Everyone in the village knew how hardworking Li Ying was. They all understood that this New Year was a once - in - a - millennium opportunity for them to shine and make a name for themselves. Everyone was on their toes, tidying up every corner of the "resort" until it was spotless.
Amid all this busyness, the Laba Festival was just around the corner.
Every household cooked soft, glutinous and sweet Laba porridge. A bowl of steaming meat dumplings washed away all the toils and weariness of the whole year.
As the saying goes, "Once the Laba Festival is over, the New Year is near." Li Ying had already assigned all the tasks of welcoming guests to the villagers. So, in the expectant eyes of all the village children, she rolled up her sleeves and started making "tanggua" for the Kitchen God worship.
The maltose bubbled "popping" in the pot. While it was still hot, she rolled it in soybean powder. Then, like pulling noodles, she stretched it into slender white sugar threads and gently gathered them together.
The countless strands of dragon's beard candy melted in the mouth, and every bite brought a sweet and comfortable feeling to the heart.
Li Ying's hands never stopped, but she softly chanted:
"Little kids, don't be greedy. After Laba, the New Year is near. Laba porridge is served. A few days later, it's the 23rd day."
"On the 23rd, tanggua sticks. On the 24th, sweep the house. On the 25th, make tofu. On the 26th, stew pork. On the 27th, slaughter the New - Year chicken. On the 28th, leaven the dough. On the 29th, steam the buns. On the 30th night, stay up all night..."
Although there were a few glistening beads of sweat on her forehead, the smile in her eyes was gentle. The soft sunlight shone on her, as if covering her with a thin veil.
This was a nursery rhyme her grandmother often sang to her when she was a child. Now, telling it to these village kids made her feel a bit sentimental.
"Sister Li, how much longer?"
The clear voice of a child pulled her back from her thoughts. Li Ying gave a gentle smile.
It seemed that she had truly integrated into this world.
This place was her hometown.
Facing the moon, she yearned for her lover.
"Little gluttons, it's almost done!"
The boiling maltose bubbled and burst, filling the room with sweet sugar foam. After it cooled down a bit, she hung one end on an iron hook and grabbed the other end, pulling and folding it repeatedly until the sugar strip became very tough and had a faint ivory - yellow pearlescent sheen.
Li Ying was, after all, a young girl. Pulling the sugar strip was really a physical task. Soon, she was out of breath and had to be replaced by the strong young men in the village.
The sugar strip was pulled evenly, looking like fine silk satin. Once it cooled down and was cut, it became pieces of crispy "tangcong".
If the sugar strips were connected side by side to form a hollow sugar tube, and then cut into small sections with a hemp rope while the maltose was still not completely cooled, they would become hollow "tanggua".
Round "tanggua" plopped down into the dustpan one by one. Coated with a layer of roasted white sesame seeds, they looked very plump and tasted extremely sweet.
As for the tangcong, it could be placed on a soft, white pancake, sprinkled with sesame seeds and crushed peanuts, and then decorated with the soul - enhancing coriander leaves. Thus, it became a sweet - and - savory pancake with a rich taste.
The children had nothing to do after school. They happily ate the tangcong pancakes and pocketed a few chubby tanggua. Then they simply waited at the village entrance, staring longingly at the distant convoy.
"Sister Li, Sister Li, someone's coming! Really coming!"
After waiting for two days, suddenly a little boy ran back to the village excitedly to report the news.
Li Ying was cutting window - flowers in the room with Mrs. Li and others. Hearing this, she slightly raised her eyebrows.
She had indeed sent out some advertisements about the New - Year activities in the fishing village. She thought that even if the guests traveled quickly, they would probably arrive after the New Year.
It was really strange that the guests came so soon.
She put away her scissors and quickly put on a coat, then rushed towards the village entrance.
As the dust settled, a group of figures gradually emerged on the newly - built stone road.
When Li Ying took a closer look, she saw that there were several graceful girls standing beside the ox - carts. Each of them was about sixteen years old. Although they were disheveled and dirty from the long - distance journey, one could still tell that they were good - looking.
However, looking at their shabby luggage on the carts, they really didn't seem like people coming for a leisure vacation.
"Sir, I greet you. May I ask if this is Boss Li's Peach - Blossom Fishing Village?"
The leading girl stepped forward gracefully and curtsied. Her willow - like waist was so slender that it seemed it could be grasped with one hand, swaying charmingly.
The rough fishermen in the village had never seen such a sight before. They all stared blankly, their mouths agape and unable to say a word.
The spicy fishing girls immediately got annoyed. They reached out their hands and were about to twist their husbands' ears.
"Look, look! If you look any more, your eyes might fall out!"
The women in the village now earned as much silver as the men and also took care of all the household chores. So the men didn't dare to say anything and obediently lowered their heads.
Li Ying frowned slightly, almost imperceptibly.
Since the other party had specifically asked for her, she didn't shy away anymore. She walked forward generously, sized them up, and politely asked, "I'm Li Ying. I'm just an ordinary member of this fishing village. May I ask what you want from me?"
When they heard her admit her identity, the women looked at each other. Without hesitation, they immediately knelt down in front of her!
"Boss Li! We've long heard that you're kind - hearted and well - known. You're especially helpful to us women. Please, save us sisters!"
The leading woman spoke, and the girls behind her echoed, their voices tinged with sobs.
"Boss Li, we were born into good families. But because our families were too poor, we had no choice but to become musicians in a music workshop in the capital. Although we tried to stay pure, in such a worldly place, we couldn't help ourselves. Several of my sisters were forced by some officials who came to listen to music!"
"We sisters really didn't want to fall into a life of debauchery. After much thought, we finally saved enough money to redeem ourselves. Hearing of your noble deeds, we traveled a long way to seek refuge with you. Please have mercy on us and give us a mouthful of food!"
"We can play the pipa and the yueqin, and we've also worked hard to learn the Hu Xuan Dance. We're sure we can help you entertain the noble guests who come to the fishing village!"
The leading woman pleaded continuously, and the girls behind her echoed, saying that they would surely be a help to Li Ying in attracting guests. They were in tears, looking so pitiful.
The sight of these beautiful women with tears in their eyes made not only the men in the fishing village but also Li Ying, a woman herself, feel a bit of pity.
At first, the women in the fishing village thought these girls were a bit coquettish. But now, seeing that their clothes were neat and proper and hearing about their pitiful experiences, they couldn't help but feel a bit of compassion.
"A Ying, maybe... we should keep them? Anyway, we've already kept the couple from the caravan. There's still a lot of space in the village. With more people, we can help each other and it'll be livelier."
Li Ying raised her eyebrows and pondered in silence. Mianmian in her arms opened her big, black eyes, looked at her mother and then at the people around, not understanding what was going on. Suddenly, she burst into tears with a "wa" sound.