Several nights passed peacefully like this, and the initial anxiety about the earthquake was completely worn away by the warmth of the sisters' companionship.

In a small town in Northeast China during the 90s, a lingering tension remained in the air after the earthquake. But stepping into the iron pot stew shop run by six sisters, the warm, smoky atmosphere of the shop kept the outside world's dangers at bay. At the crackling of dawn, the large iron pot in the kitchen was already burning, the firewood crackling, and the aroma of stewed ribs and goose bubbling and wafting far down the street, drawing the attention of passersby. Regular customers would push open the door with practiced ease, calling out, "The usual!" The shop would instantly come alive with the sounds of tables being wiped, customers chatting and laughing, and the bubbling of the iron pot—just like before the earthquake, as if the tremor had been nothing more than a fleeting scare.

As night fell and the streets thinned out, the six sisters quickly tidied up their shop, wiping down the tables and chairs, arranging the bowls and chopsticks, and turning off the glaring main light. Initially, the power had gone out due to the earthquake, plunging the night into darkness. Although power hadn't been fully restored, they had long since grown accustomed to such nights. They lit a few thick red candles, their soft orange-yellow light spreading gently, and then turned on the emergency light in the corner. The dim, warm glow made the small shop feel exceptionally cozy. The six of them sat around the wooden table, the daytime hustle and bustle gone, quietly enjoying their time together. The eldest sister, Chunyan, would always carefully reheat the leftover dishes from the daytime until they were piping hot, and then cook a pot of hot millet porridge or cabbage and tofu soup. She would also set out several dishes of homemade pickled cabbage and radish strips, as well as leftover snacks from the New Year. The group would sit around the table, eating and chatting. The aroma of the food mixed with warm laughter gradually dispelled the coldness and silence of the night, and even the cold wind blowing through the window seemed less biting.

After a satisfying meal, the shop became a lively little haven. Two square tables were pushed together to make a makeshift mahjong table. A deck of playing cards, worn smooth at the edges, was pulled out, and laughter immediately filled the air. The eldest sister, Chunyan, was still a master at the mahjong table. She sat calmly and composed at the table, her mahjong tiles neatly arranged. She could win several rounds without making a sound. Even when she won, she didn't boast, but a slight upturn of her lips revealed a confident and decisive air. Qiuju, on the other hand, was quiet and mostly stayed by the side, watching her sisters have fun. Occasionally, she would be pulled into a game, but her mind would always drift back to the kitchen. As she talked, she would veer towards the heat of the stew in the iron pot, muttering about whether she should add more wide rice noodles tomorrow, or whether the ribs should be stewed for half an hour longer to be more flavorful. When Xia He first came back, she knew nothing about mahjong. But these past few days, she's been learning from her sisters and has gradually figured it out. She's no longer the clueless novice she once was. Occasionally, she wins a hand, and her eyes crinkle into crescent moons, revealing a rare hint of girlish joy, shedding the sense of alienation she felt while wandering away from home. The fourth, fifth, and sixth sisters are the youngest and the most boisterous. They argue and bicker when playing cards, throwing tantrums when they lose and clapping and laughing when they win. Their clear laughter echoes throughout the house, adding countless moments of vibrancy to this special time.

The glass on the corner of the table, placed upside down, stood there steadily for days without wobbling, becoming the most reassuring anchor for the six sisters. When they were sleepy at night, they would take turns leaning back in their chairs to rest, or wrap themselves in a thick coat for a nap. With each other by their side, no one felt panicked or afraid. Before, when alone at night, they would always think of the shaking during the earthquake and feel terrified, but now, surrounded by their closest sisters, even the darkest nights felt gentle. No one spoke of worries anymore, no one thought of the fear of the earthquake; they simply cherished this rare time together, turning these special and peaceful days into a slow, warm, and cherished period.

That evening, the old-fashioned television in the shop suddenly regained signal. The announcer on the screen clearly announced that the earthquake warning had been officially lifted and the power supply in the surrounding area had been completely restored. As soon as the words were spoken, the incandescent lights in the shop instantly turned on, and the bright light shone into every corner of the small shop, illuminating the tables, chairs, kitchen utensils, and walls. The light was so bright that it made one's eyes slightly sore, but one was also filled with joy.

The sixth child was the first to react, jumping and clapping his hands, his little face full of joy, shouting with a smile, "The alarm's off! We don't have to be so worried anymore!" Qiuju turned to look at the steadily placed glass on the corner of the table, then at the familiar and warm smiling faces around her, her heart filled with warmth, her eyes slightly moist. Chunyan stepped forward, turned off the still-on emergency light, picked up a match and blew out the remaining candle, watching the wisps of smoke rise after the flame went out, she smiled and said, "It's alright now, everything will be peaceful from now on, and our lives should be back on track completely."

The women exchanged smiles, their eyes filled with relief and warmth. These days and nights spent together by candlelight, playing chess and cards, relying on and comforting each other, became precious memories unique to the six sisters. There were no storms, no fears, no barriers, only the peace and warmth of a family gathered together. This made them understand from the bottom of their hearts that being together as a family, supporting and relying on each other, is the most steadfast and precious happiness in the world.

The smoke from the small shop continued to rise daily, and the hearts of the six sisters remained tightly bound together. Their united lives were slowly moving towards a warmer and better future. The morning after the earthquake warning was completely lifted, just as dawn broke and the sky was still tinged with the pale light of a fish's belly, Song Chunyan habitually got up first, grabbed a flashlight, and checked the shop inside and out. Then she went into the kitchen to carefully check the freshness of the ingredients and meticulously tallied the accounts. These past few days, her mind had been preoccupied with the earthquake, making her sleep restless. Ironically, she was more meticulous than usual, afraid of overlooking even the slightest detail.

Qiuju also got up early, went into the kitchen, lifted the pot lid, looked at the soup left over from yesterday, and squatted in front of the ingredient basket, thinking about adding two new dishes today to give the regular customers a change of pace.

"The alarm's off, so the shop should be tidied up and restored to normal. It's been a mess these past few days, so it needs to be organized," Qiuju said softly as she arranged the vegetables.

Chunyan nodded, wiping the stove with her hands, and said, "It's time to tidy it up. We've been playing cards around the table in the dark these past few days, and the table is covered in dust. Let's wipe it clean inside and out, and make it spotless so it looks bright and clean. When we're doing business, we need to present a neat and tidy appearance."

As the fourth, fifth, and sixth brothers got up one after another, the shop was already filled with the aroma of breakfast: steaming millet porridge with pickled vegetables and freshly steamed buns. It was simple, but it warmed everyone's hearts. The group sat together drinking porridge, chatting and laughing about the absurd things that had happened the past few nights—someone had fallen asleep so tired from playing cards that he slumped in his chair and woke up groggily asking if there had been an earthquake; someone else woke up once in the middle of the night to check if the cup on the corner of the table had moved, fearing another shaking; and someone else dreamed of an earthquake, waking up in fright, only to find it was just a strong wind outside, making the doors and windows creak.

Song Xiahe sat to the side, watching her sisters chat and laugh, feeling both soft-hearted and at ease. During those years abroad, she had traveled extensively, seen bustling cities, experienced the coldness and warmth of human relationships, lived in spacious houses, and ate exquisite meals, but never before had she felt as at ease and at home as she had these past few days. Despite the anxiety and trepidation of these special days, squeezed into a small shop, living a simple and unpretentious life, she felt more at ease and at home than ever before.

"Sister," Xia He put down her chopsticks and looked at Chunyan and Qiuju with a determined gaze, "I've figured it out these past few days. No matter how good it is outside, it's not home. It's more reassuring than home. I can help with anything that needs organizing, accounting, or paperwork at the shop. I've learned a lot outside, and it'll come in handy."

Qiuju's eyes lit up, and a look of joy appeared on her face. She quickly said, "That's exactly what I was going to tell you. We used to be a small restaurant, relying on the old flavors and honest business practices. In the future, we want to make it more stable and larger in scale. You've seen the rules outside and know the new management methods. You can help us make the shop more professional and respectable."

The group quickly reached an agreement, all eager to make the shop better and better.

From that day on, the shop no longer simply followed the old ways. With a clear division of labor and everyone fulfilling their responsibilities, everything became orderly and efficient: Chunyan continued to manage the kitchen and accounts, meticulously calculating every expense and every ingredient, leaving no detail overlooked, keeping the kitchen running flawlessly; Qiuju focused on preserving the flavors of the dishes, single-mindedly studying the cooking techniques and tastes of Northeastern cuisine, refining the flavor of the iron pot stew until it was tender and falling off the bone, and the sauerkraut was tangy and flavorful, bringing back the original taste. Nothing changed in the end; Xiahe used her experience to gradually develop a set of standardized service and hygiene procedures, from greeting customers when they enter the store to cleaning up after meals, and to the store's hygiene standards, everything was clearly defined, making the small shop more disciplined; Lao Si, Lao Wu, and Lao Liu also had clear divisions of labor, some focused on managing the cashier, doing accounts quickly and carefully; some learned to take orders online and connect with businesses in the surrounding area; and some were dedicated to greeting customers in the front hall, being sweet-talking and diligent, which won the favor of customers.

The shop still exudes that warm, smoky atmosphere, and the aroma of stewed meat still fills the street corner. But upon closer inspection, it now has a more organized and promising feel. When regular customers return, they enter with smiles and praise, "Your shop still tastes like authentic Northeastern cuisine, but it looks cleaner and more organized than before, and it's becoming more and more presentable!"

Qiuju stood before the stove, watching the stew bubbling in the pot, listening to her sisters' laughter in the front room, and smelling the familiar aroma of the food filling the house. Suddenly, she remembered her childhood, when her mother had taken her and her sisters on a long journey to Yunnan to visit their father. Back then, she was young and thought the journey was long and arduous, the days bitter and tiring. She always longed to grow up quickly and have a better life. Now she understood that as long as a family stays together, hearts united, supporting and relying on each other, even the hardest road will widen with time, and even the bitterest days will warm with time.

The sunlight streaming through the window was perfect, casting a warm glow into the shop and illuminating the busy women. The shop was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of cooking and swirling smoke, brimming with life. The glass that had once been upside down on the table as a warning of an earthquake was now spotless, washed clean without a speck of dust, and sat upright on the corner of the table, filled with warm water, peacefully and steadily.

The anxiety and unease of the past have long since dissipated with the stability of daily life; the estrangement and resentment hidden in their hearts have also gradually melted away in the warmth of sisterly companionship. Now, all that remains is a steady life and a close-knit family. They will walk the road ahead together, making the shop better and better, and making their lives more and more prosperous.