Chapter 1344

New Year's Leave and Mini-Theater

New Year's Leave and Mini-Theater

Happy New Year, everyone. Today is New Year's Eve. Since I've been typing with my day and night reversed, and the holiday means I'm squeezing in writing late at night, I'm really busy, so I'm taking two days off—no updates on the 16th and 17th, and I should be able to resume updates on the 18th.

Thank you all for your support!

Clasped hands in respect!

Wishing everyone a happy New Year. Here's a mini-theater for you.

"Hurry up, hurry up."

"Here I come, here I come."

"Oh dear, it's crooked again, crooked again—can't you just stick it on properly?"

"Then you come! You won't come yourself to stick it, just jabbering away—mistake, don't pull my chair. It's crooked, truly crooked! The mistress and the others are coming any moment now—if you don't stick it right, watch out, Eying sister will have you on the chopping block!"

At the Liang family gate, Long Yao and Long Li, wrapped in red jackets, stood on stools to put up spring couplets on the gate. Long Li grabbed the chair back and shifted left and right, while Long Yao exclaimed in surprise, amid laughter and cheerful voices.

In the courtyard, the otter practiced summer training in the three fu periods and winter training in the three nines, standing on one leg like a golden rooster, the great roc spreading its wings.

The giant otter helped pick vegetables; "Can't move," it yawned, circling the stove like a ring of jade steps: the round-headed one directed the fists to tidy tables and chairs; the small-lipped otter carried osmanthus cake, flying into the room with a "Wuhu, wuhu"; Awei went to the kitchen, bleeding each chicken, duck, and fish one by one.

"Splash."

"Ah Fat, what are you doing?"

Liang Qu leapt onto the boat, shook off water droplets, flung off mud and sand, looked at the bustling courtyard, felt an inexplicable sense of accomplishment, shrunk to three feet tall as a water beast, and ran all over the courtyard—the lone fat fish.

On the round stones by the pond, the fat fish's long whiskers danced, then it continued lying flat, grabbed the brush, the child holding chopsticks like a fork, and began writing on the red paper.

Gazing intently.

"Hey, you've actually written down all the holiday blessings you say every year, haven't you?"

The fat fish puffed out its chest and lifted its head.

As the great poet fish of Jianghuai, of course I can speak and recite!

After drying the ink cleanly, the fat fish picked up the red paper strip and gave it a sharp shake—"Splash!"

The red paper shook, and lo and behold, all the phrases were neatly arranged. Though the characters were a bit crooked and twisted, the meaning could still be made out:

May the new year surpass the old, be smooth and untroubled, and may all obtain what they wish.

This is what my master said when I first became his disciple.

The sun and moon move on, the seasons renew—may all be smooth and untroubled, may all obtain what they wish.

This is what was said when I was about to enter the Lang Yan.

As the year turns, renew and welcome blessings in season. From now on, may all endeavors be as good as the old. May life be strong and healthy—joy in grasping the year ahead.

This is what the old monk said in his arhat state.

Eyebrows like green jade, face glowing red. In the rear hall, spring wind never ceases. Next year, I shall surely surpass this year—there will be a pearl in my palm.

This is what Liang Qu said upon entering Zhen Xiang.

Last year, auspicious clouds circled the jade gate; this morning, auspicious energy fills the golden goblet. Last year already displayed a thousandfold brocade; this year ascends even higher to the hundred-step tower.

All things renewed, progress through effort! The new year sets forth, ambition reaching for the blue clouds!

Spring enters the gate, and once again I see Liang and willow threads new-green. For this scene, one year for longevity, one turn to add blessings.

The yin of the year wanes at dusk, offering the season to welcome new fragrance. Winter ends tonight, urging haste; the year opens tomorrow, stretching long!

This is what the eldest senior brother said upon entering the Ru Sect as a master.

Seasonal offerings reflect on the pepper tray, cypress wine fragrance floats on the white jade boat. Raising cups to urge everyone to wish each other well—what words? But only that this year may surpass last year!

This is what the Dragon Elephant King said.

One thing after another, one item after another—past events float before the eyes.

"Truly wonderful, the drying turned out well!" Liang Qu gathered the red paper, patted Ah Fat's head, "Hurry to Fucheng and call Master and the others to come eat."

Whirr-whirr.

After a few rolls, the fat fish raised its long whiskers, folded at a ninety-degree angle!

Plunk!