Chapter Forty-Two: The New Year

As the end of the year drew near, the weather grew colder still, and the Tian family’s charcoal business flourished. Tian Defu, who used to deliver goods every three days, now delivered every other day. He was no longer making the deliveries himself; so busy was he with the charcoal burning that he’d hired someone to help. He supplied not only Banxia, but also merchants in the county. Though the price was lower, he relied on volume for profit.

On this particular day, Tian Defu himself came to deliver the goods, surprising Banxia. He explained that with the festival approaching, he had brought along a large amount of cured meat. Banxia hung the meat, piece by piece, in the kitchen. Anzi stood watching, “Sister, so much meat!”

“Big brother, do you want some meat? I’ll ask my father to send you some.”

“I’ll ask my father to send you some, too.”

“Silly Xiaolin, your father is my father.”

“You called me silly! I’ll complain to Father and have him punish you.”

“You tattletale, always complaining. I won’t take you out to play anymore.”

“Waa… I want to play with you!”

Banxia hadn’t expected two or three words to set the siblings quarrelling, with the little sister even in tears. She looked helplessly at Anzi. Anzi turned and said, “No crying.”

The girl stopped her sobbing. Anzi gently wiped her tears. “Girls who cry aren’t pretty. Xiaolin is the prettiest. She can’t cry.”

Xiaolin immediately broke into a smile.

“Big brother…” The boy tried to speak.

“Sister said not to accept rewards for no good reason. Thank you for wanting to bring me meat, but we have enough ourselves. I don’t need yours.”

The boy looked even more aggrieved.

Anzi took his hand. “Come, let’s go outside and build a snowman, a big one just like you.”

The boy cheered up, and the three happily built snowmen together.

Banxia was astonished by Anzi’s social skills—he charmed both boys and girls. Laughter echoed through the courtyard as the children played. Banxia watched them, thinking: in half a month, Gansui should be on his way home.

The two younger children were newcomers from a cloth merchant’s family on the street. Sometimes Banxia was too busy to cook, so she sent Anzi to order food from the restaurant at the street corner, and have the dishes delivered. Anzi knew the way well; Banxia only followed him once before feeling at ease.

One day, after going to order lunch, Anzi returned with a dirty little boy in tow. Banxia worried he had brought another child home—they couldn’t afford to feed more mouths.

The other boy was plump and still crying. Banxia asked Anzi what had happened. Anzi explained that while ordering food, he saw a stray dog chasing the boy, about to bite him. Anzi drove the dog away with a stick.

Banxia was alarmed. What gave this short, sturdy boy the confidence to confront a big dog? “Are you alright? Did the dog hurt you?” In these times, there were no vaccines for rabies; a bite could mean disaster.

“I’m fine. Sister taught me martial arts. I’m not afraid.”

Banxia couldn’t help but laugh. What martial arts? She had only made him practice standing horse stance to strengthen his weak body. But he had persisted, and grown much sturdier.

Since he’d done a good deed, Banxia couldn’t scold him. She reminded him again and again to be careful. The little boy was still crying, so Banxia washed his face with warm water and gave him candy to calm him. She asked which shop he belonged to, but the chubby child mumbled incoherently. Banxia resolved to carry him door to door to ask.

Just then, someone came searching for their child, describing him as short and chubby.

Banxia: … Such a description could only come from his true parents.

The child immediately cried for his mother and father. Banxia recounted what had happened, telling them the boy had been frightened and might have nightmares, so the parents should take extra care. They nodded repeatedly, thanked her, and left.

That afternoon, they returned with a bolt of fine cloth, meant for Banxia to make clothes for Anzi as thanks for saving their little Zhuzhu. Yes, the robust little boy was named Zhuzhu.

Banxia admitted she didn’t sew, so the cloth was of no use to her. Instead, she gave them money and asked them to make two jackets for Anzi.

From then on, Zhuzhu became a frequent visitor at the shop. He obeyed Anzi, his ‘savior,’ in everything. Anzi loved reading, so Zhuzhu sat quietly beside him, listening. In just five or six days, he could recite a few lines and even write his own name, albeit poorly.

Zhuzhu’s parents were overjoyed. Their son could read and recite—surely, it meant he would become a scholar, bring honor to the family, and perhaps even become an official. Learning Anzi had taught him, they treated Anzi as dearer than their own son, making clothes and buying things for him whenever they did so for Zhuzhu.

Banxia wasn’t one to accept gifts without reciprocation. She always returned whatever their household lacked—children’s primers, household items. This exchange brought the two families closer.

But Zhuzhu’s little sister was unhappy. She could tolerate her brother sharing candy and snacks, but for a stranger to consume her treats was too much. One day, she quietly tagged along with her brother to ‘challenge’ Anzi.

Yet at the first sight of Anzi, she forgot her mission—he was simply too handsome. Xiaolin, the little sister, became a devoted admirer, not only ceasing her complaints about snacks but offering them to him willingly.

Zhuzhu was indignant. His sister always snatched his things at home. Now, she wanted to bribe the big brother he’d finally befriended with snacks—outrageous! The siblings quarreled over the handsome boy, first with words, then with hands, until Anzi soothed them once again.

Banxia sighed deeply. Having more children was not always good—their arguments were enough to make her head ache.

While checking inventory, Banxia saw someone enter—Wang Xiaoshan.

She hadn’t seen Wang Xiaoshan for a month or two. Bailian had said he’d gone out to seek business; with the year-end, trade was good, and he could make a tidy profit if he hustled. Bailian had also complained that since becoming a father, Wang Xiaoshan had grown more energetic, eager to earn more for his son’s future.

Banxia had advised her: all parents work hard for their children, and as long as he was honest and not misbehaving outside, it was good.

Now, seeing him suddenly, Banxia almost didn’t recognize him. He had lost a lot of weight, but looked spirited. “Senior brother, you’ve come! Didn’t your wife say you were out on business?”

“I was, thanks to your husband’s connections. The court lifted the maritime ban, and he arranged the routes and people. You wouldn’t believe the goods coming by sea—cheap and excellent. Gansui reserved a whole boat, and I sold most of it along the way back. In the provincial city, demand far outstripped supply. But with the year-end, the sea is freezing, so trade will wait until spring. I came today to bring you your share.”

He pulled out a banknote—over two thousand taels.

“That’s so much. Did you miscalculate?”

“No mistake. This trip made over eight thousand taels. I agreed with Gansui: I take sixty percent, he takes forty.”

Banxia hadn’t expected Gansui, even while away, to earn so much.

“Really, I got the better deal. He arranged the money and connections.”

“Gansui left with only two hundred taels. Where did he get more?”

“Your husband didn’t tell you? He sold goods along the way, making a tidy profit. He’s a real business talent. If he weren’t set on civil exams, I’d want to partner with him—maybe we’d be the richest men in the country someday.”

“You’re talented yourself, senior brother. Without Gansui, you’d still manage.”

“I used to think I had talent, but compared to Gansui, the difference is clear. His mind works differently. Oh, and he sent things and letters—I brought them all.” He had a large trunk carried upstairs.

“I haven’t seen my wife for nearly two months, so I won’t linger. I’ll head home.”

“Take care, senior brother. See you.”

“Come to dinner at my place tomorrow. Bailian says she’s missed you these past days.”

“Alright.”

Banxia opened the trunk. Inside were all sorts of food and goods, even cosmetics. The best was a small bottle of essential oil—just a drop in the bath, and you’d smell fragrant all day. There were several children’s picture books, rare in these times; she wondered where he found them. She put them aside for Anzi. Then she opened the letter… “He won’t be home for New Year’s?” Banxia murmured.

“Sister…” Anzi ran upstairs, saw Banxia’s reddened eyes, and asked, “Sister, are you crying? What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine.” She touched Anzi’s hand. “It’s so cold—playing outside in the snow for so long. Did you finish your snowman?”

“Yes, it’s done.”

Banxia hastily brought out the hand warmer for Anzi.

“Don’t be sad, sister.” Anzi didn’t know what had happened, but sensed her sorrow.

“I’m alright. I’ll be fine soon. Are you hungry? I’ll make something tasty for you.” She went downstairs.

Anzi looked at the letter on the bed. Was his brother-in-law not coming home? Was that why sister was so sad?

It was already the twelfth month. Though Gansui wasn’t coming home, Banxia had to carry on. As the festival approached, she hired two poor scholars to write auspicious Spring Festival couplets, which sold well.

On the twenty-seventh, they slaughtered chickens; on the twenty-eighth, they leavened dough; on the twenty-ninth, they steamed buns; on the thirtieth, they stayed up all night.

At last, New Year’s Eve arrived. Wang Xiaoshan sent someone to invite Banxia to celebrate with his family, but she declined. She was happy to dine with them on ordinary days, but for New Year, she wanted to be at home. Seeing her resolve, Wang Xiaoshan didn’t press her.

Though only Banxia and Anzi were at home, she prepared a sumptuous feast—a lamb hotpot, various dishes, cured meat, and sausages. As they were about to eat, there was a knock at the door. Banxia thought it was Wang Xiaoshan returning, and called out, “Senior brother, I really won’t—” She opened the door and saw, “Gansui…”

“I’m home.”

Firecrackers exploded outside, crackling and snapping, but Banxia heard nothing, her mind echoing only those four words: “I’m home.”

New Year. Reunion. How wonderful.