The Nightmare Experience of a Useless Person

Firecrackers herald the arrival of spring, filling the night with noise. Two strings of firecrackers, like red chili peppers, exploded with a strong festive atmosphere, and even the chickens in the yard couldn't help but crow loudly in support.

"Let the feast begin!"

On the long table, there was a wide variety of delicacies, including wild pheasants caught the day before, prawns the size of half a palm, milky white mutton soup without any gamey smell, and juicy beef garnished with celery. Just one glance was enough to whet one's appetite. In addition to the big fish and meat dishes, tofu and green vegetables helped to cut through the richness, and of course, the round and full eight-treasure rice was also indispensable.

The children eagerly awaited the elders' first bite, their mouths watering. Finally, Old Jiang picked up his chopsticks and deftly placed them on a plate of braised fish.

"May everything have a beginning and an end, and may you have abundance every year!"

At a signal, bowls and chopsticks clattered together as the children wolfed down their food, their exclamations of praise rising and falling.

"This fish is so fresh! I've never eaten such delicious fish before!"

"This meat smells so good! The garlic and chili peppers inside are delicious!"

"Beef! So this is what beef tastes like! This is my first time eating it!"

"Eat slowly, eat slowly, it's New Year's Eve dinner, take your time."

"Cheer slowly and carefully, don't choke!"

"Wow, this green vegetable is delicious! It's different from usual!"

"With lard and chili peppers, it smells amazing!"

"It feels like a dream, like I'm floating on air, I'm about to take off!"

Qingjun also picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of green vegetable rice cake.

The white rice cakes are soft and bouncy, teasing the lips and teeth repeatedly on the tongue. After a few rounds, the green vegetables mixed in burst out with refreshing juice, accompanied by the silky and rich aroma of lard, quickly spreading between the teeth.

Unlike any dish Qingjun had ever eaten before, this New Year's Eve dinner was filled with the warmth and joy of everyday life.

The meat and vegetables are chewed in the mouth, but it is as if one can see the roaring fire in the stove and hear the clatter of spatulas. It is as if firewood is being split into similar thicknesses, ingredients are being cut into bite-sized pieces, and salt and sugar are clashing and competing in the hot pot. Just for this moment, all the hard work and busyness become extraordinary.

"Thank you, Sister Qingjun. Because of you, we have such nice clothes to wear and such good food to eat!"

In an instant, words of gratitude and praise swept across the table like rising waves, and sincere smiles graced every face.

Qingjun only wanted to look into his eyes, at the young man who was still recovering from his illness. His eyebrows were curved, as if he had let go of all his troubles and was only enjoying the joy of the moment. But when their eyes met, he suppressed his relaxation and put on a polite expression.

Politeness can also be a way of keeping people at arm's length. If the distance of a thousand miles means that the sense of loss no longer lingers, then perhaps that is the distance that Qingjun (the ruler) needs.

Her thoughts drifted aimlessly, like the last yellow leaf on a withered tree, hanging high, not falling, not at peace. The joy and laughter around her were shut out by the walls of her heart, but if one wanted to find out what she was thinking, all one could find was a blank.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, it is customary to stay up all night to welcome the new year, but Lok Sin Tong does not have this custom. After all, the children here are different from ordinary children, and it is always bad for them not to get enough sleep.

Once everyone had quieted down, Xiulian, who had been nowhere to be seen, tiptoed in. "Sister Qingjun."

She waved, signaling Qingjun to go out.

"What's wrong?"

Xiulian did not answer, but showed a serious expression she had never shown before. She took Qingjun's hand and led her to Old Jiang's bedroom.

The room was gloomy, and the half-finished candle shivered in the cold wind blowing in from outside. Old Jiang was already in bed, but when Qingjun entered, he trembled as he got up from under the covers.

At the head of the bed, at the foot of the bed, and on the chairs by the window, Aunt Dong, Jiang Shuo, and Jiang Zhiyang sat quietly, their faces expressionless, only their clenched hands revealing a hint of unease.

"Qingjun, Xiulian, you're both here." Old Jiang sat up and leaned against the not-so-sturdy bed frame.

"Originally, I shouldn't be saying such things on such a good day, but it's too late to say it tomorrow." Old Jiang opened his mouth, panting slightly after each few words, looking extremely weak. "As for me, I've already decided to disband Leshantang and send these children away on the third day of the month."

The room was quiet; everyone held their breath, unable to make a sound. Only Aunt Dong and Jiang Shuo stared wide-eyed, yet seemed too excited to speak.

"Six months ago, I asked Zhiyang to go to the city to find suitable families for these young people. Zhiyang, tell me, how did the matchmaking go?" Old Jiang spoke slowly and deliberately, as if he were talking about something very ordinary. Only the candlelight reflected in his withered yellow eyes flickered slightly.

"I," Jiang Zhiyang's breath trembled, his tone different from usual, as if he were choking back tears, "There's a wealthy family that owns four embroidery workshops and five shops. The master and mistress are kind people. They have three sons and have always wanted a daughter. They say they're willing to adopt Ali, Xiaotao, and Xuanxuan together. Jinxiangfang, a large shop in the city that deals in fabrics, provides room and board and wages, and is willing to hire Acha as an apprentice. The Zhao family near Funing Bridge, a couple who have no children, want to adopt Ayu and promise to send him to school and accompany him to the imperial examinations..."

Jiang Zhiyang's eyes were glazed over, staring blankly at the ground, but his mouth was fluent, as if all the information about these people was in his mind. He could tell you everything, whether it was where they lived, how many people were in their family, what they did for a living, how the head of the household was in good health, or whether they had any grudges with anyone.

"Good, good, good, Zhiyang did a good job. I trust your judgment. They will definitely live a peaceful life from now on." Old Jiang was still leaning against the headboard, his brows relaxed, as if a major matter had been resolved. "And you, Xiulian, have you thought it through? Will you marry Chen Kang, or find another place to settle down?"

"I've made up my mind. After Zhiyang explained it to me last time, I sent my storybook to the bookstore. The owner said he was willing to publish it for me. Once the royalties arrive in a couple of days, I can rent a place to live on my own." Xiulian's tone was firm, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on Qingjun's hand.

"Good, good, good! Our Xiulian is a woman with great ambitions!" Old Jiang laughed, his eyes crinkling into deep wrinkles.

Then came another long silence...

"Brother Jiang, are you really sure? After the New Year, let Shuo'er find another long-term worker and ask the boss for an advance on wages. We will definitely be able to get through this." Aunt Dong sat on the edge of the bed, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Alas, my body can't take it anymore. Lok Sin Tong is my good intention, but I don't want it to become a burden for you. After I'm gone, Shuo'er will take over, but after Shuo'er is gone, will his descendants take over?" Old Jiang reached out and placed his hand on Aunt Dong's hand. "There will be a day when it all falls apart."

"Pah, pah, pah, what nonsense are you talking about! What do you mean, 'you'll be gone soon'? You'll be fine after this winter, once the weather warms up!" Aunt Dong turned around, glaring at Old Jiang with a hint of resentment, but tears still welled up in her eyes.

"Shuang'er, I'm a physician, the youngest physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau back then!" He raised his head, his eyes shining like a lamp, illuminating his youthful memories of riding high on the spring breeze.