Chapter 118: Reunion New Year Flavor

On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the crackling fireworks of the minor New Year rang throughout Beiping City. Li Ping'an's Braised Meat stall was crowded with neighbors buying New Year goods; Ping Le, wearing a floral apron, deftly helped collect money for the meat.

"Boss Li, two jin of braised beef, please!" Madam Zhang pushed to the front, saying her little one was craving your portion.

Ping Le, while slicing meat, laughed: "Madam, your third child hasn't been ice skating on the moat lately, has he? Last time you were so worried."

"Of course not! Thanks to your brother pulling him up…" Madam Zhang lowered her voice, saying she heard the city has been unsettled lately and you should be careful.

Li Ping'an handed over the wrapped beef with a slight smile: "Thank you for thinking of us, Madam. We understand."

After sending off the last customer, Ping Le counted the copper coins, eyes sparkling: "Brother, this year we can finally have a prosperous year!"

Li Ping'an patted her head: "What do you want to buy? Brother will get it for you."

"Make a cotton jacket from new patterned cloth! Also need to buy red head ribbons, window decorations, firecrackers…" Ping Le counted on her fingers, then lowered her voice: "Brother, can we really put up Spring Couplets this year?"

Li Ping'an looked at the bustling crowd outside the window, his gaze softening: "We'll put them up, and we'll put up the biggest ones."

On the 24th day of the twelfth month, the siblings rose early. Ping Le excitedly changed into a faded old cotton jacket, tying a red head ribbon in her braid, looking like a cheerful little sparrow.

"Brother, buy the candied melon first! It's needed for the Kitchen God offering!"

Li Ping'an was tugged by his sister as they weaved through the New Year market. Candied melons, preserved fruits, dried nuts… Ping Le examined each item carefully, haggling like the neighbor's madam.

The old man selling dried fruits laughed: "Little girl really knows how to make a living! Fine, I'll give you a better price!"

Passing a Spring Couplet stall, Ping Le stopped. A red-backed, gold-inked couplet fluttered in the wind: "Heaven adds years, people gain longevity; spring fills the universe, blessings fill the door."

"Brother, this one!" Ping Le's eyes lit up, "Our days will surely get better and better!"

When Li Ping'an paid, he noticed the stall owner's obvious calloused hand. He calmly added a few extra copper coins: "Boss, your calligraphy is excellent."

The stall owner looked up, gave him a meaning‑laden smile: "Surviving in chaotic times, just earning a living."

On the way home, Ping Le bounced with the New Year goods, suddenly tugging her brother's sleeve: "Brother, that gentleman writing the Spring Couplets, is he…"

Li Ping'an pulled his sister close and said, "Le Er, remember my words: see through but don't speak it."

Ping Le nodded as if half‑understanding, then pointed ahead: "Ah! The one selling New Year pictures!"

On the 28th day of the twelfth month, the Braised Meat stall closed early. Li Ping'an unusually bought two live fish and also ordered two jin of Pork Belly. Ping Le followed behind, cradling a pile of New Year goods; her little face was flushed from the cold but her smile blossomed.

"Brother, I can make Red Braised Pork now! Master Su taught me!"

"Oh? Then shall we, Le Er, show off a skill tonight?"

"But…" Ping Le suddenly lowered her head, "In past years it was Mom who made it…"

Li Ping'an crouched down, gently wiping the tear at his sister's eye corner: "This year brother will be your assistant. Mom, watching from heaven, will surely be happy."

The siblings set to work in the kitchen. Ping Le, wearing an oversized apron, directed properly: "Brother, cut the meat into cubes! Scrape the fish scales clean!"

Li Ping'an clumsily handled the live fish, getting splashed in the face by the fish's tail. Ping Le laughed uproariously: "Brother looks just like a drowned cat!"

Amid swirling smoke, the aroma of Red Braised Pork spread. Ping Le secretly pinched a piece of candied melon and slipped it into her mouth, only to be caught by Li Ping'an.

"Little glutton, even the Kitchen God's offering you dare to steal?"

Ping Le stuck out her tongue: "The Kitchen God won't blame you! I polish the stove every day until it shines!"

On New Year's Eve morning, Beiping City gradually grew quiet. The siblings put up Spring Couplets and hung New Year pictures; the dilapidated courtyard instantly felt renewed.

Ping Le stood on a stool to paste window decorations, then whispered softly: "Brother, if Father and Mother were here, it would be nice…"

Li Ping'an silently handed over a paper‑cut: "Look, Mom's favorite—magpie on plum."

Snow began to drift in the afternoon, feather‑light flakes falling silently. Li Ping'an set up a small table in the courtyard, placing the blue‑and‑white porcelain bowls left by Mom. Red Braised Pork, sweet‑and‑sour fish, fried meatballs… each dish steamed hot.

"Brother, we still need dumplings!" Ping Le, apron tied, stuck her head out of the kitchen, her face beaming.

Li Ping'an rolled up his sleeves: "Brother, I'll roll the dough."

The siblings sat around the heated table to wrap dumplings. Ping Le's dumplings were misshapen, yet each was packed tightly.

Li Ping'an watched his sister's earnest expression, his eyes slightly moist. He quietly slipped a silver coin into one dumpling.

As night fell, firecrackers crackled intermittently. Ping Le covered her ears, laughing and hopping: "Brother! Light the firecrackers quickly!"

Li Ping'an ignited a string of firecrackers; amid the crackling, he shouted loudly: "Le Er, Happy New Year!"

"Brother, Happy New Year too!" Ping Le laughed, leaping into his arms.

When the reunion meal was set on the table, Ping Le suddenly stood up: "Wait! One more step!"

She carefully lit three incense sticks and bowed three times toward the south: "Father, Mother, we are doing well; please rest assured."

Li Ping'an silently added three sets of bowls and chopsticks. In the flickering candlelight, it seemed as if a truly lively family reunion were present.

Upon eating the third dumpling, Ping Le suddenly exclaimed, spitting out a silver coin from her mouth.

"Brother! You cheated!" she shouted, holding up the silver coin, laughing and clamoring, "That doesn't count! Do it again!"

Li Ping'an laughed heartily: "Eating it is a blessing!"

During the New Year's Eve watch, Ping Le curled up beside her brother, her eyelids battling.

"If you're sleepy, just sleep."

"No… Ping Le rubbed her eyes, 'We must stay up for the New Year; the later we stay, the longer Father and Mother will live…'"

Before the words finished, the little head was already leaning bit by bit onto his shoulder.

Li Ping'an gently tucked the blanket over his sister, gazing at the snowy night outside the window. Distant, occasional firecracker pops echoed, further highlighting the night's tranquility.

Suddenly, a faint rustle came from beyond the courtyard wall. Li Ping'an instantly became alert, slipping quietly to the window.

Several dark silhouettes moved on the opposite roof. The leader gave a signal, and the group vanished silently into the night.

Li Ping'an's clenched fist slowly relaxed. He returned to the heated platform, tucking his sister's blanket corner.

"Le Er, brother will protect you well." He whispered, "One day, we'll have a truly peaceful year."

Early on the first day of the new year, Ping Le hopped down from the heated platform: "Brother! Happy New Year! Give me the New Year's money!"

Li Ping'an produced a pre‑prepared red envelope: "Wishing our Le Er safety and joy."

Ping Le tore open the red envelope, exclaiming delightedly: "So many! Brother, you're not holding back?"

"Earning money is just to spend on my sister, right?" Li Ping'an laughed, ruffling her hair, "Come, let's go pay New Year's visits to the neighbors."

The two siblings went out wearing new clothes; first they tied red silk around the old locust tree in the courtyard, then they delivered braised meat house to house. At each home, Ping Le would sweetly say auspicious words, returning with pockets full of candy and snacks.

Arriving at the alley entrance, they met the stallholder selling New Year pictures. He smiled and handed over a red envelope: lucky money for the little girl.

Ping Le was about to take it when Li Ping'an stepped forward, took it and gave it a squeeze. The stallholder smiled meaningfully: During the festive period, go out less.

On the way back, Ping Le whispered: Brother, is that man a good person?

In this world, good and bad people aren't so easy to distinguish. Li Ping'an gazed at the passersby on the street, but those who help us are all benefactors.

Beiping City temporarily relaxed its guard during the first lunar month. The siblings went to the factory grounds temple fair, Ping Le holding candied haws, finding everything fresh and novel.

Returning home in the evening, Ping Le hugged a chubby-doll New Year picture and suddenly said: Brother, after we defeat the bad guys, let's really open a braised meat shop?

Li Ping'an took the New Year picture: When the time comes, you'll collect the money.

Then I must first learn the abacus! Ping Le said earnestly, Su Shifu said, girls should also know how to keep accounts...

Snow fell silently again, covering the footprints in the alley. The siblings' silhouettes gradually faded into the dusk, only a string of cheerful laughter lingering in the wind.

This year, although only the two of them celebrated, it was the warmest Spring Festival in years.