Chapter 27: Celebrating the New Year, Part 2

He Yuzhu returned to his master’s home just in time for lunch. Because a grand New Year’s Eve feast was planned for the evening, lunch was kept simple. After the meal, Xiaohu and Yushui pestered He Yuzhu to build a snowman.

Unable to refuse, He Yuzhu took them out into the courtyard. Fan Yao followed along as well. Fortunately, the snowfall had eased, or they wouldn’t have been able to play at all. He Yuzhu led them in rolling one large and one small snowball. He found a carrot for a nose, two pebbles of similar size for eyes, and a pair of tree branches for arms. Soon, a decent-looking snowman stood in the yard.

As Yushui, Xiaohu, and Fan Yao stood before their creation, admiring it happily, He Yuzhu secretly packed a snowball and tossed it at Yushui. Stunned for a moment after being hit, Yushui let out a cry. "Brother, that’s a sneak attack!" she shouted, packing her own snowball and throwing it back at him. Xiaohu and Fan Yao caught on, joining Yushui in the snowball fight against He Yuzhu. The courtyard was filled with laughter.

The Master and his wife watched the children playing wildly from the doorway, their faces full of joy. "They’re going to work up a sweat soon; I’ll go brew some ginger sugar water," the Mistress said, heading into the kitchen.

After a while, the four of them were indeed sweating. The Mistress returned with the ginger water and called a halt to the games. "Stop playing now, or you’ll catch a cold. Come inside, wipe yourselves off, and stay indoors," she commanded. He Yuzhu, after taking a few final snowballs from the trio, ushered them inside. "Look at you all, sweating profusely and running wild in the snow. Go inside and wipe off. Zhuzi, wipe yourself down too. Everyone have a cup of ginger tea."

Before long, the snow stopped, and the streets began to bustle with activity. He Yuzhu took the children to the department store, where he bought them small firecrackers and picked up plenty for himself as well. On the way back, they bought candied hawthorn skewers.

Back home, the Master and Mistress were busy preparing the feast, so He Yuzhu sent the children off to play. "Master, Mistress, let me help," he said, entering the kitchen.

"No need, your Master and I can handle it. Go look after them and keep them from getting into trouble," the Mistress said, ushering him out.

Seeing how skillfully his Master and Mistress coordinated while chatting, He Yuzhu decided not to disturb their quiet time together.

"Brother Zhuzi! Brother Zhuzi! Take us to set off firecrackers!" Xiaohu ran over with Yushui, followed by Fan Yao.

"Alright, I’ll take you," He Yuzhu agreed. He gave each of them an incense stick and brought out the firecrackers. "First, do as I do: peel back a bit of the fuse and expose the powder," he instructed, showing them how to handle the fuses safely. Once they had prepared a pile, he called a stop. He lit their incense sticks and warned, "Stick the firecracker in the snow, light it, and run. No holding them in your hands."

The courtyard was soon filled with the crackling of firecrackers and the joyful shrieks of the children. Before they knew it, darkness fell.

"Come back inside for dinner!" the Mistress called.

"Coming!" He Yuzhu replied. "Alright, that’s enough. Follow me to wash your hands and eat." He collected the remaining firecrackers and led the children to wash up.

The table was set with a feast. He poured warm yellow wine for his Master, the Mistress, and himself to toast the occasion, and served homemade watermelon juice to Yushui, Xiaohu, and Fan Yao.

"Come, it’s New Year’s. Let’s all raise our glasses and wish for an even better life in the coming year," said Master Fan Dakang.

"Cheers!" everyone joined in.

During the meal, He Yuzhu led the children in offering toasts to the Master and Mistress, wishing the Master good health and the Mistress eternal youth. Today, the Master drank without his usual restraint. "Zhuzi," he asked, "how are you progressing with the Lu cuisine? Are you confident?"

"Just about there," He Yuzhu replied. "After the New Year, I’ll observe how they cook a bit more, and it shouldn't take long."

"Zhuzi," the Master continued, "I’ve been holding you back from graduating as a full chef. You don't blame me, do you?"

"Not at all," He Yuzhu said. "You and the Mistress have cared for Yushui and me like your own children. I am nothing but grateful."

"You are still young; you’ve only just turned seventeen. While your skills are excellent, the kitchen isn't just about talent—it's a place of complex human nature. Your experience is still shallow. The Lu cuisine chefs only sidelined you because they respected me; they didn't actively sabotage you. I didn't intervene, and I told Master Sun not to either, because I wanted you to experience these things for yourself," the Master said, his voice trailing off as he grew tipsy.

"Master, I understand," He Yuzhu replied.

Seeing her husband was drunk, the Mistress helped him to bed. Once he was settled, He Yuzhu saw that Yushui and Xiaohu were sleepy and prepared to leave.

"Zhuzi, why not stay the night? It’s snowy and the roads are slippery," the Mistress suggested.

"No, thank you, Mistress. It’s not far; Yushui and I will be fine." He politely declined, knowing the Mistress needed to look after her husband.

"Then don't ride your bicycle. It’s too dangerous with Yushui," she insisted.

"Understood, Mistress. I’ll carry her home." He agreed to walk to put her mind at ease. After bundling Yushui up, he carried her out.

"Take it slow on the road, don't slip," the Mistress called from the door.

"It’s cold outside, Mistress, you go back in," He Yuzhu replied, heading off into the night.

"Brother, you haven't carried me like this in such a long time," Yushui whispered, clinging tightly to his neck.

He Yuzhu realized that since he’d gotten his bicycle, he hadn't carried her much. Busy with his culinary training, he had indeed neglected her a little. "If you want me to carry you, you have to tell me. How else would I know? From now on, just tell me whatever you want," he said gently.

"Mmm, you're the best, Brother," she replied.

Feeling the depth of her reliance on him, he walked all the way home. Once inside, he lit the fireplace and the heated brick bed. As the room warmed up, they shed their heavy coats. After washing up, they crawled into bed. Yushui hugged her brother, listening to his stories until she drifted off to sleep with a faint, content smile.